The legislature is still hoping to adjourn sine die next Friday, but they have some important issues still to work through when they settle back in Monday. The public education funding bill is still making its way through the House, and could be heard as early as Monday. While there appears to be solid support for that legislation, it is always possible that other issues could have an indirect impact on its approval.
There remains uncertainty surrounding the tax cut bill proposed by Rep. Mike Moyle (R-Star). The Senate made amendments to his bill, including eliminating the grocery tax and accompanying tax credit, which prompted Governor Otter to issue a statement in support of the grocery tax. The House will now need to take up the amended tax cut bill.
Also still to be dealt with are transportation legislation, a bill introduced Friday to address health care and the “Medicaid gap” in the state, victim’s right’s legislation, and reducing or eliminating mandatory minimum sentences for minor drug-related crimes. As Betsy Russell of the Spokesman Review notes in quoting Moyle, “sometimes you get to the point where you’ve got to step back and let everyone calm down”. It should be an interesting final (hopefully) week.
IEA Member Sonia Galaviz Will Address Senate Education Committee Monday
Sonia Galaviz, winner of the NEA Foundation’s Excellence in Education Award will have an opportunity to address the Senate Education Committee Monday as part of the legislature’s recognition of her achievements and contributions. She shared her thoughts on teaching and education with the House Education Committee earlier this month.
