Maria Horn

I hope you are all finding respite from this week’s heat.  I’ve definitely adjusted (and limited) my morning run, kept lots of water on hand, and sought out shade where possible.  Overall, slowing down a bit where you can, and looking out for neighbors and co-workers, will help us all make it through this (and the next) heat wave. 
 

As this week was my summer break in the mountains and lakes of New Hampshire with my brothers and their families, this newsletter is an abbreviated one.   I’ll be back in full next week. 
 

When the legislative pace slows in the summer, it’s a great opportunity to take a longer view, as there aren’t as many immediate fires to put out.  I’ve been able to sit down with local and state policy experts and have longer conversations than are possible during our session. 

Although we’re not in session, summer legislative activities continue in the form of bill signings, task forces getting filled, and implementation beginning.  Enacting a bill is just one step in the legislative process, and the success of a new law depends tremendously on the communication and implementation that follows. 

Summer can be contradictory. In anticipation of having a wide-open schedule, I got a little carried away and ended up having to cancel a few things when unexpected events arose.  The week began with a legislative conference in Chicago, followed (a little more immediately than expected) by a special session called by the Governor to extend his emergency powers until September 30. The bill under consideration was only four lines long, but given where we are in the pandemic, it required detailed consideration. 
 

This is my State Capitol update for the week of July 5.

Happy (almost) Fourth of July weekend!  This year the holiday, honoring our country’s history and our emergence from the last 18 months, seems more celebratory than ever.  There are many community events planned locally, including art, music, fireworks, and many farmers’ markets, and I hope to see you out there, dodging a rain drop or two. 

This is my State Capitol update for the week of June 21.