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Friday, December 10, 1999
Arizona and Illinois Call Special Sessions
Chrisanne Loll
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| States In Regular Session | States In Special Session | Notes on Session/Legislation |
| Arizona | Gov. Hull called a special session for legislators to considering building a new state hospital for the mentally ill. Although lawmakers are in agreement that a new hospital is needed, there is no consensus on how to pay for it. The Governor would like to use a portion of the tobacco settlement funds for the project. The session will begin on December 13, 1999. |
| Illinois | The General Assembly will also begin a special session on December 13, 1999 to rewrite a sweeping crime bill that the state Supreme Court ruled unconstitutional. Chief among the bill's provisions was a statute elevating the charge of unlawful use of a weapon from a misdemeanor to a felony. Approximately 2,666 adult inmates and 28 juveniles could be affected by the ruling. House Speaker Michael J. Madigan (D-Chicago) expects to easily obtain the three-fifths vote to pass a revision of the bill next week. | | Michigan |
| Lawmakers will wrap up their 1999 legislative session on December 9, 1999. Earlier this week, legislators drastically weakened residency requirements for municipal employees and revised a 160-year-old drain code that includes more environmental protections. House Republicans defeated Governor John Engler's plan to increase the number of charter schools in the state. The state's largest teachers union and other education groups had lobbied hard against the measure, which would have removed the state-imposed cap (150) on these schools. | | New Jersey |
| The Legislature passed a bill allowing crime victims to submit a video taped statement in lieu of appearing in person at parole board hearings. The measure now goes to Governor Whitman for her signature. The Assembly Education Committee released a bill on Tuesday that would reduce funding for school districts when students leave to attend charter schools. The legislation also requires an independent assessment of charter school performance for next year, and sets a permanent cap on these schools. | | Ohio |
| The House passed a bill on Wednesday that makes it a felony to intentionally kill a fetus that has partially emerged from the mother's womb. The partial-birth abortion legislation now heads to the Senate for their consideration. House Republicans are expected to craft a tobacco-spending compromise that will satisfy both Governor Taft and the Senate, which narrowly rejected the Governor's 26-year plan last month in favor of one with a reduced time frame. The plan would outline spending over a 26 year period, but call for a review after 12 years. | | Pennsylvania |
| The House approved an environmental package on Wednesday that will allocate nearly $646 million over 5 years to preserve farmland, promote environmental cleanup, and improve parks. The "Growing Greener" initiative heads now to Governor Ridge who is expected to sign the bill on delivery. Early in the week, the Senate approved gun legislation that requires dealers to sell trigger locks with firearms, but prevents Philadelphia and other cities from suing gun manufacturers. The lawsuit ban had originally been debated as part of an amendment, but had not been given final approval. The bill moves on the House where legislators will have to choose between accepting the lawsuit provision or rejecting the bill. |
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 | Stateline.org has put together a list of state public policy resources organized by issue. Here, you will find useful links to essential information from government, academia, and think tanks. If you have a link to add, please email us.
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