Legislative update: May 1, 2023

As we enter the final month of the legislative session, the steady and ambitious pace to make progress in our state government budget and policies has continued. Omnibus finance bills have made their way through committees and a significant number of them have now made it through their respective bodies and into conference committees, where differences between the House and Senate bills will be worked out before final passage and sending them to the Governor. Many omnibus policy bills will undergo the same process.  

This week the State Government Finance and Policy Omnibus bills made it to conference committee, along with the Labor Policy Omnibus bill. Together, these bills will support our ability to negotiate a fair contract and represent our members throughout the state.  

Other bills that are moving to conference committees include DHS Omnibus Finance, HHS Omnibus Finance, Public Safety Omnibus, Higher Education Finance Omnibus and Transportation Omnibus. 

The House Tax Bill, which proposes to raise the funds for our state budget, passed through the House on Thursday, April 27. We support this bill as it takes a targeted approach to cutting social security taxes by limiting it to those making under $100,000 in retirement and raises income taxes on those making over $1 million a year by 1%.  

Some standalone policy bills have also made their way through floor votes. After a late-night debate on April 24, legalizing adult use of cannabis passed the House on April 25, followed by passing the Senate on April 28. Paid Family and Medical Leave will be on the House Floor on Tuesday and we expect a vote in the Senate later in the week.