Budget Work not Finished Yet

State lawmakers were back last week–and coming back again this week–to try to adopt legislation needed to implement the new state budget they approved earlier this month. As with the entire budget process, getting to the finish line has been very difficult.

What lawmakers did adopt, so far, in mostly party-line votes (with Democrats—except for Sen. Joan Hartley–supporting and Republicans opposing) was $50 million in motor vehicle, apprenticeship and other fee increases over the next two years. Gov. Rell, however, said she will veto the bill.

One of the delays in the ongoing budget-implementer session was caused when Democratic leaders tried to insert a health care pooling measure into one of the bills. The original measure was vetoed by Gov. Rell because of pooling's exorbitant costs to taxpayers, and lawmakers did not try to override that veto.

CBIA will have details on the session's final results as they occur. Visit cbia.com for updates or contact Bonnie Stewart at 860-244-1925 or bonnie.stewart@cbia.com.