Call for Wyoming special legislative session gains little traction
May 5, 2010 by Phil Noble
Filed under Recent Posts
by Phil Noble, Cowboy State Free Press Bureau Chief
CHEYENNE — With great showmanship, U.S. Sen. John Barrasso, R-Wyo., hefted the 2,700 page national health care bill he and others call “Obamacare” and tossed it onto the stage at the Wyoming Republican State Convention in Sheridan last weekend, saying “it’s time we threw out this bill.”
Others, like a Cheyenne woman who moved to Wyoming five years ago to escape what she saw as socialist tendencies of European countries, have taken the rhetoric a step further and created a website calling for a special legislative session.
But, Patricia Roess’ wyospecialsession.com lists only 10 of a possible 90 legislators as being in favor of calling a special session to craft language attempting to prompt Gov. Dave Freudenthal to join a national lawsuit over the issue. Freudenthal so far has refused to enter the legal battle.
Roess acknowledges she is fighting an uphill battle. A special session can be called by the governor or both legislative leaders. But Senate President John Hines and House Speaker Colin Simpson are opposed to calling a special session, which some see as a sure death knell to the idea.
Roess states on her website that “The LSO (Legislative Services Office) estimates that the cost of a five-day special session would be $185,000. This comes to 37 cents per Wyoming citizen,” she says.
“Some legislators and the Governor are misleading the public stating on news broadcasts and in correspondence to constituents that a special session would cost up to $5 million,” she continues.
“Unfortunately there is an expansive disconnect between the people of Wyoming and Governor Freudenthal, Attorney General Salzburg, Senate President Hines and House Speaker Simpson. All four men oppose the calling of a special session, in spite of the fact that they are being inundated with phone calls and emails calling for just that,” she says.
So, says Roess, the last hope for such a move is the legislature. She notes on her website that both the state Senate and House can call a special session if 35 percent of lawmakers – 21 in the House and 11 in the Senate – favor calling for a vote. If a vote is held, then 50 percent of lawmakers must approve the idea of a special session.
Thus far, according to her website, her appeal to legislators has produced three senators in favor; Peterson, Cooper and Coe, and seven representatives; Anderson, Buchanan, Edmonds, Davidson, McKim, Childers and Jaggi–all Republicans and far short of what she and others calling for a special session need.
Actually, the final, passed version of the “The Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act” is only 906 pages.
Find it here- http://frwebgate.access.gpo.gov/cgi-bin/getdoc.cgi?dbname=111_cong_bills&docid=f:h3590enr.txt.pdf
Barrasso has lied, and misinformed the citizens of Wyoming throughout this healthcare reform process, and he should be held accountable, just like he wishes that on those who passed this important piece of legislation.
I for one am tired of Barrasso’s lies, misinformation and myths he has propagated over the last 15 months. He lacks any type of legal background, but he sure can rile up his base of “un” and under-educated. And he sure does love to appear on TV, as he has his scores of appearances on the national and cable media listed on his website.
His favorite little story was of the “Many” Canadians he saw in his medical practice who left Canada, and came to visit him in Casper, WY with their medical problems, i.e.- compound fracture of the tibia and fibula, etc. because they could not, or had to wait a very long time for care in Canada. My question is, how many is “Many”, exact numbers please, when did this happen, and what was their medical issues? Also, why were they denied care in Canada, or had to wait? No one ever asked him these question while he was snowing the national/cable media. And HIPA laws are no excuse, because I am not asking for names. So, come on John, tell us the truth, and quit your drama queen antics!
Repubs
Maybe you should be concerned that democrats won’t be the only ones looking for a new job come this fall
Dr. No is a drama queen, and does he want to repeal ALL of the health act? Does he really want to toss Wyoming citizens upon the tender mercies of the health insurance companies? Does he want to allow insurance policies to be cancelled when people get sick? Does he want insurance companies to deny coverage to children with pre-existing conditions? Does he want students to be kicked off of their parents’ policies?
And by the way, Dr. B, where are these much feared death panels that Rethuglicans have been screaming about?
Even if no special session is called, it still is a good plan. We force out the legislators and now we can see who to replace.
I for one am thankful for Barrasso’s drama, as some of you put it. Too bad that more of you aren’t more informed as to what ‘is’ the truth! I for one am saddened that so many Americans are enjoying being mislead about Obamacare. They are actually believing it is for the better and refuse to take their heads out of the hole in the sand! WAKE UP!