A Legislative Update and a Very Blessed Easter Message
by Senator Steve Green
We are about halfway through the legislative session – March 27th marked a combination of the first and second deadlines, and I wanted to provide a bit more info about what that means.
The first deadline is typically the last day for senate committees to act on bills introduced in the senate. The second deadline is typically for house committees to then act on the senate bills that were acted on by the senate before the first deadline. It sounds complicated, but it really just means a bill needs to move through a committee in the senate, then also move through the house. These deadlines apply to both chambers symmetrically. Those bills are then still up for final consideration in end-of-session bills. I say “typically,” because it’s unusual for these deadlines to be combined. Yet that’s what democrats decided on. The third deadline still stands on its own on April 17th, and that is for committees to act on spending bills. After that, we have exactly one month to get things done. Adjournment is on May 18th.
I want to be realistic, though. We’ve seen in previous years that democrats do not adhere to these deadlines anyways. If they want something done bad enough, they will circumvent the rules, or throw unvetted language into omnibus bills. This has unfortunately become the normal state of things. So have “special sessions.” I obviously am against both of these tactics.
In the last month and a half, we’ve seen some pretty bad bills moving through committee: bills that spend more money, bills that raise taxes, potential language allowing the state to purchase even more land, a bill that would effectively ban ATVs in state parks… The list is endless. As we vet these bills before the third deadline, I will continue raising concerns in committees and I will also keep people informed.
As March closes and April begins, we also begin to celebrate Holy Week, which is the full week leading up to Easter Sunday. March 27th is a combination of first and second deadlines, but it’s also the start of the legislative break – an important time to honor our faith and recognize the holiness of this season.
We have many Holidays in the United States. Few stand out like the Easter celebration. The event was so incredible that it changed the way we count our days. God looked down on a fallen and lost world with compassion. He sent his Son Jesus Christ to be born as a man and pay the penalty for the sins of mankind. Redemption is now offered as a free gift. Held out by the hand of God for anyone wishing to reach out and take hold of it.
The Gospels tell us Jesus was crucified, dead and buried. On the third day He rose again and is seated at the Right hand of God. There He intercedes for all that would accept Him.
My hope is this season will be a blessing to you. To set aside the worries of the day and look for the blessings in your life.
When we return from our legislative break, I will continue providing updates from the capitol.