Budgets Passed But Not Behind Us

Both Chambers passed their versions of the 2009 Amended Budget, which goes through June. The Supplemental Budget, they call it. Email smithlowe@earthlink.net to get a summary, in plain language, of where there are differences between the House and Senate versions. What happens next is a Conference of three House and three Senate members get together to hash out compromises. You can also get info on the budget at http://www.gbpi.org/ The BIG budget, for FY 2010, is still being worked on. It could go a couple of more weeks before floor votes...and there will certainly be a conference committee needed after that.



Speaking of the budget, we are all still perplexed by the lack of serious movement of the revenue enhancing bills. So what did move last week? Corporate tax cuts. You guessed it. Rep. Tom Graves (R-Ranger, District 12) got HB 481 passed out of committee. It would phase out corporate income taxes. That's a huge hit for revenues at any time, but intolerable during the current economic crisis. So, what could possibly replace the revenue loss? This you probably would not have guessed...bring back the grocery tax!!!! Yes, Rep. Chuck Sims (R-Ambrose, District 169) has had the grocery tax HB 67 passed out of the same committee.

When we hear politicians talk about "safe districts", I guess they think of District 12 & 169. Think the folks back home are paying attention?