There has been some speculation that if the Alabama Legislature cannot finish out the 2021 regular session without completing some big-ticket issues, Gov. Kay Ivey could be willing to call the legislative branch back into session for a special session later this year.
A special session is a certainty for redistricting given the late arrival of data from the U.S. Census Bureau. However, in the event gaming and/or prison legislation is not able to be passed by both chambers in the waning days of the 2021 session, Sen. Chris Elliott (R-Daphne) said he does not expect a special session later in the year for those bills.
During an appearance on FM Talk 106.5’s “The Jeff Poor Show,” the Baldwin County Republican lawmaker outright dismissed the prospects.
“I do not anticipate special sessions on any other lingering issues,” he said. “While they’re still left to be dealt with in this session, they’re in a position to be dealt with. If they’re left unfinished in the House, I do not anticipate a special session on gaming or anything like that if they’re left unresolved this session.”
Elliott said there was still a possibility of some type of prison bill getting passed before the legislature adjourns Sine Die.
“There are still mechanisms in place to deal with a bond issuance in the regular session,” Elliott explained. “I know there are precious few days left. I am aware of that. But there are options available to deal with that. If the Governor drags out too long past the [May] 17 on finalizing whatever her financing scheme is, which, of course, you and I have talked about — I am not in favor of — then that may be a reason to call us back for special session. I would much rather her go ahead and abandon that plan because we can deal with this issue now. But hopefully, there are still mechanisms in place to backstop the Governor’s plan when she decides it is a bad idea.”
Elliott also said while much of the legislature was not in favor of the lease-build plan proposed by the Ivey administration, there was a reluctance to interfere.
“The legislature as a whole, I do not think, looks fondly on the Governor’s plan,” he added. “However, there is a reluctance to get out in front of the Governor and sabotage her plan. There are a number of us that think it is going to pass under its own weight. It’s not going to survive. But the theory, I think, across the street is if we come out with a bond issue, it will undermine what she is trying to do. I think she is going to need our help. I do think a state bond issue is the way to handle this. It’s cheaper for the state long-term. But the idea and conventional wisdom seems to be: Let the Governor’s plan die on its own and have her come on board. Instead of fighting the legislature, come on board and say I need the guys to do what you do, which is appropriate. We are willing to do that and happy to do that. The Governor has got to come around to that, and I hope she does that sooner rather than later.”
@Jeff_Poor is a graduate of Auburn University and the University of South Alabama, the editor of Breitbart TV, a columnist for Mobile’s Lagniappe Weekly, and host of Mobile’s “The Jeff Poor Show” from 9 a.m.-12 p.m. on FM Talk 106.5.
