Session Updates
California |
December 01, 2008 Legislature Convenes New Session
Lawmakers in the Golden State will convene today in Sacramento to officially begin the 2009-2010 regular session. The major issue for the next session is expected to be discussing lingering budget deficit problems. Legislators met in special session throughout November to attempt a resolution of the deficit conflict, but no agreement could be reached. The other main priority will likely be to addressing the state's current economic downturn through economic stimulus measures and foreclosure relief. Leadership also has indicated that the state's foster care system, global warming, frequent water shortages, health care, and poor high school graduation rates will be high on the docket as well. As far as legislative leadership is concerned, Senator Darrell Steinberg (D) will assume the mantle of President Pro Tempore today. Dean Florez (D) and Dave Cogdill (R) will assume the posts of Senate Majority Leader and Minority Leader, respectively. In the Assembly, the top three spots -- Speaker, Majority Leader, and Minority Leader -- will continue to be held by Karen Bass (D), Albert Torrico (D), and Michael Villines (R), respectively. The legislature begins regular floor sessions January 5. Find out more: |
Wyoming |
November 26, 2008 Leadership Slates Chosen
Both caucuses recently elected their leadership slates for the 2009 session, which convenes January 13. In the House, Republicans -- who hold the majority in both chambers -- elected Colin Simpson as Speaker, Frank Philp as Speaker Pro Tempore, Edward Buchanan as Majority Leader, and Lorraine Quarberg as Majority Whip. The Democrats elected Saundra Meyer as Minority Leader and Patrick Goggles as Minority Whip. In the Senate, Republicans elected John Hines as Senate President, Tony Ross as Senate Vice President, and Jim Anderson as Majority Leader, while Democrats chose Kathryn Sessions to be Minority Leader and Mike Massie to be Minority Whip. Find out more: |
Connecticut |
November 25, 2008 Special Session Update
Lawmakers in the Constitution State met in special session yesterday to address the state's continuing budget shortfall. Aided by a one-time $157 million Medicaid funding settlement with the federal government and $40 million in projected revenues from an upcoming tax amnesty program, legislators were able to reduce the deficit to $231 million. The General Assembly also approved a related measure allowing municipalities to establish similar tax amnesty programs. While approving the overall deficit reduction plan, the Democratic majority rejected two amendments advocated by Republicans: an early retirement program for state employees and a plan to consolidate six state agencies into a so-called Permanent Commission on the Status of Women. Lawmakers also rejected Governor M. Jodi Rell's (R) plan to reclaim $25 million per year from unclaimed bottle and can deposits to alleviate the deficit. At this time, the special session is in recess. Find out more: |
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New Mexico  |
November 24, 2008 House Leadership Slates Chosen
The House Democratic Caucus re-elected Ben Lujan as Speaker of the House, W. Ken Martinez as Majority Floor Leader, and Sheryl Williams as Majority Whip. The House Republican Caucus re-elected Tom Taylor as Minority Leader and elected Keith Gardner as Minority Whip. Neither Senate caucus has yet announced their leadership for the 2009-10 biennium.
Find out more: |
Nebraska |
November 21, 2008 Unicameral Adjourns Special Session
Lawmakers in the Cornhusker State adjourned their special session this morning after amending the safe haven law to prohibit the relinquishment of newborn infants over 30 days old. Current law -- enacted in July -- left open a loophole by failing to prescribe a maximum age limit. Governor Dave Heineman (R) signed the measure this afternoon.
Find out more: |
Washington |
November 21, 2008 Republican House Leadership Slate Chosen
The House Republican Caucus re-elected Richard DeBolt as Minority Leader for two more years, while also retaining Dan Newhouse as Floor Leader and selecting Bill Hinkle to replace Lynn Schindler as Minority Whip. The Democratic Caucus chose to retain Frank Chopp as Speaker of the House. Meanwhile, the Senate's top leaders -- Majority Leader Lisa Brown and Minority Leader Bill Hewitt -- will retain their posts. The Legislature convenes January 12. Find out more: |
Ohio |
November 19, 2008 Leadership Slates Chosen
House Democrats have elected Armond Budish to be the next Speaker of the House. The caucus also elected Matt Szollosi as Speaker Pro Tempore, Jennifer Garrison as Majority Floor Leader, and Tracy Maxwell Heard as Majority Whip. House Republicans have not yet announced their leadership slate. In the upper chamber, the Senate GOP re-elected Bill Harris as Senate President. The caucus also elected Tom Niehaus as President Pro Tempore, Keith Faber as Majority Floor Leader, and Mark Wagoner as Majority Whip. Their Democrat counterparts picked Capri Cafaro to be Minority Leader and Ray Miller to be Minority Whip. The 2009 General Assembly convenes January 5. Find out more: |
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New York  |
November 19, 2008 Special Session Update
Lawmakers were unable to reach an agreement with Governor David Paterson (D) on a deficit reduction plan that would have prescribed $2 billion in budget cuts. As a result, the convening of yesterday’s special session was cancelled. Legislative sources expect legislators to revisit the issue when the 2009regular session convenes in January.
Find out more: |
Pennsylvania |
November 19, 2008 Leadership Elected
The House Democratic Caucus has elected Keith McCall as Speaker of the House. The caucus also selected Todd Eachus to be Majority Leader, succeeding Bill DeWeese, who chose not to run for the post, but who was chosen to be Majority Whip. The House Republican Caucus re-elected Minority Leader Sam Smith and elected Mike Turzai to be Minority Whip. There were no surprises in the Senate, where both caucuses retained their leadership slates. For the Republicans, Joe Scarnati III will again be President Pro Tempore (while simultaneously holding the lieutenant governorship due to the death of Catherine Baker Knoll), Dominic Pileggi will remain Majority Leader, and Jane Orie was re-elected as Majority Whip. For the Democrats, Bob Mellow and Michael O'Pake will continue as Minority Leader and Minority Whip, respectively. The General Assembly convenes January 6. Find out more: |
Wisconsin |
November 14, 2008 New House Leadership Chosen
The Assembly Democratic Caucus elected Mike Sheridan as the next Speaker. Tom Nelson was elected Majority Leader. The Republican Caucus has not yet held their leadership elections. The State Legislature convenes January 5.
Find out more: |
Oklahoma |
November 14, 2008 Coffee to Lead Senate
This week, the Senate Republican Caucus unanimously elected Glenn Coffee as President Pro Tempore for the upcoming session, which convenes February 2. Subsequently, Senator Coffee appointed Todd Lamb as Majority Floor Leader. The Senate Democratic Caucus will select their leadership slate next week.
Find out more: |
Minnesota |
November 14, 2008 House Leadership Announced
The Democratic-Farmer-Labor Caucus has unanimously re-elected Speaker Margaret Anderson Kelliher and Majority Leader Tony Sertich. Neither the House Republican Caucus nor the Senate have yet announced their leadership slates for the 2009-10 biennium, which convenes January 6.
Find out more: |
Delaware |
November 14, 2008 House Democrat Leadership Announced
The House Democratic Caucus announced that Robert F. Gilligan has been elected as the next Speaker. Peter Schwartzkopf and Valerie Longhurst were elected to the posts of Majority Leader and Majority Whip, respectively. The other three caucuses - the House Republican Caucus and both Senate caucuses - have yet to announce their leadership slates.
Find out more: |
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Oklahoma |
November 13, 2008 House Leadership Slates Chosen
House Republicans announced their leadership slate for the next session, re-electing Speaker Chris Benge as Speaker. The caucus also selected Kris Steele to serve as Speaker Pro Tempore, Tad Jones as Majority Leader - succeeding Greg Piatt - and Mike Jackson as Majority Whip. Meanwhile, House Democrats elected an unopposed Danny Morgan as Minority Leader, who, subsequently, tapped Mike Brown - succeeding a term-limited James Covey - as Minority Floor Leader. Both Senate caucuses are expected to announce their respective leadership by November 18. The Legislature convenes February 2. Find out more: |
Montana |
November 13, 2008 House and Senate Leadership Announced
Yesterday, the Senate Republican caucus elected Bob Story as Senate President, Jim Peterson as Majority Leader, and Roy Brown and Greg Barkus as Majority Whips. Senate Democrats elected Carol Williams as Minority Leader and Trudi Schmidt and Kim Gillan as Minority Whips. Meanwhile, House Democrats elected Bob Bergen as the Speaker, while selecting Margarett Campbell as Majority Leader. House Republicans selected Scott Sales as Minority Leader and Scott Mendenhall as Minority Whip. Under state law, the Democrats are authorized as majority of an evenly-divided chamber since the governor (Brian Schweitzer) is of the same party. The Legislature convenes January 5. Find out more: |
Hawaii |
November 13, 2008 Leadership Slates Chosen
The House Democratic Caucus has re-elected Calvin Say as Speaker for the next session. Say, in turn, announced that Blake Oshiro and Pono Chong would be Majority Leader and Majority Whip, respectively. Meanwhile, House and Senate Republicans have announced their leadership slates for the 2009-2010 biennium. In the House, Lynn Finnegan was selected to serve as Minority Leader, while Kymberly Pine was tapped to be Minority Whip. In the Senate, Fred Hemmings and Sam Slom will serve as Minority Leader and Floor Leader, respectively. The Legislature convenes January 21. Find out more: |
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Pennsylvania |
November 13, 2008 Lieutenant Governor Knoll Dies
Lieutenant Governor Catherine Baker Knoll (D) has died after a long battle with neuroendocrine cancer. Pursuant to the state constitution, Senate President Pro Tempore Joseph B. Scarnati III (R) - while remaining a Senator - assumes the office until the end of Knoll's term in January 2011.
Find out more: |
Utah |
November 12, 2008 New Leadership Chosen
The House Republican Caucus elected Dave Clark as Speaker of the House, Kevin Garn as Majority Leader, and Brad Dee as Majority Whip. House Democrats have tapped David Litvack to be Minority Leader and Jim Gowans to be Minority Whip. Meanwhile, Senate Republicans opted for change, electing Mike Waddoups as the Senate President over incumbent John Valentine while electing Sheldon Killpack as the Majority Leader over incumbent Curt Bramble. Scott Jenkins was selected as the new Majority Whip. Senate Democrats selected Pat Jones to succeed retiring Minority Leader Mike Dmitrich while electing Ross Romero as the Minority Whip. The Legislature convenes January 19. Find out more: |
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New Hampshire  |
November 11, 2008 Senate Republican Leaders Chosen
Senate Republicans unanimously nominated Peter Bragdon to serve as the Senate Minority Leader. The Senate convenes December 3 to organize for the 2009 session.
Find out more: |
Maine |
November 11, 2008 Leadership Slates Announced
Lawmakers in the Senate Republican Caucus have elected new leadership for the 2009 session. The minority Republicans elected Kevin Raye as Minority Leader and Jonathan Courtney as the Assistant Floor Leader, succeeding Carol Weston and Richard Rosen, respectively. The Democrats have chosen Elizabeth Mitchell as Senate President. In the House, the Democratic Caucus elected Hannah Pingree as Speaker and John Piotti as Majority Leader. Josh Tardy will serve as the Minority Leader. The Legislature convenes December 3 to organize for the 2009 regular session. Find out more: |
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