At the Roundhouse today, Senate Education unanimously gave a "Do Pass" to Sen. Michael Sanchez’ bill to divert all unclaimed lottery prize money to the lottery scholarship fund that badly needs the infusion. Sanchez figures this could add up to a million dollars a year, while other studies say it could be twice that. The Sanchez bill now goes to Senate Finance. An identical bill made it through the Senate last year, but got lost in the House.
Over in Senate Rules, the bill that calls for a constitutional amendment to use part of the permanent fund for early childhood programs got a Do Pass, but it now goes to both Judiciary and Finance where the road to approval is rockier.
In Senate Finance Monday, Chairman John Arthur Smith (S-Deming) told prosecutors that there will be no option for their agency or any agency or institution….” the committee will try to not cut you more than others, but you will be cut.” Meanwhile, we’re waiting for House Appropriations to unveil its version of a streamlined budget as contained in HB 2.
On a happier note, the national champion and all-around awesome UNM Women’s Cross Country Team was honored today in both the House and Senate.
Tomorrow is Ground Hog Day. Senate Public Affairs has scheduled four bills dealing with Drivers Licenses/Real ID that they heard last year and the year before that and the year before…