The crossover break could be considered the Legislature's version of halftime in basketball or football. The "coaches" of the two teams - GOP majority leaders and Dem minority leaders - now have the opportunity to show us how well they can make adjustments for the second half.
Education, property tax, corrections and rehabilitation and state employee wage and benefit bills have made their way through the first legislative chamber and now move on to the second for more scrutiny and fine tuning. If history has taught us anything, the inevitable conference committee in the final days of the session is surely a destination for some of these matters.
But again, what everyone will be watching for after the 2007 session resumes next week is how well and how quickly everyone regroups for the second half. Discussions taking place this weekend and early next week will have a major impact in shaping the final outcome of this legislative session.
We know the major appropriations bills will be the last to be formally decided, as lawmakers will again wait for the final state financial forecast that comes in March. After those figures are released, it will be like the last mile of a major marathon race, with everyone seeking the energy and will to complete the task at hand as they'd like to see it finished.
So no, this 2007 legislative session hasn't been much different from those in years past. Initial blows have been dealt, softening punches have been thrown and some firm goals still remain.
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We wish our lawmakers several days of good rest and relaxation before the sprint for the finish formally begins next week.
