A Citizen’s Guide

House and Senate leaders are expected to meet at 4 p.m. or 4:30 p.m. to try to overcome the impasse on the oil tax bill.

The two bodies have appointed a six-member conference committee to try to reach a compromise on the bill. So far, though, there’s been more talk than compromise.

And none of that talk has happened in public. Instead, there have been scattered negotiations behind closed doors.

The conference committee was scheduled to reconvene at 3 p.m., but the members are still waiting for their marching orders from the leadership of the House and Senate.

The good news is that as long as they’re talking, there’s a chance for a resolution that will get the state a new oil tax system. But it’s unlikely to come before the final minutes of the special session.