Let's say the Senate continues to be stalled and doesn't manage to pass the Education and General Fund budgets in the next three days. The state government will be forced to call a special session just to pass the budgets, which already have been slashed due to a slow down in the state's economy.

Calling a special session costs $400,000. We're guessing there might be a few schools hungering for a few thousand dollars to make repairs or improve technology. That money could be put to good use, not wasted on giving the Senate more time to do nothing.

A continued delay in the Senate looks to cost the state and especially Shelby County more than money. Shelby County delegates have toiled over a bill to monitor vehicle insurance verification, another to prevent felons from financially benefiting from their crimes and a bill to make the county's coroner position full-time. The first could force more people to carry insurance and the second could better protect victims of violent crimes.

The latter seems desperately needed in a county that is expected to continue growing by leaps and bounds over the next decade. Ponder this. What is the point to paying for state Senators if they can't get the job done? We all definitely know what a deadline looks like; our jobs and many of yours depend on meeting them. So, why don't the state legislators.

Copyright © 2008 Shelby County Reporter.