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!