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could die because
we run out of time. The motion to limit debate passes overwhelmingly.
12:04 p.m. to 12:10 p.m. - We pass
HB 414 and HB 594. Only about three minutes on each bill.
12:10 p.m. to 1:13 p.m. - We debate
for an hour and finally pass HB 373. This is the legislation that starts
the process of changing eminent domain law for power companies. The bill
is amended so it won't take effect unless we provide the funding. The
amendment essentially halts the legislation.
1:14 p.m. - We take a 20-minute break
for lunch. Pizza Hut/Pepsi offers free pizza and drinks. I ask the lady
serving if she has Coke, and she doesn't think it's funny. So cheese pizza
and Mountain Dew will have to suffice today.
1:45 p.m. to 5:06 p.m. - We debate
and vote on 22 bills. That's an average of nine minutes per bill. The
topics range from 'allowing teachers to transfer from other states' to
'licensing adult day centers.' It seems peculiar that we pass bills so
quickly. This is where you really must pay attention.
5:07 p.m. - We start debate on HB
380, changing Georgia's flag. Over the next 5½ hours, approximately 40
members of the House take the well to speak on changing the flag and calling
for a referendum. Democrats, Republicans and the Governor's office have
carefully pieced this flag legislation together. It's the only idea that
will bring the issue to an end in the foreseeable future. I had already
placed a newspaper ad asking for my constituent's opinion. In just two
days, more than 40 people contacted me by phone or email. Every one of
the respondents in favor of the new flag, save one nice lady from Acworth
who wanted only the referendum. We spend the almost six hours of this
debate either sitting at our desk or sitting in the anteroom talking to
other legislators. Fortunately, the Varsity delivers chilidogs, hamburgers,
"freedom" fries and onion rings.
10:32 p.m. to 11:36 p.m. - We vote
on 14 flag bill amendments; ranging from changing the proposed design,
to getting rid of the flag altogether, to eliminating the referendum.
In the end, every amendment fails.
11:37 p.m. - We make a historic vote
to remove the current state flag and replace it with the Pre-1956 state
flag including the words "In God We Trust," and 13 stars around the state
seal. The final vote is 111 Yes - 67 No. The debate is finally over. The
new flag won't please everyone, but then again nothing ever does. I think
this is a good compromise.
11:41 p.m. to 12:16 a.m. - We pass
10 more bills and resolutions. That's three and a half minutes on each
piece of legislation. We later find that half of the bills we passed will
be held over to next year because the Senate does not accept anything
after midnight.
12:45 a.m. - I leave my office for
Woodstock. As you might expect, it's a clear ride home.
1:20 a.m. - I make it home. My wife
wonders what took so long. So do I.
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