Topeka ? Democrats are threatening to end the Legislature’s session early, even if a budget for state government isn’t finished.

Though a minority in both chambers, Democrats have the power to do it because of the calendar that legislators have followed for a generation. They have a desire to do it largely because they’re not happy with how Republican leaders have handled redistricting issues.

Democrats are openly discussing a scenario in which they force the session to end on April 13, the last day before legislators begin their traditional spring break, and cancel the wrap-up session scheduled to begin May 1.

If the budget were not done by April 13, Gov. Bill Graves would be forced to call legislators into special session, the first in 12 years, because state government can’t operate without a spending plan.

Democratic leaders aren’t clear about what they would hope to accomplish in such a strategy, other than demonstrating their unhappiness and showing that the Republican-dominated Legislature is slow to finish its work. The threat appears to be a tactic now to get GOP leaders to move more quickly on redistricting.

“In this process, you always look for as much leverage as you can find,” said Senate Minority Leader Anthony Hensley, D-Topeka.

Republican leaders said they are baffled by talk of shutting the session down.

They also believe the strategy would backfire dramatically, as special sessions historically have been responses to emergencies or disasters and not a method for wrapping up business for the year.

“I don’t understand,” said Senate Majority Leader Lana Oleen, R-Manhattan. “If people don’t have their work done, why are they going home to face the people who sent them here  to get a job done?”

‘Heavy lifting’ needed

The state constitution sets the length of the Legislature’s annual session at 90 calendar days but allows legislators to meet past that point by adopting a resolution with two-thirds majorities in both houses.

In 1969, the Legislature began taking a 2 1/2 week spring break in April, returning afterward for a few scheduled days of work.

The short wrap-up allowed legislators to consider gubernatorial vetoes but evolved into the period in which lawmakers finish their most important business. To have the wrap-up, legislators need to adopt the session-extending resolution.

Republicans have a 30-10 advantage in the Senate, three more than the 27 needed for a two-thirds majority. But they hold 79 seats to Democrats’ 46 in the House, where 84 are needed for a two-thirds majority.

And House Democrats are ready to vote against a resolution. Their leader, Rep. Jim Garner, D-Coffeyville, said they are frustrated with the slow pace of Senate redistricting and a lack of Senate debate on major issues, such as the budget.

“I just think we need to see some movement in the Senate,” he said. “I’d sure like to see them do a little heavy lifting.”

Making progress

Republican leaders argue that they are making progress on major issues. Senate President Dave Kerr, R-Hutchinson, pointed to a debate on redistricting set for Tuesday.

He said the Senate will consider the session-extending resolution after that debate. He professed little concern over whether it would win adoption.

“It’ll either pass or fail, and we’ll plan accordingly,” he said.

Redistricting has become a catalyst for the talk of ending the session early because the 10 Democratic senators have formed an alliance with 11 conservative Republicans.

That coalition of 21 passed a redistricting bill  later vetoed by Gov. Bill Graves  and is now pushing a slightly revised version.

The new plan came out of committee last week, but Graves and his allies are working for changes, which coalition members are resisting. Coalition members don’t want their latest plan to stall again.

Talk about ending the session early is one result.