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Bills that passed and failed

The state legislature session ended Friday night. Here are the highlights.

By Times Staff
Published May 6, 2006

Major Bills PASSED

Budget: The $71-billion spending plan includes a record one-year increase in per-student funding for public schools, 8.6-percent.

Schools: The A++ plan will prevent school districts from starting the school year earlier than 14 days before Labor Day, and will require high schools to develop 'major’ and 'minor’ programs, among other changes.

Lawsuits: Injured parties suing for damages will only be able to collect from individual defendants an amount proportional to that defendant’s blame.

Tax cuts: About $300-million, including repeal of the intangibles tax on stocks and savings; a nine-day back-to-school sales tax holiday and 12-day holiday for hurricane related supplies are permanent, among other cuts.

Terms Limits: Voters will not be asked to extend term limits on lawmakers from 8 to 12 years. The Legislature removed this proposal from the November ballot.

Energy: Nuclear plants will be easier to build and tax breaks will be available for consumers who buy some energy efficient products and for companies that use biofuels.


Major Bills FAILED

Vouchers: A constitutional amendment to preserve a voucher program struck down by the state Supreme Court.

Class Size: A constitutional amendment to lessen the strict limits on class size that voters approved in 2004.

Cable TV: Statewide cable TV franchise were sought by phone companies so they could compete more quickly with cable TV companies.

Guns: People could bring guns to work if they were kept securely in a car.

Campaigns: A ban on lawmaker-controlled political accounts that can accept unlimited unrestricted donations, with the so-called soft money used for personal expenses.

-- Times staff

[Last modified May 5, 2006, 22:38:19]