With scheduled renovations to begin May 1 at the Alaska Capitol, lawmakers are moving to a new location before continuing to work to fix the state’s multi-billion dollar budget deficit. Constitutionally, the legislature can remain in session for up to 121 days, despite a 90-day limit written into state law after voters passed a ballot initiative in 2008.

Senate President Kevin Meyer wants to remain in Juneau as long as the legislature remains in regular session. Last year, lawmakers moved to Anchorage following Gov. Bill Walker’s call for a special session.

On Wednesday, Walker announced he is prepared to call a special session in Juneau if the budget issue, including his plan for a broad-based tax, cannot be addressed before the 121-day deadline.

Lawmakers will return to Raleigh today to begin the 2016 short session of the North Carolina General Assembly. The session is expected to primarily address adjustments needed to the biennial budget.

The session is expected to adjourn in early July.

Photo of the North Carolina Legislative Building by Jayron32 on Wikimedia Commons.

The 109th Tennessee General Assembly adjourned sine die on Friday, April 22, 2016. The legislature approved a $34.9 billion budget for the upcoming fiscal year and passed the governor’s proposal increasing school funding.

Just prior to adjournment, lawmakers were able to strip funding for the University of Tennessee’s Office for Diversity and Inclusion but failed to override Gov. Haslam’s veto of a bill declaring the Bible the official state book.

Photo of the Tennessee state capitol house floor by Ichabod on Wikimedia Commons.

The Mississippi Legislature has adjourned its 2016 legislative session sine die today, April 21, 2016. The Senate concluded its session yesterday, but a House member held a bill on a motion to reconsider, forcing the House to convene once more.

The adjournment comes several days early, having originally been planned for April 24.

Photo of the Mississippi State Capitol by Shawn Lea on Wikimedia Commons.

The Nebraska Legislature adjourned its 2016 legislative session sine die on Wednesday, April 20, 2016. Despite almost doubling the number of filibusters from last year, lawmakers passed 216 bills, including a new state budget and increased funding for road projects.

Opponents were successful, however, in blocking a Medicaid expansion proposal and a bill to create a winner-take-all system for presidential Electoral College votes.

On April 18, Utah Gov. Gary Herbert, Senate President Wayne Niederhauser, and Speaker of the House Greg Hughes announced an agreement to convene a special legislative session in May. The purpose of the session is to address education funding for the state.

The special session will be called to match the legislature’s regularly scheduled interim meetings. The veto override poll in the House of Representatives and Senate will be temporarily suspended, pending the issuance of a call to special session, according to the governor’s press release.

The Alaska Legislature remains in session despite its Sunday deadline, with lawmakers set to work on a budget deficit-reduction package. Other issues still outstanding include Gov. Walker’s legislation to reform Alaska’s oil tax credit subsidy program and the institution of a personal income tax.

A voter initiative passed in 2006 limits the legislative session to 90 days, but legislators often continue after the deadline and adhere, instead, to a constitutional deadline of 121 days.

Photo of the Alaska State Capitol by Jay Galvin on Wikimedia Commons.

Lawmakers have agreed to push the final day of the 2016 legislative session from April 12 to April 15 so they can continue working out a deal on the state’s budget. The change was made to avoid a costly special session after negotiations failed Sunday evening.

The General Assembly is only permitted to convene one more day this year and must adjourn by April 15 at midnight. Leadership from both houses will continue closed-door negotiations, hoping to have an agreement ready for a vote on Friday.

The Maryland General Assembly adjourned late Monday, April 11, 2016, after passing legislation reforming the state’s criminal justice system.

Unable to pass legislation reducing the state’s income tax during the final hours of the session, some lawmakers suggested Gov. Hogan call a special session. In response, according to the Baltimore Sun, Hogan said, “These guys can’t seem to get their act together. I’m not sure that would change with a special session.”

The 90th Arkansas General Assembly entered its second extraordinary session on Wednesday, April 6, to consider Gov. Asa Hutchinson’s Medicaid proposal. Hutchinson believes the proposal can expand the state’s Medicaid program while also encouraging recipients to stay employed and to take responsibility for their health care.

The legislature’s fiscal session is slated to convene on Wednesday, April 13.

Photo of Arkansas State Capitol Building by Stuart Seeger on Wikimedia Commons.

Lobbying
Missouri: “Missouri Lawmakers Strike a Deal on Revolving-Door Lobbyist Ban” by Jason Hancock for Kansas City Star

Campaign Finance

New York: “Vote to Close ‘LLC Loophole’ Deadlocks, but Could Impact Lawsuit” by Chris Bragg for Albany Times Union

Virgina: “Virginia Lawmakers Banish Pricey Gifts – But Not Fundraisers” by Alan Suderman (Associated Press) for ABC News

Ethics

“Ethics Watchdog Urges Full Probe of Senate Hopeful Grayson” by Cristina Marcos for The Hill

Alabama: “Lawmaker Takes First Step in an Effort to Impeach Alabama’s Governor” by Campbell Robertson and Alan Blinder for New York Times

Connecticut: “Former Investment Director for Quasi-Public Agency Fined In Ethics Probe” by David Altimari for Hartford Courant

Massachusetts: “Prosecutors Investigate Fees Collected by Joyce on Randolph Projects” by Andrea Estes and Shelley Murphy for Boston Globe

Elections

“Trump Effect Hits Dem Convention” by Megan Wilson Megan Wilson for The Hill

Legislative Issues

Tennessee: “Bible Could Soon Be Tennessee’s Official Book” by Katie Rogers for New York Times

The Wisconsin Senate announced this month it is unlikely to meet again this year, bringing an unofficial end to a two-year session. Both houses of the legislature may choose to reconvene for a brief floor period in April.

The legislature made several significant strides while in session, including partially eliminating the state’s prevailing wage, passing a contentious budget, replacing the Government Accountability Board with ethics and elections commissions, and overhauling state campaign finance laws.

The Washington State Legislature adjourned its special session on March 29, 2016. The special session was needed to pass a supplemental budget.

The new budget plan increases spending by $191 million.

The Idaho Legislature adjourned sine die on Friday, March 25, 2016.

Lawmakers agreed to a 7.4 percent increase in the education budget, but did not pass a tax cut proposal or Medicaid expansion.

Photo of the Idaho State Capitol by Maxbatt in Wikimedia Commons.