The Connecticut General Assembly has historically been a part-time legislature. However, slowly, but surely over the past few years, it has been creeping ever closer to becoming a year-round legislature. Just yesterday, the legislature held yet another special session to address several outstanding issues left over from the regular session that officially adjourned on June 6. The biggest agenda item was the state's $3.1 billion bonding bill. A technical revisions bill and another version of a clean contracting reform bill were also debated.

All three pieces of legislation passed the House and Senate, but only the technical revisions bill passed by a veto-proof margin. The technical revisions bill is expected to be signed by the Governor in the next few days. While the Governor also previously indicated that she would sign the contracting reform legislation, this morning she held a press conference to announce that she will veto the bond package.

The Governor immediately called for yet another special session to be held on Wednesday, September 26 to get the bond package right. That translates to passing an affordable school bond package. Many districts are in dire need of promised state aid to pay for construction and renovations performed over the summer.

There is now a very interesting dynamic within the world of Connecticut politics. The Democratic controlled House and Senate, which have been working on the bonding bill for nearly 10 months, have failed to pass the bill with a veto-proof margin. The Senate came very close to the magic number of 24 with a vote of 21 to 12 with 3 Democrats absent. The House passed the bill by a vote of 84 to 38, missing the mark of 101. The 21 Democrats absent from the vote could have easily put them over the top. With the full House or Senate sitting in session, there may be a chance to override the Governor's veto, but as the saying goes, "Don't count your chickens before they hatch." Before the session opened, Democrats vowed to attempt to override the veto, but only time will tell.

If the House and Senate leadership can hold their caucuses together and convince the absent legislators to jump on board, then there may indeed be a veto override of the $3.1 billion bonding bill. However, the rumor at the Capitol is that the Senate told the Governor it will NOT come in on Wednesday as called for in her special session announcement. Word is still out on the House strategy.

No matter what happens with next Wednesday's special session, the legislature will need to decide if they will override the Governor's veto or let it stand. This will be a very debatable issue in the halls of the Capitol today. All we can say is - stay tuned!

Though the primaries have been decided, the road to Election Day could still be a bumpy one. Winning the primary is not the only way for a candidate to get his or her name on the ballot. And a losing candidate can always challenge the primary results. In an election year, there is no "sure win."

With a lower than normal turnout, Hartford Mayor Eddie Perez was victorious in the Democratic primary with 49 percent of the vote. Approximately 25 percent of Hartford's 30,000 registered Democrats voted in the primary. Kenny Curran, Perez's campaign manager, said "The primary results spoke pretty loudly... I think that shows broad support throughout the city for the direction that Hartford is going." Some political pundits pointed out that 49 percent is still not a majority of the vote and cautioned not to underestimate the effect of the independent vote in Hartford come November. Needless to say, Perez's opponents are not giving up so easily.

Although Perez's Democratic opponents were unsuccessful in the primary, all of them petitioned to be on the ballot in November with State Rep Minnie Gonzales running as an independent. Political insiders speculate that for any of these candidates to have a shot against Perez in the general election, they would have to consolidate the supporters of the other opponents. In other words, I. Charles Mathews, a formal deputy mayor, State Rep. Art Feltman, and Former State Sen. Frank Barrows would need to unite behind one candidate.

I. Charles Matthews may stand the best chance of being that candidate. Based on the quality of his community support and the heavy hitters who lined up with him during the primary, some feel he could pull it off. He came in second in the primary with 29 percent of the vote. Mathews could have a shot if Feltman and Barrows threw their support behind him. If Minnie Gonzalez captured the vote in the Latino districts where Perez usually dominates, then the race for mayor could really heat up.

Many Democrats are having déjà vu of 1993. Hartford Mayor Carrie Saxon Perry beat Mike Peters by 35 percent in the Democratic primary. Peters was able to turn his campaign around and ultimately beat Perry by 65 percent in the general election. Of course, even if Mathews successfully gained the support of Feltman and Barrows, he'd still have to beat not only Perez, but also Republican candidate J. Stan McCauley, and independents Raul De Jesus and ex- Mayor Thirman L. Milner to boot!

The heavily publicized Bridgeport Democratic primary also ended on a controversial note. State Senator Bill Finch defeated his opponent, State Rep. Chris Caruso, by a mere 250-vote lead. Caruso's campaign spokesman, Tom Kelly, alleged voter fraud, and Caruso vowed to challenge the results. So far, no formal complaints have been filed with the Secretary of State's Office.

Finch is dismissing Caruso's allegations and is encouraging voters to report any "illegal or troubling activity at the polls." Kelly said that the Caruso campaign intends to investigate such "irregularities." Caruso's campaign has 14 days to file a complaint and the clock stops ticking on September 26.

Finch won the Democratic nomination for mayor and has the support of current Mayor John Fabrizi. It was rumored that Fabrizi would join the race if Caruso won the primary, but now Finch assures that the mayor is not planning a bid for re-election.

Finch will take on two other candidates in November ballot, Milton Johnson, a city police officer, and James Morton, son of former state Sen. Margaret Morton. Both opponents are running as independents.

In the next In The Loop, we'll recap some of the other major general election battles brewing in CT. We'll also keep tabs on the progress in Hartford and Bridgeport since those municipal elections could also impact the make up of the General Assembly. Tick tock - 46 days until the final tally!