Day # 6 and # 7 — Saturday and Sunday.  Constitutional provision requires the State Legislature to convene for 45 continuous days following its start on the Constitutionally mandated third Monday of January.  Traditionally legislators work normal weekdays (Monday through Friday) and spend Saturdays and Sundays during the session engaged in a number of different activities.

I just spoke with a legislator who was spending time with his family, another who was trying desperately to get caught up on normal occupational responsibilities.  I’ve been doing both.  Because we are a citizen legislature, and because the majority of lawmakers are employed in other vocations it becomes necessary, at times, to “check in” at the office.

The weekend is an essential time to get caught up on constituent services and touch base with those whom we represent back home.  Strategy meetings are not uncommon on the weekends.  And, association breakfast, lunches, and dinners.  And, most evenings are  double booked activities.  There may be occasionally, a need to travel some distance to attend these events.

So, although legislators get the weekends “off,” rarely does that mean we work any less than while we’re at the Capitol.