Thursday, July 3, 2008

July Recess Schedule

The Legislature usually enters into recess during the month of July. However, because of their inability to negotiate a deal on the 2008-2009 Budget, they’re stuck in Sacramento (sort of.) Both Houses have scheduled a few floor sessions over the next three weeks. Additionally, the Appropriations Committees in each House will also be meeting. However, no bill that incurs new state costs in excess of $50,000 can pass out of either of the Appropriations Committees until the 2008-2009 Budget is enacted. This means that just about every bill of any substance (and controversy) will be sent to the Suspense File, where they’ll sit until the new budget gets done. Although it’s impossible to predict, an educated guess would be that a budget deal will be struck sometime in late August. The primary reason is that the Democratic National Convention begins on August 25, with the Republican National Convention commencing soon thereafter on September 1. The lure of these two national political gatherings in a hotly contested presidential election year may provide the stimulus for an agreement.

Therefore, unless something of significance happens over the next few weeks, the next eUpdate will be sent out in early August when the Legislature begins its normal schedule.