Legislature's Surprisingly Calm Final Week To End Early

Lawmakers could take until midnight on Aug. 31to get their work done – and in the past, they often have.

Majority Democrats have even frozen the clock to muscle bills through. This year, though, they’ll be done well before Sunday night. In fact, this year is noteworthy for the lack – so far – of late-session drama.

Update from Capitol Bureau Chief Ben Adler

Democrats credit voters for imposing a June budget deadline and credit themselves for good governance. Senate Republican Leader Bob Huff suggests the loss of the Democrats’ supermajority is a factor as well.

“They’ve been forced to be back in and work with us collaboratively on two-thirds bills," says Huff. "And when you have to deal with people on one level, you tend to be more collaborative with them on other levels. So there’s been more mutual respect shown, and I think that’s evidencing itself now at the end of the session.”

Lawmakers still have dozens of bills to debate. Among them: the statewide plastic bag ban, which passed the Assembly yesterday after failing three days earlier. It still needs Senate approval.

Also, a measure that would let the state regulate groundwater for the first time; and a bill that would require employers to give their workers paid sick leave.