JACKSON -- When and if Gov. Phil Bryant calls a special session, perhaps as early as the coming week, Sen. David Blount can re-introduce his proposal to require more analysis of bills cutting or raising taxes before legislators vote.

The transparency proposal, which has bipartisan support, died in the 2013 regular session.

Speculation is that Bryant will call a special session soon for an economic development proposal in the Clay County area. That could come as early as April 26 or soon after.

Of course, Bryant also is expected to call a special session to take up re-authorizing and funding Medicaid before July 1.

Blount, D-Jackson,  could introduce his proposal at either special session or in both.

JACKSON -- Much of the focus during the just-completed legislative session was on whether school boards of C-rated district would have veto authority over charter schools locating within their boundaries.

But probably just as important an issue -- especially for charter school supporters -- was whether students would be able to cross district lines to attend charter schools. Without that authority, it will be difficult for charter schools to locate in smaller districts, some say.

Lt. Gov. Tate Reeves, a strong charter school advocate, wanted the legislation to have the provision allowing students to cross district lines.

In the final days, when House and Senate leaders negotiated those issues and others related to charter schools, the House leaders offered two proposals.

One would not allow any crossing of district lines. The other would allow students in D and F schools in D and F districts to cross lines to attend a charter school. 

In the end, the Senate leaders took the proposal that allowed no transfers across district lines even though that is not what they supported. But the House and Senate leaders began counting votes and realized that by including the crossing district lines provision they could lose one, two or maybe three votes in the House and that could be the difference in passing charter school legislation.

That compromise passed the House by a 62-55 margin. Had they lost a couple of votes, the margin would have been getting in the danger margin where anything could happen.

JACKSON -- The House has until Thursday to send three significant education bills to conference or they die.

They are:

* The omnibus bill that includes charter schools, third grade reading gate and enhanced standards for students going into teaching.

* A proposal to have the Mississippi Adequate Education Program funding formula for local school districts recalculated every year instead of every four years.

* A proposal to put into law the definition of how long a student must stay at school each day to be considered in attendance, thus, eligible to be counted by the district for state Adequate Education funds.

It appears the Republican leadership in the House does not have the votes to pass the omnibus bill and send it to Gov. Phil Bryant for his signature. But the other proposals in the legislation already are in conference in other bills where House and Senate leaders on education issues will meet in the coming days to try to hammer out differences.

The MAEP funding formula changes and the attendance proposal are not alive in other bills in conference, but there might be an opportunity to add those issues to legislation already in conference.

Sometimes it seems that proposals never die during the legislative process.