In a flurry of activity that stretched into the wee hours of the morning, the Legislature passed the remaining budget bills and a significant tax bill (see details in article below) and averted a potential state government shutdown. Additionally, both the House and the Senate voted to end the Governor’s peacetime emergency declaration.
One key item that was not taken up by the Legislature during the special session was a bonding bill. Based on conversations we had with legislators over the last several days, it appeared there was a simply a lack of energy and urgency to take a bonding bill up at this time.
In wrapping up their work early this morning, lawmakers put an end to a remarkable period of legislative activity. From the beginning of the regular session in February 2020 through today, the Legislature met in regular or special sessions for all or part of each month for 18 consecutive months. Over that time, the Legislature went from “business as usual” to a complete pause in legislative activity at the beginning of the pandemic, transitioned to an almost entirely remote mode of operation, passed a significant bonding bill and an entire state budget, and — in the last couple of weeks — began to meet in floor sessions with a majority of members back at their desks, including last night when only a handful of members worked remotely.
With more work to be done on bonus or premium payments to recognize the work of frontline workers during the pandemic, there is already talk that the Legislature will need to come back into special session in September. That could be another opportunity for passage of a bonding bill, though the chances seem slim at this point.
