Unicameral Update: 39 Days Down, 51 to Go

It’s the week we’ve all been waiting for!  No, not sine die – priority deadlines. By the end of the week, we will have a clearer picture of what lies ahead. Each senator gets to choose one priority, committees each get two priorities, and the Speaker may choose up to 25. As of last Thursday, five senators had made their selections. Issues so far include a reorganization of the state’s ombudsman system, “winner-take-all” for presidential elections, a prohibition on transexual individuals competing in sports and sharing certain spaces with cisgender individuals, changes to the state minimum wage for certain workers, and increased penalties for assault on a pharmacist or other healthcare workers. Three committee priorities have been selected and include amendments to various state-funded retirement programs, a bill that eliminates programs, services, and current reporting administered by the Department of Health and Human Services, and a legislative resolution that would increase pay and provide for health insurance for senators. The days of “$12,000 and all-you-can-eat” may finally be numbered. 

Public hearings for most committees will be wrapped up at the end of this week. The Judiciary Committee (which, in my opinion, should be a five-day committee) will be hearing bills until the 28th. They are a hard-working bunch, some of whom are probably regretting their committee assignments because they have had more than their fair share of late nights. Bills that are heard after the priority designation deadline typically have a more difficult time making it to the floor. I think this year may be an exception as there are a few issues percolating behind the scenes that will be advanced in the next few weeks. The budget will be advanced at the end of April, so senators will have several weeks to work through other priorities before those bills take center stage.

One issue we no longer expect to see emerge is a large tax proposal from Governor Pillen. Prior to session, we had heard that the Governor planned to have a bill introduced that would include increased “sin taxes” including tobacco, alcohol, and gaming. Those proposals have not materialized and I was told last week they aren’t coming. Two tax bills are scheduled for a public hearing on Thursday that would place a sales tax on a variety of goods and services that are currently exempt. As usual, we are working with other stakeholders to oppose tax shifts and unilateral tax increases without a thorough review of our overall state tax policy.  Choosing goods and services to tax based on potential political backlash seems to be the reasoning behind the pending proposals. Who will be mad if they tax lobbying services, pop, or candy? Joking aside, I think we are getting close to another deep dive on tax policy. I hope this time more stakeholders are brought to the table.

I hope you have a great week. I’ll be back with more on priorities next weekend.

Korby M. Gilbertson
Radcliffe Gilbertson & Brady