Just when the state was getting over its legislative hangover, the General Assembly is back today to approve bills that will implement the budget that began on July 1. Yes, reporters will be looking for rats, those furry, sepcial-interest pieces for which the slaient lobbyists make the big buck. Although no bill has been released this mid-afternoon, looks for cities and towns to see a $22-million reduction in town road aid; a $105 reduction in the Clean Water Fund over the biennium; a one-year delay in the planned, controversial in-school-suspension program that state educators say is too expensive; and a phase-in of the planned “raise the age” legislation. That was to raise the age that juveniles are treated as adults in the criminal-justice system from the current 16 to 18 years of age starting next January. But the bill will result in raising the age to 17 next January and 18 in January of 2011.
