Session Updates
Utah |
September 29, 2008 Special Session Completed
On September 26, lawmakers in the Beehive State adjourned after a two-day special session. The primary thrust of this extraordinary session was revision of the state budget to address a $354 million budget deficit - primarily through a three percent across-the-board cut in state agency spending - while preserving a $500 million reserve fund to address a potential future shortfall. Governor Jon Huntsman Jr. (R) has until October 16 to sign or veto legislation from the special session. Find out more: |
Illinois |
September 19, 2008 Special Session Called
Lawmakers will once again return to Springfield Monday, September 22, to convene for a special session, which will likely focus on ethics reform. Specifically, Governor Rod Blagojevich (D) has requested that legislators review his proposed changes to an ethics measure that passed earlier in the regular session. Senate sources have also indicated that that body will convene for an extended regular session to consider additional ethics reform measures as well as other as-yet-undetermined issues. At this time, neither an adjournment date for the special session nor a date for recess of the extended regular session has been set.
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Utah |
September 18, 2008 Special Session Announced
Lawmakers in the Beehive State will convene September 25 for a two-day special session to address an estimated $200 million state budget shortfall. Governor Jon Huntsman, Jr. (R) will likely propose a two percent across-the-board cut in most state government programs and services, except education. Other options include increasing revenue through infrastructure bonds and tapping the $414 million Rainy Day Fund, though legislators have raised concerns that the latter would jeopardize the state’s credit rating..
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California |
September 16, 2008 Budget Agreement Reached
Lawmakers recessed the regular session after reaching an agreement on a $106.4 billion state budget late Monday evening (September 15). The agreement includes a plan to avoid tax increases and deep cuts in services by delaying consideration of the state’s financial situation to the next session. The budget also includes $58.1 billion in K-12 and community college spending; establishes partial exemptions from certain labor standards for high-tech companies; institutes a 10 percent reduction in Medi-Cal reimbursements for certain healthcare providers; and eliminates cost-of-living increases in supplemental security payments for low-income elderly and disabled persons. Lawmakers failed to reach a consensus on tax credits for movie companies and a measure to reverse a court-ordered stoppage to construction of a power plant. The legislature is now in recess until the ceremonial sine die adjournment November 30, unless called back to Sacramento by either the governor or legislative leadership. UPDATE: By scrapping plans to increase revenues through increased paycheck withholdings and a tax amnesty, legislative leaders and Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger (R) were able to reach an agreement on a $104 billion budget. The new budget also resolves a $17 billion budget deficit by reducing reserve funds; creating tougher hurdles for access to the new Rainy Day Fund; and establishing greater penalties on corporations for underpayment of income taxes. Legislative sources expect the revised budget to be approved today (September 19). Find out more: |
Florida |
September 09, 2008 New House Leadership
House Speaker-designate Ray Sansom (R) announced several leadership positions for the 2009 session, including Larry Cretul as Speaker pro tempore; Adam Hasner as Majority Leader; Anitare Flores as Deputy Majority Leader; and Ron Reagan as Majority Whip. Lawmakers will convene November 18, 2008, to officially approve the new leadership.
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California |
September 02, 2008 Floor Sessions Conclude; Budget Still Unresolved
The State Legislature completed floor sessions late Sunday evening (August 31) after it became clear that lawmakers would be unable to bridge the impasse on the state budget. Legislative sources indicate that additional floor sessions - allowed by the state constitution until November 15 - would be held until the budget impasse is resolved. The legislature also failed to pass legislation to split health plans into five tiers to allow comparative pricing, and was unable to agree upon a measure to establish a commission charged with revising sentencing- and parole-related rules. Nevertheless, legislators did approve legislation to regulate health insurance policy cancellations; an exemption extension for public project volunteers; and a measure to allow certain younger illegal immigrants to apply for, and receive, financial aid for college. The governor has until September 30 to act upon legislation that reached his desk from the session. Find out more: |
Connecticut |
August 23, 2008 Special Session Update
Lawmakers convened August 22 in Hartford for a one-day special session to dedicate most of the state’s $75 million budget surplus to heating-cost relief for low-income consumers, schools, and non-profit organizations, including a $14 million reserve for Operation Fuel, a non-profit supplementary heating cost relief provider for families who do not otherwise qualify for regular government assistance programs. The legislative package also grants a $500 rebate to homeowners who repair or upgrade their furnaces. Attempts to amend the legislation in order to allow municipalities to form discount oil-buying cooperatives and to cap the state’s gross receipts tax on gasoline failed. The session is now officially in recess at the call of the chair. Governor M. Jodi Rell (R) - who proposed the legislation - has indicated that she intends to sign the two-bill package next week. Find out more: |
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New York  |
August 21, 2008 Special Session Concludes
Addressing a perceived economic downturn in the state, the State Legislature adjourned its special session yesterday after agreeing to $427 million in cuts from the state’s current budget. Most notable among those cuts was a six percent reduction in funding for regional transit, economic development, and community health needs.
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New Mexico  |
August 20, 2008 Special Session Adjourns
The legislature adjourned its special session yesterday (August 19) after agreeing to scaled-back versions of Governor Bill Richardson’s (D) proposals to: (1) provide health insurance coverage to approximately 17,000 children; (2) fund infrastructure improvements; (3) expand the working-family tax credit; (4) provide low-income heating assistance and fiscal aid for school bus fuel purchases and (5) provide emergency funding for those affected by recent floods in Lincoln County and the Ruidoso area. Legislators also approved a tax rebate plan that gives residents earning up to $30,000 a $50 rebate plus $50 for each dependent; Richardson’s proposal called for a $120 rebate and $48 for each dependent of a person earning up to $60,000. The governor has until September 11 to sign or veto legislation passed during the special session. Find out more: |
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New York |
August 14, 2008 Special Session to Convene
The New York State Legislature will convene Tuesday, August 19, for a special session to consider a plan, proposed by Governor David A. Paterson (D), to cut $1 billion from the state’s current budget by cutting spending for, among other things, Medicaid assistance, higher education, and so-called "pork-barrel" projects. At present, it is unclear when this session may adjourn.
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Illinois |
August 11, 2008 Special Session Convenes
The General Assembly will convene tomorrow (August 12) in Springfield for a two-day special session to consider proposals - called by Governor Rod Blagojevich (D) - to adjust the state’s education funding system, as well as a $25 billion construction plan.
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Alaska |
August 11, 2008 Special Session Concludes
The Legislature adjourned August 7 after lawmakers passed an exclusive natural gas pipeline license for TransCanada Corporation and a $1 billion energy relief package, which includes a one-time $1,200 rebate to Alaska residents. Governor Sarah Palin ( R) has 20 days - excluding Sundays - to sign or veto legislation once it reaches her desk.
Find out more: |
Mississippi |
August 11, 2008 Special Session Concludes
Lawmakers adjourned their special session August 4 after failing to reach consensus on several items - most notably, a Medicaid deficit funding plan. As a result, Governor Haley Barbour (R) is likely to opt for an increase in the gross revenue assessment on hospitals to cover the shortfall. Legislators also were unable to agree on a plan to sustain the state Health Department’s ability to utilize its laboratory to combat diseases such as the West Nile Virus. On the flip side, the legislature endorsed legislation to re-authorize the state’s Department of Employment Security as well as an increase in maximum weekly unemployment compensation benefits. Subsequently, both bills were signed by the governor. Find out more: |
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Connecticut |
August 02, 2008 Special Session Called
The General Assembly will convene August 22 in Hartford for a one-day special session to consider legislation that would dedicate the state's $22 million budget surplus to home heating relief measures.
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Massachusetts |
August 01, 2008 Floor Sessions Conclude
The General Court completed floor sessions early this morning after lawmakers agreed on an authorization of more than $10 billion in capital projects while restoring $56.4 million in spending struck from the budget by Governor Deval Patrick (D). Legislators also passed a healthcare cost management program; a refinancing package for the Massachusetts Turnpike Authority; a measure to allow out-of-state gay and lesbian couples to marry in the state; and a 20 percent reduction requirement in greenhouse gas emissions by 2020. Lawmakers were unable to agree to a measure to streamline voter registrations on Election Day, nor could they come to a consensus on a proposal enacted by several other states to circumvent the Electoral College in presidential elections by substituting a direct popular vote. The General Court’s regular session is now technically in recess, with intermittent informal sessions likely until the official adjournment. Once passed legislation reaches his desk, the governor will have 10 days to act upon it. Find out more: |
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New Mexico |
July 24, 2008 Special Session Called
Governor Bill Richardson (D) has announced that the Legislature will convene August 15 for a special session to consider a universal health care coverage plan; a $200 million road construction funding package; and proposed tax rebates to lessen the impact of recent gas prices. At present, it is unclear when this session may adjourn.
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North Carolina  |
July 19, 2008 Regular Session Adjourns
The General Assembly adjourned late Friday after lawmakers reached agreement on a $21.4 billion state budget, which included a modest pay raise for teachers and state employees; $857 million in construction project borrowing not subject to voter approval; and no tax increases. Legislators also passed "Jessica’s law," which mandates a minimum 25-year prison sentence and post-release satellite monitoring for certain child sex offenders; an emergency foreclosure prevention program; increased scrutiny by state medical examiners of deaths that occur in mental institutions; and prohibitions on gun purchases by persons with dangerous mental illnesses. Lawmakers failed to agree to a state bailout of the state’s retirement plan for teachers and state employees, nor did they endorse an anti-bullying law that would have included gay and lesbian students under its protection. Governor Mike Easley (D) has until August 17 to act upon legislation passed during the session. Find out more: |
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Illinois |
July 11, 2008 Special Sessions Conclude
Yesterday, lawmakers concluded two days of special sessions after failing pass measures designed to bridge the budget impasse, including a proposal to expand gaming in the state. Earlier in the week, Governor Rod Blagojevich (D) announced cuts totaling $1.4 billion from the $59 billion budget passed by lawmakers in the waning days of the regular session. While Senate leaders have indicated that the Senate will not re-convene until the November lame-duck session, the House will return to Springfield next week for a three-day session to consider overriding several of the governor’s budgetary vetoes. It has been reported that House leaders also may try to add $300 million to state coffers by transferring money from as yet unspecified, non-critical funding streams. Find out more: |
Virginia |
July 10, 2008 Special Session Adjourns
The General Assembly adjourned its second special session of 2008 late yesterday after lawmakers failed to reach consensus on a transportation-funding package. A shortfall was created this year when the state Supreme Court ruled that, as an unelected body, the Northern Virginia Transportation Committee was not authorized to impose taxes, as it had been doing, and, consequently, was unconstitutional. Neither Governor Tim Kaine’s (D) proposal - which, generally, called for statewide taxes to fund highway maintenance - nor related plans put forth by the legislative caucuses gained any traction. Lawmakers were able to agree on other issues, including a measure to authorize the Commonwealth Transportation Board (CTB) to enter into fixed-price contracts for highway construction project materials, and an update of eligibility requirements for extended unemployment benefits. Find out more: |
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Alaska |
July 10, 2008 Special Sessions Update
Lawmakers re-convened yesterday for a second special session to further consider Governor Sarah Palin’s (R) recommendation to ratify a natural gas pipeline construction proposal from TransCanada Corporation. The legislature adjourned its first special session July 2 without taking any official action on the governor’s proposal. Other energy relief measures - including a one-time $1,200 cash payment to Alaska residents and a one-year moratorium on fuel taxes - also are on the table in this newest of sessions, which is slated to adjourn by August 7.
Find out more: |
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