2008 Session Kickoff Open Thread
I got a call last night that the Republican caucus in the state legislature changed its meeting from after the session to before the session. This could mean that we'll see some veto overrides this morning.
Erick at Peach Pundit says that some legislators have privately told him that the tax cut that the Governor vetoed is a candidate for an override. Jim Wooten mentions HB 91 as a likely candidate for an override.
Both were mentioned in my preview of the session as bills that could be targeted. Insider Advantage has a look at what some legislators are thinking about vetoes and other legislation. And I as I posted in my preview, the NRA's gun bill will come to the Senate floor for a vote.
Things got unofficially kicked off last night at the Wild Hog Supper. Members from both parties and lobbyists get together at the Depot for food and conversation before the session.
The session begins at 10am. Live-blogging begins at that time.
[9:56am] The link for the broadcast of the State Senate is already running. The House broadcast has nothing right now.
[10:00am] The broadcast is finally working. The House is calling the role.
[10:03pm] 158 members are present. The two newest representatives are being introduced. Next is the daily devotion and then the pledge.
[10:05am] I am cross posting this thread at Georgia Legislative Watch.
[10:21pm] The House is observing a moment of silence for the late State Rep. Dan Lakly.
[10:28am] I got word that the House is preparing to override ten or eleven bills, including HB 91 (which passed both both houses without opposition). There will be no overrides of budget vetoes.
[10:36am] State Rep. Martin Scott is giving a morning order on the Human Life Amendment, calling for an end to the "culture of death."
[10:37am] I've got the Senate session going on my laptop. Lt. Governor Casey Cagle is addressing the drought. He attributes the problems to growth.
[10:40am] House Majority Leader Jerry Keen is going through the usual start of the session resolutions such as inviting the Governor to the House for the State of the State address (Wednesday at 2pm), notifying the Senate that the House is in session, and inviting the State Supreme Court to address the legislature. Keen said that the House will be in session all week this week, but be off all week next week.
[10:42am] Speaker Pro-Tem Mark Burkhalter begins the overrides with HB 549.
[10:48am] The House has overridden HB 549 by a vote of 161 to 12.
[10:49am] State Rep. Ben Harbin has made a motion to override HB 229.
[10:53am] The veto of HB 229 has been overridden by a vote of 162 to 11.
[10:53am] State Rep. Jeff Lewis has moved that the House override HB 451.
[10:55am] The override passed by a vote of 157 to 16.
[10:56am] State Rep. Burke Day moves that the House override the veto of HB 218.
[10:58am] HB 218 was overridden by a vote of 159 - 14.
[10:59am] State Rep. Bobby Franklin has moved that the House override the veto of HB 69.
[11:01am] The House has overridden the veto by a vote of 155 to 18
[11:02am] State Rep. Jill Chambers moves to override HB 91.
[11:04am] The overrides are being presented in the State Senate.
[11:06am] The veto of HB 91 has been overridden by a vote of 157 to 15.
[11:06am] State Rep. Richard Royal has moved that the House override HB 529.
[11:08am] The House has overridden HB 529 by a vote of 160 to 13.
[11:09am] State Rep. Chuck Martin is moving that the House override the veto of HB 162.
[11:11am] Casey Cagle has assigned the House's override to the Senate Rules Committee "for deliberation."
[11:14am] The Speaker said that the Constitution requires the Senate to immediate consider overrides and "not to play a game."
[11:15am] The veto of HB 441 (moved by State Rep. Chuck Martin)has been overridden by a vote of 147 to 22.
[11:15am] The veto of HB 162 has been overridden by a vote of 147 to 22.
[11:16am] The House has overridden the veto of HB 441 by a vote of 155 to 16.
[11:17am] The Senate has adjourned until 5pm.
[11:20am] The House voted to override the veto of HB 559 by a vote of 157 to 14.
[11:21am] The House has overridden HB 807 by a vote of 158 to 14.
[11:24am] The House has overridden HB 413 by a vote of 152 to 18.
[11:25am] After overridding twelve vetoes, the House has adjourned until 10am tomorrow morning. I'll back at 5pm to see if the Senate takes up any overrides.
[12:30pm] On the matter of Casey Cagle sending the House overrides to the Senate Rules Committee.The state Constitution is clear on overrides. The language can be found in Article III, Section V, Paragraph XIII (d):
During sessions of the General Assembly, any vetoed bill or resolution may upon receipt be immediate considered by the house wherein it originated for the purpose of overriding the veto. If two-thirds of the members to which such house is entitled vote to override the veto of the Governor, the same shall be immediately transmitted to the other houses where it shall be immediately considered.It would seem that Richardson is right. The Senate should have considered the overrides immediately upon receipt.
[5:02pm] It turns out the Senate is not meeting again today. They'll reconvene in the morning.
Comments
Last night at church somebody asked me if I was voting for Huckabee. I told them no, and that they should find a social conservative who is also fiscally conservative. I was then told I supported Ron Paul and I blame America for everything. Got to love those loving Baptists...
Posted by: Joshua Patterson | January 14, 2008 10:35 AM
Oh yeah, and the same guy told me if Hillary wins, the Republicans will easily win the general. I'll have what he is smoking please..
Posted by: Joshua Patterson | January 14, 2008 10:38 AM