The End is Near
The General Assembly will begin its 60th and final legislative day today at Noon and as required by the constitution they must adjourn sine die before midnight tonight. The legislature worked until nearly Midnight last night finalizing action on some of the high profile bills of the session: House Bill 1, Amanda's Bill dealing with domestic violence, and Senate Bill 4 dealing with organ donation. House and Senate Leaders also spent much of yesterday in behind the scenes budget negotiations.
When the session began in January, we said the biggest and most difficult issue would be the budget and how to address the 1.5 billion dollar shortfall. It is no surprise that prediction has not changed as we enter the final day. We still do not have a budget agreement. Here is the status going into the final hours.
The General Assembly will begin its 60th and final legislative day today at Noon and as required by the constitution they must adjourn sine die before midnight tonight. The legislature worked until nearly Midnight last night finalizing action on some of the high profile bills of the session: House Bill 1, Amanda's Bill dealing with domestic violence, and Senate Bill 4 dealing with organ donation. House and Senate Leaders also spent much of yesterday in behind the scenes budget negotiations.
When the session began in January, we said the biggest and most difficult issue would be the budget and how to address the 1.5 billion dollar shortfall. It is no surprise that prediction has not changed as we enter the final day. We still do not have a budget agreement. Here is the status going into the final hours.
The House has proposed continuing the current biennial budget through March of 2011 with the intent of re-addressing the budget in the 2011 session. State Government would essentially continue under the same appropriation levels until the end of the 2011 Regular Session. The Senate is reviewing and did not reject this proposal immediately, although they said it does pose some problems with programs that may need or mandate increases like state health insurance and retirements.
Whatever happens will happen today and we will get you updates as they are available.
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