2007 State News
December 10, 2007
CT -- State lawmakers voted to hold another special session in January on criminal justice reform, although a specific date for the session has not been sent. The regular session of the Connecticut legislature kicks off February 6. http://www.courant.com/news/custom/topnews/hc-ap-specialsession-1205,0,6... [1]WI -- Lawmakers will meet in special session beginning December 11 to discuss campaign finance reform. A major item on the special session agenda will be to try rein in the skyrocketing cost of state supreme court races -- the most recent winner of a supreme court election spent a record $5.8 million on her campaign. ttp://www.madison.com/tct/news/259846
December 3, 2007
TX - Speaker Tom Craddick announced his interim charges for Texas House committees, and one is to "Study and make recommendations regarding the feasibility of a motor bus-only lane program for state highways in Texas that focuses on the use of improved shoulders as a low-speed bypass of congested highway lanes" in the House Committee on Transportation. http://www.house.state.tx.us/committees/charges/80interim/InterimChargeD... [2].Also in Texas, House Transportation Committee Chair Mike Krusee (R) announced his retirement, effective at the end of his term in January 2009. Krusee, a House member since 1993, is rumored to be in line for a gubernatorial appointment once his term ends.
ID - Idaho's legislature has moved into temporary buildings for possibly the next two years while the Statehouse undergoes renovation. The cramped quarters in the temporary buildings may have an impact on the length of the session, and also the lobbying procedures.
RI - Prefiling for the 2008 Session began November 15. The official 2008 legislative calendar has not been finalized, however, the first day of session is New Year’s Day.
DE - Lawmakers were called in for a special session November 27 to swear in Sen. Bruce Ennis (D), who is replacing Sen. James T. Vaughn (D). Several nominations by Gov. Ruth Ann Minner to various state boards and judicial posts were also approved in the one-day session.. Ennis will serve on four Senate committees: Revenue and Taxation, Combat Drug Abuse, Small Business and Veterans Affairs; he will assume Vaughn's chairmanship of the Adult and Juvenile Corrections Committee. http://www.delawareonline.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20071128/NEWS/7... [3]
WA - In a one-day special session held November 29, lawmakers overwhelmingly passed a bill to reinstate a 1 percent cap on annual property-tax increases that was tossed out by the state Supreme Court earlier this month. Governor Gregoire (D) signed the legislation November 29, 2007.
November 26, 2007
CT - Connecticut lawmakers expect to hold a special session on crime-related issues this January. http://www.courant.com/news/politics/hc-cheshirebills1117.artnov17,0,786... [4]IL - Special session ordered this week to work on a financial bailout for Chicago-area mass transit. http://www.sj-r.com/News/stories/20393.asp [5]
MD -- Maryland adjourned its special session on Monday, November 19, after reaching agreement on proposals to fix the state's budget deficit. http://www.baltimoresun.com/news/local/politics/bal-assemblystory1119,0,... [6]
WA -- Governor Gregoire (D) is calling lawmakers back to the capital for a one-day special session on property tax issues November 29. http://www.theolympian.com/news/story/276522.html [7]
November 19, 2007
AK - The Senate Finance Committee will not back Gov. Sarah Palin's (R) tax hike on oil companies' net profits, according to a committee proposal released on Wednesday, Nov. 14, 2007. The committee's recommendation is a substantive rewrite to the House's version, which was passed Sunday night (Nov. 11) and backed Palin's call for a rate boost from 22.5 percent to 25 percent. If no agreement is met, Palin has said she would call a second special session. http://www.chron.com/disp/story.mpl/ap/fn/5302176.html [8]CO - Senate President Joan Fitz-Gerald (D) resigned from the legislature on Tuesday, November 13. Fitz-Gerald wants to focus on running for Congress. Senate Democrats meet today to select legislative leadership positions. Sen. Peter Groff (D), of Denver, is expected to become the new Senate President. http://www.rockymountainnews.com/drmn/government/article/0,2777,DRMN_239... [9]
FL - Florida's government got more bad financial news Wednesday, Nov. 14, 2007, as economists forecast tax revenue will be down another $1 billion, mostly because of the prolonged housing slump that has pushed Florida into a recession-like funk. That comes just weeks after lawmakers cut spending during a special session because of an earlier $1.1 billion shortfall. The combined shortfalls represent about 3 percent of the state's original $71 billion annual budget, which covers July 1 to June 30. Further budget cuts may not be needed because of a $1.8 billion reserve, but legislative leaders haven't ruled out calling another special session to deal with the latest shortfall. Another option would be to wait until the regular session begins in March 2008. Health care and education are the state's largest expenditures. http://www.heraldtribune.com/article/20071114/APN/711140772 [10]
CA – The Democrats’ healthcare plan passed the Assembly Health Committee last week on a party-line vote of 10-5. Assembly Speaker Fabian Núñez (D) said financing for the proposal is proceeding on a separate, but parallel track with a goal of placing it before voters on the November 2008 ballot.
LA – In Saturday's state legislative runoff elections, Republicans picked up 7 seven seats in the House, but Democrats still hold a slight majority. The House breakdown is now 53 Democrats, 50 Republicans, and 2 Independents. The Senate remains unchanged -- 24 Democrats, 15 Republicans. http://www.2theadvocate.com/news/politics/11565891.html?showAll=y&c=y [11]
MA – Massachusetts would increase its reliance on cleaner, renewable energy under a bill passed unanimously by House lawmakers. The bill creates a Department of Clean Energy to use the $25 million collected annually through small fees on electric bills to pay for energy-saving measures in municipal buildings across the state.
MI - A three-member panel of the State Court of Appeals heard arguments Thursday on whether the lawsuit that cancelled the planned Presidential Primary vote on January 15 should be overturned and the primary election reinstated.
November 5, 2007
In Kentucky Gov. Ernie Fletcher (R) was soundly defeated by Democrat Steve Beshear (D) in the state's gubernatorial election. http://www.kentucky.com/635/story/223268.html [12]
Mississippi Gov. Haley Barbour (R) easily won reelection over Democrat John Arthur Eaves. http://www.clarionledger.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20071106/SPECIAL... [13]In Virginia, the state Senate is now under Democratic control, after the Democrats stole four seats from the Republicans. Democrats now hold a 21-19 advantage in the Virginia Senate. The GOP was able to maintain control in the state House, although Democrats picked up four seats in that chamber as well. http://www.inrich.com/cva/ric/news.apx.-content-articles-RTD-2007-11-07-... [14]
In New Jersey, Democrats picked up one seat in the state Senate to increase their lead to 23-17 in the upper chamber. Democrats lost two seats in the New Jersey state House, but still maintain a 48-32 majority. http://www.newsday.com/news/local/wire/newjersey/ny-bc-nj-eln--elections... [15]
In Michigan, the sales tax is still dominating the legislature's work - SB 845 was reported out of House Tax Committee with language to extend the implementation date for the services tax to December 20, 2007. In a separate action, the Senate also passed this week a complete repeal of the services tax.
In Pennsylvania, a plan that might come up on the House floor backed by some lawmakers from both sides of the aisle would eliminate school property taxes through an increase raise the personal income tax by 0.85 percentage points, to a total of 3.92 percent. In addition, the sales tax would be extended to include more services. House Democratic Leaders said that the full House would debate the proposals before the end of November.
California Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger (R) on Monday, Nov. 5, 2007, ordered all state departments to draft plans for deep spending cuts after receiving word that California's budget is plunging deeply into the red - largely because of the troubled housing market. State officials have warned the governor that the likely deficit for next year has jumped from a few billion dollars to as much as $10 billion, threatening to wipe out the progress Schwarzenegger has claimed in getting the state's accounts in order. http://www.mercurynews.com/politics/ci_7382887?nclick_check=1 [16]
In Georgia, House Speaker Glenn Richardson's (R) is pushing a plan to substantially reduce or eliminate property taxes. However, the hit to state revenues would be made up through new sales taxes on food, prescriptions, and manufacturing equipment. http://www.ajc.com/metro/content/printedition/2007/11/07/taxes1107.html [17]
November 5, 2007
Michigan's Service Tax Repeal Update - While most of the week’s focus in Lansing was on the budget, there was a fair amount of action this week on the Services Tax. First, the Senate passed SB 845, which delayed the implementation of the Services Tax until December 20, 2007. This bill was tie-barred to SB 838, which completely repeals the Services Tax. This action by the Senate was meant to be a signal to the House and Administration that the Senate would like to repeal the tax and is willing to take some time to discuss a replacement of the revenues generated by the Services Tax.
In Illinois, with the ink barely dry on a new state budget, two recently released financial reports already are raising concerns about whether state revenues will keep pace with spending. Both the bipartisan Commission on Government Forecasting and Accountability and Comptroller Dan Hynes issued reports warning that income from some state revenues - particularly the sales tax - could be lower than expected. http://www.sj-r.com/News/stories/19473.asp [18]
Wisconsin is facing a possible $72 million hole in the budget plan it just signed. In a move described as questionable and a potential time bomb, the state's budget balances on a gamble it will win a court case against the Ho-Chunk Nation. Passed just a week ago, the budget assumes that a court will order the Ho-Chunk to make payments to the state that the tribe says it does not owe. The state Department of Administration estimates the tribe will owe about $72 million in fees under its gambling compact by June 30, 2009. http://www.ironwooddailyglobe.com/1102wbud.htm [19]
Colorado Gov. Bill Ritter (D) has unveiled his budget proposal for the 2008 session, which increases state spending by $900 million over last year's budget. Higher education and children's health care programs are the big winners in Ritter's self-proclaimed "moral" budget. http://www.rockymountainnews.com/drmn/government/article/0,2777,DRMN_239... [20]
In Arizona, battles loom over how to fix a projected $600 million shortfall in the state budget. Agency and program cuts may not be the only options on the table for lawmakers when they convene at the Capitol in January. http://www.azstarnet.com/sn/metro/209968.php [21]
October 29, 2007
New York's Legislature [22] ended its special session (Oct. 22-23) this week much as it ended its regular session in June - in separate corners, with little agreement, and in a fight over Gov. Eliot Spitzer (D). The Democrat-led Assembly, like the Republican-led Senate in its Monday session, failed to agree on bills that would have provided property tax breaks for seniors, reduce limits on campaign contributions, approve hundreds of millions of dollars in public construction projects, or start to enact pay raises for judges and lawmakers. The Legislature often returns in December for short sessions, when these proposals could be considered again.
In Alaska [23], the special legislative session under way in Juneau is the result of the public corruption probe, as Gov. Palin called it, to remove what she calls the taint of bribery upon the Petroleum Profits Tax. And while legislators focused on oil taxes, they let slide an opportunity to reverse vetoes that the Governor made in the capital budget.
Hawaii [24] Gov. Lingle called the legislature back into session on Wednesday, October 24, 2007. The issues to be discussed are Superferry Service, Extended Sentencing Law, and Nominee Confirmations.
In Florida [25], a legislative standoff over how to deliver billions in property tax relief appeared to worsen after Senate President Ken Pruitt announced that his chamber would not convene until Monday, if at all. Lawmakers have until Oct. 30 to put any compromise plan on the Jan. 29, 2008, ballot for voters to decide.
Illinois lawmakers [26] take indefinite break - they still have unfinished business, but it appears state lawmakers won't be returning to Springfield for at least another week. Aides to Senate President Emil Jones and House Speaker Michael Madigan said Friday, Oct. 19, that they have heard of no immediate plans to reconvene what has become a record-setting overtime session - the original adjournment deadline was May 31.
Two-thirds of Louisiana's [27] 144 state legislative seats are settled, but the remaining contests in the November runoff election will determine whether the Legislature splits between Democratic and Republican control. The Louisiana Senate will stay majority Democratic, though nine of the 39 seats remain to be settled in the Nov. 17 election. But the battle for political control of the House continues.
A book [28] containing issue briefs on topics likely to confront lawmakers during the Kentucky General Assembly's 2008 session is now available in print and online. "Issues Confronting the 2008 Kentucky General Assembly" contains 26 issue briefs prepared by members of the Legislative Research Commission staff. The book is not meant as an exhaustive list of issues that lawmakers will consider, but reflects a balanced look at some of the topics that have been discussed in legislative committee meetings.
And in Michigan [29], "With efforts to repeal the state's new service tax ramping up in the Capitol, changes to another tax paid by business — the new Michigan Business Tax — are being eyed for replacement revenue."
And the Michigan Department of Treasury now has updated information on their website concerning the service tax.
October 1, 2007
The New York legislature could reconvene Oct. 22 if agreements are reached on capital projects, larger property-tax rebate checks for seniors and other issues [30], leaders said on September 25.
And in New Hampshire, tolls and gas taxes will be big issues on next year's legislative agenda [31].
Michigan lawmakers resolved their budget disagreements after a four hour government shutdown [32].
And in Illinois, lawmakers return to the capital [33] this week for the start of the six-day veto session, even though the regular session continues to sputter on. A major focus of the session will be restoring budget cuts made by Gov. Rod Blagojevich (D), even though the House never passed the bills that allow all of the money to be spent in the first place.
September 2007
The North Carolina General Assembly met in a special session [35] Sept. 10-11 to consider the Governor's veto of HB 1761, a bill concerning incentives for a Goodyear Tire plant in Cumberland Co. The Governor's special session proclamation limited debate to that one bill. Members left Tuesday, Sept. 11, after approving a bill, which the governor made law, that could provide a total of $60 million to help Goodyear upgrade a Fayetteville plant and assist rival Bridgestone Firestone do the same in Wilson.
The California Legislature wrapped up their legislative session on Wednesday, Sept. 12th, with the legislature passing a Democratic plan to overhaul California's healthcare system, and Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger announced he would veto it and call a special session this fall to work out a compromise.
- http://www.latimes.com/news/local/la-me-legis11sep11,1,3182481.story?col... [36]
- http://www.ocregister.com/ocregister/homepage/abox/article_1843721.php [37]
- http://www.fresnobee.com/263/story/137479.html [38]
- http://publicbroadcasting.net/kwmu/news.newsmain?action=article&ARTICLE_... [39]
- http://www.kansascity.com/115/story/272938.html [40]
The Wisconsin legislature still has not passed a budget, and state Rep. Frank Boyle (D) stated that if the budget impasse [42] is not resolved by Tuesday, Sept. 18, he will propose a joint resolution to replace the current eight members of the Conference Committee -- which is charged with pulling together a workable compromise -- with new members.
The Florida Legislature is scheduled to meet in special session [43] Oct. 3-12 to tackle the state's budget shortfall. The session could also include legislation to renew the state's no-fault auto insurance law.
And in Pennsylvania, legislators return to work today, Sept. 17, after taking a two-month summer break. In addition to resuming debate left over from before the recess, lawmakers will be concurrently meeting in special session [44] to focus on energy issues.
August 2007
Wisconsin lawmakers still have not been able to finalize a 2007-09 biennial budget [46]
Michigan lawmakers and Gov. Jennifer Granholm (D) returned to work at the state Capitol this week, facing the same dilemma that has vexed them all year -- raise taxes or cut spending. After a summer of mixed signals, false starts and short workweeks, the Legislature resumes a full schedule this month, facing an Oct. 1 deadline to address a $1.7-billion to $1.8-billion projected deficit in the 2007-08 budget [47].
The Missouri legislature wrapped its special session August 30 when it approved a sweeping economic-development package [48], which now awaits the governor's signature. The new plan would cut a wide swath through the state tax code, expanding 23 types of business subsidies, modifying four others and creating three new ones.
Illinois House Speaker Michael Madigan (D) last week accused the governor of making "savage" cuts to the state budget and announced hearings [49] meant to build support for reversing them.
Pennsylvania resumes their regular session and begins a special session on energy [50] next Monday, September 17, 2007 until Christmas recess.
And in Minnesota, Governor Pawlenty (R) and leaders of the Democratic-controlled Legislature tried to settle terms of a special legislative session [51] to aid flood-stricken southeastern Minnesota, but could not agree how to pay for some of the relief. They are scheduled to resume discussions Monday, September 10, with the possibility of a special session next week.
February 2007
[52]
Human Service Provider Inventory and County Inventory -- Kansas [53]
January 2007
Source URL: http://www.buses.org/node/777
Links:
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[2] http://www.house.state.tx.us/committees/charges/80interim/InterimChargeDay3.pdf
[3] http://www.delawareonline.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20071128/NEWS/711280404/1006&theme=LEGHAL
[4] http://www.courant.com/news/politics/hc-cheshirebills1117.artnov17,0,7863462.story
[5] http://www.sj-r.com/News/stories/20393.asp
[6] http://www.baltimoresun.com/news/local/politics/bal-assemblystory1119,0,6370060.story?coll=bal_sports_highschool_carroll_util
[7] http://www.theolympian.com/news/story/276522.html
[8] http://www.chron.com/disp/story.mpl/ap/fn/5302176.html
[9] http://www.rockymountainnews.com/drmn/government/article/0,2777,DRMN_23906_5747021,00.html
[10] http://www.heraldtribune.com/article/20071114/APN/711140772
[11] http://www.2theadvocate.com/news/politics/11565891.html?showAll=y&c=y
[12] http://www.kentucky.com/635/story/223268.html
[13] http://www.clarionledger.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20071106/SPECIAL02/71106055
[14] http://www.inrich.com/cva/ric/news.apx.-content-articles-RTD-2007-11-07-0210.html
[15] http://www.newsday.com/news/local/wire/newjersey/ny-bc-nj-eln--elections-sum1107nov07,0,7479274.story
[16] http://www.mercurynews.com/politics/ci_7382887?nclick_check=1
[17] http://www.ajc.com/metro/content/printedition/2007/11/07/taxes1107.html
[18] http://www.sj-r.com/News/stories/19473.asp
[19] http://www.ironwooddailyglobe.com/1102wbud.htm
[20] http://www.rockymountainnews.com/drmn/government/article/0,2777,DRMN_23906_5737503,00.html
[21] http://www.azstarnet.com/sn/metro/209968.php
[22] http://www.newsday.com/news/local/wire/newyork/ny-bc-ny--legislaturereturn1023oct23,0,3961137.story
[23] http://www.ktuu.com/global/story.asp?s=7250531&ClientType=Printable
[24] http://www.hawaii.gov/gov/news/releases/Folder.2007-01-31.1527/News_Item.2007-10-23.5842
[25] http://www.floridacapitalnews.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20071024/CAPITOLNEWS/71024013&theme=
[26] http://www.stltoday.com/stltoday/news/stories.nsf/illinoisnews/story/EAB91639B7D1B20D8625737A0007BA82?OpenDocument
[27] http://www.houmatoday.com/article/20071022/APN/710220684
[28] http://www.lrc.ky.gov/lrcpubs/IB224.pdf
[29] http://crainsdetroit.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20071022/SUB/710220332/1033/toc/-/-/repeal-and-replace
[30] http://www.buses.org/www.newsday.com/news/local/state/nystlegi255388884sep25%2C0%2C1731602.story
[31] http://www.unionleader.com/article.aspx?headline=State+House+Dome%3A+Tolls+and+gas+taxes+to+be+big+issues&articleId=8798d247-478f-4b5b-b723-0843f7c1cc1f
[32] http://www.nytimes.com/2007/10/01/us/01cnd-michigan.html?hp
[33] http://www.pjstar.com/stories/092907/REG_BEGBA408.046.php
[34] http://www.kttc.com/News/index.php?ID=18382
[35] http://www.newsobserver.com/politics/story/701029.html
[36] http://www.latimes.com/news/local/la-me-legis11sep11,1,3182481.story?coll=la-headlines-california
[37] http://www.ocregister.com/ocregister/homepage/abox/article_1843721.php
[38] http://www.fresnobee.com/263/story/137479.html
[39] http://publicbroadcasting.net/kwmu/news.newsmain?action=article&ARTICLE_ID=1146924§ionID=1
[40] http://www.kansascity.com/115/story/272938.html
[41] http://www.wqad.com/Global/story.asp?S=7067582&nav=menu132_2
[42] http://www.madison.com/tct/opinion/241546
[43] http://www.sun-sentinel.com/news/local/florida/sfl-flfspecial0914nbsep14,0,6910316.story
[44] http://www.state.pa.us/papower/cwp/view.asp?Q=467386&A=11
[45] http://www.sptimes.com/2007/09/06/State/Special_session_calle.shtml
[46] http://www.tomahjournal.com/articles/2007/09/03/opinion/01edstatebudget.txt
[47] http://www.freep.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20070904/NEWS06/709040359
[48] http://www.kansascity.com/105/story/254827.html
[49] http://www.chicagotribune.com/news/local/northwest/chi-madigan07sep07,1,3722106.story
[50] http://www.philly.com/inquirer/local/pa/chester/voices/20070906_A_look_at_Pa_s_energy_strategies.html
[51] http://www.wctrib.com/articles/index.cfm?id=24201§ion=news
[52] http://www.buses.org/files/download/Instructions.pdf
[53] http://www.buses.org/files/download/Human.pdf