Special Sessions are always deviations from the normal legislative process adhered to during a regular General Session (Constitutionally beginning the third Monday in January and running for 45 continuous days thereafter).  Senator Stephenson expresses his opinion on the Senate Blog about the potential carelessness that can often accompany Special Sessions.  I believe to a large degree he is correct.  Depending on the issues being presented during a Special Session, this can be a dangerous time–unless the question at hand has been beaten to death as has been the Flatter-Tax Proposal (Dual Tax System or Electable Personal Income Tax or…whatever it is called today).  I’ve personally attended a dozen, or so, meetings discussing numerous iterations of the Electable Personal Income Tax proposal and I’ve come to the conclusion that now is the time to address this important tax policy.

From all indications, the Governor’s Special Session Call will only include one or two items.  Contrary to what the good senator has concluded, I think now is the time to look at a single issue (or two) before we get into General Session in January when we’re forced, as a legislature, to drink from the proverbial fire hose (afterall, we only consider about 700+ bills in a short six week period).

[I have retracted the prior version of the remainder of this Blog, as the substance and intent of my message was getting mixed up--according to some--with what I actually posted.  My apologies.]

My firm conviction remains to lobby the Governor’s office to call a Special Session to consider the $70 million dollars remaining on the table for Personal Income Tax Relief/Cuts [reflected in the Electable Personal Income Tax plan]–and to return that money [also, a big ol' chunk of the new surplus dollars] back to the taxpayers where it belongs.