Legislative Update: Week 14

This past week, the House had a full agenda of bills. Most days we had over 20 bills to take action on during the House floor session. Those bills were either Senate or House with Senate amendments.

Friday was day 73, and time is running out for new bills to be able to come out of committee and cross both floors. My committees have only one session scheduled for each which is Tuesday. Unless a bill goes back to a committee for discussion or amendments, committee meetings will wind down this coming week.

Other activities this past week included heavy negotiations on infrastructure, bonding, appropriations, gas tax, and the overlooked aquatic and invasive species funding. These negotiations may make the final week of bills in committees before they make it out on the respective floor sessions. Day 90 is scheduled for the last day but many hope the work will be done sooner. That prediction is wishful thinking and time will tell the story.

On Palm Sunday, the House Chamber was the site of a very nice tribute to senators and legislators who passed away since the last legislative session. This ceremony is done every session with current legislators reading a memorial tribute to those that have passed on. Jennifer Fielder read a tribute for one of our former Senators, Fred Carl. I felt honored to be part of the ceremony by singing in the 12 person Capitol Choir and playing my trombone during the prelude. The chamber was filled with over two hundred people attending this humble event.

We are in session only four days this week. We will be done on Thursday and will take four days off for Easter break. We will be back in session on April 18. Please feel free to contact me at home next weekend and have a Happy Easter.

Rep. Denley Loge, a St. Regis Republican, represents HD14.