This is the last week of the regular session, though it is expected that the Legislature will return for a special session.

Operating Budget
Today (April 18) the Senate will take floor action on the operating budget. Once the Senate passes the operating budget the bill will return to the  House for agreement. Since the proposals are different a conference committee will be established. Budget conferees are expected to include Senators Murray, Kilmer, Zarelli and Representatives Hunter, Sullivan,  and Alexander.

Capital Budget
On Tuesday the Senate is expected to take action on their proposed capital budget and move it out of committe and to the floor. A Senate Ways & Mean executive session is scheduled for 2:30 p.m.

The capital budget discussion is being framed within the context of Senate Joint Resolution 8215 which would seek a constitutional amendment to phase down the debt limit from 9 to 7 percent in half-percent increments. The action would begin in Fiscal Year 2016 and continue through FY  22.  In addition the resolution would shift the state’s bond model from a three-year rolling average to a ten-year rolling average. 

The resolution is being discussed as a way to reduce debt service payments in the operating budget. For the 2011-13 biennium, the hit to the operating budget is about $2 billion on the bonds.

While there are several supporters there are also several skeptics. Skeptics argue that the shift in capacity will limit the size of the capital budget for the next few biennia and will make it tougher to fund a broad array of construction projects.

Other Legislative Work
Throughout the week, legislators will be focused on moving legislation forward in the process. This will consist of each chamber taking action on bills that are necessary to implement the budget and bills that require either chamber to concur or not concur on changes made to the bill in the opposite chamber. If either chamber does not concur with the changes then a conference committee will be established to find a compromise.

In addition, this week’s schedule includes limited committee meetings – primarily focused on interim planning – with most of the time spent on the House and Senate floor.

Special Session
The Legislature still must still pass a biennial operating and capital budget and more than sixty bills required to meet the changes and requirements in the budgets. With this heavy lift ahead a special session is certain. The question is when.

Talk on The Hill suggests that the Legislature will sine die on Thursday with a return as early as Monday, April 25 if there is a commitment to finish up quickly.  The Legislature could also opt for a rolling recess.  A rolling recess would only require essential legislators and staff to show up for work, leaving others to be called in when a deal is agreed upon. The Governor is expected to make an announcement later this week.