Congress has been rushing to tie up any loose legislative ends before going into recess, allowing members to return to their states & districts for the August district work period.

The House of Representatives passed legislation raising the debt ceiling and setting the federal budget in a bipartisan deal with President Trump. The bill allows a $324 billion increase in discretionary spending for two years.

The deal significantly reduces the chances of defaulting on the U.S. debt or a government shutdown. The deal also puts the federal budget under the Trump administration well on the way to a more than $1 trillion deficit, double the level in 2016.

The bill would avert a default on U.S. debt payments in early September by extending the borrowing limit through July 31, 2021. Congress will still need to pass spending bills adhering to the new $1.3 trillion cap when the new fiscal year begins October 1.

After the August recess, Congress will need to work quickly over September to pass spending bills. The Senate has yet to draft any spending bills, meaning that a stopgap continuing resolution remains a likely outcome.

This Week in the States

• Hawaii – Hawaii becomes 26th state to decriminalize marijuana
• Alaska – Deadlock continues as Alaska House minority Republicans oppose capital budget fix and ‘reverse sweep’
• Kentucky – Lawmakers Advance Bevin’s Pension Bill During Special Session
• Alabama – “Fair tax” legislation would replace income, sales tax with consumption tax
• Texas – Top Officials Attempt To Clarify New Hemp Law For Prosecutors
• Indiana – Local hemp farmer, others, sue state and governor
• Wisconsin – Governor will oppose changes to line-item veto powers
• West Virginia – House ends its side of special session
• Nevada – Governor assures school funds despite tax extension suit
• Michigan – High-earning Michiganders could end up paying for road repairs
• North Carolina – High spirits: craft distilling bill will help the industry
• Illinois – Illinois is making it hard — and expensive — to get a license to sell legal marijuana
• California – California considers phasing out single-use plastics by 2030
• Arizona – Marijuana money poses problems for Arizona dispensaries
• New York – Gun control bills passed 6 months ago have yet to become NY laws
• Pennsylvania – How Pennsylvania’s biggest city and the Legislature grapple over power
• Florida – Legislature Continues Working Toward Telehealth Law
• Georgia – Hemp farming rules allow for Georgia grow licenses

Duane Morris Government Strategies can provide your business or organization with the solutions it needs to track these and other developments in state capitals across the country.

To learn more, please contact us at info@dmgs.com or 609-577-3687