Tomorrow is Day 26 of the session. There are 34 days remaining in the session.

State lawmakers and staff worked furiously last week to get bills ready for what is known as first decking, the Friday deadline for bills to be in their final form 48 hours before lawmakers vote on passage.

The bills are being set for third and final readings on Tuesday so they can move between chambers at first crossover on Thursday, the first substantial hurdle of the session. Bills that originate in the House move to the Senate, while bills that start in the Senate move to the House.

The procedure means that lawmakers have whittled down the number of bills that have a chance this session and will start to focus on the negotiations and compromises necessary for agreement.

ISSUE WATCH

Education: House Democrats again estimated they could direct more than $160 million to repair and maintenance projects at public schools.

Affordable housing: New investments in affordable rental housing and improvements to homeless shelters are moving, but some advocates are still concerned the homeless might not get the help they need.

Tax relief: Senate President Robert Bunda, D-22nd (North Shore, Wahiawa), made another pitch for tax relief in an opinion article in The Advertiser. He argued that raising the state's standard income tax deduction to 50 percent of the federal deduction would reduce the tax burden on 60 percent of Hawai'i taxpayers. But House Democrats did not mention tax relief as a priority when briefing reporters on their legislative progress this session. Their wish for a budget surplus remains fixing public schools and other infrastructure projects.

Alternative energy: The future of the gas cap — the state's wholesale cap on gasoline prices — might not be known until the very end of session. Democratic leaders did not call for a repeal of the cap at the start of session, but opposition is peaking in the House. Senate Democrats have been more protective, proposing a tweak but not a repeal, but public pressure could increase if gas prices suddenly climb. Republican Gov. Linda Lingle has opposed the cap and it could become an issue in the November elections. Last week, Democrats blamed the state Public Utilities Commission for not implementing the cap properly.

OVERHEARD

"It is costing consumers money. The only dispute is how much money."

— State Rep. Kirk Caldwell, D-24th (Manoa), on the gas cap

LINKS

Take a look at the state audits conducted in 2005 by auditor Marion Higa's office at www.state.hi.us/auditor/Years/2006reports.htm

Check out bills heading toward first crossover at www.capitol.hawaii.gov/