As the Senate moves closer to the final gavel of the 2008 session, the news at the Capitol this [past] week was the final passage of the Fiscal Year ‘08 amended budget.

The Senate was preparing for Crossover Day this [past] week, which is the last day we can pass a Senate bill over to the House.

We have completed 26 days of the 2008 session and Senate committees have been working late into the evening, as we try to pass as many Senate bills as possible by the 30th legislative day, which is otherwise known as “Crossover Day.”

We surged past the halfway point of the session this [past] week, and daily business is now moving very rapidly.

Among the many pieces of legislation that passed, I am happy to report that the Fiscal Year 2008 amended budget has now passed the Senate.

It was back to business this [past] week in the General Assembly, as senators and representatives returned to the Gold Dome for another week of the 2008 session. We are rapidly approaching the halfway point of the session, and many new bills have been introduced in both chambers.