Daily Archives: March 30, 2006

The Lt. Gov has just chided the Senate for doing nothing but tag bills this am.

With all the important stuff on the table, worrying about a prestige license plate somehow seems beneath the purpose of this body

Actually, today is a a cross between Christmas and a funeral.

Some are in mourning – others in giddy expectation of presets to be unwrapped

Right now, Senators are attempting to amend a license plate bill that will let Equine Research be funded

Seems there are other license plates that need creating — or amending as well.

Today is a day for watching

You watch for who talks to whom

For example, the young ladies working for the Georgia Family Council are surrounding the House Rules Chairman so your wonder what bill may get added later when another supplemental calendar is set.  And you wonder is it SB 425 (email) or SB 596?

You watch for members who have not succeeded in getting their key legislation passed

And you watch for what time The General Assembly may adjourn

The AJC continues their superior and, non-pulitzer prize winning, quality reporting of the Georgia General Assembly with the following story:

Legislature 2006: Lobbyists craft much legislation

And it took 2 reporters to provde that insight…

The Constitution of the State of Georgia says:

The General Assembly shall meet in regular session on the second Monday in January of each year, or otherwise as provided by law, and may continue in session for a period of no longer than 40 days in the aggregate each year.

This hold over from the days when most legislators were farmers is held out as the lone hope of those who fear what actions this body of representatives may take.  Well, today is it, #40 — you can't go past midnight, cannot go past go, you must stop.

But, in Days 40 of past years, lots does happen.  Stay tuned.

For a warm up, here are some MSP (Main Stream Press) items on Day 40

• AJC – Capitol workers scurry as day 40 rolls in
• AJC – Doors closed on budget work
• AP – Budget negotiations down to the wire
• AJC – Tricks, Treats fare for last day
• Thomasville (AP) – Session reaches final day
• Gwinnett – Full plate on last day of session