Published: January 18, 2008 07:57 am         

Legislature moves slowing in session's first days

But the problems they face won't

FRANKFORT, Ky. — Lawmakers have been in town for nine days, but it may be another 11 before anything happens.



Jan. 29 is the date for two key events – the filing deadline for candidates who want to challenge those incumbent lawmakers and the date when Gov. Steve Beshear will offer his budget proposals to the legislature. Legislators usually dawdle during this period, speculating in hallways about the prospects for legislation and the budget, but taking little concrete action on major issues or controversial bills until the filing deadline. They don’t want to give prospective opponents any campaign ammunition.



But the lack of action seems more pronounced this year. Lawmakers – at least in the House which promised last year to undertake a serious discussion of the problems confronting state retirement systems – say they’re waiting for Beshear’s proposals. They’re waiting for him to suggest an austere budget with anticipated deep cuts to deal with revenue shortfalls. And most of all, they wait to see what he’ll propose in the way of a constitutional amendment to expand gambling.



They’ve begun talking openly in hallways – and when reporters press them – about a possible increase in the cigarette taxes. They express real concern over potential cuts in education funding. They ask reporters what they think Beshear will propose. But in reality, little is happening – at least out in the open. By the time they get down to the real work, close to a fourth of the 2008 session will have elapsed. So, expect a wild crush of action in the final days.



When it comes, remember this is supposed to be the deliberative branch of government.



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Things may be operating more efficiently on the first floor where the governor’s office is located. But they’re not operating any more openly. The governor and his spokespeople talk of painful budget cuts, Beshear declares that any expanded gambling amendment will be “my” bill; and he regularly offers increasingly dreary assessments of the state’s financial health. But so far, specifics are missing.



And despite his talk about bi-partisanship, things aren’t going very well with Republican leaders of the Senate. That’s a two-way street: Senate President David Williams, R-Burkesville, is watching for perceived slights or evidence Beshear isn’t serious about cooperating. But the governor has also operated at times with some high-handedness. And he’s made no secret he wants to wrest control of the upper chamber from Williams and Republicans.



But as a national recession looms (or has begun), revenue estimates get gloomier and nerves become frayed, as university presidents, advocates for the public schools and the poor and disabled decry the funding cuts they face, the work before lawmakers and the governor won’t get easier. They may not have any choice but to work together to solve some of the problems confronting them. Unfortunately, their history of doing that isn’t very encouraging.



Ronnie Ellis writes for CNHI News Service and is based in Frankfort, Ky. He may be contacted by email at rellis@cnhi.com.