Will bad feelings spill into session?

While bad feelings from the Senate's January legislative organizational session eased in the just-ended special session, it's unknown whether a political divided Senate can get along in the 2007 regular session.

It's anyone's guess whether Senate promises of retribution and stalling maneuvers will amount to anything and how it will affect second-term Republican Gov. Bob Riley, who has to move his programs through a Legislature controlled by Democrats.

There was little evidence of that last week during a special session, according to state Sen. Bobby Denton, D-Muscle Shoals.

"It's being promoted as a major problem, and maybe it will be, but we did not have a glitch when we got back together Monday for the special session," Denton said. "Everyone was friendly and we all shook hands. I did not feel any animosity from anyone."

Governors usually have more success in the House than Senate, and the next four years may be no different because of the ill feelings between different groups in the Senate.

The 105-member House seems more tranquil than the 35-member Senate because there was no problem electing House Speaker Seth Hammett to a third term. He presides over 61 Democrats and 43 Republicans.

In the Senate, 12 Republicans and five Democrats, with Riley's backing, tried to stage a coup on Senate President Pro Tem Lowell Barron, D-Fyffe. The attempt failed, however.

Barron chose not to seek a third term as pro tem, paving the way for compromise candidate Sen. Hinton Mitchem, D-Union Grove. Barron is now chairman of the Senate Rules Committee and remains in the small circle of powerful senators.

The Senate power besides Mitchem and Barron involves Sens. Hank Sanders, D-Selma, Roger Bedford, D-Russellville, Zeb Little, D-Cullman, and Pat Lindsey, D-Butler.

Each holds a chairmanship on a powerful committee or other leadership position.

"This is the same leadership we've had for the last eight years, basically,'' Barron said.

With the state's economy producing record revenue, the leadership has received credit for working with the governor to make positive strides in recent years.

The lone exception in the Senate leadership is newly elected Democratic Lt. Gov. Jim Folsom Jr. Folsom was lieutenant governor from 1987-93 when he succeeded Gov. Guy Hunt after Hunt was ousted from office. Folsom will have whatever authority Democrats give him.

Barron said bruised feelings from the organizational session will ease.

"I expect us to have a successful regular session,'' he said.

Sen. Charles Bishop, R-Curry, said he's not sure.

"It's so bad up there in some cases that if you're seen in someone else's office another senator won't even talk to you,'' he said.

Bishop said he's concerned about the message Senate Democrats sent when drawing up rules that limit opportunities for minority party senators. He said Republicans will work with Democrats as long as it's fair.

"We know we're in the minority and we don't expect to be in the majority,'' Bishop said. "What's important is if I can influence anything, I would like to hopefully influence the Senate to disagree honorably.''

Barron said it wouldn't pay Republicans to stall the entire session as some have promised.

"I don't think it's in anybody's best interest for people to be mad and pout and shut down the halls of government,'' Barron said. "I think they will work in harmony, and we'll have bipartisan effort in the House and Senate.''

Denton said shutting down the Senate with filibusters and other tactics as some have threatened would not be proper.

"There are going to be differences because someone has to be on the majority side," he said. "We have reached out to them to make it work the best we can. I just hope it continues because the people want us to get the job done."

Dana Beyerle can be reached at (334) 264-6605 or dtb12345@aol.com.