June 26, 2015 Womble Legislative Update

The budget gridlock rumors on Jones Street are real. A decorated Christmas tree arrived in the Senate chamber this week to emphasize how far apart the two chambers are on next year's spending plan. Next year starts on Wednesday. Speaking of next year, in the absence of a new budget the legislature must pass a "continuing resolution" to keep state government running or face a government shutdown. We don't know exactly what was going on behind the closed doors of the caucuses, but the General Assembly adjourned until Monday with no plan in place. Early next week will be a pressure cooker.

Keeping the Government Running

Because the final budget won't be in place by the end of the fiscal year (June 30), the General Assembly must pass a continuing resolution that will keep the government running until a compromise budget bill can be worked out.  On Thursday, the House and Senate both took a recess after completing their calendars in hopes that a continuing resolution