The General Assembly opened its rare special session Wednesday on a bittersweet note as both chambers paused to pay their respects to the late Democratic Del. John Arnick from Baltimore County who died Tuesday.

Arnick, 72, died of cancer a little more than one month after he was diagnosed. A more than 40-year veteran of the state legislature, Arnick resigned his seat in the House of Delegates in April to take an appointment to the state Board of Contract Appeals.