Predictably, Annexation Bill Hits a Snag.

As is usual for annexation legislation, SB 5, which was expected to clear the General Assembly this week, hit a snag. Hesitant over notice provision of the bill, the Senate refused to concur in House amendments and called for a committee of conference on that one issue. Clearly, these constant snags with this bill "confirm by omen" (the "last resort" argument for a lobbyist) the League's position that this bill is destined to be a law that works badly.

The conference committee met late this week and cleaned up the provision inserted in the House that troubled the Senate. It is believed that this change will lead to an acceptance of the conference committee report by both houses early next week. That in turn will send the bill to the Governor for his signature or veto. The Governor had not indicated his position on the bill.

For those who have strong positions against this bill, it is not too early to begin sending letters to the Governor to ask for his veto of this legislation. The League will also send a letter asking for that veto.

Governor Signs $45 Billion Budget; Vetoes Legislative Favorites.

Governor Taft this week signed into law the state's new biennial budget, but not before exercising his line-item veto 49 times. It is the highest number of line-item vetoes issued by a Governor since 1975. The vetoes, many of which were on items near and dear to the hearts of legislators in both houses, raised the rare specter of possible veto overrides by a General Assembly whose majorities are of the same party as the Governor.

Bulletin by E-mail.

Don't forget. You can now receive your Legislative Bulletin and other legislative news by e-mail. Just e-mail us your e-mail address to omunileague2@copper.net and we will begin sending you your Bulletin on Friday mornings by Word and Word Perfect. The Bulletin, as well as testimony on bills offered by the League staff, is also available on our web site at

COMMITTEE MEETING SCHEDULE FOR WEEK OF JUNE 11, 2001

TUESDAY, JUNE 12
SENATE INSURANCE, COMMERCE & LABOR, 10 a.m., North Hearing Rm., Chr. Nein, Phone: 466-8072.

SB 114 PREVAILING WAGE LAW (Wachtmann) Modifies the Prevailing Wage Law to apply only to public improvements owned by the state. (3rd Hearing - Interested party)

WEDNESDAY, JUNE 13
HOUSE LOCAL GOVERNMENT & TOWNSHIPS, 10 a.m., Rm. 121, Chr. Roman, Phone: 466-1790.

HB 245 VILLAGE OFFICES (Evans) Permits the offices of village clerk and treasurer to be combined into an appointed office of village fiscal officer and permits the appointed office to be subsequently abolished and replaced by the elected office of village clerk-treasurer. (4th Hearing - Proponent, opponent & interested party)

HOUSE RETIREMENT & AGING, 10:30 a.m., Rm. 122, Chr. Schuring, Phone: 752-2438.