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LEGISLATIVE UPDATE, April 4, 2021

Follow the Money The Appropriations Committee delivered their $1.526 billion-ish FY2021-22 / FY2022-23 biennial budget proposal to senators last Thursday. According to Speaker Hilgers, General File budget debate begins Thursday. If you remember nothing else about this...

LEGISLATIVE UPDATE, March 28, 2021

Consent Tomorrow is Day 51 of this 90-day legislative session. It is also the first time this year we've seen Consent Calendar. The process is not unlike the Password Lightning Round. First, the Speaker identifies "non-controversial" bills that advanced to General...

LEGISLATIVE UPDATE, March 21, 2021

Piles of Money The Appropriations Committee sent their $9.7 billion biennial budget to the printer. That means floor debate will soon turn to the distribution of piles-o-money over the next two fiscal years. K-12 education stands at the head of that line. Their $2.65...

LEGISLATIVE UPDATE, March 14, 2021

Bills, Bills, Bills Wednesday will mark the 45th legislative day of this COVID molested 90-day session. Public hearings for new legislation concluded Friday, and all-day floor debate begins tomorrow. Senator Priority Bills (1 each) and Committee Priority Bills (2...

LEGISLATIVE UPDATE, March 7, 2021

Priorities This week, the Judiciary Committee will close out their final public hearings of the session while Speaker Hilgers continues to prep the kids for full-day floor debate. A large majority of bills remain in committees. This week sets up perfectly for...

LEGISLATIVE UPDATE, February 28, 2021

Flush with Cash Our state economic prognosticators met last week. It seems their "wet index finger in the air" formula worked. State tax revenue will be higher than they predicted only four months ago. $462 million higher in fiscal years 20/21 ($204M), 21/22 ($165M),...

LEGISLATIVE UPDATE, February 21, 2021

Forecast This Monday, the Legislature will stand in recess. It's a four-day workweek! Come to think of it; every week is now a four-day workweek. If you believe that state senators have a cozy gig, you're sadly mistaken. During the legislative session, these people...

LEGISLATIVE UPDATE, February 14, 2021

Scuffle Committees of the Legislature are still grinding through all-day hearings on every one of those 684 legislative concoctions. The Judiciary and Revenue Committees are always the busiest. Tuesday morning, Speaker Hilgers will interrupt committee hearings for a...