GOVERNOR CALLS ANOTHER SPECIAL SESSION - H'mmmm

Was listening the Dan Fagan Show on the car radio about 2:30PM today, enroute to COSTCO, and almost drove off the road – when Fagan announced that Governor Murkowski was calling the legislature back into yet another Special Session on November 13th. That’s six days after the general election.

In other words, it’ll be a “Lame Duck Session” called by a “Lame Duck Governor” – because new Governor “Whoever-it-is” will take office December 4th, and the new 25th Legislature will be sworn in January 17th.

According to the governor’s special session Executive Proclamation, the purpose of the call to Juneau is “to consider the subject of employer related benefits for same-sex domestic partners of state employees and retirees under the state’s retirement systems.” I talked with the Commissioner of Administration at a political function in Anchorage this evening, and he “confirmed” the subject to be discussed. I agree that so-called “same sex benefits” definitely needs legislative review, but the timing is very debatable indeed.

Cynical political minds wonder if the governor will add his gas pipeline proposal to the special session agenda. And, if the legislature balks - will he sign the proposal anyway? Since it’s incredible that the governor might do this, he probably will.