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Florida lawmakers consider special session

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December 4, 2000 

TALLAHASSEE--(UNB/AP) - The state Senate president said he was not ready to call a special session to try to enforce George W. Bush's certified win in Florida by naming the state's 25 electors, disputing House Majority Leader Mike Fasano's earlier statement that both leaders would do so on Monday.

Fasano said the Republican-controlled Legislature on Monday would call a special session to name the state's electors to the Electoral College. The electors would choose the next U.S. president according to results of their states' popular vote.

But John McKay said later he wasn't ready to call the special session, which Fasano said would be held Wednesday.

"There are so many uncertainties contingent upon actions outside the control of the Legislature that we must proceed with the utmost caution," the Senate president said in a statement. "This is perhaps the most important issue that the Legislature will ever face. The Senate will not be rushed to judgment. We have only one chance to get this right."

McKay said he was still waiting to review a committee report recommending the session. "I will not call a special session on Monday," he said.

The two-chamber Legislature is considering appointing the 25 electors through a resolution that would spare Gov. Jeb Bush from having to sign legislation helping his brother.

Republican lawmakers argued the Constitution makes the legislature responsible for naming electors, and requires them to do so if there's a chance the state's vote might not be counted because of a controversy. Democrats disagree.

House Democratic leader Lois Frankel said she was preparing for a special session. "We have our own constitutional obligation to be there. ... We are going to be there to be voices of reason."

Jeb Bush was in New York on personal business and unavailable for comment Saturday, but he previously has said he would sign legislation to help his brother become president.

Various courts are still considering cases filed by the two candidates on what to do with results of vote recounts in some areas that so far have put Bush 537-vote head of Democrat Al Gore. A continuation of recounting in some Democratic leaning counties could erase Bush's lead.