The normally low-key State Bond Commission was thrown into controversy Friday when a dispute arose over which items had passed on the agenda.
Only 8 members of the 10-member commission attended Friday's meeting, which normally might not be a major problem. The lower attendance was highly unusual because members are allowed to appoint designees to serve in their place if they are ill or out of town.
The problem, though, is that several items were controversial and passed by a 5 to 3 margin on the commission that includes both Republicans and Democrats. Lawyers huddled immediately after the meeting to talk about the votes, which are taken by voice and not individually in a roll-call.
"The rule is, regardless of who shows up at a meeting, you need six votes to pass something,'' said Adam Liegeot, a spokesman for Republican Gov. M. Jodi Rell. "You still need six. That's the rule.''
There will be no resolution on the matter at least until Monday, he said.