Session Updates
Illinois |
July 02, 2008 Special Session Called
The General Assembly will return to Springfield next Wednesday (July 9) for a two-day special session to consider measures proposed by Governor Rod Blagojevich (D) intended to bridge the state’s lengthy budget impasse. Legislators approved a budget in the waning days of the regular session that ostensibly creates an estimated $2 billion deficit for the new fiscal year, which began July 1.
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Delaware |
July 01, 2008 Floor Sessions Conclude
The General Assembly completed floor sessions early this morning after lawmakers agreed on several measures, including a $3.3 billion state budget; a $602 million bond bill; and a $45 million grant-in-aid bill. Lawmakers also agreed upon measures to expedite insurance premium tax receipts; shorten the time before the state can claim dormant escheat accounts; shift $2.3 million in annual proceeds from a portion of the Transportation Trust Fund to the general fund; and increase corporate franchise and race track slot machine taxes. Lawmakers were unable to reach consensus on a new tax for hospitals; a 50 percent increase of the state’s alcohol tax; and an increase in alcohol distribution licensure fees. The General Assembly’s regular session is now technically in recess, subject to the call of the chair. Once passed legislation reaches her desk, Governor Ruth Ann Minner (D) will have 10 days, excluding Sundays, to act upon it. Find out more: |
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West Virginia  |
June 29, 2008 Special Session Completed
The Legislature adjourned its special session Saturday, June 28, after lawmakers agreed on all 19 bills on Governor Joe Manchin’s (D) agenda, including a one-year freeze on the state’s gas tax; a $25 million appropriation to enable the transfer of certain teachers and school service workers to the Teachers’ Retirement System; and other appropriations for greyhound training tracks and school bus fuel costs. Legislators also approved a controversial amendment to a campaign finance law regarding public disclosures. The governor has until July 19 to act upon legislation that reaches his desk.
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Nevada |
June 29, 2008 Special Session Adjourns
Lawmakers concluded a one-day special session on Friday (June 27) that addressed an expected revenue shortfall by lowering the state budget approved by the legislature in 2007 by $1.2 billion. Legislators approved a mixture of budget cuts, however, were able to avoid taking tobacco settlement funds and deferring a four percent salary increase for state workers and teachers that is due to go into effect July 1. Governor Jim Gibbons (R) has until July 9 to act upon legislation that reaches his desk.
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Kentucky |
June 29, 2008 Special Session Concludes
The Legislature concluded its special session regarding pension reform on Friday (June 27) after lawmakers passed legislation that prescribes raising the age and service requirements for state workers hired after September 1; limiting the annual cost of living increase to one-and-one-half percent; and establishing a payment schedule for the legislature to properly fund all state retirement funds by 2025. Governor Steven Beshear (D) signed the bill into law June 27.
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Arizona |
June 29, 2008 Regular Session Adjourns
The State Legislature adjourned late Friday (June 27) after lawmakers agreed to a $9.9 billion state budget that addresses budget shortfalls in the next two fiscal years and prescribes $348 million in funding cuts to state agencies. Legislators also reached agreement on a constitutional amendment - to be decided by voters in November - to ban gay marriage; a prohibition against the public sale of animals on highways, streets, or in parks; and a measure to allow public school students to pray, engage in religious activities, and wear religious symbols or clothing in school. Lawmakers failed to reach consensus on the establishment of a state-run temporary guest worker program; an expansion of the criminal trespass statute to include solicitation of day-laborers; a prohibition against nurses performing surgical abortions; or new energy efficiency and renewal standards. Governor Janet Napolitano (D) has until July 9 to act upon legislation passed during the session. Find out more: |
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South Carolina  |
June 26, 2008 Veto Session Convenes, Adjourns
The General Assembly convened a one-day veto session Wednesday, June 25, during which lawmakers overrode several of Governor Mark Sanford’s (R) vetoes, including those on a local government option of providing property tax credits to homes or businesses who install fire sprinkler systems; tax breaks on purchases of mobile homes, firearms, or energy-efficient appliances; and a conceal/carry allowance for lawmakers and state employees who use the statehouse garage. Several of Sanford’s vetoes were sustained, including one on a bill that would have mandated school notification of children testing positive for HIV. Besides the veto considerations, lawmakers also passed legislation designed to curtail state employee insurance premiums, as well as a measure to provide certain criminal defendants access to DNA testing. Once a bill from this veto session is sent to the governor, he will have five days, excluding Sundays, to act upon it. Legislators also may return to Columbia for a special session before October 31 if revenue projections from the recently-passed budget fall short of expectations and necessitate further revision. Find out more: |
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New York  |
June 25, 2008 Regular Session Recesses
The State Legislature completed floor sessions yesterday (June 24) after lawmakers agreed on several measures, including a ban on mandatory nurses’ overtime - except in emergency situations - and additional protection for identity-theft victims. Legislators also passed measures enhancing post-release supervision for violent felony offenders; lowering the standard for what constitutes child abuse in foster programs; increasing oversight for the state’s 47 self-insured workers-compensation trusts; and instituting mandatory union fees for non-union members of the state’s public-employee departments. Conversely, lawmakers were not able to reach agreement on measures intended to provide citizen relief from high property taxes and high gas prices. The legislative session is now technically in recess, subject to the call of the chair. Legislative leaders have indicated a likely return to Albany toward late summer to address as-yet-unresolved issues. Find out more: |
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New York |
June 25, 2008 Skelos Succeeds Bruno as Majority Leader
The Senate Republican Caucus has elected Dean Skelos as majority leader, succeeding Joseph Bruno, who announced Monday (June 23) that he is not seeking re-election as Senator. Senator Skelos will also assume the mantle of acting Lieutenant Governor and President Pro-Tempore of the Senate.
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Louisiana |
June 24, 2008 2008 Regular Session Ends
The Legislature adjourned late Monday (June 23) after lawmakers reached agreement on a $30 billion budget for the next fiscal year; a $300 million decrease in state income taxes through a rollback of the "Stelly Plan"; the establishment of a Financial Literacy and Education Commission to foster personal and household financial skills; and a prohibition against a public display of a noose for intimidation purposes. Legislators also passed an allowance for colleges in the state to raise their tuition rate up to five percent; a three percent increase in aid to public schools; a private school voucher program for certain public school students in Orleans Parish; and a base-salary increase for legislators from $16,800 to $37,500. On the flip side, lawmakers failed to pass a ban on cell phone use while driving; a measure to allow college students 21 years of age or older to carry concealed handguns on campus; or a measure to allow the operation of a motorcycle without a helmet. Once passed legislation from the regular session is sent to Governor Bobby Jindal (R), he will have 20 days to act upon it. Find out more: |
Connecticut |
June 23, 2008 Veto Session Today
The General Assembly will convene today (June 23) for a one-day veto session to consider an override to Governor M. Jodi Rell’s (R) veto of a minimum wage increase, as well as her rejection of a measure creating a Connecticut Healthcare Partnership.UPDATE: The General Assembly voted to override Governor Rell's veto of the minimum wage increase legislation. All other vetoes were sustained. Find out more: |
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Rhode Island  |
June 22, 2008 Regular Session Adjourns
The General Assembly adjourned late Saturday (June 21) after lawmakers reached agreement on a $6.9 billion state budget which, among other things, closes a $422 million deficit for the next fiscal year; raises personal income, sales, and corporate income taxes, as well as taxes on health insurers; and repeals an energy assistance program for low-income persons. Legislators also reached agreement on an incentive package for alternative energy production and use, repealed mandatory minimum sentences for drug offenders and a revision of legislation - passed last year - regarding privatization of certain state services. Lawmakers failed to reach consensus on a financial relief package to facilitate the merger of Woonsocket's Landmark Medical Center and Pawtucket Memorial Hospital; legislation to require mortgage lenders to sustain essential services to tenants affected by foreclosures; a minimum wage increase and a ban on cell phone usage while driving. Once passed legislation is sent to Governor Don Carcieri's (R) desk, he will have ten calendar days to act upon it. Find out more: |
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West Virginia |
June 20, 2008 Special Session Called
The Legislature will convene Tuesday, June 24, for a special session. Although the full extent of the agenda is unclear, lawmakers are expected to consider freezing the wholesale gas tax and a $20 million appropriation to enable the transfer of certain teachers and school service workers to the Teachers’ Retirement System. An earlier special session allowed similar workers with under-funded 401(k)-type pension funds to opt into the System. The special session is slated to adjourn by Thursday, June 26.
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Kentucky |
June 18, 2008 Special Session Called
The Kentucky Legislature will convene Monday (June 23) for a special session to consider a pension reform measure. An agreement between Governor Steve Breshear (D) and legislative leaders prescribes raising the age and service requirements for state workers hired after September 1; limiting the annual cost of living increase to one and one-half percent; and establishing a payment schedule for the legislature to properly fund all state retirement funds by 2025. The special session is slated to adjourn by Friday, June 27.
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Virginia |
June 17, 2008 Transportation Special Session Begins Monday
The General Assembly will convene in special session Monday (June 23) to consider a transportation funding package. This is in response to a shortfall created when the state Supreme Court ruled that, as an unelected body, the Northern Virginia Transportation Committee may not impose taxes (as it has been) and, consequently, is unconstitutional. The session is likely to center on Governor Tim Kaine’s (D) plan, which reportedly calls for statewide taxes to fund highway maintenance and the creation of regional transportation districts, which would be empowered to raise their own revenue. Sources indicate that there appears to be broad private and public sector support for increasing the state sales tax or the gas tax, but the plan has encountered strong opposition from the Republican-controlled House.
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Nevada |
June 17, 2008 Special Session to Convene
Lawmakers in the Silver State will convene for a special session on Friday (June 27) to address an expected revenue shortfall. The likely course of action will be approval of a mixture of budget cuts and a deferment of a four percent salary increase for state workers and teachers that is due to go into effect July 1. Although Governor Jim Gibbons (R) has indicated that the special session should not last more than three days, legislative sources indicate that the legislature may go beyond the set adjournment date for the special session.
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Connecticut |
June 13, 2008 Special Sessions in Recess
The General Assembly convened Wednesday (June 11) for what was supposed to be a one-day special session to consider a two-year extension of the state’s real estate transaction tax. Instead, however, lawmakers convened an additional special session to consider measures on budget refinements, ethics reform, and discounts on the retail sales of gas. After lawmakers passed the first session’s tax extension, both chambers recessed, subject to the call of the chair. After passing the legislation relative to the second special session, the House adjourned sine die, but the Senate merely recessed, subject to the call of the chair. Legislative sources are uncertain as to the final adjournment date for either of these extraordinary sessions. Find out more: |
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Connecticut |
June 11, 2008 Special Session Today
The General Assembly will convene today (June 11) for a one-day special session to consider a one- or two-year extension of the real estate transaction tax. Lawmakers also are slated to consider a measure to allow service stations to offer discounts for when customers pay cash for their gas.
Find out more: |
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South Carolina |
June 06, 2008 Regular Session Adjourns
The General Assembly adjourned late Thursday, June 5, after lawmakers reached agreement on an immigration bill that prescribes temporary shutdowns and fines for businesses that knowingly employ illegal immigrants. Legislators also reached agreement on increased penalties for DUI offenders, a measure to allow women considering an abortion the opportunity to view an ultrasound of the fetus, and a bill to allow the display of the Ten Commandments in public buildings. Lawmakers also passed a $7 billion state budget that was largely influenced by declining state revenues and a sluggish national economy. Prior cuts in health insurance for low-income children, an expanded public defender system, and funding for drug, alcohol, and tobacco prevention programs were restored to the budget. Governor Mark Sanford (R) has indicated that he may call lawmakers back into special session in the near future to address what he considers an unbalanced budget. However, lawmakers failed to reach consensus on restrictions on the payday lending industry, nor did they pass a cigarette tax that would have funded coverage expansions for pregnant women in the state’s Medicaid program. Once passed legislation from the regular session is sent to the governor, he will have five days, excluding Sundays, to act upon it. As part of the sine die adjournment resolution, the General Assembly is slated to return June 25 for a one- to three-day veto session, during which bills pending upon yesterday’s adjournment also may be considered. Subsequent to the veto session, the governor will have until January 13, 2009, to consider any bill passed during that session. Find out more: |
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New Hampshire  |
June 05, 2008 Floor Sessions Conclude; Special Session Held
The General Court completed floor sessions early this morning (June 5) after lawmakers agreed on several measures, including new taxes and bet limits on certain poker games run by charitable organizations; an overhaul of the state’s pension system as to avoid tapping into property tax increases; a ten-year, $2.3 billion highway construction plan; and increased cigarette taxes. Legislators also passed a requirement for minor motorcycle operators to wear head and eye protection and a child predation prevention measure that prohibits the trafficking of pornographic images of minors. The General Court’s regular session is now technically in recess, subject to the call of the chair. The General Court also convened a one-day special session to address an anticipated budget shortfall. Lawmakers passed legislation authorizing up to $80 million in bonds for school infrastructure improvements and directing the Pease Development Authority to pay the state its existing $10 million debt. Once passed legislation reaches his desk, Governor John Lynch (R) will have five business days to act upon it. Find out more: |
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