Quiet session

First, I must apologize for not being the active blogger of previous sessions. But to be honest... not much is happening in the Legistlature that would affect us. There are various bills we are watching with interest:

HB1050. This bill would allow a utility company to provide financing for energy efficiency improvements through the utility bill. Unlike previous government energy efficiency projects, this one actually allows landlords to participate. There are caveats of course, the landlord would have to notify the tenant up front of the billing. But I would gladly lower my rent to cover the utility billing charge if the numbers made sense.

HB1091. This bill allows solid waste agencies that do not bill through water utilities the ability to bill a property through property tax collections. To be honest, I do not know a landlord this will affect; all the landlords (or their tenants) I know pay the garbage along with the water bill. but I understand the reasoning behind the bill... in the rural areas, a lot of people are not paying their garbage bill. I reviewed this bill and found two small language issues. Working through our lobbyist, the bill's sponsor made the wording changes asked for, and the bill is poised to be passed soon.

HB1391. Modifies the penalties for scrap metal theft. Stealing more than $2500 becomes a class B felony, $500-$2,500 becomes a class C felony. In addition new penalties are included for transporting stolen metal across state lines. This is a new bill, just now going into committee.

Although the session started slowly (the snow didn't help!) the pace will sure pick up soon. A number of tax cuts are going through at this time, but what effect will this have on our state budget? We have to keep watch the next two months.