Capitol Update: Senate passes budget

posted 05.05.11

It turns out that the Senate didn’t need 21 votes to move the budget along. A combination of rules allowed it to be brought up with priority and without the traditional two-thirds vote.

The Senate’s “House Bill Day” rule allows House bills on special order and on third and second readings, respectively, to be taken up by a simple majority (19 votes). Because the budget bill originated in the House, it was taken up Wednesday afternoon and passed along party lines. Budget writers also stripped out the controversial $3 billion of the Rainy Day Fund to bypass the super-majority rule and to make the bill more palatable for conservative leaders and lawmakers. Budget writers balanced the removal of funds with Medicaid savings to be achieved through provisions in Senate Bill 23 and expected higher state revenues. Should they under-perform, Rainy Day Funds could be used later.

The bill now heads back to the House and, if the House doesn’t agree with the Senate version as is anticipated, to a conference committee made up of House and Senate members to reconcile the differences.