Democrat Lawmaker Hoping For More Cooperation During Special Session

A veteran Democrat says he hopes Republicans in the House will relent and consider a revenue package to avoid budget cuts. Representative Bill Ransdall of Waynesville is the House Assistant Minority Floor Leader. He says Republicans, who hold the majority in the House, should consider at least parts of Governor Bob Holden’s revenue package, such as tax increases on the gambling boats, the elimination of certain business tax breaks, and an elimination of tax breaks for luxury items such as yachts. Ransdall says those items would sell, especially if cuts on the state level put pressure for increased taxes on the local level. Ransdall complains that Democrats have been shut out of the House budget process by Republican leaders who aren’t interested in full debate on the budget. The special legislative session begins Monday.