What a day for mischief and gamesmanship.  The day started out with an 8am Senate Committee meeting on HB 897 and as anticipated the charter language was stripped out for the most part.  I appreciate the work of those of you who expressed your thoughts to Chairman Tippins.  He made comments that he will conduct listening sessions on the charter language this summer and fall as a separate issue. He also let everyone know that there will be a larger more broad sweeping education bill next year as it is written by the Governor's office..  I believe this will include some adjustments in the way education is funded. Possibly a new funding formula.

Currently, the House and the Senate remain at odds on what bills need to move.  Therefore, Senate Rules Chairman Jeff Mullis has a bill SB 343 which was stripped of its language by President Pro Tem of the House Jan Jones in the House Rules committee meeting and replaced with the original HB897 language.

Although the day was long,  and the acrimony was clear in both chambers, I would say overall, it was a good day for public education at the Capitol.

The General Assembly will be back in session for day 39 on March 18, 2014.