RI lawmakers speeding for the exits

PROVIDENCE, R.I. (WPRI) -- Rhode Island lawmakers are embarking on a marathon round of bill-passing and horse-trading this week as they seek to wrap up business to head home and campaign for reelection.

The House is scheduled to consider more than 140 bills on Monday and Tuesday, while the Senate is scheduled to take up more than 60. Committees will also be putting the final touches on pieces of legislation before sending them to the floor for votes.

The vote with the biggest price tag is the Senate's scheduled consideration Monday afternoon on an $8.1 billion state budget for 2012-13 passed last week by the House . It would raise taxes on items such as car washes and expensive clothing while spending more money on education.

Other policy issues facing lawmakers include casino gambling, hospital mergers, a 35-cent rise in the minimum wage, public records and campaign-finance disclosures. The Senate must decide whether to approve nominees for judicial vacancies and the R.I. Economic Development Corporation board.

Lawmakers have not explicitly said they will adjourn at the end of the day Tuesday, but no legislative business has been scheduled for Wednesday so far.