The photo accompanying this column depicts a very unusual scene — the state House of Representatives actually in session. Though lawmakers in both parties said 2007 posed big challenges for the legislature including skyrocketing electric rates, healthcare and education funding, the House and Senate have met sparingly and voted on virtually nothing except confirmation of the commissioners and judges.

The regular legislative session is more than half over and Capitol observers still search for action on key bills --

2007 rarity -- State House in session.

Photo credit: Steve Kotchko

 or any bills. So what's going on, or NOT going on?

The Republican minority charges that Democrats who control the legislature dropped the ball after promising swift action early on hot button issues such as electric rates.

"They have squandered the opportunity to do something right away as they promised," said House GOP leader Lawrence Cafero (R-Norwalk). "Winter has turned to spring and all the Democrats can tell consumers struggling to pay electric bills is be patient." Senate Republic chief Louis DeLuca (R-Woodbury) intoned: "The only thing worse than the arrogance of the majority is its complacency."

Senate President Pro Tempore Donald Williams (D-Brooklyn) called the GOP critique "a publicity stunt" and claimed his party has things well in hand. Williams said he never promised fast action on electric rates because of the issue's complexities and a growing consensus that the last big effort to improve the electricity system, deregulation, turned out to be a bust.

Williams said all the big issues are working their way through the legislative committee process to produce the best possible remedies.

As you might expect, the truth is somewhere between the two extremes on this topic.

Lawmakers, eager to quell public anger over high utility costs or lack of healthcare want to look responsive. They want to contrast themselves with the tortoise-paced U.S. Congress. However, "silver bullet" remedies are elusive, perhaps impossible. The legislature probably cannot provide substantial electric rate relief overnight. Creating a universal healthcare plan would be very expensive.

On top of fiscal and regulatory complications, these issues are caught up in political problems. Sen. Williams wanted to make 2007 the year of healthcare, but Republican Gov. Jodi Rell stole the spotlight with her plan for a massive infusion of state aid to education financed by an income tax hike. Williams and House Speaker James Amann (D-Milford) have differing views on how to attack the healthcare and energy problems.

So while all this is hashed out the lights in the House and Senate have been off -- at least they're saving on electricity!  Bills meander through the committee process and later this month money committee deadlines will come due, forcing lawmakers to churn out a combination budget and tax package for House and Senate action.

That's when the true tale of the 2007 legislative session will be told. Intense bipartisan negotiations will ensue on the big bills to see if meaningful compromises can be achieved before final adjournment June 6. If lawmakers procrastinate expectations for success will plummet.

If the big issues create a political logjam in the closing weeks of the session, the likely result is that few, if any, will be resolved. Lawmakers may use time-honored tactics to deal with the rest. That includes turning over some thorny issues to a "blue ribbon task force" for study, treating others with "band aid" remedies or promising possible action in a legislative "special session", then explaining that the rest died because the clock ran out on the General Assembly session.

Tick tock. Tick Tock.

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