Tax relief still in limbo
RYCKMAN RECAP, Ron Ryckman, 38th District Senator
We’ve adjourned until next January 13, 2025 ... or maybe not! That’s because the combined Weeks 14-15 (two days each) of the 2024 Legislature ended with our passing yet a fifth tax relief bill that the Governor has threatened to again veto and call us back into Special Session. Even though SB 37 was adopted by theoretical override margins (108-11 in the House and 25-9 -- with three likely “yeas” absent-- in the Senate), it doesn’t seem to matter when endless compromises are being made to accommodate constantly moving goalposts. The latest version lowered the overall “cost” of the plan by about $15 million – one of the Chief Executive’s demands, but retained a two-tier personal income structure of 5.2% and 5.57%. Our Senate President questioned the logic of having us return at a cost of $84,000 per day, especially with only 20 legislators in both chambers having voted against the plan (165 for). It just seems that at some “point” one has to wonder about the whole point of “making a point!” Any special Session would likely begin in two weeks.