OFFICE OF GOVERNMENT RELATIONS
Legislation and Policy Report
July 2009
WASHINGTON, D.C. – Congress returned after the July 4th District Work period and spent the month addressing FY2010 appropriations measures and health care reform. House members left the Capitol on July 31 for the summer recess while the Senate remained in session through August 7.
Appropriations and Budget – The House passes all 12 FY2010 appropriations bills and the Senate passes three.
Higher Education – Updates on student aid and reconciliation efforts.
Health Care Reform - Three House Committees come together to finalize legislation from their chamber, but the Senate continues to develop its version of the bill.
NASA – A new report from the National Research Council urges the agency to renew its commitment to advanced technology development.
Research – Recent developments on stem cell guidelines, animal testing, and comparative research.
Odds and Ends – Miscellaneous items of interest.
Comings and Goings – Appointments, resignations, deaths.
THE BUCKEYE STATE
Members of the General Assembly went home to their districts in mid-July for a summer recess and will return after Labor Day for the fall session.
FY2010-2011 Biennial Operating Budget – The Governor and General Assembly agree on a final budget bill, with the Governor exercising his authority to line-item veto 61 items in the legislation.
Other States – Arizona moves forward with a constitutional amendment ballot initiative to ban affirmative action at public colleges/universities.
Comings and Goings – Appointments, resignations, deaths.
LOCALLY... An update on Cuyahoga County government reform.
Sources of information for this report include the Association of American Universities, American Institute of Physics, the Chronicle of Higher Education, the Association of Independent Colleges and Universities of Ohio’s updates and reports, newspapers, political and legislative wire services, and others.