On March 9, 2009, Alaska Governor Sarah Palin dismissed the notion that the Alaska State Legislature would need a special 30-day session in addition to the normal 90 days it has to complete the normal 2009 session (Deadline, 2009, ¶1). The 2009 session ends on April 19 (Deadline, 2009, ¶2). Though the “[G]overnor has called special sessions during her term on landmark oil and gas legislation and emergency relief for high energy costs,” she said “the issues now under consideration at the Capitol should not require additional legislative days (Deadline, 2009, ¶4).
“Lawmakers should not delay consideration of the agenda before them on the mistaken belief that I will call a special session to handle whatever is left on the table,” Governor Palin said (Deadline, 2009, ¶5).
Commentary
The strong executive ensures that projects are completed on time and on budget — preferably early and under budget. Governor Palin made clear in no uncertain terms that extending the legislative session is by executive discretion and that lawmakers should not expect that an extension will come automatically. The Governor granted extensions when circumstances warranted her doing so. The current circumstance does not warrant extension; Governor Palin has made clear that it does not; and that she expects the 2009 legislative session to be completed by April 19, 2009.
Governor Palin understands that granting an extension when it is not warranted will lead to all manner of needless delays — and possibly the introduction of legislation the state of Alaska could do very well without. Governor Palin knows the difference between a project management team and a committee. The former achieves results; the latter is a great way to kill projects. Enforcing this deadline ensures that legislators do the work the people hired them to do without frivolous delay.
References
Governor confident lawmakers can meet voter-mandated deadline. (2009, March 9). State of Alaska, Governor. Retrieved March 10, 2009 from: http://www.gov.state.ak.us/news.php?id=1695
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