With roughly 13 business days to act upon all the legislation that originated thus far, this session many legislators are beginning to wonder exactly what have they accomplished this session. With the need to have the remaining bills pass the House of Representative and then the State Senate or vice versa, folks are beginning to talk about the proverbial log jam. This annual log jam will contribute to the death of many pieces of legislation either to the disappointment or joy of many, depending on what side of the issue they are on. So the order of the day is to either get something done fast or to do everything possible to slow the bill down.

At this point in the game, passing a bill is all about having the bases covered and making it happen fast. By the middle of next week, if you are hoping to pass a bill and it has not at least passed one chamber, you better take out the rosary beads. If there is a bill you want to pass and it may have opposition, you must be certain that the bill has made the rounds to the appropriate committees in order to avoid a last minute referral to a committee in the last days of the session. There is also the possibility of the bill being amended, sending the bill back upstairs to the nonpartisan Office of Legislative Research or fiscal analysis or the Legislative Commissioner's office. At this point, if your proposed legislation takes this path, it's not likely that the bill will be back on the calendar ready for action before the session is over.

To date, the House of Representatives has met a couple days a week and will pick up the pace next week since they have been called in for four days with Saturday potentially being held to debate and pass the budget. The pace has not been quick in the House, but it has been consistent, with many bills being moved off the Go List and bill referrals to committees hitting double digits every day. The Senate on the other hand has been slightly less ambitious with the scheduling and this is where the log jam usually occurs each session. The Senate was in session only one day this week and as of today, the Senate will convene session this coming next Wednesday with a possibility of meeting on Thursday as well. The calendar is growing and the foot of the calendar is quite impressive.

Due to the sheer volume of bills introduced this session, it is unlikely that all will see the light of day. Legislators are currently forming coalitions within their ranks in order to prioritize certain pieces of legislation to enhance their likelihood of them being called and subsequently moved to the next chamber. At the same time, similar coalitions are being formed to prevent legislation from seeing the light of day by organizing long debates or loading them up with amendments to stall the action on the proposals.

There is much left to do and negotiate before midnight May 7. With several large issues resting on both calendars, and Sheff v. O'Neil being teed up for legislative approval next week, all eyes are on the revenue numbers to be released early this coming week. As they say, the numbers never lie - they also will dictate just how the adjustments to the budget will take form.

So anticipate many mandatory democratic caucuses, innovative strategies to get bills called and long nights burning the midnight candle at the Capitol.

Transportation continues to be a central focus this session. Over the past three years, the General Assembly has approved nearly $4 billion for the "Roadmap to Connecticut's Economic Future," a policy designed to upgrade the state's aging transportation infrastructure. Speaker James Amann (D-Milford) also championed his $150 million "Fix It First" plan last session. That plan will prioritize repairs for state roads and bridges deemed to be in poor condition.

Now the focus turns to HB 5734 AAC New and Expanded Bus Transportation Services throughout Connecticut. Critics of the various transportation plans have pointed out that there is still no solution for the gridlock on the state's busy throughways including I-95, I-91, and I-84.

Last week, Speaker Amann and Finance, Revenue, and Bonding Transportation Bonding Subcommittee Chair, Rep. David McCluskey (D-West Hartford), held a press conference to help fill that policy void.

"Mass transit, and especially bus transit, is a key component of any transportation plan. Whatever the reason - rising gas prices, curbing greenhouse gas emissions, creating thriving economic centers and transportation hubs - making busses a viable transportation option for more people makes sense," said Amann.

"Our economy depends on the free flow of goods and services on our highways. Gridlock is our enemy," added Rep. Tony Guerrera (D-Rocky Hill), House Chair of the Transportation Committee.

The focus will begin with creating access for seniors and the handicapped. The proposal will also target key markets such as work trips, school trips, and special events. "If it works better, faster, and cheaper than available alternatives people will use it," said Clarence Marsella, General Manager of the Denver Regional Transportation District and keynote speaker.

The Transportation Committee's bill, HB 5734, was favorably passed out of the Appropriations Committee. We'll keep you posted on its progress.

According to the joint rules of the legislature, after a bill is passed by both the House and Senate while they remain in session, the Governor has 5 calendar days, exclusive of Sundays and holidays, from when a bill is presented to her for signature to either sign it or veto it. After session has adjourned, the Governor has 15 calendar days after presentment to her office to either sign it veto it or it can become law without her signature. We highly doubt that Governor Rell will use that option very often!

In an unusual and very seldom move last session Governor Rell used her line item veto to bring the democratically controlled legislature to a halt related to an energy bill. She also used that strategy to cut out several line items in the state budget in order to affect her announced policy.

It takes at least 2/3 of the members of each house to override the Governor's veto. The Democrats currently do not have the numbers to do so in both chambers, since the special election when Democratic Bill Finch was replaced with Republican Robert Russo in the Senate.

As the House and Senate passes bills, S&L will continue to post the bills that are of interest to our clients that have been signed into law and become public acts (PA) or special acts (SA), or vetoed, by Governor Rell.

SB 33 AN ACT IMPLEMENTING THE GOVERNOR'S RECOMMENDATIONS WITH RESPECT TO SOCIAL SERVICES PHARMACY PROGRAMS

HB 5031 AN ACT CONCERNING PAYMENT IN LIEU OF TAXES FOR PUBLIC HOUSING AND THE LOW AND MODERATE INCOME TAX ABATEMENT PROGRAM

HB 5505 AN ACT CONCERNING THE CITIZENS' ELECTION PROGRAM