Last week, when I took part in a taping of A Lively Experiment, Ron St. Pierre asked whether it was wrong for state lawmakers to take a spring break with the state facing such dire fiscal problems. Lou Pulner offered the best response, describing how the traditional last-minute passage of a cascade of legislation poses a greater concern.
Now, House Finance, on the second day after the legislative break, says it is expected to vote today on the supplemental budget. While a small number of individuals controlling the process is status quo on Smith Hill, it hardly seems to offer the chance for thorough consideration of the budget.
STATE HOUSE – The House Finance Committee is expected to vote on the supplemental budget (2008-H 7204) for the 2008 fiscal year this evening. The committee is scheduled to meet today, April 22, at the rise of the House session (likely sometime after 5 p.m.) in Room 35 in the basement of the State House. The committee has canceled all other business it had planned for today.
The committee is also scheduled to take up numerous bills this week at hearings at 1 p.m. on Wednesday and Thursday. On Wednesday at the rise of the House session, the committee will hold a hearing on the status, outlook and prospects for Veterans’ Memorial Auditorium. All hearings will be held in Room 35.