Williams Proposes Shorter Session -- Preparing for Special Session?
Yesterday, Senate President David Williams sent a letter to Speaker Stumbo proposing that the House and Senate adjourn 6 days early this session.
According to Williams, this is a cost saving measure that would save the taxpayers $384,000.
We certainly approve, and Stumbo seems agreeable.
"I think you will agree this change provides the time necessary for General Assembly action while saving the taxpayers of the Commonwealth hundreds of thousands of dollars by eliminating six days for which legislators would be compensated," Williams said in his letter to Stumbo.
The legislative session costs roughly $64,000 a day.
Later Tuesday, Stumbo told reporters that he would not object to Williams' plan, although he was not certain exactly how it would be implemented.
"I don't have any problems with it," Stumbo said. "I don't think anyone wants to be here any longer than they have to be, anyway."
But we wonder if there's an ulterior motive. We've heard rumors of interest in a special session to consider redistricting prior to the 2012 Regular Session.
A redistricting Special Session would make sense. The Census is making the necessary data available over the next few months, so it can't be considered during this session. It also makes political sense - it would have districts drawn before the January filing deadline, and keep the consuming political activity outside of the budget-writing session.
Is Williams, always planning ahead, simply proposing to reserve the funds for six days for the Special Session he expects?
