A Few Things Are Starting to Move in Special Session.

Both the Senate and the House this afternoon passed their versions of the Public Education Commission redistricting plans. I can't say how the two plans differ, if at all.

At least one of the bills would have to make it through both chambers before going to the governor for signature.

The PEC is mostly an advisory board. Its major power is approving charter schools.

And just moments ago the House unanimously passed HB 28, which appropriates the rest of the state's stimulus money (currently at $6.2 million) to the state's Medicaid program and $450,000 from the general fund to shore up the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program.

This bill was part of Gov. Susana Martinez's agenda -- and is the only non-redistricting bill that's been considered so far.

These are the easy bills. The big fights over redistricting should come in the next few days.

Senate Majority Leader Michael Sanchez dropped by the news room earlier this morning. He confirmed what several other Democratic lawmakers have said -- that the Legislature will pass the redistricting and stay in session three days, so the governor will have to sign or veto the bills while they are still there.

During those three days, Sanchez said, some of the governor's other bills will be debated.