Legislature passes budget unanimously
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The passing of House Bill 2, which is the budget bill, with a 100-0 vote was historic. The Appropriations Committee did a wonderful job at working through the budget and making recommendations. Last Tuesday morning, it was decided to cease the budget battle. The Democrats would not bring forth spending increase amendments if the Republicans would not bring forth reduction amendments.
Many big-ticket items are being voted on this week that will also affect the budget. Several pension reform bills were passed out of the House and moved onto the Appropriations Committee. It is expected that they will take the ideas from these three bills and meld them into one bill that will then be considered for the pension system reform. A plan for increased pay for state employees is taking shape. A dollar amount, I believe around $115 million, will be appropriated by the committee. They are hoping to structure this plan to help the employees that are in the lower pay bands that didn’t get any of the $18 million in pay raises this past year.
The water compact bill will be heard in committee this week and also another bill I am forwarding to have the Water Policy Interim Committee study the document and make a finding to the 64th Legislature.
Several other bills are drawing a great deal of interest. Representative Hertz and I are studying Senate Bill 112, which would create new rules in regard to concussions in student athletes. The agricultural committee passed out a bill that allows the sale of unpasteurized milk in certain situations. Drawing significant attention is a bill that will be heard in the business and labor committee this Tuesday called the “Brewery Bill.” It involves the amount of beer a brewery can sell on premise in sample or tap rooms and not be considered a tavern.
As always, please contact me with comments and concerns at (406) 253-9724 or dansalomon12@gmail.com
