At Least One Republican Opposes Special Session

Chris Lehman, OPB:

On a day when Democratic leaders in the House and Senate urged their colleagues to vote against calling themselves into a special session, at least one Republican said he's inclined to agree. Representative Gene Whisnant wrote in a newsletter to constituents that he believes this isn't "the right time" to convene a special session. Here's his rationale:

<span><span>      "I believe there will be further revenue shortfalls before June 30, 2011 because I do not believe we will receive the projected $733 million revenue increases from Measures 66 & 67.<span>  </span>Thus, I believe we will have additional shortfalls to address.<span></span><span>..</span>I believe that state agencies can still provide current missions at a reduced level with these additional reductions to their budgets.<span>" </span></span></span>

<div><span><span>As of this afternoon, the current vote tally is as follows:</span></span></div><div>
</div><div><span><span>House:</span></span></div><div><span><span>20 "No"</span></span></div><div><span><span>14 "Yes" </span></span></div><div>
</div><div><span><span>Senate:</span></span></div><div><span><span>1 "No"</span></span></div><div><span><span>2 "Yes"</span></span></div><div>
</div><div><span><span>The deadline to return the special session ballot is 5 p.m. on Wednesday. Not voting is the functional equivalent of a "no."  A majority in both chambers (31 in the House, 16 in the Senate) would have to vote "yes" for the special session to convene. I'm still not sure why so few Senate members have actually voted, especially considering it was the Senate Republican caucus that kick-started this effort in the first place. As of today, not even all of the lawmakers quoted in this press release have even voted.</span></span></div><div class="blogger-post-footer"><img width="1" height="1" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/3320471128493510714-1178483802789149484?l=www.capitolcurrents.com" alt=""/></div>

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