The Session Wraps Up: The Speaker’s Race, Sine Die And More
by March 9, 2012 9:51 am 69 views
As the fiscal session draws to a close today at noon, there will be more than the usual “sine die” procedures.
“Sine die” is the Latin phrase meaning, “without day.” Lawmakers “sine die” to officially and permanently adjourn their session business.
Neither the Senate nor the House is expected to take up any formal measures beyond the traditional closing functions. There will likely be some pomp and circumstance for Senate President Paul Bookout (D-Jonesboro) and House Speaker Robert Moore (D-Arkansas City) as they preside over their final formal sessions, assuming no special session is called between now and January 2013.
The House of Representatives will be selecting its next Speaker of the House, as we’ve previously reported.
Reps. Darrin Williams (D-Little Rock) and Terry Rice (R-Waldron) will vie for the top House post in what will be an historic election. Williams is expected to win the race if party line voting occurs. Democrats hold a 54-46 advantage over Republicans in the 100-seat House.
If Williams wins, he is expected to be the first African-American House Speaker in state history. A Rice victory would make him the first Republican to hold the top House post since Reconstruction.
State senators have already picked their Senate President-elect, Sen. Larry Teague (D-Nashville).
The House Republican caucus is expected to select its next House Minority Leader later today. Currently, Rep. John Burris (R-Harrison) holds the position, but he will not seek the minority designation going forward. Rep. Bruce Westerman (R-Hot Springs) is the only known representative seeking the top minority House post.
Of course, that designation could flip if the GOP wins control of the House in the November elections.
Democrats have traditionally waited to caucus and select their House Majority Leader after the Speaker’s race. No names have floated publicly for the House Majority Leader position to date.