Florida Legislature session convened

By Sridhar Krishnaswami

WASHINGTON, DEC. 8. Adding more controversy to what is already taking place in Florida, the Republican-dominated State Legislature has convened for a special session. The session will be for a minimum of four days, but the proclamation to convene the Legislature allows for it to last 11 days, or through December 18.

Special sessions have been held in the Florida Legislature before, but this time it is for different purposes. This year's session is to make sure that the State has the slate of 25 electors who will cast their ballots for the President. The Legislators will be drafting a resolution to this effect which will be sent to two Committees before a final vote is taken.

Critics of the Grand Old Party in the State and elsewhere have been making the point that the Republicans are only making sure that if the courts go against the Texas Governor, Mr. George W Bush, then they are prepared to act in the Legislature by coming up with a different slate of electors.

The Republicans have a clear majority in the State House and Senate; and the Democrats will not be able to filibuster any resolution except perhaps making a lot of noise that will eventually be buried in the overwhelming numbers.

A majority of Americans are weary of the long drawn out legal tussles in Florida and elsewhere, and a clear majority of those polled are also against Florida lawmakers getting into the act at this point. The Gore campaign has said that action will be taken to negate anything that comes out of the Florida Legislature.

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Section  : International
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