Monday April 27, 2009
The Appropriations Committee this afternoon voted along party lines to change the way U.S. senators are chosen if one resigns, dies or otherwise is unable to complete their term. Currently and since 1947, the governor would appoint a successor. Under this year’s bill, which moves to the Senate, a special election would be held to let voters choose.
Sen. Gayle Slossberg, D-Milford, said that if the vacancy occurred within 150 days of a statewide election, the special election would be held two years later. So a vacancy could linger for up to two years and 150 days or so.
“The truth of the matter is we do have elections for Senate vacancies,” said Sen. Dan Debicella, R-Shelton, ranking member of the committee. Rep. Arthur O’Neill, R-Southbury said that the special-election primaries would compound Election Day costs.
“This is just not the year to do this kind of legislation,” O’Neill said. “It seems to me a bad idea and especially a bad idea this year.”
Wrong. If a vacancy occurs within 150 days of a state election, then the election would occur at that time. We would not wait another two years and 150 days for another election. Sheesh! Let’s get our math straight here.
Comment by John — May 29th, 2009 @ 10:37 am