Time is Running Out On Special Legislative Session

Our View: Time is Running Out On Special Legislative Session
By the Muncie Star-Press
JUNE 26, 2009

It's not unusual or rare for the clocks in either the Indiana Senate or House to be stopped as time runs down and final passage is near on a crucial piece of legislation.

Some might say the clock was never started this year in a General Assembly session that should have resulted in a biennial budget. Time didn't seem to be a concern, in the regular session, and based on the conference committee's delaying tactics this week, doesn't seem to be a concern now.

It should be.

For one thing, the session will end at midnight Tuesday whether or not a budget is passed.

For another, time is money. The special session already has cost recession-battered Hoosiers well over $100,000 just in legislator expenses, nevermind support staff, supplies and all of the other costs involved.

If a budget compromise is not found, there's a chance state government will shut down Wednesday morning. That's because under Indiana law, the state can't spend money that hasn't been appropriated, with a few exceptions that include state mental health facilities, the schools for the deaf and blind and a juvenile corrections facility. It doesn't include education, state police, the department of transportation or state parks, which could have their entrance gates locked just days before the busy July 4 holiday weekend.

And, while the Senate included in its budget a provision to keep government operating under the current budget, House Speaker Patrick Bauer has flatly refused to consider such a measure.

Only once in its history has the Indiana General Assembly not passed a budget. During the Civil War, Gov. Oliver P. Morton, a Republican, refused to allow the Democrat-dominated legislature to meet out of fear lawmakers, who were tiring of the war and Indiana's vigorous support for President Abraham Lincoln's policies, would take away his power to command the state militia. During that period Morton raised private funds to keep state government functioning.

Given the hundreds of millions of dollars it takes to run even basic state government today, a private bailout is not feasible, no matter how many favors Gov. Mitch Daniels might call in.

And, it shouldn't even be a concern. It is the General Assembly's job to pass a biennial budget during the long session, but they didn't. Now we are footing the bill for a special session that may be headed for the same conclusion.

The clock is ticking down, and Hoosier taxpayers are running out of patience. It's time for legislators to get serious about doing their job.