Day 40 - 4/04/2008

Sine Die

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Sine Die marks the official end of the legislative session, and, as always on the last day of session, today was a day of drama, short tempers, and celebrations.
 
Some big issues were not resolved before the closing gavel at midnight.  The Senate and House could not agree on a tax cut proposal, and trauma care and transportation funding were victims of the stand-off. 
 
The conference committee on the FY 09 budget reached agreement around midday, and advocates were pleased to see that several items important to children were in the final package.  The Medicaid extension to foster care kids until age 21, funding for a regional assessment center for victims of child sexual exploitation, and $20, 280,00 for additional subsidized childcare slots are all included in the FY 09 budget.
 
The gun bill passed the legislature with language supported by the NRA.  The bill will permit individuals to carry concealed weapons in restaurants, on public transit and in parks. HB 977, the high deductible health care plan bill passed the legislature and will now go to the Governor for his signature. The SHAPE Act, SB 506, was killed in the House.  Legislation to provide vouchers to public school students in districts that lose accreditation also failed to pass before the session concluded.
 
The House passed HR 791, the preK study committee around 10 pm.  Speaker Glenn Richardson must now appoint the members of the study committee so that it can begin its work.