Scene at the Capitol on the last day of the session

We'll convene at 10:00 this morning to take up the short calendar, and we're expecting to hear from Governor Beebe as well.

House Update: The governor will address the Senate first before coming to the House to discuss the success of the session. Robbie will also address the House, and I'll get footage of that speech for his site. I'll post updates here throughout the day.

Update on legislation in the House: The Imitation Firearm Act was back on the agenda to concur in a Senate amendment. After considerable discussion, we concurred in the amendment 59-27-2.

Side note: While much of the leadership in the House has been praised this session, there are several others are worthy of recognition, and I'll be noting those in the coming days and months as we review the session and upcoming events in Arkansas politics and government.

Special recognition also goes to the front row, which had the same composition this session as it had last session (me, Bubba Powers, Jim House, and David Rainey). Even though we represent different areas and interests, we voted pretty closely on most issues.

Another tradition that takes place on the last day started with Lloyd George, who wore overalls on the last day of session so he could hit the farm immediately upon adjournment. Here's a picture of the group who is carrying on this tradition.

Governor visits the House: Governor Beebe came in to address the House on the highs of the legislative session. We are now resuming today's voting calendar, and upon its conclusion, Speaker Wills will be recognized to address the membership. I'll post footage of his speech once he posts it to his site.

Last vote: The last vote was to appropriate the Internatinal Bacculaureate Program funding for the Department of Education. It passed with 93 for, 4 against (Reps. Dickinson, Garner, King, and Martin), and two voting present (Reps. Carter, Dismang).

Speaker Wills: Robbie spoke on providing funding for active teachers' health insurance, economic development (HJR1007), tax cuts, and an array of issues tackled by the House of Representatives. He focused on the trauma system and the lives it will save and said we can "check health care off our list of accomplishments." He said he was proud not only of what we did but the way we did it.

11:15 am.: We are adjourned!

Senate updates:

The Senate has eight non-fiscal bills and three budget bills on their agenda this morning. The Senate pro tem election for the 88th General Assembly will be held later today. I'll post a report from that election here.

Senate Pro Tem Race: Sen. Paul Bookout (D-Jonesboro) will serve as the Senate Pro-Tem for the 88th General Assembly. He won on the first ballot.

Governor's Conference Room: Lots of activity in the governor's office today, where Beebe is signing several items into law this morning.