Special session wish list keeps growing

Since he's recovering from a broken collarbone, Gov. Rick Perry isn't likely to call his special session in the next day or two.

But that isn't stopping plenty of lawmakers from publicly requesting their pet issues be included in the session's agenda.

Keller Rep. Vicki Truitt said yesterday she was going to ask Perry to bring up local-option transportation funding during the special session.

Houston Sen. Rodney Ellis has requested Perry add both criminal justice AND green energy issues.

And the latest comes from Sen. Eliot Shapleigh of El Paso, who wants Perry to add expanding the Children's Health Insurance Program (CHIP) to the special session agenda.

"Our great state should lead in insuring our own children and not wait for the Obama health plan to do what needs to be done," Shapleigh, a Democrat, wrote in his letter to Perry. "Please add CHIP to the call."

-Aman Batheja

Comments

[mark]

In these tough times, why do we not ask the question what is the total cost to the texas taxpayer for our goverment not being able to complete their job in the time allowed by the state law. Maybe instead of having the taxpayers pay for all expenses of the special session or sessions, maybe we should have the legislature pay for all these expenses. After all they did not complete their job in the time they were told they had. Most people if they do not complete their job in the time allowed will get fired or at the very minmum be giving a formal notice.