The revelations about the state DOT are not new to us since Rep. Steve Davis has been preaching the gospel for several years. But the recent hire of Gena L. Abraham has been a welcomed change at the dysfunctional agency.

Abraham's election was voted upon by DOT Board members, but some folks in the legislature - namely Glen Richardson - are not entirely happy with the shake-up going on at GDOT. Replacing members of the DOT Board is the politically empowering method to maintaining control of that mismanaged, pork & graft machine. So that is exactly what Richardson wanted to do.

The legislature must vote to approve appointments, and Richardson did not have the votes needed to place his own puppet, former state Rep. Stacey Reece, on the Board. The 9th District DOT seat was won by incumbent Mike Evans, and Richardson is not happy.

From InsiderAdvantage Georgia:

(2/4/08) Three more House members have been stripped of important committee assignments for voting contrary to Speaker Glenn Richardson’s wishes in the race last Friday for the 9th District DOT seat, won by incumbent Mike Evans. Richardson was supporting challenger and former state Rep. Stacey Reece.

Besides Tom Graves, who we learned Friday had been fired as a House “Hawk” and told to vacate his Capitol office in favor of the less-posh digs at the Coverdell Legislative Office Building across the street:

* John Meadows was removed as vice chairman of Natural Resources & Environment and as secretary of the Insurance Committee.

* Doug Collins was removed as chairman of the children’s health issues subcommittee of Health and Human Services.

* Martin Scott was given the heave-ho as co-chairman of the income tax subcommittee of Ways & Means and as secretary of Ways and Means.

We’ve also learned of some other positions that Graves has lost, besides his slot as a House “hawk.” He’s no longer chairman of the state highway subcommittee of Transportation. He’s no longer chairman of the education subcommittee of Children and Youth. He’s no longer chairman of the general health subcommittee of Health and Human Services. And he’s no longer chairman of the tax reform subcommittee under Ways and Means.

Clelia Davis, the Speaker’s spokeswoman, said Richardson made the decisions “and the House leadership fully supports them.”

Word of Collins’ removal was circulated earlier told by the Gainesville Times. He told the newspaper, “This is something I knew could possibly happen if I voted for Mike Evans. It’s very frustrating, but I felt the need to vote my conscience and my constituency. I made those decisions based on what I felt was best for this community.”

We can be thankful that our elected representatives, Davis and Senator Douglas do show up and cast votes in the interest of their constituents. Rep. Davis posted at his blogon February 1:

In the uncontested seat in the 13th District, I simply wanted the record to show that I did not support Dana Lemon but when motioned for unanimous consent I was not recognized for my objection. There was only 18 members of a 30 member delegation present because most did not even bother to come! I will let the voters in my district know that even though my one vote could not change the outcome that I do not support a person that does not serve the best interest of our community. There was only 2 Republicans, myself and Senator Douglas from what I could tell but this is how things go sometimes.