Dear Neighbor,
A bonding bill and supplemental bills pertaining to taxes and finance are top items remaining as we near the May 19 constitutional deadline for adjournment at the Capitol.
The tax bill would be the second round of measures attempting to mitigate some of the $2.4 billion in increases to taxes and fees passed just last year. In the latest round, conferees previously agreed on spending $103 million on tax reductions. We expect to take up the final bill on the House floor next week.
The bonding and finance bills are separate, yet linked. It appears the final bonding bill will borrow $846 million for projects around the state. The majorities also appear ready to put $200 million in cash from our state surplus on top of that to pay for additional bonding-style projects. The latter would not require a supermajority to pass as the bonding bill does.
Things could happen fast at the Capitol next week as resolution is reached on these bills and things come to the floor. You just never know, we could be meeting right up through the 19th, or the majority could bring things to the floor sooner and call adjournment.
A lot is in flux right now and I’ll let you know how things shake out.
Sincerely,
Dean