Republican Sen. Jim Hendren has proposed a constitutional amendment to do away with the fiscal session of the legislature.

The legislature would revert to the old practice of a 60-day session every two years, a limit that could be extended by a two-thirds vote. Hendren’s ballot title said the measure would reduce the number of days the General Assembly is in session (by ending the fiscal session in even-numbered years). And who could be unhappy about that? Except lobbyists. And legislatures who pad pay with expense payments.

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The fiscal sessions were added six years ago so as to have a strictly budget session in even-numbered years. They haven’t amounted to much and haven’t forestalled special topic session.

The governor could still call special sessions as needed.

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Among other filings, Democratic Rep. Charles Blake has proposed a constitutional amendment to provide automatic voter registration of those eligible from driver license applications. Easier voter registration? From a Republican legislature?

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