The 100^th General Assembly was sworn-in on January 11^th, starting several weeks of reorganization.  The Senate has formed a new Telecommunications Committee, recognizing that the State’s Telecommunications Act is scheduled for a rewrite.  The House has made numerous changes to the committee structure, most significant for the Energy Industry is the elimination of the Special Committee on Renewable Energy and Sustainability. Committee membership has been finalized in the Senate, but not in the House.

The House and Senate both returned to Springfield on Tuesday of this week. The House was in Session Tuesday and Wednesday, with the Senate in Session Tuesday through Thursday.

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The House took little legislative action this week, as they work to organize for the 100^th General Assembly.  The Senate started out this Session with intense negotiations on a framework to resolve the State’s budget impasse.  The Senate is considering numerous pieces of legislation that would impose new taxes, increase existing taxes, reform education funding, suspend property tax increases, reform the workers compensation system and allow voters to consider some legislative term limits.  The Senate was expected to advance several of these proposals by the end of the month, but negotiations have been extended into February.

The Governor presented his State of the State Address on Wednesday of this week.  The Governor highlighted his accomplishments in securing jobs at the State’s nuclear power plants and establishing clean water testing programs for children throughout the State.  The Governor also encouraged the Senate to continue their negotiations on ending the budget impasse.

Concerns about the State’s lack of a budget intensified Thursday when the Attorney General asked a court to suspend payroll payments to State employees starting in late February.  The Attorney General believes that further payroll payments without a budget violate the State’s Constitution.

The Energy Association has scheduled several receptions for the new General Assembly.  The Association will be hosting a New Member Reception on February 15^th at the State House Inn from 5:30pm to 7:30pm.  A reception honoring the House Committees will be on March 21^st from 5:30pm to 7:30pm at Arlington’s, and a reception honoring the Senate Committees will be on March 28^th from 5:30 to 7:30pm at Maldaner’s.  Please RSVP to edrake@elaineg75.sg-host.com, or 217-523-7348.

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