OLYMPIA -- The Second Special Session began this morning with a bang -- of the gavel, anyway -- and not much more than a whimper in the House, which went into recess until tomorrow morning.

The Senate had about two dozen folks on hand for the official opening, which was followed by  some long pauses, the reading of the official call for the second overtime session, and an immediate caucus by the Majority Coalition Caucus. Sen. Linda Evans Parlette, R-Wenatchee, underscored immediate, apparently in an effort to herd the cats into the meeting room.

The biggest problem right now for Spin Control is how to refer to this new special session in short hand.

Spec Sess 2?  2nd Spec Sess?  Spec Sess II?

And is it most accurate to describe this is Day 1 of the second special session, or Day 31 of this year's special sessions, or Day 136 of the entire session?

The Secretary of State office has done some research on special sessions over the years, and notes long overtimes were needed in 1951, 1973 and 2001. The most days ever needed was 163, in 1973 and 2001.

If legislators take the full 30 days for this special session, they'll go 165 days and set a new record -- which may not be something many of them will brag about in the next election.

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