He never gives up

There's a fine line between "persistent" and "delusional". You tell me which side of that line Governor Perry is on.

Gov. Rick Perry said Sunday that he would not rule out a special, lame-duck legislative session – perhaps after the November elections – on school finance reform.

"There is always the possibility, if we can find the consensus and get the House and Senate to sign off on a plan," Mr. Perry told reporters after speaking to a gathering of GOP women at the Republican National Convention.

"I've told no one to disregard the fact that if we're into the fall, that's a reason not to be prepared to come into Austin with a week's notice."

Mr. Perry called lawmakers to a special session this spring, but lawmakers were unable to agree on a solution.

It's unclear how the dynamics of a November special session would affect the ability to get a bill passed. Elections earlier in the month could leave a number of lame ducks in the Legislature.

Having a bunch of lawmakers who won't have to answer to voters making vast changes to the tax code - there's a capital idea.

Rep. Dan Branch, R-Dallas, who has been involved in the talks, said the Nov. 2 elections, along with the time off many officials take after campaigning and with Thanksgiving, would complicate returning to Austin.

"If the governor wants to be hard-core and call a special session, I'll be there," said Mr. Branch, whose district includes the property rich Highland Park school district.

I'll take "Lukewarm endorsements" for $100, Alex.

Not much more to say here. I don't see any reason to take this pronouncement more seriously than any of the others. Via Lasso.

Posted by Charles Kuffner on August 30, 2004 to Budget ballyhoo | TrackBack