Day 1 - 1/14/2008

Legislative Session Opens with a Bang

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Today is Opening Day of the 2008 legislative session.  It is a day usually spent on welcomes and ceremonies, yet, in a departure from tradition, the House overwhelming supported overriding 12 of the Governor’s vetoes of legislation passed last session.  The Senate has not indicated whether or when it will debate the veto overrides however, if the Legislature does vote to override the Governor’s vetoes, it will be the first time in 34 years that this action has been taken.
 
Among the vetoes overridden today were two bills that are of interest to children’s advocates:

• HB 559 provides that teachers and employees of charter schools be considered public school employees so that they can participate in health insurance plans.
• HB 549 would establish requirements for therapy services for children with disabilities who are eligible for medical assistance in order to simplify the approval process.