Hello Readers,

The state legislature session is rapidly coming to a close and it appears that no special session will be necessary.

The House of Representatives passed both operating and capital budgets Friday night.  The Senate will take up the operating budget today.  It is ESHB 1244, and it is attached.  It is a very long bill but it is broken down by sections.  K-12 is section V, Higher Education is section VI.  There is a search function within the document to find whatever may interest you.

While about $4 billion is cut, there is still funds being spent on K-12 math and science programs.  Higher education is getting nailed and tuition will go up to partially offset the cuts.

With these two major budget moving through the legislature, it is likely that nothing will be held over for a special session.  A number of bills will die until next year as time will run out before they can be voted on. 

I will be reporting in more detail key bills that passed once the session has ended and the Governor has had time to act on them.