Much is happening about the September 7th Special Session. For every bit of news I can tell you, there are many more I am not at liberty to divulge.

Timing is everything

Senator Byrd will officially announce his plans to run again for his Senate seat at 11:00 am at the Capitol on the same day of the Special Session. The Democratic Leadership have planned the time of the opening sessions around the event so that the maximum number of Democrat Senators and Delegates will be cheering him on. The Senate will start the session at noon instead of the normal time of 11:00 am.

By a camel’s nose
According to the Wheeling News-Register, legislation to allow Mountaineer Racetrack and Gaming Resort to participate in the state breeder’s program definitely will be on Governor Joe Manchin’s call for the Special Session. Prima-facie, the bill is not that big of a deal: it just corrects a legislative mistake from the last session. But there is a growing concern that Democrats will amend the bill to allow table games at the State’s racetracks. That raises the question of germaneness; it is not a slam dunk either way. Like the fabled Arab, we may have more of the camel than we want.

Plan B
The Democrat Leadership will meet sometime during the Special Session to discuss whether they want to deal with table games. If they decide to, Governor Manchin will amend the call. The gambling issue is something he doesn’t want to own, so he will let the Democratic Leadership appear to ask for it, then he will bend at their dogged insistence.