SF 2117, the Senate de-appropriations bill passed out of the Senate 29-21 along partisan lines. HSB 648, the House de-appropriations bill was introduced but not taken up this week. This House bill proposes cuts that are greater than the Governor’s proposal but less than the Senate’s. 

Both chambers debated and passed different versions of the school aid bills this week.  Both chambers have agreed to an increase of 1% in State Supplemental Aid ($32 million increase), however the Senate added language to address school transportation funding. 

Next week is the first funnel which is the second major deadline in the legislative calendar.  By Friday, February 16, if a policy bill has not advanced out of one policy committee it is considered dead for the year.  We can expect a great deal of activity next week as lawmakers rush to get their priorities advanced to survive the funnel.