This last week we did not see much action on any of the Human Services Omnibus bills. Although the conference committee has been announced for the Human Services Omnibus Policy bill, no meetings were held. The Human Services Omnibus Appropriations bill was heard in the Senate Finance Committee on Friday and will now move to the floor. In the House, the bill will be heard in the Ways and Means Committee on Wednesday, May 1st before being sent to the floor for a full vote.
Not surprisingly, much of the attention this last week was surrounding the arrest of Senator Nicole Mitchell for felony first-degree burglary. On Wednesday, April 24, the Senate Republicans filed an ethics complaint against her, and a hearing of the Ethics Committee is scheduled for Tuesday, May 7th to review the complaint. On Sunday, April 28th, the Majority Leader of the Senate, Erin Murphy, released a statement that Senator Mitchell will be removed from her committee assignments and will no longer caucus with the Democrats, however, Assistant Majority Leader Nick Frentz later released a statement that Sen. Mitchell will still vote on the Senate floor. Senator Mitchell's vote is particularly critical for the Democrats, as they hold only a 34-33 vote majority. Bills must have a majority vote to pass, in the event of a tie on the Senate floor a motion fails.
What all of this means for the final weeks of the session is yet to be seen. The legislature must adjourn by Monday, May 20, meaning there are only three full weeks left of session.
We will keep you updated as things continue to move forward.
--Sara Grafstrom, Senior Director of State and Federal Policy