Many Bills, and Scant Time to Study Them

The Senate Finance Committee and the House Health and Governmental Operations Committee will hold a hearing Friday. On Saturday, the Senate Budget and Taxation Committee will hold a work session, and the House Ways and Means and Appropriations committees will announce bill hearings.

Legislative leaders have predicted that the session will last at least two weeks and are hopeful both houses can reach a resolution by Thanksgiving, four weeks away.

For freshman lawmakers, the special session is an opportunity to take action on the state's fiscal structure that will have a lasting impact. Del. Jolene Ivey (D-Prince George's), who was first elected last fall, said she hopes her skills as a stay-at-home mother will come in handy in the coming weeks.

"I'm no expert, by any means," Ivey said. "But that's what democracy is all about. You get people like me -- moms. And then you have others who work as accountants. We're all trying to crack this nut."

Many lawmakers said most of their colleagues generally understand the governor's proposals. But there has been confusion in recent weeks on his slot machine plan.

O'Malley's bill, released Friday, calls for a referendum on the November 2008 ballot legalizing up to 15,000 machines at five locations. Lawmakers were unclear about the details on how much revenue the state, racetracks and local jurisdictions would receive.

"The slots stuff is not so straightforward," Sen. Paul G. Pinsky (D-Prince George's) said. "Many people say their support depends on how many and where."

In addition to the slots proposal, some lawmakers said they were concerned about an overall atmosphere of uncertainty heading into the special session.

"We're going into special session without a package that has been crystallized," said Sen. Jamin B. Raskin (D-Montgomery), a freshman. "I think the governor has suggested a credible package . . . but some things need massaging."

Del. Charles E. Barkley (D-Montgomery) said he expects lawmakers to introduce as many as 30 bills, in addition to those filed by the administration. House Speaker Michael E. Busch (D-Anne Arundel) has said there could be 50.

"I just don't think there's complete agreement on the whole package," Barkley said. "That means there's going to be tinkering on the different parts of it. And I think individual lawmakers will have their own ideas, so that will take time."

But most lawmakers said they hope to find common ground.

"For me, the very worst outcome is to do nothing," Del. Murray D. Levy (D-Charles) said. "We're not helping anybody if we walk away from there with a $1.7 billion deficit still hanging over our heads. We'll have failed everybody."