A daily recap of the Georgia Public Broadcasting show "Lawmakers". The show airs weekdays at 7:00pm with a replay at 5:30am the following weekday.
Day 39
* Welcome to the present. I can almost hear the yelps of the long night. I know they are still down there. Thrashing around. But the show must go on.
* Shot of the live sausage making.
* Both Susan and Nwandi back in the studio
* Seatbelts in trucks passed! Little Don Thomas probably gave a yelp and drank an Ensure.
* Scowling House clerks make an early entry. The streak continues!
* Farmers doing agricultural business are exempted. Does that mean if I'm driving to the feed store, I don't have to buckle up? Some youngster House member is axing that very question! The bottom line is the farmers want it, and we'se a givin' it!
* Cell phone bills. The Senate version would ban adults texting while driving. The House version only affects teens. They're going to have to combine them somehow.
* We got to see a scowling House clerk reading a bill! Or as Sen. Jack Murphy says "texing".
They save the best for last.
* Of course we have a family which suffered a tragedy due to "texing".
* They tried to tack the English Only thing onto a bill which was only dealing with converting some department documents to online. Mary Margaret Oliver is calling foul. She's not letting the scoundrel off the hook. She's subtly, okay not so subtly, cornering him to admit that its all about drivers licenses test. Eventually the Republican leaders got tired of the shenanigans and tabled the stupid thing.
* There's Don Thomas! He's so precious. And excited because it's his big day. He wants to refurbish buses. Some of his colleagues thinks we're going to have worn out buses.
* There's Nan Orrock. I should have kept record of how many times she got on camera. I bet it was a close second to the House Clerks.
* Sen. George Hooks! The Dean of the Senate! The Dean doesn't fool around. He gets right down to the brass tacks. It's about Blue Bird bus company in Ft. Valley. He wasn't successful. The thing passed.
* Pay for performance for teachers is back on the table. Chip Rogers is trying to find a way to make it work by saying it has to be designed by teachers.
* Don Thomas again! He's a rock star.
* House passed the No Happy Ending Bill. Rep. Tony Seller found out that some spas are actually cat houses. Wonder how that research took place? He says there's not much we can do to help illegal aliens held in servitude. Um, I'm pretty sure there are illegal servitude bans already on the books. But anyway...
* They extended the time to file pre-trial filings for death penalty trials. This is cleaning up something the Supremes said was needed.
* Somebody punked Seth Harp. He was given an amendement that was supposedly requested by the Speaker. But it wasn't requested by the Speaker. WHOOPSIE!
* Something about LOST. Not the popular and weird ABC series, but local option sales tax. It's about letting locals pass taxes for things like the arts and what not.
* House discussed a Senate bill which would allow an adult friend to make medical decisions in the absence of a medical directive. Sounds good on the surface but do we really want to tackle such a thorny issue on the next to the last day?
* Rep. Bearden is asking for the definition of a "friend". The subtext her is friend equals domestic partner. He also has a problem with the term "generally familiar". Despite the sub-text of the topic, he's right. They shouldn't be mucking with something so murky without a lot more discussion.
* It passed but it was a close one. 92-65. It's going back to the Senate due to changes. I smell a-tabling!
* Transportation plan passed. This causes Susan to say finally, FINALLY. It created 12 regions which could tax themselves for transportation projects. Google it for the details. It's pretty fascinating.
* Democrats had a big problem with the plan because we ain't gonna vote on it for two more years. Which means gawd knows when we'll actually see some transportation action.
* Lawmakers Flashback! Election of the first House Republican Speaker in 130 years. I hear the howling of the ghost of Glenn Richardson! Much hooting and hollering. And there's Dapper Glenn. And there's Susan holding the Bible. Ah, those were the days. His first act. Passed the "hawks rule". Dubose immediately objected. Richardson immediately overruled him. Thus, the die was cast early on.
* Former Lt. Guv Pierre Howard was in the Senate. He's talking about the redecorating that's gone on in his absence. Age brings fascination with carpet and wall paper.
* Oh no! The BOOK OF DOOM is being handled by Susannah Capaluto. Want to know what I think of that? She once called me an "entertainer" and said she would never quote a blog even if they were accurate. Well, given those ground rules, I see no need to pay attention to her clap trap segment. Selah.
* Thank god that's over. No show tomorrow as there is a recess. Thursday is Sine Die and that means double Lawmakers and double shots for me. Don't expect the recaps that night. For now, that's a wrap.
Showing posts with label Gonzo Lawmakers. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Gonzo Lawmakers. Show all posts
Tuesday, April 27, 2010
Monday, April 26, 2010
Gonzo Lawmakers - Day 38
A daily recap of the Georgia Public Broadcasting show "Lawmakers". The show airs weekdays at 7:00pm with a replay at 5:30am the following weekday.
Day 38
Originally aired on 4-21-10
*Welcome back my friends, to the show that never ends. We're so glad you could attend, come and see, come and see.
* 2011 budget passes the Senate.
* And the Senate Transportation Committee agreed on the transportation plan. It's on the floor of both chambers now.
* But not without a little fruforal over MARTA. Tommie Williams is confused about how people are planning to use the SPLOST. Much dithering.
* Attorney General Thurbert Baker says the lack of fiscal notes on last weeks tax cuts could cause a constitutional problem. This is very technical. Democrats love technical challenges. The public? Not so much.
* Good lord. There's the blogger who shall not be named again. He's down there constantly now.
* Susan points out that the courts have been reluctant to step in to the sausage making of the legislators. What a fool's errand this be.
* Chip Rogers is wearing a snappy pink tie. He needs to give Tom Crawford fashion tips.
* Now, Steve Thompson on the other hand...a white coat before Memorial Day? Hell! A white coat any time?
* Seth Harp also has a pink tie. Some sort of theme on the Elephant side of the aisle?
* Lost of education sausage making.
* Scowling House Clerks! The streak continues!
* House passed Dan Weber's charter school cluster thing. His close buddy Fran Millar presented it on the other side.
* Scowly Red just smiled! And giggled! She sees the light at the end of the tunnel.
* More rapid fire clips. The editor must have been chugging Red Bulls.
* We're increasing the cap on the rainy day fund. It's a hopeful thing that we might again one day have a rainy day fund.
* A sprinkler bill got heated in the Senate? They're losing it. It's about single family dwellings or duplexes. This thing is so weird it has Nan Orrock and John Douglas on the same side. Pardon me, I need a shot.
* We're seeing more of David Shafer these days. His big moment is on the horizon.
* Project Tom Crawford! He has on a snappy red polka dot tie! Well, snappy for Tom. He's pulling out the party wear for the final days.
* Tom's reporting the transportation bill is close.
* Tom is explaining the Capitol computers went down today which he says they are using as an excuse for "covering many sins".
* Georgia contractors will get preference for stuff being done to public buildings. Earl Erhart is splaining. Hadn't seen much of that scoundrel this session.
* Senate passed a bill requiring lethal injection for doggies and kitties. No more gas chambers. Sen. Bill Heath actually argued that gas chambers were more humane. "There's people that buy a lot of things to get the feeling you get from carbon monoxide poisoning". Perhaps Senator Heath huffed a few samples before making this boneheaded speech?
* The abortion bill passed house committee. But not before some maneuvering. Mike Jacobs, the favorite of young Democrats everywhere, is right in the middle of it. Going head to head with crazy ass Mark Hatfield, he's the one trying to require Presidential candidates present their birth certificates.
* Lawmakers Flashback! We skip back to 2000, when Democrats were still in charge of the Senate. David Scott was the Rules Chair at the time. He's railing against the Majority leader in the House for killing his Grady bills. He's absolutely screaming about people dying in lines! The chair is trying to gavel him down, Scott is having none of it. I don't think I've ever seen anyone this fired up. Scott says the "whole place is out of order". He's been possessed by Al Pacino!
* Ricky Bevington and her BOOK OF DOOM! The enviro-hippies claim our reactors have design flaws. Lawrdy. Mennonites may get to self-insure their cars. They consider regular insurance to be a form of gambling. Not kidding.
* And we are finally caught up. I thank you all for your patience. Two days to go. Back with you tomorrow. For now, that's a wrap.
Day 38
Originally aired on 4-21-10
*Welcome back my friends, to the show that never ends. We're so glad you could attend, come and see, come and see.
* 2011 budget passes the Senate.
* And the Senate Transportation Committee agreed on the transportation plan. It's on the floor of both chambers now.
* But not without a little fruforal over MARTA. Tommie Williams is confused about how people are planning to use the SPLOST. Much dithering.
* Attorney General Thurbert Baker says the lack of fiscal notes on last weeks tax cuts could cause a constitutional problem. This is very technical. Democrats love technical challenges. The public? Not so much.
* Good lord. There's the blogger who shall not be named again. He's down there constantly now.
* Susan points out that the courts have been reluctant to step in to the sausage making of the legislators. What a fool's errand this be.
* Chip Rogers is wearing a snappy pink tie. He needs to give Tom Crawford fashion tips.
* Now, Steve Thompson on the other hand...a white coat before Memorial Day? Hell! A white coat any time?
* Seth Harp also has a pink tie. Some sort of theme on the Elephant side of the aisle?
* Lost of education sausage making.
* Scowling House Clerks! The streak continues!
* House passed Dan Weber's charter school cluster thing. His close buddy Fran Millar presented it on the other side.
* Scowly Red just smiled! And giggled! She sees the light at the end of the tunnel.
* More rapid fire clips. The editor must have been chugging Red Bulls.
* We're increasing the cap on the rainy day fund. It's a hopeful thing that we might again one day have a rainy day fund.
* A sprinkler bill got heated in the Senate? They're losing it. It's about single family dwellings or duplexes. This thing is so weird it has Nan Orrock and John Douglas on the same side. Pardon me, I need a shot.
* We're seeing more of David Shafer these days. His big moment is on the horizon.
* Project Tom Crawford! He has on a snappy red polka dot tie! Well, snappy for Tom. He's pulling out the party wear for the final days.
* Tom's reporting the transportation bill is close.
* Tom is explaining the Capitol computers went down today which he says they are using as an excuse for "covering many sins".
* Georgia contractors will get preference for stuff being done to public buildings. Earl Erhart is splaining. Hadn't seen much of that scoundrel this session.
* Senate passed a bill requiring lethal injection for doggies and kitties. No more gas chambers. Sen. Bill Heath actually argued that gas chambers were more humane. "There's people that buy a lot of things to get the feeling you get from carbon monoxide poisoning". Perhaps Senator Heath huffed a few samples before making this boneheaded speech?
* The abortion bill passed house committee. But not before some maneuvering. Mike Jacobs, the favorite of young Democrats everywhere, is right in the middle of it. Going head to head with crazy ass Mark Hatfield, he's the one trying to require Presidential candidates present their birth certificates.
* Lawmakers Flashback! We skip back to 2000, when Democrats were still in charge of the Senate. David Scott was the Rules Chair at the time. He's railing against the Majority leader in the House for killing his Grady bills. He's absolutely screaming about people dying in lines! The chair is trying to gavel him down, Scott is having none of it. I don't think I've ever seen anyone this fired up. Scott says the "whole place is out of order". He's been possessed by Al Pacino!
* Ricky Bevington and her BOOK OF DOOM! The enviro-hippies claim our reactors have design flaws. Lawrdy. Mennonites may get to self-insure their cars. They consider regular insurance to be a form of gambling. Not kidding.
* And we are finally caught up. I thank you all for your patience. Two days to go. Back with you tomorrow. For now, that's a wrap.
Gonzo Lawmakers - Day 37
A daily recap of the Georgia Public Broadcasting show "Lawmakers". The show airs weekdays at 7:00pm with a replay at 5:30am the following weekday.
Day 37
Originally airedl 4-20 (toke)
* The present approaches
* Susan in studio and Nwandi in the newsroom. Nwandi explains the newsroom is at Hogwarts. Mystery solved.
* Senate Appropriations passed the 2011 budget. It's in the final lap.
* The tape machine ate the budget! It's abyssal craw knows no sate!
* Democrats are claiming the tax monstrosity passed the other day has technical flaws. Something about fiscal notes. Dubose is explaining two parts had fiscal notes from the previous year and that ain't right. The undercurrent here is the thing may not be constitutional.
* Jerry Keen was going to explain how technically the method used was okay but the evil tape machine ate him too!
* Susan vamping.
* The Attorney General is considering Porter's request on the constitutionality.
* They want to create a special panel to discuss reforming the tax code. And it will include the soon to be unemployed Sonny Perdue. Imagine that!
* They wrestled the budget tape out of the maw of the tape machine.
* They passed the supplemental budget too. They are winding up all the money matters with relatively little fruforal.
* Much optimism about a transportation plan. Foreshadowing.
* There's Preston Smith. Looking pensive. Foreshadowing.
* Discussion of MARTA. Shot of MARTA buses. No Red Xs apparent.
* Sen. Tommie Williams is taking up for MARTA. Blow, Gabriel, Blow!
* Ethics bill is coming up tomorrow.
* Speaker Ralston is defending it in committee. He's speaking of the "abuse of power". The ghost of Glenn Richardson just wailed.
* Dubose Porter wants a gift cap. Speaker Ralston thinks transparency for the voters will be enough. Trust the people to make the judgment with their votes.
* You can lose your license for not wearing your glasses while driving? There is much strangeness in the code. The House reduced it to a fine.
* Scowling House Clerks! The streak continues!
* Corporations can't conduct identity theft. Previously only individuals could be prosecuted. This is called legislative clean up.
* More cleanup. More rapid fire bill passing.
* Wow. The tape machine just ate Rep. Don Parsons!
* Funding restored funding for the Arts. Yay.
* And we get to see Susannah Capaluto for the first time. The tape machine wants to eat her too! But it cannot digest her. We get lots of shots of hippies. And Tom Key. Now, he is an Atlanta treasure. But good lord, look at the hippies. And Susannah Capaluto. I need a drink.
* This segment is ridiculously long.
* Texting while driving. Allan Peake wants to ban it even for adults. Of course, we have some family with a tragic story. Shot of Alan Bridges in a car - texting. Would he qualify under the teen version of the bill or the adult version of the bill? Things suddenly got very weird.
* Lawmakers Flashback! Here come the Republicans! There's Sonny - fresh off the biggest upset in Georgia politcal history. He's talking about all the things he's gonna get done. It's sadly funny. There's Tom Price before he moved on to Washington. There's Mark Taylor. The last Democrat standing. Despite Eric Johnson's assurances, they practically castrated him. And the House without Tom Murphy. The House Democrats lost that majority in 2004. Seems so long ago.
* Ricky Bevington and her BOOK OF DOOM! MARTA protests. Delta lost money. But Coke gained money.
* Tomorrow, the budget will be on the Senate floor. For now that's a wrap.
Day 37
Originally airedl 4-20 (toke)
* The present approaches
* Susan in studio and Nwandi in the newsroom. Nwandi explains the newsroom is at Hogwarts. Mystery solved.
* Senate Appropriations passed the 2011 budget. It's in the final lap.
* The tape machine ate the budget! It's abyssal craw knows no sate!
* Democrats are claiming the tax monstrosity passed the other day has technical flaws. Something about fiscal notes. Dubose is explaining two parts had fiscal notes from the previous year and that ain't right. The undercurrent here is the thing may not be constitutional.
* Jerry Keen was going to explain how technically the method used was okay but the evil tape machine ate him too!
* Susan vamping.
* The Attorney General is considering Porter's request on the constitutionality.
* They want to create a special panel to discuss reforming the tax code. And it will include the soon to be unemployed Sonny Perdue. Imagine that!
* They wrestled the budget tape out of the maw of the tape machine.
* They passed the supplemental budget too. They are winding up all the money matters with relatively little fruforal.
* Much optimism about a transportation plan. Foreshadowing.
* There's Preston Smith. Looking pensive. Foreshadowing.
* Discussion of MARTA. Shot of MARTA buses. No Red Xs apparent.
* Sen. Tommie Williams is taking up for MARTA. Blow, Gabriel, Blow!
* Ethics bill is coming up tomorrow.
* Speaker Ralston is defending it in committee. He's speaking of the "abuse of power". The ghost of Glenn Richardson just wailed.
* Dubose Porter wants a gift cap. Speaker Ralston thinks transparency for the voters will be enough. Trust the people to make the judgment with their votes.
* You can lose your license for not wearing your glasses while driving? There is much strangeness in the code. The House reduced it to a fine.
* Scowling House Clerks! The streak continues!
* Corporations can't conduct identity theft. Previously only individuals could be prosecuted. This is called legislative clean up.
* More cleanup. More rapid fire bill passing.
* Wow. The tape machine just ate Rep. Don Parsons!
* Funding restored funding for the Arts. Yay.
* And we get to see Susannah Capaluto for the first time. The tape machine wants to eat her too! But it cannot digest her. We get lots of shots of hippies. And Tom Key. Now, he is an Atlanta treasure. But good lord, look at the hippies. And Susannah Capaluto. I need a drink.
* This segment is ridiculously long.
* Texting while driving. Allan Peake wants to ban it even for adults. Of course, we have some family with a tragic story. Shot of Alan Bridges in a car - texting. Would he qualify under the teen version of the bill or the adult version of the bill? Things suddenly got very weird.
* Lawmakers Flashback! Here come the Republicans! There's Sonny - fresh off the biggest upset in Georgia politcal history. He's talking about all the things he's gonna get done. It's sadly funny. There's Tom Price before he moved on to Washington. There's Mark Taylor. The last Democrat standing. Despite Eric Johnson's assurances, they practically castrated him. And the House without Tom Murphy. The House Democrats lost that majority in 2004. Seems so long ago.
* Ricky Bevington and her BOOK OF DOOM! MARTA protests. Delta lost money. But Coke gained money.
* Tomorrow, the budget will be on the Senate floor. For now that's a wrap.
Gonzo Lawmakers - Day 36
A daily recap of the Georgia Public Broadcasting show "Lawmakers". The show airs weekdays at 7:00pm with a replay at 5:30am the following weekday.
Day 36
Originally aired April 14, 2010
* The present approaches
* Susan live at Hogwarts
* I swear the background has changed. The Capitol backdrop looks much redder. It makes Nwandi look positively devilish. It's getting weird, bubba.
* The Fee Bill was in the Senate. They are certainly gigging themselves. New charge of $100 to file disclosure reports. A cool grand if they are great. Senate passed it.
* It then went back to the House where those devils couldn't help but muck around. In a very serious manner. They added the infamous bed tax, they phased out the state portion of the property tax and they eliminated income tax for seniors. Good lord.
* Scowling House Clerks! The streak continues!
* The tax cuts have a five year phase in.
* House Democrats cried "not germane!" Stacy Abrams, very nice woman, is pointing out that it includes fees and taxes which are supposed to be separate. You may remember there was a Lawmaker Flashback where Speaker Murphy and Earl Erhart got into it over this very issue. Speaker Murphy ruled it not germane. Speaker Ralston ruled it was. The more things change...
* So now the little chimera heads back to the Senate.
* Not surprisingly, Chip Rogers loves that the property tax is finally going to be killed.
* VIncent Fort ain't happy. Not surprising.
* The thing finally passed.
* Tape machine strikes one last time! Poor Chip Rogers face was frozen like a fun house mirror.
* House passed the 2011 budget. It took two hours to review. How thrilling that must have been.
* Dubose Porter is getting all populist! Railing against the fees and the hospital tax! He's saying things like you can't put sunglasses and wig on it, it's a tax increase! When Dubose gets the populist fire in his gut, he actually can give one helluva speech. He should try it more often.
* Now he's saying cutting education means we're just increasing the prison population in the future. He's a banging the well. It's gettin' hot.
* Rep. Al Williams is calling himself a fiscal conservative and facing people who calls themselves fiscal conservative. Mentions of Lynn Westmoreland, chocolate cake and all kinds of allegorical goodness. It's like they saved up all the good looniness for the end.
* The chryon tells me that Nwandi is in the "newsroom". Maybe the main studio was being used by Nancy Grace?
* They found one fee to cut. Something about CMOs or something.
* Wendell Willard is using his droning superpower to lull everyone to sleep again. Some legal bill about estates. Zzzzzzzzzzz.
* Someone wants to mandate hospitals give their own employees flu shots. It's sponsored by a Republican. And opposed by a Republican. Of course, the opposition is John Douglas. Apparently, he saved all the crazy for the end.
* The final passage of the synthetic marijuana band. Smoke 'em while you got 'em!
* The House Macon delegation is pleading to pass the hotel tax amendment passed in the Senate. This is the one to save the halls of fame. They passed it. Otis, the Allmans and Little Richard appear safe for the momment.
* It's machine gun bill time. They are coming so fast, I can't keep up. More cleanup of bills from last year.
* Contracts can have blue line provisions. Don't ask me. Go look it up. Now, some debt bill for the Universities. There's no telling what they could actually get through in this fury of legislating.
* Chip Rogers just explained why he wants to do away with the property tax....and I agree with him. Interesting.
* Lawmakers Flashback! More on the flag. Senate this time. Sen. Charles Walker before his favorite color became orange. There's young Sonny just after he placed an R next to his name. Pretty emotional speeches all around.
* Ricky Bevington and her BOOK OF DOOM! She's back! And she's in the studio. Nancy Grace must have finally finished up. We're getting federal funds to save the Eastern Indigo Snake. It's the largest snake in North America. Didn't know that.
* They are hustling to the end. We're motoring towards the climax. But for now, that's a wrap!
Day 36
Originally aired April 14, 2010
* The present approaches
* Susan live at Hogwarts
* I swear the background has changed. The Capitol backdrop looks much redder. It makes Nwandi look positively devilish. It's getting weird, bubba.
* The Fee Bill was in the Senate. They are certainly gigging themselves. New charge of $100 to file disclosure reports. A cool grand if they are great. Senate passed it.
* It then went back to the House where those devils couldn't help but muck around. In a very serious manner. They added the infamous bed tax, they phased out the state portion of the property tax and they eliminated income tax for seniors. Good lord.
* Scowling House Clerks! The streak continues!
* The tax cuts have a five year phase in.
* House Democrats cried "not germane!" Stacy Abrams, very nice woman, is pointing out that it includes fees and taxes which are supposed to be separate. You may remember there was a Lawmaker Flashback where Speaker Murphy and Earl Erhart got into it over this very issue. Speaker Murphy ruled it not germane. Speaker Ralston ruled it was. The more things change...
* So now the little chimera heads back to the Senate.
* Not surprisingly, Chip Rogers loves that the property tax is finally going to be killed.
* VIncent Fort ain't happy. Not surprising.
* The thing finally passed.
* Tape machine strikes one last time! Poor Chip Rogers face was frozen like a fun house mirror.
* House passed the 2011 budget. It took two hours to review. How thrilling that must have been.
* Dubose Porter is getting all populist! Railing against the fees and the hospital tax! He's saying things like you can't put sunglasses and wig on it, it's a tax increase! When Dubose gets the populist fire in his gut, he actually can give one helluva speech. He should try it more often.
* Now he's saying cutting education means we're just increasing the prison population in the future. He's a banging the well. It's gettin' hot.
* Rep. Al Williams is calling himself a fiscal conservative and facing people who calls themselves fiscal conservative. Mentions of Lynn Westmoreland, chocolate cake and all kinds of allegorical goodness. It's like they saved up all the good looniness for the end.
* The chryon tells me that Nwandi is in the "newsroom". Maybe the main studio was being used by Nancy Grace?
* They found one fee to cut. Something about CMOs or something.
* Wendell Willard is using his droning superpower to lull everyone to sleep again. Some legal bill about estates. Zzzzzzzzzzz.
* Someone wants to mandate hospitals give their own employees flu shots. It's sponsored by a Republican. And opposed by a Republican. Of course, the opposition is John Douglas. Apparently, he saved all the crazy for the end.
* The final passage of the synthetic marijuana band. Smoke 'em while you got 'em!
* The House Macon delegation is pleading to pass the hotel tax amendment passed in the Senate. This is the one to save the halls of fame. They passed it. Otis, the Allmans and Little Richard appear safe for the momment.
* It's machine gun bill time. They are coming so fast, I can't keep up. More cleanup of bills from last year.
* Contracts can have blue line provisions. Don't ask me. Go look it up. Now, some debt bill for the Universities. There's no telling what they could actually get through in this fury of legislating.
* Chip Rogers just explained why he wants to do away with the property tax....and I agree with him. Interesting.
* Lawmakers Flashback! More on the flag. Senate this time. Sen. Charles Walker before his favorite color became orange. There's young Sonny just after he placed an R next to his name. Pretty emotional speeches all around.
* Ricky Bevington and her BOOK OF DOOM! She's back! And she's in the studio. Nancy Grace must have finally finished up. We're getting federal funds to save the Eastern Indigo Snake. It's the largest snake in North America. Didn't know that.
* They are hustling to the end. We're motoring towards the climax. But for now, that's a wrap!
Sunday, April 25, 2010
Gonzo Lawmakers - Day 35
A daily recap of the Georgia Public Broadcasting show "Lawmakers". The show airs weekdays at 7:00pm with a replay at 5:30am the following weekday.
Day 35
Originally aired on April 13, 2010
* Moving closer to the present.
* Susan is back on the set.
* 2011 budget passes out of the the House Appropriations committee. $17.8 billion. That's $5 billion less than the peak from three years ago. The House still has a problem with the insurance premium tax cut over in the Senate. Beardless Ben Harbin is explaining why.
* Harbin raises the specter of special session.
* The Macon county delegation figured out a way to use Macon hotel tax to support the Music Hall of Fame. They amended the hotel tax that supports the Georgia Dome. Sen. Cecil Staton is saying they are just as important to Macon as the bigger things in Atlanta.
* Blue alert passed the House. When somebody shoots a copy, it will be activated.
*Scowling House Clerks! The streak continues! Although Scowly Red was hiding.
* Of course, Bobby Franklin is against it. He thinks cops wouldn't wanted to be distracted from saving lives. What? He's so weird.
* Camera switch stuck. We got a little extra time of Nwandi blankly smiling into the camera.
* Something about bonds in the House. This gives Wendell Willard an opportunity to use his superpower "droning monotone" to put everyone to sleep. Even Scowly Red appears groggy.
* The Senate has to have its say in Oxendine's statement that he won't implement the Federal healthcare. Nan Orrock, I think she's setting a record for getting on camera, Steve Thompson is going to get jealous, is saying be very careful about how we choose our leaders.
* John Douglas, who hasn't been nearly as crazy this session, compares it to buying car insurance after you've had a wreck. He calls it a hare-brained scheme. Welcome back, ol' John.
* Sen. David Shafer, who has been nearly invisible this session, although that will soon change, is talking about some regulatory bill involving the cable companies.
* Transportation! Do we get shots of the Downtown Connector? Cue the b-roll! No b-roll? I've noticed there are far fewer shots out and about this season. More budget tightening?
* Jesse Jackson visited the Senate. Casey said he was honored to introduce him. Wonder if he took a shot of castor oil before saying that. This is about C-TRAN being shut down. A chance for some cheap publicity and Jesse Jackson shows up? Imagine that.
* Earnest Dan Weber! He's in a committee about charter schools. And he's literally towering over the committe. Dan knows these education issues inside out. Dan looks tired. He's threatened to retire before. I wonder if he's on the verge again.
* Lawmakers Flashback! Its the floor fight on the flag. Then Governor Barnes went to the extraordinary measure of addressing the House before the debate began. I understand what Roy was trying to do, but gawd, that was an ugly flag. Tom Murphy looks like he's gearing up for a war. They had scowling house clerks back then too! Lord, Austin Scott was young. He defended the new flag. He's been a man of principle from the very beginning.
* Ricky Bevington continues to be absent. She's out looking for more DOOM. Here's John Nelson again. Lake Lanier is close to reaching full pool. John is awfully perky.
* Tomorrow, the 2011 budget on the House floor. But for now, that's a wrap!
Day 35
Originally aired on April 13, 2010
* Moving closer to the present.
* Susan is back on the set.
* 2011 budget passes out of the the House Appropriations committee. $17.8 billion. That's $5 billion less than the peak from three years ago. The House still has a problem with the insurance premium tax cut over in the Senate. Beardless Ben Harbin is explaining why.
* Harbin raises the specter of special session.
* The Macon county delegation figured out a way to use Macon hotel tax to support the Music Hall of Fame. They amended the hotel tax that supports the Georgia Dome. Sen. Cecil Staton is saying they are just as important to Macon as the bigger things in Atlanta.
* Blue alert passed the House. When somebody shoots a copy, it will be activated.
*Scowling House Clerks! The streak continues! Although Scowly Red was hiding.
* Of course, Bobby Franklin is against it. He thinks cops wouldn't wanted to be distracted from saving lives. What? He's so weird.
* Camera switch stuck. We got a little extra time of Nwandi blankly smiling into the camera.
* Something about bonds in the House. This gives Wendell Willard an opportunity to use his superpower "droning monotone" to put everyone to sleep. Even Scowly Red appears groggy.
* The Senate has to have its say in Oxendine's statement that he won't implement the Federal healthcare. Nan Orrock, I think she's setting a record for getting on camera, Steve Thompson is going to get jealous, is saying be very careful about how we choose our leaders.
* John Douglas, who hasn't been nearly as crazy this session, compares it to buying car insurance after you've had a wreck. He calls it a hare-brained scheme. Welcome back, ol' John.
* Sen. David Shafer, who has been nearly invisible this session, although that will soon change, is talking about some regulatory bill involving the cable companies.
* Transportation! Do we get shots of the Downtown Connector? Cue the b-roll! No b-roll? I've noticed there are far fewer shots out and about this season. More budget tightening?
* Jesse Jackson visited the Senate. Casey said he was honored to introduce him. Wonder if he took a shot of castor oil before saying that. This is about C-TRAN being shut down. A chance for some cheap publicity and Jesse Jackson shows up? Imagine that.
* Earnest Dan Weber! He's in a committee about charter schools. And he's literally towering over the committe. Dan knows these education issues inside out. Dan looks tired. He's threatened to retire before. I wonder if he's on the verge again.
* Lawmakers Flashback! Its the floor fight on the flag. Then Governor Barnes went to the extraordinary measure of addressing the House before the debate began. I understand what Roy was trying to do, but gawd, that was an ugly flag. Tom Murphy looks like he's gearing up for a war. They had scowling house clerks back then too! Lord, Austin Scott was young. He defended the new flag. He's been a man of principle from the very beginning.
* Ricky Bevington continues to be absent. She's out looking for more DOOM. Here's John Nelson again. Lake Lanier is close to reaching full pool. John is awfully perky.
* Tomorrow, the 2011 budget on the House floor. But for now, that's a wrap!
Thursday, April 22, 2010
Gonzo Lawmakers - Day 34
A daily recap of the Georgia Public Broadcasting show "Lawmakers". The show airs weekdays at 7:00pm with a replay at 5:30am the following weekday.
Day 34
Originally aired April 12, 2010
* We are rapidly approaching the present.
* Susan is live from the newsroom. Lawmakers has a newsroom?
* This is the first day back from the spring break recess.
* Three Senators were stripped of their committee chairs because of their votes on the hospital tax. And this caused Preston Smith to.....lose it.
* Preston Smith is in the well and he is letting loose.
* Wow! Casey just gaveled to interrupt the speech and ordered Smith to "tell the truth'! This is as ugly as the south end of a north bound mule.
* Jack Hill is defending the tax saying its the only way to balance the budget.
* Chip Rogers is pleading that there are tax cuts in the thing so it's okay.
* House leader Jerry Keen is saying the tax cuts haven't been vetted and may be ruled not germane. As people have previously said, this was the day the Republicans down at Hogwarts formed the circular firing squad.
* Jerry is explaining why they may have to pass the budget without solving the problem. It's about the timing and the slowness of the Senate. Either they pass it out Wednesday or the Senate won't be able to vote on it until Day 39.
* Insurance Commissioner John Oxendine is postuing that he may not execute the Federal healthcare plan. Says it might not be constitutional. Couldn't have anything to do with his running for Governor.
* Dubose Porter, also running for Governor, accuses Ox of grandstanding.
* Senate passed anti-gang legislation. It adds new punishment for those involved in gang activity. Dick Williams and the Georgia Gang had no comment.
* Some property transfer house cleaning. But there's something about leasing a prison in Baldwin County to a private company for $10.
* Scowling House Clerks! The streak continues!
* Ben Harbin found his razor. Make up your mind, Ben. Goatee or no goatee.
* Our service personnel are going to be able to vote using the internet. This is a pilot program.
* Susan is talking about some medical board thingie and I have no idea what she's talking about. I don't think she does either. It has something to do with procedures being done in offices instead of the hospital.
* Chip Rogers trying to explain that letting us vote on the new transportation bill in November would be "perilous". Foreshadowing.
* Project Tom Crawford! We're back in small town mortician mode. You know. I've seen Tom were some snazzy sweaters and such while swilling beer at Manuel's. I don't understand why the man feels compelled to dress like he's in a 50's sit-com while at Hogwarts.
* Sen. Don Thomas, precious little nanny stater, pick up seat belt bill finally passed out of House committee. The little old codger looks happier than a retiree at the Denny's early bird special.
* Lawmaker Flashback! The flag bill! Calvin Smyre looks like he's going to vomit as he anncounces the bill the committee is taking up. Denmark Groover made an appearance. He was one of the people who originally put the battle emblem on the state flag. He came out of retirement to beg it be changed. You could hear a pin drop in this committee. This was serious business back then.
* State troopers cars are going to change color? Jill Chambers wants to make them solid colors to save money. Sen. Bill Jaclson says there's nothing prettier than a GSP care. Wonder if he's married and what his wife thinks about that. Chambers says it would allow them to buy three or four more cars.
* Ricky Bevington is on assignment. Taking the BOOK OF DOOM is John Nelson. He normally hosts Prep Sports+ which is an awesome show. Outside monitors will observe the CRCT. Ben Roethlisbeger escapes rape charges. John says follow GPB on twitter with that "little @ sign". He waved his hand around to demonstrate the @ sign.
* Budget tomorrow. But for now, that's a wrap!
Day 34
Originally aired April 12, 2010
* We are rapidly approaching the present.
* Susan is live from the newsroom. Lawmakers has a newsroom?
* This is the first day back from the spring break recess.
* Three Senators were stripped of their committee chairs because of their votes on the hospital tax. And this caused Preston Smith to.....lose it.
* Preston Smith is in the well and he is letting loose.
* Wow! Casey just gaveled to interrupt the speech and ordered Smith to "tell the truth'! This is as ugly as the south end of a north bound mule.
* Jack Hill is defending the tax saying its the only way to balance the budget.
* Chip Rogers is pleading that there are tax cuts in the thing so it's okay.
* House leader Jerry Keen is saying the tax cuts haven't been vetted and may be ruled not germane. As people have previously said, this was the day the Republicans down at Hogwarts formed the circular firing squad.
* Jerry is explaining why they may have to pass the budget without solving the problem. It's about the timing and the slowness of the Senate. Either they pass it out Wednesday or the Senate won't be able to vote on it until Day 39.
* Insurance Commissioner John Oxendine is postuing that he may not execute the Federal healthcare plan. Says it might not be constitutional. Couldn't have anything to do with his running for Governor.
* Dubose Porter, also running for Governor, accuses Ox of grandstanding.
* Senate passed anti-gang legislation. It adds new punishment for those involved in gang activity. Dick Williams and the Georgia Gang had no comment.
* Some property transfer house cleaning. But there's something about leasing a prison in Baldwin County to a private company for $10.
* Scowling House Clerks! The streak continues!
* Ben Harbin found his razor. Make up your mind, Ben. Goatee or no goatee.
* Our service personnel are going to be able to vote using the internet. This is a pilot program.
* Susan is talking about some medical board thingie and I have no idea what she's talking about. I don't think she does either. It has something to do with procedures being done in offices instead of the hospital.
* Chip Rogers trying to explain that letting us vote on the new transportation bill in November would be "perilous". Foreshadowing.
* Project Tom Crawford! We're back in small town mortician mode. You know. I've seen Tom were some snazzy sweaters and such while swilling beer at Manuel's. I don't understand why the man feels compelled to dress like he's in a 50's sit-com while at Hogwarts.
* Sen. Don Thomas, precious little nanny stater, pick up seat belt bill finally passed out of House committee. The little old codger looks happier than a retiree at the Denny's early bird special.
* Lawmaker Flashback! The flag bill! Calvin Smyre looks like he's going to vomit as he anncounces the bill the committee is taking up. Denmark Groover made an appearance. He was one of the people who originally put the battle emblem on the state flag. He came out of retirement to beg it be changed. You could hear a pin drop in this committee. This was serious business back then.
* State troopers cars are going to change color? Jill Chambers wants to make them solid colors to save money. Sen. Bill Jaclson says there's nothing prettier than a GSP care. Wonder if he's married and what his wife thinks about that. Chambers says it would allow them to buy three or four more cars.
* Ricky Bevington is on assignment. Taking the BOOK OF DOOM is John Nelson. He normally hosts Prep Sports+ which is an awesome show. Outside monitors will observe the CRCT. Ben Roethlisbeger escapes rape charges. John says follow GPB on twitter with that "little @ sign". He waved his hand around to demonstrate the @ sign.
* Budget tomorrow. But for now, that's a wrap!
Tuesday, April 20, 2010
Gonzo Lawmakers - Day 33
A daily recap of the Georgia Public Broadcasting show "Lawmakers". The show airs weekdays at 7:00pm with a replay at 5:30am the following weekday.
Day 33
Originally aired April 1, 2010
*April Fools! The journey through time continues and the present is starting to creep closer.
* Nwandi is already at Hogwarts. No Valarie again. I suppose it's time I let the cat out of the bag. Before the end of the session, Valarie was let go. I don't have any details because she didn't provide any in the lovely email she sent me.
* End of the week means Project Tom Crawford!
* Hospital tax is still on the floor. The Senate is the hotbed of action. Poor Preston Smith. But more on that later.
* First up. The man who always finds the teevee - Sen. Steve Thompson. He's blasting the thing for hurting the poor and the young. Want anyone think of the children!
* Sen. Ross Tolleson, a Republican, is actually saying it's not a tax. Jumping Jehosophat! He just said its the job of the U.S. Congress to stimulate the economy! Did someone loose an ether cloud in the chamber?
* Susan tells us Senate Bill 17 is the ethics bill to watch. It passed out of House committee today.
*Something called Common Cause, i.e. lobbyist for stronger ethics laws against lobbyists which is really funny in an insider kind of way, thinks it doesn't go far enough.
* Two of my favorites, Vincent Fort and Dan Weber, went toe to toe on waivers for class size. Fort wants it the waiver voted on every year. Weber wants it through 2012. Earnest Dan Weber says every school board under God's creation wants his version.
* The House only took up one bill on the day. Can you spell L-A-Z-Y. I knew you could.
* Ben Harbin's faux goatee is back. Grow it in Ben! Come to the dark side.
* Scowling House Clerks! The streak continues. It was a close one with only one House bill on the docket. But I saw Scowly Red peeking from behind one of the computers. I think she winked at me.
* Nwandi is joined by Negative Nellie Allan Essig of the Georgia Budget & Policy Institute. Apparently the hospital tax just passed. The jobs bill the Republicans were trying to tie to the tax bill passed separately.
* The jobs bill cuts the capital gains tax. Of course, Negative Nellie hates that! He just ran around like a chicken screaming "not fiscally responsible! not fiscally responsible!". Well. Not really. But that image is going to stick with you a while.
* State workers can't double dip. No Dairy Queen for you! Actually, it prevents recent retirees from being promptly rehired as a consultant. Trust me on this, it happens all the time and it's quite the grift.
* Increase in the sentence for harming officers of the court passed out of Senate committee. All the result of the heinous Brian Nichols killings from a few years ago.
* Susan got caught staring into space and had to explain what an "outtag" is.
* Project Tom Crawford! Does this man own anything that isn't earth tone? Come on, Tom! Snazz it up with a Jerry Garcia tie! Something! Anything! Even morticians are crying.
* More resolutions urging the Attorney General to challenge the Federal healthcare bill. They have way too much time on their hand.
* Lawmakers Flashback! First appearance of David Zelski! He's talking about silly laws on the books in honor of April Fools. If you've ever watched Georgia Traveller, Zelski is a total goof ball. He just called some dude on the street "stupid". Now, he has women with ice cream in their back pockets. But it's only illegal on Sunday so they are okay. Now, he has a dog dressed like a donkey in a bathtub. Now, rubber chickens. They must have cleaned out the prop closet. I wonder whose poor dog that was in the bathtub.
* Oh lord. This was blogger day at the Capitol. Rep. Steve Davis (R-Loves Pavement) sponsored a resolution honoring Georgia's bloggers. And there's our old friend Jason Pye! And there's Dustin Baker of galiberal. And of course, the blogger who shall not be named. The reason? He didn't pay me enough to mention him.
* Ricky Bevington and her BOOK OF DOOM! She's says she's not blogging because she's the real deal. Et tu, Ricky? No coverage for you!
* Busy episode. Good thing they have spring break to rest up. For now, that's a wrap.
Day 33
Originally aired April 1, 2010
*April Fools! The journey through time continues and the present is starting to creep closer.
* Nwandi is already at Hogwarts. No Valarie again. I suppose it's time I let the cat out of the bag. Before the end of the session, Valarie was let go. I don't have any details because she didn't provide any in the lovely email she sent me.
* End of the week means Project Tom Crawford!
* Hospital tax is still on the floor. The Senate is the hotbed of action. Poor Preston Smith. But more on that later.
* First up. The man who always finds the teevee - Sen. Steve Thompson. He's blasting the thing for hurting the poor and the young. Want anyone think of the children!
* Sen. Ross Tolleson, a Republican, is actually saying it's not a tax. Jumping Jehosophat! He just said its the job of the U.S. Congress to stimulate the economy! Did someone loose an ether cloud in the chamber?
* Susan tells us Senate Bill 17 is the ethics bill to watch. It passed out of House committee today.
*Something called Common Cause, i.e. lobbyist for stronger ethics laws against lobbyists which is really funny in an insider kind of way, thinks it doesn't go far enough.
* Two of my favorites, Vincent Fort and Dan Weber, went toe to toe on waivers for class size. Fort wants it the waiver voted on every year. Weber wants it through 2012. Earnest Dan Weber says every school board under God's creation wants his version.
* The House only took up one bill on the day. Can you spell L-A-Z-Y. I knew you could.
* Ben Harbin's faux goatee is back. Grow it in Ben! Come to the dark side.
* Scowling House Clerks! The streak continues. It was a close one with only one House bill on the docket. But I saw Scowly Red peeking from behind one of the computers. I think she winked at me.
* Nwandi is joined by Negative Nellie Allan Essig of the Georgia Budget & Policy Institute. Apparently the hospital tax just passed. The jobs bill the Republicans were trying to tie to the tax bill passed separately.
* The jobs bill cuts the capital gains tax. Of course, Negative Nellie hates that! He just ran around like a chicken screaming "not fiscally responsible! not fiscally responsible!". Well. Not really. But that image is going to stick with you a while.
* State workers can't double dip. No Dairy Queen for you! Actually, it prevents recent retirees from being promptly rehired as a consultant. Trust me on this, it happens all the time and it's quite the grift.
* Increase in the sentence for harming officers of the court passed out of Senate committee. All the result of the heinous Brian Nichols killings from a few years ago.
* Susan got caught staring into space and had to explain what an "outtag" is.
* Project Tom Crawford! Does this man own anything that isn't earth tone? Come on, Tom! Snazz it up with a Jerry Garcia tie! Something! Anything! Even morticians are crying.
* More resolutions urging the Attorney General to challenge the Federal healthcare bill. They have way too much time on their hand.
* Lawmakers Flashback! First appearance of David Zelski! He's talking about silly laws on the books in honor of April Fools. If you've ever watched Georgia Traveller, Zelski is a total goof ball. He just called some dude on the street "stupid". Now, he has women with ice cream in their back pockets. But it's only illegal on Sunday so they are okay. Now, he has a dog dressed like a donkey in a bathtub. Now, rubber chickens. They must have cleaned out the prop closet. I wonder whose poor dog that was in the bathtub.
* Oh lord. This was blogger day at the Capitol. Rep. Steve Davis (R-Loves Pavement) sponsored a resolution honoring Georgia's bloggers. And there's our old friend Jason Pye! And there's Dustin Baker of galiberal. And of course, the blogger who shall not be named. The reason? He didn't pay me enough to mention him.
* Ricky Bevington and her BOOK OF DOOM! She's says she's not blogging because she's the real deal. Et tu, Ricky? No coverage for you!
* Busy episode. Good thing they have spring break to rest up. For now, that's a wrap.
Gonzo Lawmakers - Day 32
A daily recap of the Georgia Public Broadcasting show "Lawmakers". The show airs weekdays at 7:00pm with a replay at 5:30am the following weekday.
Day 32
Originally aired on March 31, 2010
* The pursuit of real time continues
* It's supposed to be a slow day, so expect a lot of filler.
* The bed tax will be up in the senate tomorrow. Three weeks ago. Whatever. Poor Preston Smith. But more about that later.
* Jerry Keen, who will later announce his retirement, is hoping they pass all the House tax goodies. Strange how through the prism of time travel those events seem conveniently related.
* Democrats are still fighting the combining of the bed tax and the jobs bill. It only takes a majority in the Senate to pass a tax increase? Given how many idiotic things require a super-majority how is this possible?
* More about the Race To The Top silliness. We finished third in the Federal program. Unfortunately, they only pay win and show.
* And there's a Republican defending the attempted sucking of the Federal teat. Imagine that! Charlie Crist did that down in Florida and now might as well be wearing the sackcloth of a leper.
* Scowling House Clerks! The streak continues. But where's Scowly Red? She may have flown off in a rage.
* They expanded the definition of textbook. As silly as it sounds, definitions are often the keys to understanding the silly laws they pass. This will allow school systems to use book funds to by digital reading devices.
* Sen. Don Thomas, the most precious nanny stater in the Senate, wants to make sure pharmacists tell us when they use a generic instead of a brand name. Why? I have no idea.
* Peddlers licenses? How antiquated! It's about the disabled people running the snack bars in government buildings. The one at the Department of Labor was quite a trip. Wonder if he's still around.
* Both House and Senate passed bills banning synthetic marijuana. And I type this on 4-20. The universe has a wicked sense of humor.
* Rep. Billy Mitchell is trying to commend AG Thurbert Baker for his independence. The hair had no comment.
* Lawmakers Flashback! It's early in this episode. 1998 again and we get to see a young, fresh Susan Hoffman. Nice hair-do! She liked to grill the scoundrels all the way back then. She's now talking to Democrat Sonny Perdue. Sonny is blasting the Republicans for being obstructionists. Good times. Good times.
* Susan is thanking the editor for cutting an apparent faux pas she made back in the day.
* Oh, we're getting another flashback later! Now that's filler I can get behind!
* Keocia at Hogwarts following up on her earlier zero tolerance stories. Where's Valerie? Two episode in a row without her. Hmmmm. More about that later.
* They are showing practically an entire committee meeting. Fill, baby, fill!
* Leadership series. It's the House Democratic Whip. They're running out of people to interview.
* Opt out of the Healthcare bill passed out of committee. Shots of people in white coats, of course. Of course if this thing passes, the courts are going to gut it. But don't tell the sponsor. He rates the chances of it standing the test as moderate or better. And these are the people who write your laws. No wonder we're so screwed up.
*Lawmaker Flashback number 2! A younger David Ralston leaving the Senate for his hopeless attempt at Attorney General. He hasn't changed much. Aged quite well. Must be all that mountain air. "Always maintain the Senate position". HAH! Funny now that he's over in the other chamber.
* Nwandi can't resist a jab about maintaining the Senate position.
* Democrats want to make Cesar Chavez birthday a national holiday. Roll out the liberal lions. There's Vincent Fort. And Nan Orrock. Stephanie Benefield must have been stuck in committee.
* Ricky Bevington and her BOOK OF DOOM! Mixed reaction to President Obama's decision to open drilling off the coast. Environmentalists are "sickened". I'm sure they were just vomitous. Savannah is getting its first black police chief. Ricky got a little choked up there. Must be the gag reflex to delivering good news.
* Tomorrow's day promises to be busier, but for now, that's a wrap!
Day 32
Originally aired on March 31, 2010
* The pursuit of real time continues
* It's supposed to be a slow day, so expect a lot of filler.
* The bed tax will be up in the senate tomorrow. Three weeks ago. Whatever. Poor Preston Smith. But more about that later.
* Jerry Keen, who will later announce his retirement, is hoping they pass all the House tax goodies. Strange how through the prism of time travel those events seem conveniently related.
* Democrats are still fighting the combining of the bed tax and the jobs bill. It only takes a majority in the Senate to pass a tax increase? Given how many idiotic things require a super-majority how is this possible?
* More about the Race To The Top silliness. We finished third in the Federal program. Unfortunately, they only pay win and show.
* And there's a Republican defending the attempted sucking of the Federal teat. Imagine that! Charlie Crist did that down in Florida and now might as well be wearing the sackcloth of a leper.
* Scowling House Clerks! The streak continues. But where's Scowly Red? She may have flown off in a rage.
* They expanded the definition of textbook. As silly as it sounds, definitions are often the keys to understanding the silly laws they pass. This will allow school systems to use book funds to by digital reading devices.
* Sen. Don Thomas, the most precious nanny stater in the Senate, wants to make sure pharmacists tell us when they use a generic instead of a brand name. Why? I have no idea.
* Peddlers licenses? How antiquated! It's about the disabled people running the snack bars in government buildings. The one at the Department of Labor was quite a trip. Wonder if he's still around.
* Both House and Senate passed bills banning synthetic marijuana. And I type this on 4-20. The universe has a wicked sense of humor.
* Rep. Billy Mitchell is trying to commend AG Thurbert Baker for his independence. The hair had no comment.
* Lawmakers Flashback! It's early in this episode. 1998 again and we get to see a young, fresh Susan Hoffman. Nice hair-do! She liked to grill the scoundrels all the way back then. She's now talking to Democrat Sonny Perdue. Sonny is blasting the Republicans for being obstructionists. Good times. Good times.
* Susan is thanking the editor for cutting an apparent faux pas she made back in the day.
* Oh, we're getting another flashback later! Now that's filler I can get behind!
* Keocia at Hogwarts following up on her earlier zero tolerance stories. Where's Valerie? Two episode in a row without her. Hmmmm. More about that later.
* They are showing practically an entire committee meeting. Fill, baby, fill!
* Leadership series. It's the House Democratic Whip. They're running out of people to interview.
* Opt out of the Healthcare bill passed out of committee. Shots of people in white coats, of course. Of course if this thing passes, the courts are going to gut it. But don't tell the sponsor. He rates the chances of it standing the test as moderate or better. And these are the people who write your laws. No wonder we're so screwed up.
*Lawmaker Flashback number 2! A younger David Ralston leaving the Senate for his hopeless attempt at Attorney General. He hasn't changed much. Aged quite well. Must be all that mountain air. "Always maintain the Senate position". HAH! Funny now that he's over in the other chamber.
* Nwandi can't resist a jab about maintaining the Senate position.
* Democrats want to make Cesar Chavez birthday a national holiday. Roll out the liberal lions. There's Vincent Fort. And Nan Orrock. Stephanie Benefield must have been stuck in committee.
* Ricky Bevington and her BOOK OF DOOM! Mixed reaction to President Obama's decision to open drilling off the coast. Environmentalists are "sickened". I'm sure they were just vomitous. Savannah is getting its first black police chief. Ricky got a little choked up there. Must be the gag reflex to delivering good news.
* Tomorrow's day promises to be busier, but for now, that's a wrap!
Monday, April 19, 2010
Gonzo Lawmakers - Day 31
A daily recap of the Georgia Public Broadcasting show "Lawmakers". The show airs weekdays at 7:00pm with a replay at 5:30am the following weekday.
Day 31
Originally aired March 30, 2010
* The long journey continues. They only have four days left and I am six behind. Can I catch up before they finish?
* Hospital tax. So much has happened since that time it almost seems pointless to cover this now. Poor Preston Smith. But more about that later.
* Shot of both Tom Baxter and Tom Crawford frantically scribbling. It's a Tom quinella!
* The House is holding the budget up while they figure this mess out. They are trying to tie the jobs bill with the hospital tax to make it more "palatable".
* Rep. Mark Hatfield's resolution to impeach AG Thurbert Baker. This went nowhere but it should be entertaining. Not only does he want him impeached but believes it will prevent him from running for governor.
* Susan's challenging Rep. Butt-Up-His-Rear pretty hard.
* Thurbert's hair makes an appearance. The hair doesn't appeared worried. It shouldn't be.
* Transportation and that means shots of the Downtown Connector and Valarie at Hogwarts? No Valarie. Hmmmmm. Insterad we get more of the Senate Republican Press Conference.
* Chyron says "Stays Alive". Cue the BeeGees.
* Another shot of reporters frantically scribbling. It's the only excitement on this day.
* Scowling House Clerks! The streak continues!
* Clarify school bus behavior. Blah blah blah. Scowly Red looks particularly put off today. It's been a long session.
* Mike Jacobs tried to attach his bullying bill. Trying to end around the cross over day rule. He was successful! But now it has to go back to the Senate.
* We lost the Race to the Top federal education funding program. And Democrat Kathy Ashe ain't too happy about it.
* Oh lord, it's the English only Drivers License bill. Sen. Jack Murphy, he who doesn't understand traffic signs come in different shapes and colors, is making his usual arguments. Ain't flying with liberal lion Nan Orrock. She's saying being an international city, it sends the wrong message.
* Looks like the sucker is going to pass. Welcome to Georgia, furrerners! Yeehaw!
* Senate wants to pass a resolution saying the Feds shouldn't pass cap and trade due to "science that has been called into question". Damn the scientists and the furrerners! Let's bring back the old flag, too. YEEHAW!
* Of course none of it is binding. What a waste of time.
* Interior designers and home builders are fighting. Someone call Tim Gunn to referee!
* This is some ridiculous clean up bill. Which means Steve Thompson (D-Loves The Camera) feels the need to say something useless.
* Poor murdered Nancy Shafer was memorialized on the Senate floor. She's being remembered by Sen. John Douglas. And that's all I'm going to say about that.
* Project Tom Crawford! He has found a shade of gray not known to man. And he's covered himself in it. The Army should hire Tom to design camoflauge as he is very adept at blending into the marble background.
* Milton County creation failed in the House on crossover day. That got lost in the wash.
* Jennifer Nettles was honored in the House and she's taking up the cause for 4-H. She's quite entertaining. She's from Coffee County? Didn't know that. I always thought she had a south Georgia accent.
* Lawmaker Flashback! Sen. Abernathy's censure over possessing weed! WHOO BOY! He was returning from Jamaica and they found it in his underwear. You just can't make this stuff up. Lots of talk of forgiveness and God. Hunter S. Thompson once said, "when they come for me and I start talking about God, you'll know they've really got me".
* Sen. Tommie Williams just can't let the abortion bill passed by the Senate go. And of course, he's tying it socialism. As in "as we move towards socialism". Nope. Not crazy at all.
* It was 911 Appreciation Day. Lara Fawaz has the story. Some young ginger headed boy is getting a medal. Young'uns that used 911 to save somebody's life.
* Ricky Bevington and her BOOK OF DOOM! Nathan Deal ain't happy about the release of his ethics report. Where there's smoke there's fire. Or in this case where there's garbage, there's a smell. Barrow County has a gang problem. In case you didn't know, Barrow is not inside the falling apart inside the perimeter of Atlanta.
* Tomorrow is an abbreviated legislative day in the Senate which means more filler! But for now, that's a wrap!
Day 31
Originally aired March 30, 2010
* The long journey continues. They only have four days left and I am six behind. Can I catch up before they finish?
* Hospital tax. So much has happened since that time it almost seems pointless to cover this now. Poor Preston Smith. But more about that later.
* Shot of both Tom Baxter and Tom Crawford frantically scribbling. It's a Tom quinella!
* The House is holding the budget up while they figure this mess out. They are trying to tie the jobs bill with the hospital tax to make it more "palatable".
* Rep. Mark Hatfield's resolution to impeach AG Thurbert Baker. This went nowhere but it should be entertaining. Not only does he want him impeached but believes it will prevent him from running for governor.
* Susan's challenging Rep. Butt-Up-His-Rear pretty hard.
* Thurbert's hair makes an appearance. The hair doesn't appeared worried. It shouldn't be.
* Transportation and that means shots of the Downtown Connector and Valarie at Hogwarts? No Valarie. Hmmmmm. Insterad we get more of the Senate Republican Press Conference.
* Chyron says "Stays Alive". Cue the BeeGees.
* Another shot of reporters frantically scribbling. It's the only excitement on this day.
* Scowling House Clerks! The streak continues!
* Clarify school bus behavior. Blah blah blah. Scowly Red looks particularly put off today. It's been a long session.
* Mike Jacobs tried to attach his bullying bill. Trying to end around the cross over day rule. He was successful! But now it has to go back to the Senate.
* We lost the Race to the Top federal education funding program. And Democrat Kathy Ashe ain't too happy about it.
* Oh lord, it's the English only Drivers License bill. Sen. Jack Murphy, he who doesn't understand traffic signs come in different shapes and colors, is making his usual arguments. Ain't flying with liberal lion Nan Orrock. She's saying being an international city, it sends the wrong message.
* Looks like the sucker is going to pass. Welcome to Georgia, furrerners! Yeehaw!
* Senate wants to pass a resolution saying the Feds shouldn't pass cap and trade due to "science that has been called into question". Damn the scientists and the furrerners! Let's bring back the old flag, too. YEEHAW!
* Of course none of it is binding. What a waste of time.
* Interior designers and home builders are fighting. Someone call Tim Gunn to referee!
* This is some ridiculous clean up bill. Which means Steve Thompson (D-Loves The Camera) feels the need to say something useless.
* Poor murdered Nancy Shafer was memorialized on the Senate floor. She's being remembered by Sen. John Douglas. And that's all I'm going to say about that.
* Project Tom Crawford! He has found a shade of gray not known to man. And he's covered himself in it. The Army should hire Tom to design camoflauge as he is very adept at blending into the marble background.
* Milton County creation failed in the House on crossover day. That got lost in the wash.
* Jennifer Nettles was honored in the House and she's taking up the cause for 4-H. She's quite entertaining. She's from Coffee County? Didn't know that. I always thought she had a south Georgia accent.
* Lawmaker Flashback! Sen. Abernathy's censure over possessing weed! WHOO BOY! He was returning from Jamaica and they found it in his underwear. You just can't make this stuff up. Lots of talk of forgiveness and God. Hunter S. Thompson once said, "when they come for me and I start talking about God, you'll know they've really got me".
* Sen. Tommie Williams just can't let the abortion bill passed by the Senate go. And of course, he's tying it socialism. As in "as we move towards socialism". Nope. Not crazy at all.
* It was 911 Appreciation Day. Lara Fawaz has the story. Some young ginger headed boy is getting a medal. Young'uns that used 911 to save somebody's life.
* Ricky Bevington and her BOOK OF DOOM! Nathan Deal ain't happy about the release of his ethics report. Where there's smoke there's fire. Or in this case where there's garbage, there's a smell. Barrow County has a gang problem. In case you didn't know, Barrow is not inside the falling apart inside the perimeter of Atlanta.
* Tomorrow is an abbreviated legislative day in the Senate which means more filler! But for now, that's a wrap!
Thursday, April 08, 2010
Gonzo Lawmakers - Day 30
A daily recap of the Georgia Public Broadcasting show "Lawmakers". The show airs weekdays at 7:00pm with a replay at 5:30am the following weekday.
Day 30
*Originally aired on March 30.
* Crossover day! For the uninitiated, this is the last day a bill can pass one of the chambers and survive. It's a big day and a long night.
* The requisite live shot of the ongoing sausage making.
* Susan is live at Hogwarts! The hospital tax passed the House. Goes to the Senate now.
* Scowly House Clerks! The streak continues! They are extra scowly because they know the incessant drivel will not cease spewing for hours.
* Hot lobbyist walking in the background. Thought they got rid of all of those.
*And on cue, Nwandi talks about Glen Richardson and ethics reform.
* Valarie at Hogwarts talking about the House's ethics bill. They changed the name from the Ethics Commission to something about twelve words long. More evidence of Republicans believing in small government.
* Dubose talking about the all the Democrat amendments being shot down. He's talking about being shut out of the process. The irony meter just broke.
* House passed a bunch of fee increases. How many? Susan says 1800! Perhaps we have a few too many fees.
* Democrats railing against tax increases. Sky is yellow and the sun is blue.
* Seriously. 1800 fees. And they even found time to add a few more!
* I hope tonight's flashback features Denmark Groover climbing over the rail to keep the House clock from striking midnight.
* Sen Judson Hill is back with another weird healthcare bill. He's trying to do a Constitutional end around by requiring state agencies to report any new requirements to the General Assembly before they can be implemented. Surely this can't be Constitutional.
* Democrat Robert Brown is preachin'. "I wonder why President Obama is such a saint in the classroom and a sinner in the hospital room".
* Austin Scott, running for Governor and usually a reasonable guy, has a resolution requiring the Attorney General to file suit against federal healthcare. He's a really good guy, but he gets one of the crazy resolution hairs in an uncomfortable place every session.
* This gives Dubose Porter, also running for Governor, a chance to pounce again.
* Abortion bill in the Senate! This is the one where its illegal for a doctor to perform the operation if he or she has knowledge the woman was coerced. Or if its based on gender or race. You've heard all these arguments before. Safe. Rare. Costly lawsuits. Privacy. It passed.
* Chip Rogers says clearly coercion should be outlawed. Question. How are they defining coercion? And how the hell do you enforce this? Don't the cops already have enough to do?
* Larry O'Neal wants tax reform. So do I. But do you really think a state with 1800 fees is serious about tax reform?
* Steve Thompson is nattering on again. They are arguing over sales tax on internet sales. The Republicans are trying to offer a carrot of some sort to get them to voluntarily collect the tax. Um, okay.
* Susan has to issue a correction about her report about naming of parks. Apparently, private companies don't get to name parks. And I was looking forward to Amia-Coca-cola State Part.
* Project Tom Crawford! Lord have mercy, I didn't think it was possible to combine that many earth tones. He kind of looks like a mud puddle on a dirt road.
* Senate passed a needs based version of the HOPE grant. Of course, there's no funding for this good deed.
* Valarie again. With transportation as usual. It's the smack the DOT board bill. It allows a way to recall DOT board members. And here's Steve Thompson again. He's like a moth to a bug zapper.
* I see a blogger who I shall not name in the background of the shot.
* We're almost at 30 minutes and no flashback. There may be no time for such fancies on crossover day.
* Ricky Bevington and her BOOK OF DOOM! Beach High School in Savannah fired practically every teacher on the campus. And there's Nwandi's hand giving the classic hurry the hell up sign. Ricky flies through some mess about Thurbert Baker.
* Final shot is of the live House Session and Scowly Red is gazing over her domain with lazer eyes. What a way to end the week. Things will calm down again for a while, so for now, that's a wrap!
Day 30
*Originally aired on March 30.
* Crossover day! For the uninitiated, this is the last day a bill can pass one of the chambers and survive. It's a big day and a long night.
* The requisite live shot of the ongoing sausage making.
* Susan is live at Hogwarts! The hospital tax passed the House. Goes to the Senate now.
* Scowly House Clerks! The streak continues! They are extra scowly because they know the incessant drivel will not cease spewing for hours.
* Hot lobbyist walking in the background. Thought they got rid of all of those.
*And on cue, Nwandi talks about Glen Richardson and ethics reform.
* Valarie at Hogwarts talking about the House's ethics bill. They changed the name from the Ethics Commission to something about twelve words long. More evidence of Republicans believing in small government.
* Dubose talking about the all the Democrat amendments being shot down. He's talking about being shut out of the process. The irony meter just broke.
* House passed a bunch of fee increases. How many? Susan says 1800! Perhaps we have a few too many fees.
* Democrats railing against tax increases. Sky is yellow and the sun is blue.
* Seriously. 1800 fees. And they even found time to add a few more!
* I hope tonight's flashback features Denmark Groover climbing over the rail to keep the House clock from striking midnight.
* Sen Judson Hill is back with another weird healthcare bill. He's trying to do a Constitutional end around by requiring state agencies to report any new requirements to the General Assembly before they can be implemented. Surely this can't be Constitutional.
* Democrat Robert Brown is preachin'. "I wonder why President Obama is such a saint in the classroom and a sinner in the hospital room".
* Austin Scott, running for Governor and usually a reasonable guy, has a resolution requiring the Attorney General to file suit against federal healthcare. He's a really good guy, but he gets one of the crazy resolution hairs in an uncomfortable place every session.
* This gives Dubose Porter, also running for Governor, a chance to pounce again.
* Abortion bill in the Senate! This is the one where its illegal for a doctor to perform the operation if he or she has knowledge the woman was coerced. Or if its based on gender or race. You've heard all these arguments before. Safe. Rare. Costly lawsuits. Privacy. It passed.
* Chip Rogers says clearly coercion should be outlawed. Question. How are they defining coercion? And how the hell do you enforce this? Don't the cops already have enough to do?
* Larry O'Neal wants tax reform. So do I. But do you really think a state with 1800 fees is serious about tax reform?
* Steve Thompson is nattering on again. They are arguing over sales tax on internet sales. The Republicans are trying to offer a carrot of some sort to get them to voluntarily collect the tax. Um, okay.
* Susan has to issue a correction about her report about naming of parks. Apparently, private companies don't get to name parks. And I was looking forward to Amia-Coca-cola State Part.
* Project Tom Crawford! Lord have mercy, I didn't think it was possible to combine that many earth tones. He kind of looks like a mud puddle on a dirt road.
* Senate passed a needs based version of the HOPE grant. Of course, there's no funding for this good deed.
* Valarie again. With transportation as usual. It's the smack the DOT board bill. It allows a way to recall DOT board members. And here's Steve Thompson again. He's like a moth to a bug zapper.
* I see a blogger who I shall not name in the background of the shot.
* We're almost at 30 minutes and no flashback. There may be no time for such fancies on crossover day.
* Ricky Bevington and her BOOK OF DOOM! Beach High School in Savannah fired practically every teacher on the campus. And there's Nwandi's hand giving the classic hurry the hell up sign. Ricky flies through some mess about Thurbert Baker.
* Final shot is of the live House Session and Scowly Red is gazing over her domain with lazer eyes. What a way to end the week. Things will calm down again for a while, so for now, that's a wrap!
Gonzo Lawmakers - Day 29
A daily recap of the Georgia Public Broadcasting show "Lawmakers". The show airs weekdays at 7:00pm with a replay at 5:30am the following weekday.
Day 29
*Originally broadcast on March 24th. Crossover day approaches!
* We start with live shots of both chambers. They always work late as crossover day approaches
* The Guv is gittin' hisself a personal prosecutor to sue over Federal healthcare since AG Baker said he wouldn't do it.
* First time we've seen Thurbert and his "hair" this session. Repeating that the thing is not viable and costly.
* Speaker Ralston has some eager young aide behind furiously nodding as he says we're going to pursue other options.
* Guv mouthpiece Bert Brantley is wearing a tie! I was beginning to wonder if he owned one. He claims the suit won't cost the state anything as lawyers have volunteered to work for free.
* Dubose Porter slamming the Guv for trying to distract from all the problems. Need more thunder, Dubose.
* House Appropriations passed the hospital tax. This is the big issue of the day so we have Valarie at Hogwarts. And she's got an anonymous document! Juicy! Apparently it's the secret aggreement between the healtchcare lobbies and the General Assembly. No one would go on record however. Publishing the doc is an interesting ethical choice. Feel free to discuss.
* Gun bill passed the Senate. If it passes the House we can tote in bars, universities and the front part of the airport. City of Atlanta is challenging these types of laws in court. Mitch Seabaugh is explaining that if we let every municipality pass their own carry laws, we'd have chaos. He's right.
* Renee Unterman just said "it came to our acknowledgement". Poor thing must be tired. She was talking about multi-agency intergration of mental health services.
* Senate tabled the bill to allow us to buy health insurance from providers in other states. Tabling this close to crossover day means it's completely doomed.
* Steve Thompson (D-Land Of Never Changing Hair) is using the bill to take thinly veiled shots at Oxendine.
* Seatbelts in trucks! It passed the Senate for the fourth straight year. Sen. Don Thomas (R-Lovable Ol' Kook) thinks having a new Speaker will make a difference this time. He's just precious.
* Earnest Dan Weber wants to expand local school boards ability to create charter schools.
* Scowling House Clerks! The streak continues!
* Susan got a little flustered because she couldn't remember Rep. Roger Lane''s name. Not surprised. He's ain't one of the usual camera hogs. He wants to adjust some fees upward. And just the whiff of a tax increase leads it to the table of doom.
* Senate voted to increase the cap on the "rainy day" fund. Doesn't really matter at the moment since there practically ain't no "rainy day" fund.
* Sen. Jack Hill nearly choked talking about how the stimulating funds helped.
* Leadership series - Republican Whip Ed Lindsey. And of course, he's talking about the budget. Bottom line - we ain't got no money. He's okay with the hospital tax. How very Democrat of him! He giggled a little at the mention of the Guv strong arming the hospitals. They are all punchy.
* Shout out to my hometown of Moultrie! I smell a Hwy 133 deal.
* Lawmakers Flashback! Public initiatives, a California style thang, is being discussed in the Senate. And there's Steve Thompson. With the same hair. I swear. And there's the Guv! When he was the Senate Majority Leader and a Democrat. More importantly - he has hair! Lots of wavy hair. And there's Eric Johnson - also with hair! They were all so young and full of vinegar.
* Adam Bridges has some story about water and there's Earnest Dan Weber again. He's so tall, he's almost level with Casey even though he's three feet below.
* Ricky Bevington and her BOOK OF DOOM! Wait! Good news! A new biomass plant is opening in Waycross. Georgia Power ain't spending any more money upgrading its two oldest plants. It wants to see what the EPA will do. No tasers for School Resource Officers in Glynn County. They already carry handguns and pepper spray!
* We won't be back until March 26th. Crossover day! Until then, that's a wrap!
Day 29
*Originally broadcast on March 24th. Crossover day approaches!
* We start with live shots of both chambers. They always work late as crossover day approaches
* The Guv is gittin' hisself a personal prosecutor to sue over Federal healthcare since AG Baker said he wouldn't do it.
* First time we've seen Thurbert and his "hair" this session. Repeating that the thing is not viable and costly.
* Speaker Ralston has some eager young aide behind furiously nodding as he says we're going to pursue other options.
* Guv mouthpiece Bert Brantley is wearing a tie! I was beginning to wonder if he owned one. He claims the suit won't cost the state anything as lawyers have volunteered to work for free.
* Dubose Porter slamming the Guv for trying to distract from all the problems. Need more thunder, Dubose.
* House Appropriations passed the hospital tax. This is the big issue of the day so we have Valarie at Hogwarts. And she's got an anonymous document! Juicy! Apparently it's the secret aggreement between the healtchcare lobbies and the General Assembly. No one would go on record however. Publishing the doc is an interesting ethical choice. Feel free to discuss.
* Gun bill passed the Senate. If it passes the House we can tote in bars, universities and the front part of the airport. City of Atlanta is challenging these types of laws in court. Mitch Seabaugh is explaining that if we let every municipality pass their own carry laws, we'd have chaos. He's right.
* Renee Unterman just said "it came to our acknowledgement". Poor thing must be tired. She was talking about multi-agency intergration of mental health services.
* Senate tabled the bill to allow us to buy health insurance from providers in other states. Tabling this close to crossover day means it's completely doomed.
* Steve Thompson (D-Land Of Never Changing Hair) is using the bill to take thinly veiled shots at Oxendine.
* Seatbelts in trucks! It passed the Senate for the fourth straight year. Sen. Don Thomas (R-Lovable Ol' Kook) thinks having a new Speaker will make a difference this time. He's just precious.
* Earnest Dan Weber wants to expand local school boards ability to create charter schools.
* Scowling House Clerks! The streak continues!
* Susan got a little flustered because she couldn't remember Rep. Roger Lane''s name. Not surprised. He's ain't one of the usual camera hogs. He wants to adjust some fees upward. And just the whiff of a tax increase leads it to the table of doom.
* Senate voted to increase the cap on the "rainy day" fund. Doesn't really matter at the moment since there practically ain't no "rainy day" fund.
* Sen. Jack Hill nearly choked talking about how the stimulating funds helped.
* Leadership series - Republican Whip Ed Lindsey. And of course, he's talking about the budget. Bottom line - we ain't got no money. He's okay with the hospital tax. How very Democrat of him! He giggled a little at the mention of the Guv strong arming the hospitals. They are all punchy.
* Shout out to my hometown of Moultrie! I smell a Hwy 133 deal.
* Lawmakers Flashback! Public initiatives, a California style thang, is being discussed in the Senate. And there's Steve Thompson. With the same hair. I swear. And there's the Guv! When he was the Senate Majority Leader and a Democrat. More importantly - he has hair! Lots of wavy hair. And there's Eric Johnson - also with hair! They were all so young and full of vinegar.
* Adam Bridges has some story about water and there's Earnest Dan Weber again. He's so tall, he's almost level with Casey even though he's three feet below.
* Ricky Bevington and her BOOK OF DOOM! Wait! Good news! A new biomass plant is opening in Waycross. Georgia Power ain't spending any more money upgrading its two oldest plants. It wants to see what the EPA will do. No tasers for School Resource Officers in Glynn County. They already carry handguns and pepper spray!
* We won't be back until March 26th. Crossover day! Until then, that's a wrap!
Monday, April 05, 2010
Gonzo Lawmakers - Day 28
A daily recap of the Georgia Public Broadcasting show "Lawmakers". The show airs weekdays at 7:00pm with a replay at 5:30am the following weekday.
Day 28
* So far behind. But quitting is not an option.
* This episode is from 3-22. So let's do the time warp again.
* Susan's back! YAY!
* The House fails to pass the We Don't Want The Healthcare Thingie. It has to be a Constitutional Amendment and that means they need a few Democrats. We all know how this plays out.
* Scowling House clerks! The streak continues. They are extra scowly today.
* Calvin Smyre is in full bore preacher mode. "We got too much to do". "He actually slapped the lectern. I'm having a bad flashback to the Freewill Baptist Church of my youth.
* The Senate got in the act, too. Via their morning press conference. They are taking the money angle. In their own sober Senate way.
* The Beast Tape Machine is threatening to devour the piece. Even the demon possessed technology is sick of this argument.
* Bed Tax time. The Guv played hard and the hospital lobby crumpled. Susan is talking non-stop which means the tape machine is not cooperating again.
* Sen. Preston Smith is talking about how we need to do something with the providers of Medicaid. It's as if they want to talk about anything but the beast that lurks on the horizon - the budget.
* Pause for a moment. Seriously, the poor Lawmakers folks are covering unanimous bills on Day 28. Usually by this time we have some bonfire of controversy. But not this year. Everyone is avoiding anything heinous because they know the monetary beast lurks in the bushes. God bless the poor GPB folks. They do their best to make cardboard taste like fine cheese.
* Valarie at Hogwarts. Oh wait. She's not. It's just her voice over a tape. (There's foreshadowing here, but I can't talk about it now). The Republicans are at it again. Healthcare ain't enough, so they are trying to pass some probably unconstitutional thing to delay Cap and Trade. They even put a provision in demanding the Attorney General to sue if the Feds attempt to enforce it.
* Slow Poke Bill. There's a metaphor here somewhere. Or a homily. In a better writer's hand, there would be a skewering. In this lesser writer's hands, I prefer to continue to analyze the scowls of the House Clerks. They ain't happy.
* And to complete the anti-Fed trifecta, the Senate wants to compel unions to only use a secret ballot. Vincent Fort (D-Land of a Thousand Rants) is pointedly asking why the Republicans want to interfere with the actions of private business. Since we require a Constitutional Amendment, just like the others, the thing dies. What a useless minuet they dance.
* Some technical stuff about courts and contracts. Fascinating. Stick with me readers. We're going to get to crossover day soon. That's when the fireworks kind of fly. And that, my friends, is the lamest tease ever.
* Sen. David Shafer! He has been awfully quiet this session. He's talking about multi-year contracts for the DOT. Snooze.
* They want to codify some commission. The scowl of the clerks are no longer as fierce. Even they are defeated by the malaise of the day.
* They've moved over to the Supreme Court. The Robes took apart another part of the tort reform. This has upset Sen. Preston Smith (R-Claims To Know The Constitution). Republicans - for free markets, except when they're not.
* The Executive Director of Georgia Watch, a consumer advocate group, is Danny Orrock. Sen. Nan Orrock's son? Given the whole hippie groove, I'm guessin he's some relation.
* Preston Smith says he's read the opinion and believes it would require a Constitutional Amendment. Too bad the Chair of the Senate Judiciary couldn't figure that out TWO YEARS AGO. When they had a chance to actually pass it in that manner. Oh right. They didn't have the votes so they chose to play politics instead.
* Sen. David Adelman's last visit to the Senate well. He's just been confirmed as Ambassador to Singapore. Want to know how much I like Sen. Reasonable? Read this.
* More contractor mess. But this one involves illegal aliens, errr excuse me, undocumented workers. The DOL supports the bill but points out they ain't got no money to enfore it. Republicans don't seem to care.
* Oh, Adam Bridges. Young'un. Don't improvise. Nobody likes. God help me, I'm in a dreadful state. Now, I'm picking on the kids.
* Lawmakers Flashback! Oh it's the one they couldn't show the other night because of the demon tape machine. Speaker Murphy gittin it on with Earl Earhart. Speaker Murphy ruled his amendment not germane. The Speaker is saying even a first year law student should understand the difference between an excise tax and sales tax. SNAP! He's verbally smacking Earhart all around the chamber.
* Sen. Preston Smith again. He's the star of this very special episode of Lawmakers. He wants to use reserve funds, if available, to keep teachers from being furloughed. A Republican wanting to help teachers? Blow me down, I smell a little politicking.
* Ricky Bevington and her BOOK OF DOOM! The Supreme Court unanimously overturned the cap on damages. Nathan Deal resigns. Because he wants to run for governor. No mention of his scrap yard boondoogle. A spill on the Savannah River! That's your Revelation moment. They are trying to grow olives down in Pierce County. Now that's worth following up.
* Recess tomorrow night so no Lawmakers. And another chance for me to catch up. For now, that's a wrap!
Day 28
* So far behind. But quitting is not an option.
* This episode is from 3-22. So let's do the time warp again.
* Susan's back! YAY!
* The House fails to pass the We Don't Want The Healthcare Thingie. It has to be a Constitutional Amendment and that means they need a few Democrats. We all know how this plays out.
* Scowling House clerks! The streak continues. They are extra scowly today.
* Calvin Smyre is in full bore preacher mode. "We got too much to do". "He actually slapped the lectern. I'm having a bad flashback to the Freewill Baptist Church of my youth.
* The Senate got in the act, too. Via their morning press conference. They are taking the money angle. In their own sober Senate way.
* The Beast Tape Machine is threatening to devour the piece. Even the demon possessed technology is sick of this argument.
* Bed Tax time. The Guv played hard and the hospital lobby crumpled. Susan is talking non-stop which means the tape machine is not cooperating again.
* Sen. Preston Smith is talking about how we need to do something with the providers of Medicaid. It's as if they want to talk about anything but the beast that lurks on the horizon - the budget.
* Pause for a moment. Seriously, the poor Lawmakers folks are covering unanimous bills on Day 28. Usually by this time we have some bonfire of controversy. But not this year. Everyone is avoiding anything heinous because they know the monetary beast lurks in the bushes. God bless the poor GPB folks. They do their best to make cardboard taste like fine cheese.
* Valarie at Hogwarts. Oh wait. She's not. It's just her voice over a tape. (There's foreshadowing here, but I can't talk about it now). The Republicans are at it again. Healthcare ain't enough, so they are trying to pass some probably unconstitutional thing to delay Cap and Trade. They even put a provision in demanding the Attorney General to sue if the Feds attempt to enforce it.
* Slow Poke Bill. There's a metaphor here somewhere. Or a homily. In a better writer's hand, there would be a skewering. In this lesser writer's hands, I prefer to continue to analyze the scowls of the House Clerks. They ain't happy.
* And to complete the anti-Fed trifecta, the Senate wants to compel unions to only use a secret ballot. Vincent Fort (D-Land of a Thousand Rants) is pointedly asking why the Republicans want to interfere with the actions of private business. Since we require a Constitutional Amendment, just like the others, the thing dies. What a useless minuet they dance.
* Some technical stuff about courts and contracts. Fascinating. Stick with me readers. We're going to get to crossover day soon. That's when the fireworks kind of fly. And that, my friends, is the lamest tease ever.
* Sen. David Shafer! He has been awfully quiet this session. He's talking about multi-year contracts for the DOT. Snooze.
* They want to codify some commission. The scowl of the clerks are no longer as fierce. Even they are defeated by the malaise of the day.
* They've moved over to the Supreme Court. The Robes took apart another part of the tort reform. This has upset Sen. Preston Smith (R-Claims To Know The Constitution). Republicans - for free markets, except when they're not.
* The Executive Director of Georgia Watch, a consumer advocate group, is Danny Orrock. Sen. Nan Orrock's son? Given the whole hippie groove, I'm guessin he's some relation.
* Preston Smith says he's read the opinion and believes it would require a Constitutional Amendment. Too bad the Chair of the Senate Judiciary couldn't figure that out TWO YEARS AGO. When they had a chance to actually pass it in that manner. Oh right. They didn't have the votes so they chose to play politics instead.
* Sen. David Adelman's last visit to the Senate well. He's just been confirmed as Ambassador to Singapore. Want to know how much I like Sen. Reasonable? Read this.
* More contractor mess. But this one involves illegal aliens, errr excuse me, undocumented workers. The DOL supports the bill but points out they ain't got no money to enfore it. Republicans don't seem to care.
* Oh, Adam Bridges. Young'un. Don't improvise. Nobody likes. God help me, I'm in a dreadful state. Now, I'm picking on the kids.
* Lawmakers Flashback! Oh it's the one they couldn't show the other night because of the demon tape machine. Speaker Murphy gittin it on with Earl Earhart. Speaker Murphy ruled his amendment not germane. The Speaker is saying even a first year law student should understand the difference between an excise tax and sales tax. SNAP! He's verbally smacking Earhart all around the chamber.
* Sen. Preston Smith again. He's the star of this very special episode of Lawmakers. He wants to use reserve funds, if available, to keep teachers from being furloughed. A Republican wanting to help teachers? Blow me down, I smell a little politicking.
* Ricky Bevington and her BOOK OF DOOM! The Supreme Court unanimously overturned the cap on damages. Nathan Deal resigns. Because he wants to run for governor. No mention of his scrap yard boondoogle. A spill on the Savannah River! That's your Revelation moment. They are trying to grow olives down in Pierce County. Now that's worth following up.
* Recess tomorrow night so no Lawmakers. And another chance for me to catch up. For now, that's a wrap!
Thursday, March 25, 2010
Gonzo Lawmakers - Day 27
A daily recap of the Georgia Public Broadcasting show "Lawmakers". The show airs weekdays at 7:00pm with a replay at 5:30am the following weekday.
Day 27
* The budget is upon us. No, it can't be so. But it is, precious. Not listening, not listening.
* Still a week behind. The lonely trudge continues.
* Nwandi solo again.
* Teleprompter broke. Poor Nwandi. She's having to read the copy.
* Valarie at Hogwarts talking about the ban on texting bill. It passed the Senate. Sponsor Sen. Jack Murphy says it's all about keeping people from "texing" while driving. He's surrounded by young'uns and the parents of the young man who was killed when he was texting while driving. Teens would lose their license if caught.
* Teleprompter appears to be fixed.
* A Democrat got something passed! Sen. Emanuel Jones got the zero tolerance on weapons modified to have some common sense.
* A slow day on the House floor. The only hot spot was something about juvenille deliquents timed served. Mary Margaret Oliver (D-Think Of The Children) is the sponsor.
* Just saw the back of Tom Baxter's head and he's on twitter! HAH!
* Scowling house clerks! The streak continues!
* There was so little going on this day they are covering technical rules. Porter is speaking and there's some Rep. behind him talking on the cell phone and giggling. Speaker Murphy would have never put up with such nonsense.
* We can get license plates with Pandas on them. Why don't we just let everyone design their own and get it over with.
* Something about water and local control. Highly technical again. Honestly, I don't see how they are producing a whole broadcast with this mush.
* More water. The hillbillies want to limit basin transfers. They don't want the city folk to suck all the water from Hazzard County. More technical garbage. They are actually arguing over whether it was sent to the proper sub-committee. BORING.
* House Transportation Committee passed their version of the TSPLOST but put in the part the Guv said he would veto. Can you say poison pill? I knew you could.
* It's a transportation segment so we must see a shot of the Downtown Connector.
* They aren't going to get the transportation bill passed. AGAIN.
* And it's not going to include MARTA. So, Dekalb and Fulton are screwed meaning they probably want support it. Could they make this monster any uglier?
* The Repubs announced a tax overhaul commission. This gives Chip Rogers another chance to talk about our tax system being based on an "agrarian economy". He makes some good points about how overly complicated the beast is.
* Democrats are agin it of course and Casey is calling them on it
* Dubose is pointing out that the Republicans are putting everything off until after 2012 which just happens to be during the term of the next Governor.
* Sen. Judson Hill got another version of his healthcare nightmare passed.
* Tape Machine Monster strikes again! God bless 'em, they've got serious gremlins in this episode.
* PROJECT TOM CRAWFORD! Lord GAWD, the striped shirt is back! Must have come up in the rotation in the closet. Tom's entire look is so gray, he's blending into the background. He's becoming Cheshire Cat-like, slowly disappearing until we only see his grin.
* Lawmakers Flashback! Tom Murphy and Earl Erhart are going to go at it. Awesome. THE TAPE MACHINE AT THE FLASHBACK! ARGH!
* Nwandi is having to fill. This episode is a disaster.
* The Senate honored Lawmakers on their anniversary. The House did this last week. The tape machine is threatening to eat this one too. The Beast must be fed!
* Nwandi says maybe they need some budget increases to fix the tape machiines! HAH!
* Nwandi is stretcccccching her words. Fill Nwandi! Fill!
* Ricky Bevington and her BOOK OF DOOM! And Ricky misses her camera cue. It's completely off the rails now. The economy is so bad even the lottery is short of funding. Jenkins Co. has an unemployment rate of 22%. My lord. This is certainly the way to end this doomed episode.
* Nwandi and Ricky are doing some back and forth to fill more time. I hope the tape machine doesn't eat Georgia Outdoors. They might have to put up an old fashioned "Please Standy" slide.
* The trainwreck is finally over. Thank the lord, that's a wrap.
Day 27
* The budget is upon us. No, it can't be so. But it is, precious. Not listening, not listening.
* Still a week behind. The lonely trudge continues.
* Nwandi solo again.
* Teleprompter broke. Poor Nwandi. She's having to read the copy.
* Valarie at Hogwarts talking about the ban on texting bill. It passed the Senate. Sponsor Sen. Jack Murphy says it's all about keeping people from "texing" while driving. He's surrounded by young'uns and the parents of the young man who was killed when he was texting while driving. Teens would lose their license if caught.
* Teleprompter appears to be fixed.
* A Democrat got something passed! Sen. Emanuel Jones got the zero tolerance on weapons modified to have some common sense.
* A slow day on the House floor. The only hot spot was something about juvenille deliquents timed served. Mary Margaret Oliver (D-Think Of The Children) is the sponsor.
* Just saw the back of Tom Baxter's head and he's on twitter! HAH!
* Scowling house clerks! The streak continues!
* There was so little going on this day they are covering technical rules. Porter is speaking and there's some Rep. behind him talking on the cell phone and giggling. Speaker Murphy would have never put up with such nonsense.
* We can get license plates with Pandas on them. Why don't we just let everyone design their own and get it over with.
* Something about water and local control. Highly technical again. Honestly, I don't see how they are producing a whole broadcast with this mush.
* More water. The hillbillies want to limit basin transfers. They don't want the city folk to suck all the water from Hazzard County. More technical garbage. They are actually arguing over whether it was sent to the proper sub-committee. BORING.
* House Transportation Committee passed their version of the TSPLOST but put in the part the Guv said he would veto. Can you say poison pill? I knew you could.
* It's a transportation segment so we must see a shot of the Downtown Connector.
* They aren't going to get the transportation bill passed. AGAIN.
* And it's not going to include MARTA. So, Dekalb and Fulton are screwed meaning they probably want support it. Could they make this monster any uglier?
* The Repubs announced a tax overhaul commission. This gives Chip Rogers another chance to talk about our tax system being based on an "agrarian economy". He makes some good points about how overly complicated the beast is.
* Democrats are agin it of course and Casey is calling them on it
* Dubose is pointing out that the Republicans are putting everything off until after 2012 which just happens to be during the term of the next Governor.
* Sen. Judson Hill got another version of his healthcare nightmare passed.
* Tape Machine Monster strikes again! God bless 'em, they've got serious gremlins in this episode.
* PROJECT TOM CRAWFORD! Lord GAWD, the striped shirt is back! Must have come up in the rotation in the closet. Tom's entire look is so gray, he's blending into the background. He's becoming Cheshire Cat-like, slowly disappearing until we only see his grin.
* Lawmakers Flashback! Tom Murphy and Earl Erhart are going to go at it. Awesome. THE TAPE MACHINE AT THE FLASHBACK! ARGH!
* Nwandi is having to fill. This episode is a disaster.
* The Senate honored Lawmakers on their anniversary. The House did this last week. The tape machine is threatening to eat this one too. The Beast must be fed!
* Nwandi says maybe they need some budget increases to fix the tape machiines! HAH!
* Nwandi is stretcccccching her words. Fill Nwandi! Fill!
* Ricky Bevington and her BOOK OF DOOM! And Ricky misses her camera cue. It's completely off the rails now. The economy is so bad even the lottery is short of funding. Jenkins Co. has an unemployment rate of 22%. My lord. This is certainly the way to end this doomed episode.
* Nwandi and Ricky are doing some back and forth to fill more time. I hope the tape machine doesn't eat Georgia Outdoors. They might have to put up an old fashioned "Please Standy" slide.
* The trainwreck is finally over. Thank the lord, that's a wrap.
Tuesday, March 23, 2010
Gonzo Lawmakers - Day 26
A daily recap of the Georgia Public Broadcasting show "Lawmakers". The show airs weekdays at 7:00pm with a replay at 5:30am the following weekday.
Day 26
* We must talk of the budget. I fear it. We must. Not yet.
* A week behind still and I fear I may never catch up. There is no choice but to trudge on. My only companions - my ghostly readers and the vaporous images on the screen.
* Nwandi is solo again. Hope all is okay with Susan.
* The appointment bill to allow the Governor the power to select four currently elected officials passed Senate committee.
* And there's Keocia in the usual Valarie spot! Girlfriend is moving up in the world!
* Sen. Bill Heath has hair the color of tin foil. Or it could be the unforgiving lights of the sterile committee room. He makes the good point that most people couldn't even name the candidates for these positions. He also points out rightly that most states don't elect these positions. It is rather shocking when outsiders learn we elect administrative positions.
* Sen. Renee Unterman, straying from her usual child safety causes, points out the Guv is already pretty powerful and doubts this thing will get out of the Rules Committee.
* Sen. Cecil Staton (R-Land Of Middle Georgia Spas) wants to allow us to register to vote online. Very forward thinking but fraught with peril. Vincent Fort (D-Land of a Thousand Rants) objects. He believes it will dilute minority votes and says it's a solution in search of a problem. Passed on a party line vote. We're getting to the point where bills are going to be more contentious.
* Valarie back at Hogwarts!
* Scowling House Clerks! The Streak continues!
* More trying to find tax cheats. This time tightening up business licenses. And we get a rather strange shot of one of the signs full of Asian script which dot Buford Highway. I get the feeling the Lawmakers camera crew had a hankering for Korean Barbecue.
* Billions! Billions for state coffers! Yeah, right.
* Chyron says Massage Parlors! This should be exciting. Let's hope for a happy ending. Of course, Cecil Staton is the sponsor. I once dated a massage therapist. Happy endings until it ended.
* Back to Valarie. Business inventory tax bill. They've tried to kill this thing for years. The locals usually scream bloody murder. This is sausage making at its finest. They essentially want to allow counties to opt out.
* More sausage making and we get a machine gun style series of clips. Including one that weirdly showed legislators eating lunch. Bizarre segment.
* The Senate defeated a ridiculous measure to protect us from the Federal healthcare bill (which at this point had not passed). It was defeated because the Senate Democrats held fast and it failed to reach the required 2/3 majority. Political sausage making at its finest. They will reconsider this at some point. That's called a tease in the bidness
* Leadership Series. Senate Pro Tem Tommie Williams. Oh lord, he's going to talk about the budget. Can you say we ain't got no money? I knew you could. Tommie shouldn't wear pale suits with his complexion.
* We still aren't close on a transportation plan. This is going to go down as the biggest do-nothing legislature in history. It's got so bad, the Speaker himself came to plead before the Senate Transportation Committee.
* A slight pause to say the Lawmakers team does a helluva job covering so much garbage and regurgitating it in a fairly palatable fashion.
* They are trying to give the Speaker and the Lite Guv subpoena power to obtain legislator's tax records to enforce the new ethics laws. That's pretty wild and might be a fine example of the pavement on the road to hell.
* Lawmaker Flashback! The Dean of the Senate, George Hooks in 1995. It's an eminent domain bill. This was about a pipeline they wanted to run right down the gut of the state. We've reached the time where they are talking about bills I remember. Shot of a legislator writing an actual letter. Strangely anachronistic given all are now seen tapping away at laptops.
* Ricky Bevington and her BOOK OF DOOM! Macon's raising taxes. Obviously local council member Erick Erickson was too busy hobnobbing at CNN since he raised nary a peep. Columbus is trying to save its crime lab. Savannah's St. Patrick's Day parade happened today....then...you know what I mean.
* Tomorrow we get to play Project Tom Crawford! But for now, that's a wrap!
Day 26
* We must talk of the budget. I fear it. We must. Not yet.
* A week behind still and I fear I may never catch up. There is no choice but to trudge on. My only companions - my ghostly readers and the vaporous images on the screen.
* Nwandi is solo again. Hope all is okay with Susan.
* The appointment bill to allow the Governor the power to select four currently elected officials passed Senate committee.
* And there's Keocia in the usual Valarie spot! Girlfriend is moving up in the world!
* Sen. Bill Heath has hair the color of tin foil. Or it could be the unforgiving lights of the sterile committee room. He makes the good point that most people couldn't even name the candidates for these positions. He also points out rightly that most states don't elect these positions. It is rather shocking when outsiders learn we elect administrative positions.
* Sen. Renee Unterman, straying from her usual child safety causes, points out the Guv is already pretty powerful and doubts this thing will get out of the Rules Committee.
* Sen. Cecil Staton (R-Land Of Middle Georgia Spas) wants to allow us to register to vote online. Very forward thinking but fraught with peril. Vincent Fort (D-Land of a Thousand Rants) objects. He believes it will dilute minority votes and says it's a solution in search of a problem. Passed on a party line vote. We're getting to the point where bills are going to be more contentious.
* Valarie back at Hogwarts!
* Scowling House Clerks! The Streak continues!
* More trying to find tax cheats. This time tightening up business licenses. And we get a rather strange shot of one of the signs full of Asian script which dot Buford Highway. I get the feeling the Lawmakers camera crew had a hankering for Korean Barbecue.
* Billions! Billions for state coffers! Yeah, right.
* Chyron says Massage Parlors! This should be exciting. Let's hope for a happy ending. Of course, Cecil Staton is the sponsor. I once dated a massage therapist. Happy endings until it ended.
* Back to Valarie. Business inventory tax bill. They've tried to kill this thing for years. The locals usually scream bloody murder. This is sausage making at its finest. They essentially want to allow counties to opt out.
* More sausage making and we get a machine gun style series of clips. Including one that weirdly showed legislators eating lunch. Bizarre segment.
* The Senate defeated a ridiculous measure to protect us from the Federal healthcare bill (which at this point had not passed). It was defeated because the Senate Democrats held fast and it failed to reach the required 2/3 majority. Political sausage making at its finest. They will reconsider this at some point. That's called a tease in the bidness
* Leadership Series. Senate Pro Tem Tommie Williams. Oh lord, he's going to talk about the budget. Can you say we ain't got no money? I knew you could. Tommie shouldn't wear pale suits with his complexion.
* We still aren't close on a transportation plan. This is going to go down as the biggest do-nothing legislature in history. It's got so bad, the Speaker himself came to plead before the Senate Transportation Committee.
* A slight pause to say the Lawmakers team does a helluva job covering so much garbage and regurgitating it in a fairly palatable fashion.
* They are trying to give the Speaker and the Lite Guv subpoena power to obtain legislator's tax records to enforce the new ethics laws. That's pretty wild and might be a fine example of the pavement on the road to hell.
* Lawmaker Flashback! The Dean of the Senate, George Hooks in 1995. It's an eminent domain bill. This was about a pipeline they wanted to run right down the gut of the state. We've reached the time where they are talking about bills I remember. Shot of a legislator writing an actual letter. Strangely anachronistic given all are now seen tapping away at laptops.
* Ricky Bevington and her BOOK OF DOOM! Macon's raising taxes. Obviously local council member Erick Erickson was too busy hobnobbing at CNN since he raised nary a peep. Columbus is trying to save its crime lab. Savannah's St. Patrick's Day parade happened today....then...you know what I mean.
* Tomorrow we get to play Project Tom Crawford! But for now, that's a wrap!
Monday, March 22, 2010
Gonzo Lawmakers - Day 25
A daily recap of the Georgia Public Broadcasting show "Lawmakers". The show airs weekdays at 7:00pm with a replay at 5:30am the following weekday.
Day 25
* We must speak of the budget, love. I can't utter a breath. We must, love.
* Day 25 and I'm a week behind again. The session has become my own Sisyphus stone. We - the Legislature, Nwandi, Susan, Valarie, the kids - are all stuck in a limbo of debt and doom. The only way out is to move forward.
* Nwandi is by herself. That's going to be quite a chore.
* Chief Justice Carol Hunstein's first State of The Judiciary. Lord, I'm behind. I've already heard the highlights of the speech and it is full of doom. Tales of judges not working and great mobs of predators flying out of the system.
* When she mentioned the budget, Lt. Guv. Cagle looked like she took a gavel to his forehead.
* Valarie is at Hogwarts with reaction to the speech. The Chief is talking about Mitch Seabaugh's proposal to reduce judges. Sen. Preston Smith, chair of the Judiciary Committee, says there are many solutions but doesn't say which one will work. Rep. Wendell Willard, the House Judiciary Chair, doesn't see cutting judges. This means the thing is doomed.
* Lawmakers is getting pre-empted tomorrow night by some Georgia Tech geekfest. Fortunately, the magic DVR saves our recaps.
* Oh lord. It's the hippie UGA students with the protest of the day. Lots of tie-dye. Shocking. And there's Trevor Southerland of the UGA Democrats. Met him. Nice guy. Practically a communist.
* And now Dubose Porter. With Stephanie Benefield. And Vincent Fort. It's the usual lineup of liberal lions.
* Valarie is doing double duty. She's covering Sen. Chip Rogers weekly press conferences. Bonus points for using the word scofflaws. Suddenly, we're very interested in busting tax cheats. You can see the haze of desperation drifting across the screen.
* Plug for Delta. Because we're going to talk about transportation. Apparently, the only thing they will get done is shortening the terms of the DOT board.
* Road racing! The Senate passed the bill to allow racing on city streets. Bring on the Winder Grand Prix! Given my near future activities, I have a heightened interest in these issues. Stay tuned this weekend for my annual report on something that legally I can't really mention.
* Valarie again! She's like a remote anchor. The House voted down some alimony bill. They are talking about how to deal with the same people marrying multiple times. Which reminds me of this funny story.
* Earnest Dan Weber wants to pass something that will bring more federal dollars to the schools. He's so earnest.
* We need to make sure buses that carry kids have insurance. Yes, it wasn't in there already.
* Back to Valarie again. She must have had a helluva time putting all these on locations spots together.
* Scowling House Clerks! The streak continues! I was getting worried. This is the latest spotting yet.
* More screaming about tax cheaters.
* The Hustler bill. The dirty mag wants to get pictures of that poor hiker girl. We currently don't have a law preventing this type of ugliness. Rep. Jill Chambers is going to explain the bill and Nwandi warns it could be graphic.
* I knew we would hear the word purient. The graphicness was the word "genitals". Well, this is the Bert & Ernie network, so what did you expect?
* Jeff Mullis wants a blue alert to notify people that a cop killer is on the loose. Not a bad idea. But seriously. Aren't we going to start running out of colors?
* Uh oh. Some tax bill to extend the Dekalb Homestead exemption caused some consternation amongst my county delegation. The Chair of the delegation is nicknamed "Coach". Always great nicknames in the House. He wants to delay the bill to talk some more. Scowly Red looks like she's shooting lazer beams from her eyes. How dare they threaten to upset the carefully laid schedule of the Scowly House Clerks!
* Senate Committee passed shortening the terms of the DOT Board. They can't disagree on a transportation plan, but they've got plenty of time to gig they're old adversary.
* Expanded coverage of The Chief's State of the Judiciary speech. Bathroom break!
* Lawmakers flashback! We're going to talk about the '96 budget. There's "Skin" Edge. The old Republican leader. Whatever happened to him? He wasn't caught up in that Dafusky Island awfulness, was he? They are arguing over the amount of prison beds. Not the best flashback but we do get to see ol' anchor Gerald Bryant. He was a good 'un.
* Rep. Michael Harden wants to drug test people applying for Unemployment Insurance. There is so much wrong with this insanity, I can't cover it all here. Since I have some expertise in this area, I may write about it at length. When asked about possible Constitutional issues, Rep. Stumpjumper replies judges make bad rulings all the time. The clarity of his reasoning is stunning.
* Ricky Bevington and her BOOK OF DOOM! Tiger will play at The Masters and there is much rejoicing at the Washington Road Hooters! Lamar Advertising, the billboard people, won't accept
"spas" as customers any more. Lookee there, legislators! The free market at work!
* Leadership series tomorrow with Tommie Williams. But for now, that's a wrap!
Day 25
* We must speak of the budget, love. I can't utter a breath. We must, love.
* Day 25 and I'm a week behind again. The session has become my own Sisyphus stone. We - the Legislature, Nwandi, Susan, Valarie, the kids - are all stuck in a limbo of debt and doom. The only way out is to move forward.
* Nwandi is by herself. That's going to be quite a chore.
* Chief Justice Carol Hunstein's first State of The Judiciary. Lord, I'm behind. I've already heard the highlights of the speech and it is full of doom. Tales of judges not working and great mobs of predators flying out of the system.
* When she mentioned the budget, Lt. Guv. Cagle looked like she took a gavel to his forehead.
* Valarie is at Hogwarts with reaction to the speech. The Chief is talking about Mitch Seabaugh's proposal to reduce judges. Sen. Preston Smith, chair of the Judiciary Committee, says there are many solutions but doesn't say which one will work. Rep. Wendell Willard, the House Judiciary Chair, doesn't see cutting judges. This means the thing is doomed.
* Lawmakers is getting pre-empted tomorrow night by some Georgia Tech geekfest. Fortunately, the magic DVR saves our recaps.
* Oh lord. It's the hippie UGA students with the protest of the day. Lots of tie-dye. Shocking. And there's Trevor Southerland of the UGA Democrats. Met him. Nice guy. Practically a communist.
* And now Dubose Porter. With Stephanie Benefield. And Vincent Fort. It's the usual lineup of liberal lions.
* Valarie is doing double duty. She's covering Sen. Chip Rogers weekly press conferences. Bonus points for using the word scofflaws. Suddenly, we're very interested in busting tax cheats. You can see the haze of desperation drifting across the screen.
* Plug for Delta. Because we're going to talk about transportation. Apparently, the only thing they will get done is shortening the terms of the DOT board.
* Road racing! The Senate passed the bill to allow racing on city streets. Bring on the Winder Grand Prix! Given my near future activities, I have a heightened interest in these issues. Stay tuned this weekend for my annual report on something that legally I can't really mention.
* Valarie again! She's like a remote anchor. The House voted down some alimony bill. They are talking about how to deal with the same people marrying multiple times. Which reminds me of this funny story.
* Earnest Dan Weber wants to pass something that will bring more federal dollars to the schools. He's so earnest.
* We need to make sure buses that carry kids have insurance. Yes, it wasn't in there already.
* Back to Valarie again. She must have had a helluva time putting all these on locations spots together.
* Scowling House Clerks! The streak continues! I was getting worried. This is the latest spotting yet.
* More screaming about tax cheaters.
* The Hustler bill. The dirty mag wants to get pictures of that poor hiker girl. We currently don't have a law preventing this type of ugliness. Rep. Jill Chambers is going to explain the bill and Nwandi warns it could be graphic.
* I knew we would hear the word purient. The graphicness was the word "genitals". Well, this is the Bert & Ernie network, so what did you expect?
* Jeff Mullis wants a blue alert to notify people that a cop killer is on the loose. Not a bad idea. But seriously. Aren't we going to start running out of colors?
* Uh oh. Some tax bill to extend the Dekalb Homestead exemption caused some consternation amongst my county delegation. The Chair of the delegation is nicknamed "Coach". Always great nicknames in the House. He wants to delay the bill to talk some more. Scowly Red looks like she's shooting lazer beams from her eyes. How dare they threaten to upset the carefully laid schedule of the Scowly House Clerks!
* Senate Committee passed shortening the terms of the DOT Board. They can't disagree on a transportation plan, but they've got plenty of time to gig they're old adversary.
* Expanded coverage of The Chief's State of the Judiciary speech. Bathroom break!
* Lawmakers flashback! We're going to talk about the '96 budget. There's "Skin" Edge. The old Republican leader. Whatever happened to him? He wasn't caught up in that Dafusky Island awfulness, was he? They are arguing over the amount of prison beds. Not the best flashback but we do get to see ol' anchor Gerald Bryant. He was a good 'un.
* Rep. Michael Harden wants to drug test people applying for Unemployment Insurance. There is so much wrong with this insanity, I can't cover it all here. Since I have some expertise in this area, I may write about it at length. When asked about possible Constitutional issues, Rep. Stumpjumper replies judges make bad rulings all the time. The clarity of his reasoning is stunning.
* Ricky Bevington and her BOOK OF DOOM! Tiger will play at The Masters and there is much rejoicing at the Washington Road Hooters! Lamar Advertising, the billboard people, won't accept
"spas" as customers any more. Lookee there, legislators! The free market at work!
* Leadership series tomorrow with Tommie Williams. But for now, that's a wrap!
Monday, March 15, 2010
Gonzo Lawmakers - Day 24
A daily recap of the Georgia Public Broadcasting show "Lawmakers". The show airs weekdays at 7:00pm with a replay at 5:30am the following weekday.
Day 24
* We must speak of the budget, precious. No, no. We must speak of the budget, precious. Not listening, not listening!
* It's Friday! That's means PROJECT TOM CRAWFORD!
* Governor Perdue announced the revenue figures and it ain't good. First, we're going to take some of the stimulating from the 2011 budget and move it back into the 2010 budget. He also is dropping his "bed tax" on hospitals but to make up for that one, he wants to remove the sales tax exemption on non-profit hospitals. That's huge.
* He says there's too much "don't cut us, cut them". He's getting pretty harsh with the hospital lobby.
* The Democrats are pounding on the leadership about cuts in education and the furloughs. Good politics but given the shortfalls, far from realism. They want to "invest in education" but the only method they have for funding it is catching the "cheats". In other words, they think there is a pot of gold under the couch cushions.
* Calvin Smyre wants to do away with tax exemptions but doesn't say which ones. That is the trick isn't it?
* Chip Rogers pet property tax bill passed the Senate. He's using an example of someone who bought a house for $13,000 but was appraised at over $100k. He puts forth that someone who can afford such a cheap hovel certainly couldn't afford the taxes. He's right. Which is why I guarantee it wouldn't be an individual buying it. It would be a developer. But we are talking politics here. Why confuse things with honesty?
* Today's show is depressing.
* Less paper - more internet reports. Good thing they thought of this now. Lord knows, we needed the last 15 years to prove that whole internet thing isn't just a fad.
* Rep. Mike Jacobs bullying bill got tabled. That means it probably won't surface again this session. No protection for Jacobs from bitter Young Democrats.
* Scowling House clerks! The streak continues!
* Senate Transportation Committee. That means Valarie at Hogwarts. DOT board members will get shorter terms. Not so secret dirty secret, the Leg can't stand the Board's independence. They will chip away at their power however possible.
* PROJECT TOM CRAWFORD! Tom! You actually look quite sharp today! Still a striped tie, but it goes well with the pale blue shirt and charcoal jacket. We're approaching small town funeral director again, but, lord knows, it's a big improvement over the recent 70's sugar daddy looks.
* Milton County is back! Fulton absorbed the then rural county back in the 20s but now it wants to break away again. Rep. Jan Jones, the new Speaker Pro Tem, is pushing this one. It's going to be a nasty fight because of all the goopy usual mess - race, the Constitution, MARTA funding, taxes. What a mess. The big bears here are the liabilities for Grady and MARTA.
* Rep. Wendell Willard (R-Sandy Springs) is saying Miton would still pay for MARTA. It's a geographical thing plus there is a MARTA station in Sandy Springs. An interesting note, the Sandy Springs area was not part of the original Milton. So why do the upstarts want it? Pretty simple. Cold hard cash. It along with its neighbors Alpharetta, Johns Creek and the city of Milton are some of the wealthiest in the state.
* Speaker Ralston and Lt. Guv Casey Cagle got to play with some new medical devices. It's a teleconferencing deal. They are poking and prodding two of the most powerful men in the state. Feel free to makes your own jokes. Bonus points for a shot at Glenn Richardson.
* Lawmakers Flashback! Apparently it's the only reason some people tune in. Not sure I would have said that. And it's a gun bill! Yeehaw! 1994 is the year and we're discussing background checks. Some Rep is holding up a street sweeper in the chamber. That's quite a prop. Denmark Groover is talking about something called the "catfish substitute". It's an old country boy round about way of saying he's goina gut it.
* Lawmakers was honored in the House today! Nwandi got to stand up on the Speaker's dais along with Executive Producer Ashlie Lewis. How exciting! They got in a plug. Including the internet broadcast. Give a teevee person a mic and they will plug away!
* Ricky Bevington and her BOOK OF DOOM! Oh, it's good news. Robins AFB is hiring 500 people.I wonder if that came from the stimulating. Ricky got her stories mixed up. Probably because she's giving good news.
* Chief Justice Carol Hunstein is giving her first State of the Judiciary on Tuesday. Leah Sears speeches were always appointment teevee. We'll just have to wait and see how the new robe on the block delivers because for now, that's a wrap!
Day 24
* We must speak of the budget, precious. No, no. We must speak of the budget, precious. Not listening, not listening!
* It's Friday! That's means PROJECT TOM CRAWFORD!
* Governor Perdue announced the revenue figures and it ain't good. First, we're going to take some of the stimulating from the 2011 budget and move it back into the 2010 budget. He also is dropping his "bed tax" on hospitals but to make up for that one, he wants to remove the sales tax exemption on non-profit hospitals. That's huge.
* He says there's too much "don't cut us, cut them". He's getting pretty harsh with the hospital lobby.
* The Democrats are pounding on the leadership about cuts in education and the furloughs. Good politics but given the shortfalls, far from realism. They want to "invest in education" but the only method they have for funding it is catching the "cheats". In other words, they think there is a pot of gold under the couch cushions.
* Calvin Smyre wants to do away with tax exemptions but doesn't say which ones. That is the trick isn't it?
* Chip Rogers pet property tax bill passed the Senate. He's using an example of someone who bought a house for $13,000 but was appraised at over $100k. He puts forth that someone who can afford such a cheap hovel certainly couldn't afford the taxes. He's right. Which is why I guarantee it wouldn't be an individual buying it. It would be a developer. But we are talking politics here. Why confuse things with honesty?
* Today's show is depressing.
* Less paper - more internet reports. Good thing they thought of this now. Lord knows, we needed the last 15 years to prove that whole internet thing isn't just a fad.
* Rep. Mike Jacobs bullying bill got tabled. That means it probably won't surface again this session. No protection for Jacobs from bitter Young Democrats.
* Scowling House clerks! The streak continues!
* Senate Transportation Committee. That means Valarie at Hogwarts. DOT board members will get shorter terms. Not so secret dirty secret, the Leg can't stand the Board's independence. They will chip away at their power however possible.
* PROJECT TOM CRAWFORD! Tom! You actually look quite sharp today! Still a striped tie, but it goes well with the pale blue shirt and charcoal jacket. We're approaching small town funeral director again, but, lord knows, it's a big improvement over the recent 70's sugar daddy looks.
* Milton County is back! Fulton absorbed the then rural county back in the 20s but now it wants to break away again. Rep. Jan Jones, the new Speaker Pro Tem, is pushing this one. It's going to be a nasty fight because of all the goopy usual mess - race, the Constitution, MARTA funding, taxes. What a mess. The big bears here are the liabilities for Grady and MARTA.
* Rep. Wendell Willard (R-Sandy Springs) is saying Miton would still pay for MARTA. It's a geographical thing plus there is a MARTA station in Sandy Springs. An interesting note, the Sandy Springs area was not part of the original Milton. So why do the upstarts want it? Pretty simple. Cold hard cash. It along with its neighbors Alpharetta, Johns Creek and the city of Milton are some of the wealthiest in the state.
* Speaker Ralston and Lt. Guv Casey Cagle got to play with some new medical devices. It's a teleconferencing deal. They are poking and prodding two of the most powerful men in the state. Feel free to makes your own jokes. Bonus points for a shot at Glenn Richardson.
* Lawmakers Flashback! Apparently it's the only reason some people tune in. Not sure I would have said that. And it's a gun bill! Yeehaw! 1994 is the year and we're discussing background checks. Some Rep is holding up a street sweeper in the chamber. That's quite a prop. Denmark Groover is talking about something called the "catfish substitute". It's an old country boy round about way of saying he's goina gut it.
* Lawmakers was honored in the House today! Nwandi got to stand up on the Speaker's dais along with Executive Producer Ashlie Lewis. How exciting! They got in a plug. Including the internet broadcast. Give a teevee person a mic and they will plug away!
* Ricky Bevington and her BOOK OF DOOM! Oh, it's good news. Robins AFB is hiring 500 people.I wonder if that came from the stimulating. Ricky got her stories mixed up. Probably because she's giving good news.
* Chief Justice Carol Hunstein is giving her first State of the Judiciary on Tuesday. Leah Sears speeches were always appointment teevee. We'll just have to wait and see how the new robe on the block delivers because for now, that's a wrap!
Thursday, March 11, 2010
Gonzo Lawmakers - Day 23
A daily recap of the Georgia Public Broadcasting show "Lawmakers". The show airs weekdays at 7:00pm with a replay at 5:30am the following weekday.
Day 23
* We must talk of the budget dear. We can't. But we must. I see it in my nightmares. Then, we must wake from this deep darkness.
* That water thing I didn't understand yesterday passed both House and Senate.
* Oh we have clips of scientists in waders and the Hooch. We're getting fancy graphics now. There is no fear of the beast tape machine!
* Statewide watering ban from 10:00am to 4:00pm. That's pretty harsh. There are exemptions for farming, gardening and such. Someone needs to read this thing in detail and find out exactly what we can and can't do.
* The Senate had no debate. The House was a little livelier.
* Scowling House clerks! The streak continues!
* Interbasin transfers are not in this bill. Rep. Debbie Buckner says it ain't a great bill. Democrats are never satisfied.
* Mitch Seabaugh wants to eliminate 19 Superior Court Judges. He's an accountant so he says he's going by hard numbers. He looked at average cases per judge. The judges say the math is flawed because it doesn't take into account the different type of cases in different districts. It's the classic conflict of black and white numbers against context.
* DOT can raise the number of design build projects. These are essentially private run projects, soup to nuts. The real reason this thing passed is some we can get more stimulating!
* House Transportation. That means Valarie at Hogwarts. And probably shots of the the Downtown Connector. Yep. There's the Connector. This is the regional version of the bill. The House statewide funding plan is apparently dead.
* Fran Millar wants to repeal the MARTA tax in Fulton and Dekalb. His reason is because those two counties would double tax themselves. Millar once again shows most of the North Dekalb Republilcans are reasonable human beings.
* Since they're talking about MARTA, I'm surprised Jill Chambers didn't appear in a cloud of smoke and brimstone.
* Our first appearance of Sen. Dan Weber! North Dekalb Republicans in the House! No wait. Instead it's a clip of Vincent Fort. The beast tape machine strikes back! It did not appreciate being force fed all those rich graphics.
* After some foster care bill, we get back to Sen. Dan Weber. Dude, you need a haircut. He's gone full blown hippie! But we always knew the North Dekalb Republicans were secretly liberals. His bill moves the date to extend contracts to teachers to May instead of April. It gives the school system extra time to decide. Vincent Fort opposes it because it would be hardship on the teachers. It passed.
* The Applebee's Bill is back. It allows establishments that serve alcohol to set up shop near public housing. This is really all about an Applebee's out in Winder. Apparently there ain't too many places to put tacky, cookie cutter "bars" in Winder.
* Another nasty abortion bill is in committee. We get Lara Fawaz at Hogwarts for the update. This one requires doctor's to refuse to perform an abortion if they believe a woman is under coercion from a third party. So, now doctor's are being made agents of the state?
* A Georgia State law professor is pointing out this thing is fundamentally flawed. Even a Republican is pointing out she can't vote for this little nightmare. She got so mad about she left the meeting.
* Susan congratulates Lara on a good story. Well deserved.
* Synthetic pot! And they are showing one of those little foil packets with a zippy name like pep spice. I believe my shady convenience store may sell this stuff. Apparently it's ten time more powerful than the real stuff! And doesn't show up on a drug test! Hmmmmmmm. Of course, we must ban it.
* Tom Murphy was honored in the House. His portrait was unveiled and it will sit just outside the House. His portrait has the old flag. Interesting. Even the scowling House clerks look reverent.
* Lawmaker flashback! And of course it's Tom Murphy. He's speaking on the lottery bill. This should be a hoot. He's pointing at the camera and telling the "educational televsion" folk they need to show this! He's taking a shot of Zell! Oh, those were the days! Apparently Zell accused him of holding the bill up in committe. He called the commitee chair to testify to the falsehood. Now, have a clip of Governor Joe Frank. He says we shouldn't be in the gambling "bidness". Awesome clip.
* Nurse day at the big house. There hasn't been that many people dressed in white at the Capitol since Gene Talmadge was governor.
* The Senate honored the Savannah St. Patrick's Day Committee. And they are all red-faced. Not kidding. Bet some visine was passed out before that speech.
* Ricky Bevington and her BOOK OF DOOM! Students protested budget cuts at the Medical College of Georgia. McIntosh County doesn't have a 911 system. Residents aren't happy about the fees required to pay for it. They probably aren't happy about having pay for new horseless carriages either. Something about GPS systems on bicycles but the chyron says GPB. Intern had a freudian slip.
* Tomorrow we get Project Tom Crawford! But for now, that's a wrap!
Day 23
* We must talk of the budget dear. We can't. But we must. I see it in my nightmares. Then, we must wake from this deep darkness.
* That water thing I didn't understand yesterday passed both House and Senate.
* Oh we have clips of scientists in waders and the Hooch. We're getting fancy graphics now. There is no fear of the beast tape machine!
* Statewide watering ban from 10:00am to 4:00pm. That's pretty harsh. There are exemptions for farming, gardening and such. Someone needs to read this thing in detail and find out exactly what we can and can't do.
* The Senate had no debate. The House was a little livelier.
* Scowling House clerks! The streak continues!
* Interbasin transfers are not in this bill. Rep. Debbie Buckner says it ain't a great bill. Democrats are never satisfied.
* Mitch Seabaugh wants to eliminate 19 Superior Court Judges. He's an accountant so he says he's going by hard numbers. He looked at average cases per judge. The judges say the math is flawed because it doesn't take into account the different type of cases in different districts. It's the classic conflict of black and white numbers against context.
* DOT can raise the number of design build projects. These are essentially private run projects, soup to nuts. The real reason this thing passed is some we can get more stimulating!
* House Transportation. That means Valarie at Hogwarts. And probably shots of the the Downtown Connector. Yep. There's the Connector. This is the regional version of the bill. The House statewide funding plan is apparently dead.
* Fran Millar wants to repeal the MARTA tax in Fulton and Dekalb. His reason is because those two counties would double tax themselves. Millar once again shows most of the North Dekalb Republilcans are reasonable human beings.
* Since they're talking about MARTA, I'm surprised Jill Chambers didn't appear in a cloud of smoke and brimstone.
* Our first appearance of Sen. Dan Weber! North Dekalb Republicans in the House! No wait. Instead it's a clip of Vincent Fort. The beast tape machine strikes back! It did not appreciate being force fed all those rich graphics.
* After some foster care bill, we get back to Sen. Dan Weber. Dude, you need a haircut. He's gone full blown hippie! But we always knew the North Dekalb Republicans were secretly liberals. His bill moves the date to extend contracts to teachers to May instead of April. It gives the school system extra time to decide. Vincent Fort opposes it because it would be hardship on the teachers. It passed.
* The Applebee's Bill is back. It allows establishments that serve alcohol to set up shop near public housing. This is really all about an Applebee's out in Winder. Apparently there ain't too many places to put tacky, cookie cutter "bars" in Winder.
* Another nasty abortion bill is in committee. We get Lara Fawaz at Hogwarts for the update. This one requires doctor's to refuse to perform an abortion if they believe a woman is under coercion from a third party. So, now doctor's are being made agents of the state?
* A Georgia State law professor is pointing out this thing is fundamentally flawed. Even a Republican is pointing out she can't vote for this little nightmare. She got so mad about she left the meeting.
* Susan congratulates Lara on a good story. Well deserved.
* Synthetic pot! And they are showing one of those little foil packets with a zippy name like pep spice. I believe my shady convenience store may sell this stuff. Apparently it's ten time more powerful than the real stuff! And doesn't show up on a drug test! Hmmmmmmm. Of course, we must ban it.
* Tom Murphy was honored in the House. His portrait was unveiled and it will sit just outside the House. His portrait has the old flag. Interesting. Even the scowling House clerks look reverent.
* Lawmaker flashback! And of course it's Tom Murphy. He's speaking on the lottery bill. This should be a hoot. He's pointing at the camera and telling the "educational televsion" folk they need to show this! He's taking a shot of Zell! Oh, those were the days! Apparently Zell accused him of holding the bill up in committe. He called the commitee chair to testify to the falsehood. Now, have a clip of Governor Joe Frank. He says we shouldn't be in the gambling "bidness". Awesome clip.
* Nurse day at the big house. There hasn't been that many people dressed in white at the Capitol since Gene Talmadge was governor.
* The Senate honored the Savannah St. Patrick's Day Committee. And they are all red-faced. Not kidding. Bet some visine was passed out before that speech.
* Ricky Bevington and her BOOK OF DOOM! Students protested budget cuts at the Medical College of Georgia. McIntosh County doesn't have a 911 system. Residents aren't happy about the fees required to pay for it. They probably aren't happy about having pay for new horseless carriages either. Something about GPS systems on bicycles but the chyron says GPB. Intern had a freudian slip.
* Tomorrow we get Project Tom Crawford! But for now, that's a wrap!
Wednesday, March 10, 2010
Gonzo Lawmakers - Day 22
A daily recap of the Georgia Public Broadcasting show "Lawmakers". The show airs weekdays at 7:00pm with a replay at 5:30am the following weekday.
Day 22
* Shall we talk about the budget? No, it will be too bloody. But we must, we must.
* House approves making it a felony to knowingly send out tainted food. Just as I said last year, how is this not already a law! The whole thing is due to the bad nuts down in Early County which made their way into some salmonella flavored peanut butter.
* Something about water. We can't water our lawns or something. I don't know. It's a bunch of parliamentary mess that even I can't figure out. It'll probably come up later.
* They expanded the definition of vaccine to include oral mists. Yes, this type of minutiae actually has to be done. Methinks Lawmakers is struggling to find interesting stories.
* Privatization of Rest Areas. Like I said. Struggling. They could be turned into faux convenience stores. Slushies for everyone! If they have those delicious taquitos, I'm all for it.
* Both transportation committees met today. Of course this means Valarie at Hogwarts. I bet we get to see the Downtown Connector! Rep. Jim Cole, the Guv's floor leader, is laying down the law. County opt-out will mean a veto. Regions still can. Now, we get into constitutionality. Should it be an amendment? Might we have an equal protection issue here? This is going to get complicated.
* Downtown Connector! They also want to shorten the terms of the DOT board members but they aren't sure what the limit should be.
* Oh my goodness. Valarie says the TSPLOST may not pass again! That would be three years in a row, I think.
* Budget time. Get out the knives. Jerry Keen wants to extend the schedule by shortening the legislative work week. Reps are concerned about getting home to their families or what not. Oh, and campaigning as they can't raise money while in session.
* Scowling House clerks! The streak continues!
* Leadership series. Dubose Porter. His wife is running for Lite Guv. Don'tcha know. Oh, and he's running for something too. Governor, I believe. He's pimping his "share the data" tax plan again. He seems to think it is holy water that will wash away the budget blood.
* Tom Crawford needs to take fashion tips from Dubose. That's one sharp tie.
* Susan is desperately trying to get him to talk about something else and he keeps going back to finding the "cheats".
* When Dubose gets wonky, he starts to lose me. I'm sure I'm not alone.
* Accountants only have to go to training for half the current time. Or something. They continue to clean the house while the sludge of the budget looms on the horizon.
* Protest of the day! It's the Americans For Prosperity. That''s Grover Norquist's fanatics. Read Tom Crawford snarky recap here.
* Tom Graves sounds like a preacher. I suppose that plays well in his part of the state.
* Won't someone think of the children! It's the Youth and Children committee. Of course they are in the room that looks like it used to be the living room of a double wide. It's a great wad of liberals! People going hungry! Can't get healthcare! It's all going to hell!
* Lawmaker flashback! Young Dubose Porter in 1987! God bless him, he'd already lost all his hair. This is about burn permits. I know something about this as I have to burn my farm each year. Reminds me. I haven't done that yet. Lord, one of the gentleman farmer reps just said "forestry man".
* A bill to go after street gangs and their "tags". I fear we are about to get on trepidous ground. It allows prosecutors to go after people who recruit. Can't wait to see how that's defined.
* Keocia!
* A bill is in committee to allow people on the sex offender lists to petition for their removal. It's basically for those that are dying or ones who are "level one" and haven't shown a propensity to do it again. I wonder if that would cover that poor lady in Augusta who was put on the list for giving her high school boy friend an "oral test".
* Keocia talked to Bobby Franklin! Of course, he was the only member who was against the bill. But in true Franklin fashion, it ain't what you think. He's agin the registry altogether because he believes if they've served the time, the state should be done with them. Of course, this probably means he also believes they shouldn't have been released in the first place.
* Another protest! Against Meth! The anti-meth people have a big screen teevee! There's some money behind this sucker. Thurbert Baker and his "hair" was there.
* Ricky Bevington and her BOOK OF DOOM! Four members of the assisted suicide group Final Exit were indicted in Forsyth County. Gwinnett County's DA says the public defender system may violate the Constitution. A gun went of in a Dublin Middle School. It's the third incident in that school this year?! What's up with that?
* Tomorrow, we get the bill to appoint Constitutional officers. What fun! Just once I wish Susan would give me a sly wink. But for now, that's a wrap!
Day 22
* Shall we talk about the budget? No, it will be too bloody. But we must, we must.
* House approves making it a felony to knowingly send out tainted food. Just as I said last year, how is this not already a law! The whole thing is due to the bad nuts down in Early County which made their way into some salmonella flavored peanut butter.
* Something about water. We can't water our lawns or something. I don't know. It's a bunch of parliamentary mess that even I can't figure out. It'll probably come up later.
* They expanded the definition of vaccine to include oral mists. Yes, this type of minutiae actually has to be done. Methinks Lawmakers is struggling to find interesting stories.
* Privatization of Rest Areas. Like I said. Struggling. They could be turned into faux convenience stores. Slushies for everyone! If they have those delicious taquitos, I'm all for it.
* Both transportation committees met today. Of course this means Valarie at Hogwarts. I bet we get to see the Downtown Connector! Rep. Jim Cole, the Guv's floor leader, is laying down the law. County opt-out will mean a veto. Regions still can. Now, we get into constitutionality. Should it be an amendment? Might we have an equal protection issue here? This is going to get complicated.
* Downtown Connector! They also want to shorten the terms of the DOT board members but they aren't sure what the limit should be.
* Oh my goodness. Valarie says the TSPLOST may not pass again! That would be three years in a row, I think.
* Budget time. Get out the knives. Jerry Keen wants to extend the schedule by shortening the legislative work week. Reps are concerned about getting home to their families or what not. Oh, and campaigning as they can't raise money while in session.
* Scowling House clerks! The streak continues!
* Leadership series. Dubose Porter. His wife is running for Lite Guv. Don'tcha know. Oh, and he's running for something too. Governor, I believe. He's pimping his "share the data" tax plan again. He seems to think it is holy water that will wash away the budget blood.
* Tom Crawford needs to take fashion tips from Dubose. That's one sharp tie.
* Susan is desperately trying to get him to talk about something else and he keeps going back to finding the "cheats".
* When Dubose gets wonky, he starts to lose me. I'm sure I'm not alone.
* Accountants only have to go to training for half the current time. Or something. They continue to clean the house while the sludge of the budget looms on the horizon.
* Protest of the day! It's the Americans For Prosperity. That''s Grover Norquist's fanatics. Read Tom Crawford snarky recap here.
* Tom Graves sounds like a preacher. I suppose that plays well in his part of the state.
* Won't someone think of the children! It's the Youth and Children committee. Of course they are in the room that looks like it used to be the living room of a double wide. It's a great wad of liberals! People going hungry! Can't get healthcare! It's all going to hell!
* Lawmaker flashback! Young Dubose Porter in 1987! God bless him, he'd already lost all his hair. This is about burn permits. I know something about this as I have to burn my farm each year. Reminds me. I haven't done that yet. Lord, one of the gentleman farmer reps just said "forestry man".
* A bill to go after street gangs and their "tags". I fear we are about to get on trepidous ground. It allows prosecutors to go after people who recruit. Can't wait to see how that's defined.
* Keocia!
* A bill is in committee to allow people on the sex offender lists to petition for their removal. It's basically for those that are dying or ones who are "level one" and haven't shown a propensity to do it again. I wonder if that would cover that poor lady in Augusta who was put on the list for giving her high school boy friend an "oral test".
* Keocia talked to Bobby Franklin! Of course, he was the only member who was against the bill. But in true Franklin fashion, it ain't what you think. He's agin the registry altogether because he believes if they've served the time, the state should be done with them. Of course, this probably means he also believes they shouldn't have been released in the first place.
* Another protest! Against Meth! The anti-meth people have a big screen teevee! There's some money behind this sucker. Thurbert Baker and his "hair" was there.
* Ricky Bevington and her BOOK OF DOOM! Four members of the assisted suicide group Final Exit were indicted in Forsyth County. Gwinnett County's DA says the public defender system may violate the Constitution. A gun went of in a Dublin Middle School. It's the third incident in that school this year?! What's up with that?
* Tomorrow, we get the bill to appoint Constitutional officers. What fun! Just once I wish Susan would give me a sly wink. But for now, that's a wrap!
Tuesday, March 09, 2010
Gonzo Lawmakers - Day 21
A daily recap of the Georgia Public Broadcasting show "Lawmakers". The show airs weekdays at 7:00pm with a replay at 5:30am the following weekday.
Day 21
* We're back on track and I have a feeling we're going to be hearing about the budget.
* Nwandi's back! YAY! And we get to talk to Tom Crawford! YAY!
* Chip Rogers is floating layoffs and fee increases. Republicans for fee increases. You can smell the desperation in the air.
* Jerry Keen says we haven't looked at fees in 15 years. He wants to charge grocery stores for their inspections. It only costs $82 dollars to file a lawsuit. I think even libertarians might agree that's too cheap. Imagine what it could do to cut down on frivolous lawsuits!
* February revenue numbers are in. They are down 10% from last February. We're screwed.
* Project Tom Crawford! Striped shirt with a patterned tie again. I give. At least it's not striped on top of checks this time. Less wobbly on the TeeVee. It's eerie seeing the Capitol so quiet behind Tom.
* Tom says not only is the 2011 budget going to be $1 billion short but the 2010 budget still needs $200 million cut. This is going to get awful.
* The Education Civil War continues. Last week, Seth Harp wanted to raise tuition by 77% . That raised the ire of many. Harp is not happy about it and he's fire-breathing from the Senate well. He even takes a few shots at his own party leaders - Governor Perdue. If this is the opening salvo, it will get much bloodier.
* In the House, Austin Scott is also taking shots at the Guv. Calling him a tax and spender. Pretty much called him a Democrat.
* Scowling House clerks! The streak continues!
* The House wants to renew the hotel tax in Atlanta. It's earmarked to support the Georgia Dome. And it's Republicans arguing for it. The extension of a tax! Strange times, bubba.
* Fees. Fees. Fees. It's all about fees. More action in the Senate about bringing them up to date. I remember when driver's license went from $4.50 to $15.00. It almost caused a revolt.
* Sen. Valencia Seay (D-Land of A Thousand Democrats) wants a requirement to teach first aid in secondary schools. Sen. John Douglas (R-Crazyland) says it's fine but doesn't need to be codified. Sen. Steve Thompson (D-Strange Hair) points out we already require health classes. The thing eventually passed.
* House approved the Governor's school board governance bill. It allows the governor to swoop in an take out school board members where the system loses accreditation. It can only happen after the state Board of Education holds are hearing and recommends the action.
* Child prostitution bill. This should be good. So good, we have Valarie at Hogwarts. Opponents say the measure, which changes the offense to "unruly children", say it decriminalizes prostitution. I didn't see their pile of stones, but I'm sure they are nearby. A Fulton prosecutor argues for the bill and not hauling children off to jail for crimes where they can't even consent. So much for the law and order crowd.
* Hustler has filed open records request to get the pictures of that poor hiker girl that was killed last year. Yep, Larry Flynt is still the most vile man on the planet. Speaker Ralston is dead set against and is trying to pass a bill which will prevent these types of request. They should research what happened in Florida after Dale Earnhardt's death. But it won't cover the Hustler situation. To which the Speaker says they are welcome to sue the State. I'm pretty sure Flynt has heard those words before.
* Black History Moment. We're getting it now because of the recess. And there's Keocia! She's not really missing. Profile of Coretta Scott King. Coretta was a country girl. Didn't know that.
* Ban on texting while driving passed Senate committee. Ban on eating Whoppers while driving must be on the way. Hearing old dudes talk about texting is pretty funny.
* Hearing on raising the cigarette tax. And there's Tom Baxter! It's standing room only for this committee meeting and all the beautiful people are there.
* We've got a roving camera! It's slowly swinging away from Nwandi and there's Ricky looking a little stunned. Camera intern must have dozed off. Or seen a rat. Whiplash back to Nwandi.
* International Women's Day. I suppose this counts as our protest of the day. And there's Nan Orrock! Of course Lawmaker's identifies here as Gail Buckner of Morrow. It's easy to get your liberals confused.
* Lawmakers Flashback! It's also Women's History Month. So, naturally we get to see an old dude - Denmark Groover. But he's honoring the first woman who served in the General Assembly - Viola Ross Napier. She served in the 20s which is pretty amazing.
* Susan points out there still not enough women in the Legislature. SNAP!
* Ricky Bevington and her BOOK OF DOOM! A hunter killed a forestry employee in middlle Georgia. He thought he was a coyote. Tax breaks are helping movies move to Georgia. Great. More liberals. Short segment tonight. Just not enough bad news to go around.
* Tomorrow! More protests! More Porter! But for now, that's a wrap!
Day 21
* We're back on track and I have a feeling we're going to be hearing about the budget.
* Nwandi's back! YAY! And we get to talk to Tom Crawford! YAY!
* Chip Rogers is floating layoffs and fee increases. Republicans for fee increases. You can smell the desperation in the air.
* Jerry Keen says we haven't looked at fees in 15 years. He wants to charge grocery stores for their inspections. It only costs $82 dollars to file a lawsuit. I think even libertarians might agree that's too cheap. Imagine what it could do to cut down on frivolous lawsuits!
* February revenue numbers are in. They are down 10% from last February. We're screwed.
* Project Tom Crawford! Striped shirt with a patterned tie again. I give. At least it's not striped on top of checks this time. Less wobbly on the TeeVee. It's eerie seeing the Capitol so quiet behind Tom.
* Tom says not only is the 2011 budget going to be $1 billion short but the 2010 budget still needs $200 million cut. This is going to get awful.
* The Education Civil War continues. Last week, Seth Harp wanted to raise tuition by 77% . That raised the ire of many. Harp is not happy about it and he's fire-breathing from the Senate well. He even takes a few shots at his own party leaders - Governor Perdue. If this is the opening salvo, it will get much bloodier.
* In the House, Austin Scott is also taking shots at the Guv. Calling him a tax and spender. Pretty much called him a Democrat.
* Scowling House clerks! The streak continues!
* The House wants to renew the hotel tax in Atlanta. It's earmarked to support the Georgia Dome. And it's Republicans arguing for it. The extension of a tax! Strange times, bubba.
* Fees. Fees. Fees. It's all about fees. More action in the Senate about bringing them up to date. I remember when driver's license went from $4.50 to $15.00. It almost caused a revolt.
* Sen. Valencia Seay (D-Land of A Thousand Democrats) wants a requirement to teach first aid in secondary schools. Sen. John Douglas (R-Crazyland) says it's fine but doesn't need to be codified. Sen. Steve Thompson (D-Strange Hair) points out we already require health classes. The thing eventually passed.
* House approved the Governor's school board governance bill. It allows the governor to swoop in an take out school board members where the system loses accreditation. It can only happen after the state Board of Education holds are hearing and recommends the action.
* Child prostitution bill. This should be good. So good, we have Valarie at Hogwarts. Opponents say the measure, which changes the offense to "unruly children", say it decriminalizes prostitution. I didn't see their pile of stones, but I'm sure they are nearby. A Fulton prosecutor argues for the bill and not hauling children off to jail for crimes where they can't even consent. So much for the law and order crowd.
* Hustler has filed open records request to get the pictures of that poor hiker girl that was killed last year. Yep, Larry Flynt is still the most vile man on the planet. Speaker Ralston is dead set against and is trying to pass a bill which will prevent these types of request. They should research what happened in Florida after Dale Earnhardt's death. But it won't cover the Hustler situation. To which the Speaker says they are welcome to sue the State. I'm pretty sure Flynt has heard those words before.
* Black History Moment. We're getting it now because of the recess. And there's Keocia! She's not really missing. Profile of Coretta Scott King. Coretta was a country girl. Didn't know that.
* Ban on texting while driving passed Senate committee. Ban on eating Whoppers while driving must be on the way. Hearing old dudes talk about texting is pretty funny.
* Hearing on raising the cigarette tax. And there's Tom Baxter! It's standing room only for this committee meeting and all the beautiful people are there.
* We've got a roving camera! It's slowly swinging away from Nwandi and there's Ricky looking a little stunned. Camera intern must have dozed off. Or seen a rat. Whiplash back to Nwandi.
* International Women's Day. I suppose this counts as our protest of the day. And there's Nan Orrock! Of course Lawmaker's identifies here as Gail Buckner of Morrow. It's easy to get your liberals confused.
* Lawmakers Flashback! It's also Women's History Month. So, naturally we get to see an old dude - Denmark Groover. But he's honoring the first woman who served in the General Assembly - Viola Ross Napier. She served in the 20s which is pretty amazing.
* Susan points out there still not enough women in the Legislature. SNAP!
* Ricky Bevington and her BOOK OF DOOM! A hunter killed a forestry employee in middlle Georgia. He thought he was a coyote. Tax breaks are helping movies move to Georgia. Great. More liberals. Short segment tonight. Just not enough bad news to go around.
* Tomorrow! More protests! More Porter! But for now, that's a wrap!
Sunday, March 07, 2010
Gonzo Lawmakers - Day 20
A daily recap of the Georgia Public Broadcasting show "Lawmakers". The show airs weekdays at 7:00pm with a replay at 5:30am the following weekday.
* Let's do the time warp again! This episode was broadcast on Feb. 18th. Tomorrow the legislatures returns, Lawmakers returns and Gonzo returns on a regular basis. I promise. Now on with the show.
* It's the weekly recap show and that means Project Tom Crawford!
* Valerie on the set again. No mention of Nwandi this time. That can't be good. And Valerie missed a camera transition. There's some bad juju in the air.
* Sen. Jack Hill talks about looking under the mattress for money. Told you they're desperate.
* Oh boy. They're going to tackle the Board of Regents. That's going to be one hella nasty fight.
* Snappy yellow suit on Valerie. Matches the 70s themed set. Cut me some slack. It's the weekend recap. It's all about the fashion. One day your in and the next, you're out.
* Scowling house clerks! The streak continues!
* It's all about the adjournment. Which already happened. Democrats didn't want to take the break. That's something I didn't know.
* Love the necklace Susan. More fashion. I'm also getting caught up on Project Runway.
* We have to talk about fashion cause lord knows, the last day before the ADJOURNMENT not a lot got done.
* Tape monster is back!
* Rep. Steve Davis (R-Land Of Endless Pavement) wants to restructure the Atlanta Regional Commission. His amendment was ruled not germane. I wish I could rule the nightmare that is the Hudson Bridge Rd. exit not germane.
* The Senate debated a bill about mobile homes. For an hour. Good lord. And it was sponsored by Sen. John Bulloch who's from down my way. The jokes just write themselves.
* The Non-Civil Committee. Awesome name. And we get Lara Fawaz at Hogwarts for a report. Fixing the law to cut off the loophole that allows student-teacher relations (in the Biblican sense). Barry Loudermilk wants to ban abortion based on race. Democrat Stacy Abrams points out just how insane this thing is. If a woman mentions race and the doctor performs the abortion, the doctor is a criminal. Seriously. Have they lost their minds?
* Good job Lara. Where's Keocia? Has Channel 46 already hired her?
* Project Tom Crawford! Oh Tom! A checked shirt with a striped tie? And it appears Tom is determined to bring the 70s back. I swear the tie is gold with black stripes. Can someone from The Men's Warehouse save this man? I feel all wobbly just looking at that thing.
* There are far too many mentions of "gaping holes". Sounds dirty.
* Tom points out the only big pool of money left is the University system. You think politics is nasty these days? Just wait until that fight starts.
* We're going to raid the sewer funding. We're literally up sh*t creek.
* Working Family Caucus or something. And there's Nan Orrock. I could have put money on her being there. Democrats for tax reform? Closing tax loopholes? How about that! Too bad they didn't act this way when they were in power. Oh and of course they want to raise taxes. Duh.
* Lawmaker flashback! 1985. Angulique Proctor was an anchor! I believe she went on to report for one of the big boy TeeVee stations. They're debating gasoline sales which is about as boring as it gets. This was back in the day when they were called filling stations. Young Steve Thompson! Well, not exactly. That sucker hasn't changed a bit. And I won't even get into the deal with his hair.
* Protest of the day and that means Alan Freedman. The advocates for vouchers braved the chilly weather. They even have a rabbi! How refreshing. In a weird sort of way. Now in the committee meeting and there's former WSB reporter Bill Nigut! He's a big old liberal, so he doesn't like vouchers. I once danced the Hora with him. How many south Georgia rednecks can say that!
* Ricky Bevington and her BOOK OF DOOM! Georgia is getting no transportation stimlus funds and the chyron reads "No Stimulus For You". One of the interns has a sense of humor. Rejection, rejection, rejection. Tiger Woods? What the hell does this have to do with Georgia? Oh, The Masters of course. A rockslide closed a highway in north Georgia. We're back to Revelations style news updates.
* And we're off for the ADJOURNMENT, but with the magic of the internet, I've brought you up to current. So we start all over again tomorrow. But for now, that's a wrap!
* Let's do the time warp again! This episode was broadcast on Feb. 18th. Tomorrow the legislatures returns, Lawmakers returns and Gonzo returns on a regular basis. I promise. Now on with the show.
* It's the weekly recap show and that means Project Tom Crawford!
* Valerie on the set again. No mention of Nwandi this time. That can't be good. And Valerie missed a camera transition. There's some bad juju in the air.
* Sen. Jack Hill talks about looking under the mattress for money. Told you they're desperate.
* Oh boy. They're going to tackle the Board of Regents. That's going to be one hella nasty fight.
* Snappy yellow suit on Valerie. Matches the 70s themed set. Cut me some slack. It's the weekend recap. It's all about the fashion. One day your in and the next, you're out.
* Scowling house clerks! The streak continues!
* It's all about the adjournment. Which already happened. Democrats didn't want to take the break. That's something I didn't know.
* Love the necklace Susan. More fashion. I'm also getting caught up on Project Runway.
* We have to talk about fashion cause lord knows, the last day before the ADJOURNMENT not a lot got done.
* Tape monster is back!
* Rep. Steve Davis (R-Land Of Endless Pavement) wants to restructure the Atlanta Regional Commission. His amendment was ruled not germane. I wish I could rule the nightmare that is the Hudson Bridge Rd. exit not germane.
* The Senate debated a bill about mobile homes. For an hour. Good lord. And it was sponsored by Sen. John Bulloch who's from down my way. The jokes just write themselves.
* The Non-Civil Committee. Awesome name. And we get Lara Fawaz at Hogwarts for a report. Fixing the law to cut off the loophole that allows student-teacher relations (in the Biblican sense). Barry Loudermilk wants to ban abortion based on race. Democrat Stacy Abrams points out just how insane this thing is. If a woman mentions race and the doctor performs the abortion, the doctor is a criminal. Seriously. Have they lost their minds?
* Good job Lara. Where's Keocia? Has Channel 46 already hired her?
* Project Tom Crawford! Oh Tom! A checked shirt with a striped tie? And it appears Tom is determined to bring the 70s back. I swear the tie is gold with black stripes. Can someone from The Men's Warehouse save this man? I feel all wobbly just looking at that thing.
* There are far too many mentions of "gaping holes". Sounds dirty.
* Tom points out the only big pool of money left is the University system. You think politics is nasty these days? Just wait until that fight starts.
* We're going to raid the sewer funding. We're literally up sh*t creek.
* Working Family Caucus or something. And there's Nan Orrock. I could have put money on her being there. Democrats for tax reform? Closing tax loopholes? How about that! Too bad they didn't act this way when they were in power. Oh and of course they want to raise taxes. Duh.
* Lawmaker flashback! 1985. Angulique Proctor was an anchor! I believe she went on to report for one of the big boy TeeVee stations. They're debating gasoline sales which is about as boring as it gets. This was back in the day when they were called filling stations. Young Steve Thompson! Well, not exactly. That sucker hasn't changed a bit. And I won't even get into the deal with his hair.
* Protest of the day and that means Alan Freedman. The advocates for vouchers braved the chilly weather. They even have a rabbi! How refreshing. In a weird sort of way. Now in the committee meeting and there's former WSB reporter Bill Nigut! He's a big old liberal, so he doesn't like vouchers. I once danced the Hora with him. How many south Georgia rednecks can say that!
* Ricky Bevington and her BOOK OF DOOM! Georgia is getting no transportation stimlus funds and the chyron reads "No Stimulus For You". One of the interns has a sense of humor. Rejection, rejection, rejection. Tiger Woods? What the hell does this have to do with Georgia? Oh, The Masters of course. A rockslide closed a highway in north Georgia. We're back to Revelations style news updates.
* And we're off for the ADJOURNMENT, but with the magic of the internet, I've brought you up to current. So we start all over again tomorrow. But for now, that's a wrap!
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)
