Introductions Today! Is It The Snow?

Introductions: Crazy Bills, It's tragic, It Must Be The Weather

Why today do we have so many tragic or silly bill introductions? Is it the weather? Are the lawmakers all bored and frisky?

First, the tragic bill of the week. Although probably, sadly needed because she seldom goofs around, it is tragic that Senator Rolfes has to actually introduce a bill to allow businesses to do business with the state digitally. Our state has received numerous awards for its transparency, internet accessibility, and virtual platform. It's the 21^st century for crying out loud. But it looks like dinosaurs still roam the jungle. Senate Bill 6354 would require, to the optimum degree, that state agencies allow businesses to send in required forms and reports digitally. Duh? Good for you Christine, bad for you state. It's a shame we need a new law. Maybe an efficiency-driven governor could just issue and order.

And from the department of all things silly and beyond imagination comes Senators Chase and Shin's idea from Mars to make sure our state agencies promulgate, develop programs and enforce environmental regulations that are not supported by scientific evidence. Oh, there are some wiggle words in there but SB 6369 simple states that where there are “gaps” in the evidence don't worry about it, just go ahead with the plan. In a world of DOE staff looking for every opportunity to prove their worth to certain constituencies this is a free pass. Next bill from this faction of the caucus will probably consider something like, guilty until proven innocent.