The focus has shifted to the Senate for legislation to raise the minimum wage and provide tax incentives for small companies in construction and other industries.
A $1.3-billion tax-break package that the House approved Feb. 16 next must be reconciled with an $8.3-billion Senate-passed bill. After the Senate takes up the House bill, it would substitute its $8.3-billion plan and seek a conference with the House. The process is likely to begin as early as the start of March, but it is unclear whether procedural delays might occur, a Senate aide says.