Capitol Hill WeekFrom Senator Mae BeaversState Senators approve key bills in preparation to adjourn 2012 legislative sessionAs the Tennessee Legislature prepared to enter the final week of the 107th General Assembly, state senators acted on a wide variety of important bills, including a measure calling for drug testing for welfare applicants, a bill to curb domestic violence and two resolutions giving citizens the opportunity to vote on how the state’s appellate judges are selected.State senators also voted to ensure the transferability of dual credit courses for high school students when they enroll in college and to prevent K-12 schools from discriminating against a student based on a religious viewpoint. Meanwhile, members of the Senate Finance Committee worked tirelessly to find common ground on the budget for the 2012-2013 fiscal year that will begin on July 1.The remainder of the 2012 legislative session will be predominantly focused on bills which have a fiscal impact on the state’s budget.Tennessee is constitutionally bound to balance the budget.The Finance Committees in the House and the Senate reviewed legislation this week calling for additional appropriations to the financial package under consideration as lawmakers set priorities for inclusion in the budget. Among key financial bills still awaiting final action in conjunction with passage of the budget is Senate Bill 3763, co-sponsored by Senator Mae Beavers (R-Mt.