Two costly special sessions are already in the books for the Florida State legislature, with a third session schedule in October to redraw 40 new state Senate districts. The first special session was called in June to allow the Legislature to complete the task of finalizing a budget, one of the few State Constitutional duties of our state Legislature. The cost of that three week session is estimated to be $651,000.00. The costs of the second Special Session just ended Friday have not yet been determined but are expected to be just as costly. Why the expense? Money is paid for 160 lawmakers for food, travel and accommodations while in special session. They have a choice of an $80 per day food allowance or $36/day for meals; air travel is reimbursed at the lowest economy rate and vehicle transportation is paid at $.45/mile. Hotel stays are reimbursed in full.
And now, some are saying these special sessions are a waste of taxpayer dollars. “It’s a very sloppy use of dollars, taxpayer dollars, from the supposed fiscally conservative Republican Party. This failure rests squarely on their shoulders”, said House Democrat Mark Pafford of West Palm. And Rep. Pafford has a point. Neither the Republican-controlled houses, their leaders, nor their lawyers could agree on a strategy to resolve the redistricting issue. As of late Tuesday, Leon County Circuit Court Judge Terry Lewis will be forwarding this matter to the Florida Supreme Court for resolution.
House Speaker Steve Crisafulli, R-Merritt Island, stated the differences between the House and Senate maps was “significant and legitimate”. At the same time, attorneys for the House and Senate insisted they are still willing to work together to pass something. Technically, the Legislature has until September 25 to pass these new districts, but neither side appears to believe that compromise is possible. In the meantime, Florida taxpayers will be receiving another very expensive bill for another special session because the State Legislature cannot seem to get along and work well with each other.
