One of the biggest jokes in the stand-up, sit-down and shut-up
comedy act called the Connecticut General Assembly is the
concept of the "task force."  Last year, more than 60 bills
included components of task forces.  They are usually the result
of late-session compromise, or neglect.  Say a lawmaker has an
issue for which there is not enough money and/or interest to
pass an actual law. They gather up a critical mass of co-
sponsors to create an off-session task force. The enabling
legislation is always pushed through during the waning days of a
session.  After all, what harm could it do?  The agenda-driven
lawmakers are named chairmen of the task forces, which may or
may not include outside experts with competing ideas of their
own. Hearings are held and concepts are drafted. A report
eventually results, for submission to relevant legislative
committees in the following year, or never.  The Legislative
Office Building is so spotlessly clean because task force
reports almost always become dust magnets in forgo