As you’ve probably guessed, despite all the public posturing over property tax reform at the Statehouse, the real work is going on behind the scenes with all four caucuses at the table, but the main negotiations are between House Democrats, Senate Republicans and the shadow of the Governor looms over all. 

From what I’ve been able to gather everyone is talking and no one feels that they need to leave the negotiation table.  However, the real reform plan isn’t there yet, because all parties still have to determine what will be duked out in conference committee.   There’s agreement on what’s been labelled as the “no-brainer” issues, but there’s no road map on how to get to tax relief.

House Democrats, I’m told, don’t want constitutional caps on spending while Senate Republicans are adamant about caps on spending, even if they are phased in.

The best way to describe the negotiation atmosphere is like a bunch of guys taking a road trip, everyone knows where they want to go, but no one is quite sure how they’ll get there or where they will end up.

I just hope they’re smart enough to pull over and ask for directions if they get lost.

Posted: 02|19|08 at 6:51 am by Abdul Hakim-Shabazz
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