As the First Week Ends...

As we look at the calendar for the end of the first week, the Legislature will be spending today and part of Friday listening to presentations by the Governor's staff on his recommended budget. You may recall that the Governor's budget is one part of the three-legged stool. There is also a House and Senate budget coming, which should all be reconciled by the end of the session.
In addition, the House continues its discussion on the elimination of some sales tax exemptions, which has been an ongoing issue that is still not settled. For example, if you buy a U.S. flag, pole and hardware, the entire purchase is tax exempt. If you buy the flag in the morning and go back later for the pole and hardware; however, the flag is tax exempt but the hardware purchase is taxed.