The countdown stands at 10 days and counting.

State legislators could possibly return for their fourth trip to the capitol this year if they decide to hold a veto session next month to counteract the red pen of Gov. Bobby Jindal.

Because Jindal vetoed numerous bills, state law requires that a veto session be automatically set However, the session can be canceled by a majority written vote of either the House or Senate. The deadline to do so is midnight July 28.

If a veto session does take place, it will be the first in the state since enactment of the current state constitution in the 1970s.

During the session, lawmakers can take up any item that Jindal vetoed, including their precious pay raise that almost squeaked through before the public outcry forced Jindal’s hand to veto it.

An Associated Press report Thursday showed that, as expected Republican leaders in the Legislature are asking their colleagues to reject any possible veto  session. State Sen. Danny Martiny and Rep. Jane Smith of the GOP legislative delegation say a veto session would be costly and unproductive.

We couldn’t agree more. Such a session would be perceived by many as nothing more than pouting legislators trying to undermine Jindal’s attempt to fix the problem with excessive spending and “good ole boy” politics. While many of the projects he cut out of the budget or vetoed may have merit, his opinion is that they do not belong in state government.

Voters are already fuming at legislators over attempting the pay raise stunt. They would only be infuriated more by lawmakers coming back to undercut the governor.

Will they or won’t they? For our sake and theirs, let’s hope they don’t.