It took less than 20 minutes for the Senate to pass a bonding bill 51-7. The Republican lead on the Bonding Committee Sen. Betsy Wergin got an amendment adopted that essentially assures the 3% debt limit is not passed which is the governor's position. Not only was it shocking the Senate moved so quickly with so little debate on a billion dollars worth of spending, but Bonding Chair Sen. Keith Langseth accepted the Wergin amendment:
"In future biennia, the commissioner of
1.3finance shall likewise schedule the sale of general obligation bonds so that, during the
1.4biennium, an amount equal to no more than three percent of general fund revenue for the
1.5biennium will need to be transferred from the general fund to the state bond fund to pay
1.6principal and interest due and to become due on outstanding state general obligation
1.7bonds."
Meanwhile the House seems to be struggling in putting together their bill. They've been stuck in committee for hours.