Special session continues Tuesday

The Clarion-Ledger, 6/2/8

Lawmakers in the Mississippi Senate have authorized enough money to continue working in a special legislative session through Wednesday, but it’s unclear how much longer taxpayers will have to foot the bill.

The session continues Tuesday. Only three of the 11 items GOP Gov. Haley Barbour included on the agenda have been resolved in the six days it has lasted.

The session so far has cost taxpayers $250,011, legislative officials estimate. Special sessions cost nearly $60,000 the first day and almost $40,000 each day thereafter.

Several key issues, including the reauthorization of a state unemployment agency, remain in limbo. Partisan gridlock has stalled some bills.