By Bill Britt
Alabama Political Report
MONTGOMERY— If the rumor is true, Gov. Robert Bentley has stepped up his game by threatening not not call a Special Session of the Legislature until he gets his way.
In a show of gubernatorial might there is speculation that Bentley will not call a Special Session in the final minutes of the 2012 regular session if he does not get the Medicaid budget he wants.
Last week, House and Senate leadership called on the governor to announce a special session starting Thursday.
The Legislature is faced with fulfilling its legally-mandated duty of drawing new legislative districts to reflect population changes in the 2010 census.
Today is the last day of the 2012 regular session and still the governor is silent on the Special Session.
In an email to the governor’s office we asked for them to confirm or deny that the governor was holding this threat over the legislator.
In political speak Deputy Communications Director, Jeremy King replied, “Governor Bentley has not made a final decision regarding a special session at this point. There are many moving parts as to the potential timing of a session and the issues that may need to be addressed. The Governor’s Office will advise if a special session is called.”
Legislators now wait and see in this rare game of chicken.
