February 25, 2023 Dear Friends … Week 7 of the Legislature is a time of transition known as “Turnaround,” which loosely interpreted means that all House and Senate bills have to be voted out of their originating Chambers and sent across the Rotunda to the other side. Generally regarded as the “halfway point” in our Session, it also gives rise to such terms as “exempt” and “non-exempt” committees and bill “blessings.” The former classification applies to big ticket panels like Tax, Ways and Means, and Federal and State Affairs, which can continue to consider measures within their jurisdiction even after the “deadline.” The Senate President can also do what is called “bless” a proposal to allow it to be heard and “worked,” notwithstanding its falling outside the scope of normal subject matter assignment. All that said, the net effect is a flurry of all-day (and usually late evening!) Floor activity in a race to “move” everything of high importance to Leadership.