1. Pass either House 181 (Kowalko), which simply creates a new tax bracket at $125,000 with a rate of 7.10%, and an additional bracket at $250,000 with a rate of 7.85%; or House Bill 196, which also establishes the two new brackets, but then gives all brackets a 0.05% tax cut.
The passage of one of these bills in non-negotiable. It must be the first order of business. No other bill or resolution or nomination can be considered by either House until one of these two bills is passed and sent to the Governor’s desk for his signature. No committee hearing on any other topic can be held until that time. If he vetos, the General Assembly must override. There is no other settlement money for you to raid, Democrats. It is time to stop being cowards, and time to make the wealthy pay just a fraction more.
2. Override the Governor’s Veto of House Bill 50, the Opt Out Bill.
3. Petition SB 40 (Death Penalty Repeal) out of the House Judiciary Committee for a full vote of the House on the floor. It at least deserves an up or down vote.
4. Pass HB 105 (No Excuse Absentee Voting) and SB 111 (Same Day Voter Registration). I expect all Democrats to vote for these two bills, for the simple reason that Democrats believe in making it easier for everyone to vote, while Republicans believe in making it harder, if not outright oppressing the right to vote. If any Democrat does not vote for these bills, you should simultaneously announce your switch to the Republican Party.
5. Pass SB 39 (Minimum Wage Increase).
6. Remove and replace the Smarter Balanced Test with a test that can actually help students with immediate feedback. (h/t Kavips)
7. Remove charter schools from being funded per student and have them paid by line item in state budget, bringing them under tighter public scrutiny and control. (h/t Kavips)
8. Pass HB 217, which requires firearms that are recovered from crime scenes be entered into the National Crime Information Center firearm database system.
9. Have a vote on HB 150 (Death with Dignity). It was tabled in committee last session, and it should be debated further this session.