Betting on Frank Chopp

In a government office that I won’t disclose, a pool is under way on when the session will end.

Call me crazy but when asked to make a pick, I said all-too-quickly 8 p.m. April 26.

Hey, I’m convinced it will end on time though I probably should have picked something like 11:58 p.m.

My main reason is the main man, Frank Chopp, who I’m betting can work his magic to get the deed done..

I went so far as to make my position known publicly in Sunday’s paper where I wrote::

Around here everyone’s counting down to April 26, the day when the 2009 legislative session is scheduled to end, and wondering if it will conclude on time.

I’ve said yes, even predicted the final gavel will fall around 8 p.m. I’m relying on House Speaker Frank Chopp to prove me a sage, not a fool.

That’s not going to be easy because he’s got a Democrat problem to resolve.

At least a dozen in his 62-member Democratic caucus dislike the proposed spending cuts so much they would join Republicans to defeat the budget if it came up for a vote today.
Chopp understands they don’t want to slash funds for teaching students, treating the poor and caring for the most down and out in society.
He knows they’re frustrated at not getting a chance, yet, to vote on putting a revenue-raising measure on the ballot.

He realizes his political skills will be tested in these next two weeks as he works to lock up 50 votes for the budget.
To that end, he’s starting. He acknowledged for the first time this week that a small sales-tax hike may emerge from the House.
And on Friday, he allowed an unemployment insurance bill to pass the way these more-liberal members wanted. The legislation is not written the way the Senate and governor hoped, so negotiations with them lie ahead.

For this weekend, those disenchanted Democrats know Frank is on their side.

And in two weeks I’m betting they’ll be finishing up on time.