OK, so I'm weak (and on lunch break). Twenty Democrats have requested a Dec. 15 special session to vote on funding for the Public Service Commission and Montana Consumer Counsel to represent Montana's interests in the NorthWestern Energy bankruptcy. Estimated price tag: $1 million per year. Signers of the letter to Secretary of State Bob Brown included Monica Lindeen of Huntley.

Brown said his office would mail out ballots next Friday to see if a majority of legislators want to hold a session. Montana legislators have agreed to only one special session -- in 1973 -- since becoming a state. You can learn more about the issue in this week's Montana Unplugged column.