The end of the 2008 legislative session is near.

The week is expected to be jammed packed with debate over a property tax reconfiguration package, an effort to rescind campaign finance limits and perhaps legislation to make 'coercion' of abortion a crime. But the legislation to watch is the ballot item that would allow voters to decide whether the legislature should institute a photo identification requirement.

Republicans say the measure will stamp out instances of fraud at the polls and provide assurances that the integrity of elections are protected. Democrats, among other things, have said that the steps needed to get government-issued identification - such as the procurement of a birth certificate - are difficult for poor, elderly and disabled individuals.

The measure is being heard in the Senate Financial, Governmental Organizations and Elections Committee tomorrow at 1:30 p.m. If the bill gets out of committee, it is widely expected that the Democrats will stage a filibuster. It could be the first time this year that the previous question motion is utilized by the Republican majority.