Volume 7

March 16, 1998

Number 3
Last summer, legislative leaders talked of passing the 1998-99 budget by the second week of the 1998 session. Those of us who follow those types of statements found it difficult to believe, since it has never been done. But as the second week of this year's session ended- Friday the 13th, no less- both the House and Senate education budget committees had passed out their versions of the budgets. These versions will go before their full appropriations committees this week, with floor debate scheduled for Friday. In my 16 years in this process, I have not seen as accelerated a budget procedure as this one has been thus far.

Today is Florida State University Day at the Capitol. This is a wonderful opportunity to showcase our faculty, students, and programs to legislators, staff, and lobbyists. Please plan to join us if your schedule will allow it.

As always, please feel free to contact me if you need copies of bills and their analysis, or if you have questions about issues which may concern you. I can be reached at 644-4453 or by e-mail, kdaly@govrel.fsu.edu. Information is also available on the Florida Legislature's home page, www.leg.state.fl.us. "On-Line Sunshine" can provide bill history, bill text, House and Senate calendars and Florida statutes.

Kathleen Daly