Everything you wanted to know about special legislative sessions

The special legislative session to address transportation funding will be the third of the Rendell Administration, and tenth since 1967. Previous sessions called by Rendell have focused on renewable energy and property tax relief. The 2007-2008 session led to two laws, while the 2005 property tax session created one.

Steve MacNett, general counsel for the Senate Republican Caucus, says the most productive session was held during the Ridge Administration. — the 1995 effort led to 37 laws and three proposed constitutional amendments.

MacNett says sessions’ results have been varied.

So far, no clear solutions have emerged for transportation funding. Rendell says he’s willing to consider all options. MacNett says special legislative sessions had a clearer purpose when the General Assembly only met a few months of the year, and needed to return to Harrisburg to address specific problems or emergencies.

Here’s a very helpful primer on post-1967 special sessions, courtesy of the Senate Republican Caucus:

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