Monday, April 18

At our Lunch 'n Learn the presenter was a no-show, so we went around the room sharing something we learned.  One thing that stuck out was that from a bill's conception to its... passing... most of the small things that carry it along are done hush-hush-behind-the-scenes, and that this is how it works the best.  This is why it is often so quiet in the chamber: a few legislators may discuss the future of a bill and its amendments over coffee or in a cubicle.  Just think what it would be like if all of these "meetings" were required to be made public and records kept.  Would that increase transparency, or the size of government?

The general public should be aware that the real debate doesn't happen on the floor when the cameras are rolling.  The real debate happens while the parties are caucusing (debating and coming to a somewhat general consensus) behind closed doors and the pages and clerks are counting the lights in the ceiling.

Today HF 254, HF 392, HF 493, HF 597, HF 654, HF 672, HF 679, HF 684, SF 521, SF 209 (a.k.a. HF 45; a.k.a. Taxpayers First Act), HF 653, and HF 673 were debated and passed.

I was also declared the hero of the day when I found an earring on the floor.