Nearly two weeks have passed since my last blog entry, and things up on the hill are only getting busier. The good news is we are halfway done, and the bad news is there is still a lot of work to do. I met with the Executive Appropriations on Friday evening to discuss the 2010 budget for Higher Education. The metaphor that has been used up on the Hill most often these past few weeks is that we need to “cut the fat” on most program budgets. Though, as we progress into the 2010 fiscal year, we are hearing more and more on how we need to try to prevent cutting into the muscle of these programs, or worse still, into the bone. Resources are scarce and we are scurrying to come up with extra revenues. Let us hope for the best.
The House recently passed HB140 by a vote of 48-27, which would increase fees on motor vehicles by $2. This bill would go towards protecting Highway Patrol troopers who would otherwise be victims of severe budget cuts. There is a second bill on cigarette tax that is currently being considered as well.
There has been enormous uproar on HB187 on the Recreational Use of Public Waters that flow over privately owned beds. I have been bombarded with emails against this bill, and a huge crowd of avid fly fishers showed up in waders with their fly rods to protest the bill, which solidified my opposition to the bill.
I encourage any ideas or comments you may have. Please post below.