Two favorable committee votes today send different messages.

The Senate bill to require the Governor to fund the state’s $11.1 million match for a $30M federal grant to expand pre-kindergarten opportunities got a favorable committee report.  The vote was on party lines.

That was also the case when my identical bill passed the House on Saturday, 93-41.

Governor Hogan opposes legislation mandating that he spend money for certain purposes.

It will soon be up to the Governor whether to sign the bill or seek a compromise.

My legislation dealing with the sale of tobacco to minors also received a favorable committee report.

The vote was 12-10, despite my amendments, which prompted tobacco lobbyists to take no position on the bill, instead of opposing it.

With that close call, I will take nothing for granted the rest of the way.