One Month Until Legislators Return to State House
It's a new year, but they may be tackling old issues.
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We are exactly one month a way from legislators returning to the state house for the regular session. It’s a new year, but they may be tackling old issues.
A major headache for legislators last year-a shortfall in the general fund budget. No solution led to multiple special sessions and while a budget was passed, it was arguably a band aid fix that will likely lead to more heated debate in the new year. Once again the hot topic of a lottery may come up as a fix.
Steve Flowers, political analyst said, “That may be what their solution is the general fund problem. They may say well the lottery brings in about 200 million dollars, we will let people vote on it. If it passes then it’ll be on the ballot and maybe pass before the regular session ends or before the fiscal year begins in October.”
When the session begins on February 2nd, there’s the looming issue surrounding Speaker of the House Mike Hubbard. He’s facing more than 20 counts of felony ethics violations. His trial is set to start in March, which would mean he wouldn’t preside over the House for the bulk of the session.
