We’re a little bit puzzled by the Mississippi legislators whoare grumbling about the expense of the July 23 special session todeal with teacher pay.

Gov. Ronnie Musgrove called the session, which was originallyset for July 18 but changed to accommodate lawmakers’ schedules.The only item on the agenda is a vote to remove a clause in a billpassed earlier this year that ties teacher pay raises to a minimumfive percent growth rate in the state’s economy. We think this is agood idea, and we’re glad lawmakers are making the change, but we’dlike to see teacher evaluation-accountability added where the capis deleted.

Some legislative leaders say a one-issue session is a waste ofstate money. They say a special session to discuss teacher pay andcongressional redistricting can be held later this year to savesome money. Special sessions are reported to cost $30,000 aday.

Isn’t it odd that lawmakers balk at spending $30,000, but theydidn’t blink an eye when it came to spending over $1 million on thestate flag election?

Gov. Musgrove last week suggested two options to help pay forthe session: he would personally raised the needed funds, or thelawmakers could serve without pay.

While the first option borders on ridiculous — the governorcertainly has better things to do than solicit private funds toconduct state business — the second one is an excellent idea.

It would be great to see state lawmakers agree to forfeit theirpay for one day’s work. After all, they created this issue bytacking teacher pay to the economic growth.

But, if you believe that will happen, come see us. We’ve gotsome nice oceanfront property out at Hog Chain that we’d like tosell.