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1

unicameralists recognize this argument, that this is a

2

possible reform of the bicameral system. Now, it might

3

be quite helpful to point out, though — and again, I

4

don't know here about the particular Maryland experience —

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that basic work in the legislature is done in committees

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and, if you have joint committee hearings, you have

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actually taken a major step toward a unicameral legisla-

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ture and the argument is, why do you have joint hearings

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and then go to separate legislative consideration.

10

MR. DELLA: Actually, what they do in the

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legislature, there are no official joint committees, that

12

I know of, and I've been working around there for fifteen

13

years, other than occasionally they have a joint committee

14

on the budget, as such. So that both houses have the same

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knowledge of what has been discussed, so that when the

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appropriations or the budget comes before the committees,

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they are going to talk in the same line of thinking.

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However, in the hearings, they have sometimes

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joint hearings between the house and senate committees in

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order to expedite the time -- so that the members of both

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houses can hear the testimony presented and they do not