Legislature starts final four: last weeks of session, that is Prepared by Marie Sullivan, WSPTA Legislative Consultant, legconsultant@wastatepta.org With only four weeks left in the 105-day regular session, lawmakers worked late into the evening in some committees and on the floor, passing out policy and budget bills to meet various deadlines and get budgets into…

Budgets released during whirlwind week, House unveils levy proposal Prepared by Marie Sullivan, WSPTA Legislative Consultant, legconsultant@wastatepta.org Within the span of the week, House Democrats released operating, capital and transportation budgets, holding hearings and passing two of the three off the House floor by Friday evening. (Listen to the House Democrat announcement here.) Not to…

Snow gives way to sun as legislative pace quickens Prepared by Marie Sullivan, WSPTA Legislative Consultant, legconsultant@wastatepta.org Sunglasses, sandals and short sleeves graced the Capitol last week, as temperatures hit the mid-70s and snow piles in parking lots finally melted. Spring was in the air, and committees resumed action, scheduling full hearings of bills from…

Legislature past half-way point but many bills remain Prepared by Marie Sullivan, WSPTA Legislative Consultant, legconsultant@wastatepta.org Wednesday, March 13th at 5 PM was the deadline for bills to have passed the chamber in which they started. In other words, House bills needed to pass the House, and Senate bills needed to have passed the Senate…

Floor action a flurry of education policy and funding bills Prepared by Marie Sullivan, WSPTA Legislative Consultant, legconsultant@wastatepta.org Lawmakers hit the floor last week for bill action, starting early in the day and going late many nights to address a variety of bills that range in topics from education bills we’re watching to issues to…