Final budget legislation on its way to the floor

After weeks of negotiating a state budget in public meetings, it's rewarding to have a product House and Senate leadership and the governor have agreed upon. Over the next week, we'll hear final budget legislation in committees and on the floor of each chamber.

I appreciated getting to be in the room and give input during this part of the process this year. This is beyond what I've done in the past as chair of the Appropriations & Budget Natural Resources Subcommittee – delivering reports on priorities for our area of the budget. This year, I got to weigh in on the entire process.

This is a go...