HALF WAY POINT

As the legislature approaches the 30-day mark, numerous issues have been addressed and referred to the other House for consideration, including priority issues such as personal property tax exemption for farm equipment and livestock, eminent domain legislation limiting the use of eminent domain to obtain private property for private use and economic development activities.

Other issues of interest include a table game referendum. Bottle bill permitting the return of plastic bottles for a 10-cent refund, and the "Metro Government" bill. The later will addressed in further detail in this blog location once it reaches the House. The bill in its current form does not allow for a separate vote for unincorporated and rural areas and must be watched closely. The bottle bill has been a long time in the making. Several versions have been introduced over past six years, having met opposition by both bottlers and various municipalities.