LS606Legislative Process

Unit 9

Governors and Their States

Dr. Christie L. Richardson

Kaplan University

Rick Scott and Florida Legislature(Nina)

• On his second month on the job in February 2011, Florida Gov. Rick Scott wrote a letter to the U.S. Transportation Secretary Ray LaHood announcing he had decided to reject about $2.4 billion in federal money for a high-speed train line between Tampa and Orlando.

• State legislators questioned whether the governor has the authority to unilaterally kill high-speed rail, and members of Florida's congressional delegation discussed with U.S. Transportation Secretary Ray LaHood ways to circumvent Scott's decision.

• The federal government was willing to pay nearly all the cost to build a high-speed rail line connecting Tampa to Orlando. Private companies were willing to cover any additional construction costs and operating losses.

Governor Perry and the Legislature(Maria)

Governor Rick Perry is trying to send a message from Texas by reintroducing HB41 ““which would make it a crime for federal agents to touch a person's anus, genitals, buttocks or breasts without probable cause”. We see this bill regarding TSA pat downs by making them illegal after viewing footage of children having to undergo pat downs as well as invalids and adults.

While this makes many people happy, especially tea party personnel and grassroots organizations. The presentation of this bill has received threats from the federal government to ground Texas flights.

Some of the state legislators state that it will not be considered without revisions. But HB41 actually passed the house and was sent to the senate. While this bill would send a message about airport security to the federal government it could potentially gridlock Texas airways.

“After the initial bill was passed in the Texas House and sent to the Senate, John E. Murphy, the U.S. attorney for the western district of Texas, wrote a letter to both legislative houses warning that the bill would disrupt the ability of the TSA to ensure the safety of travelers. “

Mississippi(Michelle)

• Haley's Plan: Enact real, comprehensive tort reform• Haley and the Legislature enacted what the Wall Street

Journal called the most comprehensive tort reform legislation in the country.

• After tort reform, liability rates went down, automobile insurance rates went down, homeowner's and other property insurance rates went down, and more than 50 new insurance programs entered our state. Tort reform created more competition, more affordable insurance, and created jobs by reducing unnecessary costs for small businesses.

The Legislation and the Stipulations(Natale)

• Governor vetos ComEd’s rate hike increase $2.6million dollars over next 10 year

• Senate and House override Veto• Senate vote 36-19• House vote 74-42• Those actions follow a 91-24 vote in the House

Wednesday on legislation to increase how much ComEd must pay to storm-proof its transmission system, lower the amount of profits the utility could claim and create a fund to help needy ratepayers pay their electricity bills.

• Consumers will see a $3.00 per month increase

State of Virginia(Jamisha)

• Virginia’s governor won a decade long battle with the state legislature by receiving an affirmative passage of his transportation plan for the state as well as the Hampton Roads area where there is a lot of beach tourists visits during the summer.

• The only limitations of this plan is that McDonnell leaves office in 2013 as Virginia does not allow consecutive terms for Governors.

• The governor’s plan has 3 major components:

• $1.8 billion in bonds issued under the previous Governor in 2007.

• $1.2 billion to come from a program allowing states to borrow money from the federal government in the future

• A new state infrastructure bank which lends money to developers and local areas to build upon improvements.

North Carolina(Shannon)

• 19.7 million dollar budget proposal was passed by the state legislature in June, 2011.

• Governor Bev Perdue vetoed the budget proposal due to significant cuts in education, health and public safety.

• 1st time NC governor has ever vetoed a budget bill.

• State Legislature overrides Gov. Perdue’s veto.

Washington State Governor v. Legislative(Ashley)

• $2 billion shortfall within the state budget

• Governor recommends a temporary one-half percent increase in states sale tax

• “Referendum bill” would raise $494 million dollars over the next three years

• If approved, bill would prevent another $160 million cutbacks from higher education and $152 million in K-12 schooling programs

• Governor believes selling point to legislators is the depth of the current problem and quick revenue back into the states pockets