July 1, 2016 •
Mississippi Special Session Adjourns
The House agreed to a bill allowing the governor to dip into the state’s rainy day fund to fill a deficit in the budget. Lawmakers returned for a special session on Tuesday, June 28, to take up the issue, and […]
The House agreed to a bill allowing the governor to dip into the state’s rainy day fund to fill a deficit in the budget.
Lawmakers returned for a special session on Tuesday, June 28, to take up the issue, and the Senate quickly passed the measure. The House, however, required a second day but eventually agreed to the plan and adjourned the special session on June 29.
The deficit was the result of tax collections falling below expectations since the fiscal year began last July.
June 28, 2016 •
Mississippi Gov. Calls Special Session
Gov. Phil Bryant has called a special session for June 28, 2016. The Governor is asking lawmakers to give him authorization to use the state’s rainy day fund, known as the Working Cash Stabilization Reserve Fund, to cover the nearly […]
Gov. Phil Bryant has called a special session for June 28, 2016. The Governor is asking lawmakers to give him authorization to use the state’s rainy day fund, known as the Working Cash Stabilization Reserve Fund, to cover the nearly $75 million budget deficit.
If approved, it will be the third time Bryant has had to take such action. The shortfall has been blamed on lagging tax collection so far this year.
Photo of the Mississippi State Capitol by Shawn Lea on Wikimedia Commons.
June 28, 2016 •
Kansas Special Session Comes to a Close
The Legislature’s special session has come to an end after lawmakers reached an agreement on school finance. After meeting for only two days, the House and Senate approved a compromise on Friday, June 24, to prevent the state’s public schools […]
The Legislature’s special session has come to an end after lawmakers reached an agreement on school finance. After meeting for only two days, the House and Senate approved a compromise on Friday, June 24, to prevent the state’s public schools from closing on July 1.
The measure will use funds from the sale of Kansas Bioscience Authority. It now heads to Gov. Sam Brownback, who has indicated he will sign it.
June 27, 2016 •
New Hampshire One-Day Session Adjourned
On June 16, the New Hampshire Legislature held a special one-day session to address the efforts of state and local law enforcement to combat the state’s rising heroin and opioid problem. Lawmakers passed a bill providing more funding for initiatives […]
On June 16, the New Hampshire Legislature held a special one-day session to address the efforts of state and local law enforcement to combat the state’s rising heroin and opioid problem. Lawmakers passed a bill providing more funding for initiatives to battle drug usage. The bill was signed on the same day.
Photo of the New Hampshire State House by Alexius Horatius on Wikimedia Commons.
June 27, 2016 •
Rhode Island General Assembly Recessed
The General Assembly concluded its session and recessed on June 18. Any bills submitted to Gov. Gina Raimondo must be signed or vetoed by June 28. There is no pocket veto. Photo of the Rode Island State Capitol by Garrett […]
The General Assembly concluded its session and recessed on June 18. Any bills submitted to Gov. Gina Raimondo must be signed or vetoed by June 28. There is no pocket veto.
Photo of the Rode Island State Capitol by Garrett A. Wollman on Wikimedia Commons.
June 27, 2016 •
Louisiana Legislature Adjourns Special Session
On June 23, the special session of the Louisiana Legislature adjourned. The governor wanted $600 million to address the state’s budget shortfall for the fiscal year beginning on July 1, but lawmakers would only approve legislation providing $263 million. The […]
On June 23, the special session of the Louisiana Legislature adjourned. The governor wanted $600 million to address the state’s budget shortfall for the fiscal year beginning on July 1, but lawmakers would only approve legislation providing $263 million. The special session began the day the regular session concluded.
June 27, 2016 •
Mississippi Gov. Considers Calling Special Session
A special session could be looming in Mississippi as the state continues to deal with budget woes. Gov. Phil Bryant is currently considering calling lawmakers back into session to balance the budget. This may require the use of back-up funds […]
A special session could be looming in Mississippi as the state continues to deal with budget woes.
Gov. Phil Bryant is currently considering calling lawmakers back into session to balance the budget. This may require the use of back-up funds and could cause a protracted fight to rework the current budget.
This would be Bryant’s sixth special session since taking office.
Photo of Gov. Phil Bryant by U.S. Department of Agriculture on Wikimedia Commons.
June 23, 2016 •
Manitoba Sets 2016 Calendar
The first session of the 41st Legislature will adjourn for summer recess on June 30. They will return to session on October 3, 2016, unless members are called back by the speaker. After summer recess, the first session is set […]
The first session of the 41st Legislature will adjourn for summer recess on June 30. They will return to session on October 3, 2016, unless members are called back by the speaker.
After summer recess, the first session is set to adjourn sine die on November 10, 2016.
The second session of the 41st Legislature will convene on November 21, 2016, with a speech from the throne.
June 20, 2016 •
Alaska Legislature Adjourns; Governor Calls for Another Special Session
On June 19, the Alaska Legislature adjourned its fourth special session. The Legislature failed to pass revenue measures the special session was called to address. Gov. Bill Walker immediately issued a proclamation calling another special session to convene on July […]
On June 19, the Alaska Legislature adjourned its fourth special session.
The Legislature failed to pass revenue measures the special session was called to address. Gov. Bill Walker immediately issued a proclamation calling another special session to convene on July 11.
June 17, 2016 •
Veto Session Scheduled for Next Week in Connecticut; No Overrides Expected
A veto session is scheduled to convene next week; however, lawmakers in the Senate have already decided not to challenge Gov. Dannel Malloy’s line-item veto cutting more than $20 million in municipal aid. Democratic leadership in the House will instead […]
A veto session is scheduled to convene next week; however, lawmakers in the Senate have already decided not to challenge Gov. Dannel Malloy’s line-item veto cutting more than $20 million in municipal aid.
Democratic leadership in the House will instead hold a closed-door caucus during the June 20 session. An override of the veto needed to start in the Senate because the budget bill originated there.
Most lawmakers are unhappy with the cuts, but Democrats, who control both houses, have chosen not to fight this particular battle with the governor.
June 17, 2016 •
Special Session Possible in North Dakota
A special legislative session may be necessary to solve North Dakota’s budget issues. The Office of Management and Budget says revenue for the state has fallen behind original projections. If the shortfall exceeds $75 million according to the revenue forecast […]
A special legislative session may be necessary to solve North Dakota’s budget issues.
The Office of Management and Budget says revenue for the state has fallen behind original projections. If the shortfall exceeds $75 million according to the revenue forecast due out in mid-July, a special session could be called.
June 15, 2016 •
West Virginia Adjourns Special Session
On June 14, the West Virginia Legislature adjourned sine die after passing a budget bill. This is the second budget proposal of the special session to be sent to Gov. Earl Ray Tomblin’s desk. The governor is expected to approve […]
On June 14, the West Virginia Legislature adjourned sine die after passing a budget bill.
This is the second budget proposal of the special session to be sent to Gov. Earl Ray Tomblin’s desk.
The governor is expected to approve the bill, which is needed to avert a government shutdown that would result if a budget is not enacted before July 1.
June 10, 2016 •
Michigan Legislature Adjourns for Summer Break
The Legislature has adjourned until July 13, 2016. Lobbying, ethics, and campaign finance were not matters of primary focus during this session; instead, bills passing the Legislature on its final day in session were focused on improving the state’s horse […]
The Legislature has adjourned until July 13, 2016.
Lobbying, ethics, and campaign finance were not matters of primary focus during this session; instead, bills passing the Legislature on its final day in session were focused on improving the state’s horse racing industry, rights for domestic violence victims, authorizing police to alert cell phone users in areas where there are active shooters, and updating driving under the influence tests to better screen for drug use.
The House and Senate will be back in session for one day each in July and August, but are expected to address primarily housekeeping matters in those sessions.
Photo of the Michigan State Capitol by Brian Charles Watson on Wikimedia Commons.
June 9, 2016 •
Vermont Lawmakers Return for a One-Day Veto Session
The General Assembly convenes today, June 9, 2016, for a one-day veto session. Gov. Peter Shumlin vetoed Senate Bill 230, an energy siting bill, and House Bill 518, dealing with the Clean Water Fund Board. Regarding the Senate bill, Shumlin’s […]
The General Assembly convenes today, June 9, 2016, for a one-day veto session.
Gov. Peter Shumlin vetoed Senate Bill 230, an energy siting bill, and House Bill 518, dealing with the Clean Water Fund Board.
Regarding the Senate bill, Shumlin’s veto message indicated he wants to pass the bill, but would need certain changes. Proponents of the measure are hoping for a quick fix to return it to the governor’s desk.
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