Saturday was a very long day. We started in session in the house at 10 am. They told us at the start of the day that we would recess periodically but would not adjourn until we had a tax plan and a budget. Honestly, I thought they were nuts. First we have had 3 tax votes in the last 9 days and had not come close to passing a tax bill. Secondly we had not seen the budget.
So they changed strategies and decided to work on the budget first as that is a constitutional requirement. By early evening we had a budget passed. Then they ran an education bill called Common Core and it failed. Lastly they ran the tax plan and it finally passed early in the morning Sunday. We adjourned the 2013 Legislative Session at 2:17 am this morning.
I am so happy we are finally finished. I can't wait to get home to my family. It is really hard to put into words all that we have been through as freshman since the start of the legislative session. I am glad I wrote this blog everyday, otherwise it would be tough to put it into words now. I wrote this blog from the standpoint of a new freshman letting my friends and constituents know what is happening each day. Kind of like a day in the life of a legislator. I hope you have enjoyed following this as much as I have enjoyed writing it. Happy Sunday from Topeka. I am packing now and heading home.
Dan Hawkins
http://chumly.com/n/1cd50ee