Republican Sen. Jim Hendren has proposed a constitutional amendment to do away with the fiscal session of the legislature.
The legislature would revert to the old practice of a 60-day session every two years, a limit that could be extended by a two-thirds vote. Hendren’s ballot title said the measure would reduce the number of days the General Assembly is in session (by ending the fiscal session in even-numbered years). And who could be unhappy about that? Except lobbyists. And legislatures who pad pay with expense payments.
The fiscal sessions were added six years ago so as to have a strictly budget session in even-numbered years. They haven’t amounted to much and haven’t forestalled special topic session.
The governor could still call special sessions as needed.
Among other filings, Democratic Rep. Charles Blake has proposed a constitutional amendment to provide automatic voter registration of those eligible from driver license applications. Easier voter registration? From a Republican legislature?