The end-of-week deadline to pass bills in their house of origin is only one day away, so legislators have been busy advancing a litany of measures. On Wednesday alone, the Assembly passed 242 measures and the Senate passed 59, after approving 213 combined on Tuesday, according to tallies kept by longtime lobbyist Chris Micheli.
While many bills pass easily, there’s still plenty of drama. One contentious bill to raise the minimum wage for healthcare workers from $15.50 an hour to $21 by June 2024 and $25 by June 2025 initially failed on the Senate floor on Wednesday, after only receiving 18 out of the 21 “yes” votes needed to pass. But later in the day, the bill passed, with the bare minimum of 21.
Wednesday night, a measure pitting labor unions against the fast food industry squeaked through the Assembly after the roll call was held open for the necessary 41st vote. Assembly Bill 1228, the subject of a recent industry TV blitz, would hold franchise owners responsible for any labor violations at their restaurants. The bill was introduced after the industry, by qualifying a 2024 referendum, blocked a broader law to regulate wages and working conditions for fast food workers.
Another bill, Senate Bill 466, would roll back parts of the Costa-Hawkins Rental Housing Act and subject newer buildings to rent control limits. The bill failed on the floor Tuesday, but was granted “reconsideration” and will likely be brought back for another vote. If it doesn’t pass by Friday, it’ll...
Hyderabad: BRS leader Aedla Sudhakar Reddy strongly criticised the statements of HYDRAA commissioner A.V. Ranganath regarding the status of Bathukammakunta. The official had claimed that the place...