I have just been out of it since the inauguration. What better way to get back than with the master or Georgia political analysis! Thanks Grift Drift!
This eclectic interview gives a sense of the subdued weirdness of the Georgia legislature this season. The shouting and brazen conflict of past legislative sessions has given way to conflicting agendas worked out in back rooms and committee meetings.
The Georgia Power bill to make taxpayers pay for the expansion of Plant Vogle brought the ire of conservative Republicans like Erick Erickson of Peach Pundit. Even with grassroots opposition, the bill passed anyway, and the cost, politically speaking, may not be paid until the 2010 elections.
The lame duck Governor had his misguided (actually corrupt) attempt to let drug manufacturers kill us without fear of consequences die in committee. His equally stupid idea of making losing litigants pay attorney fees passed after being gutted and field dressed. Just between you and me, I will be glad when “Perdue” makes me think only of real chicken.
With all the budget problems, the Republican legislators were saved by President Obama and the Democratic stimulus legislation. Were it not for those funds, the legislature might committed political suicide in cutting services, teachers and a whole bunch of other stuff. Even as it turned out, they may have alienated a lot of county governments just because they seriously contemplated leaving them out to dry by failing to reimburse them for the loss of revenue from the homestead exemption, Such a move would have put every county in the state in deep trouble.
The real question is what does all this mean for the 2010 elections? We may not know that until Roy Barnes announces his candidacy for the Democratic nomination for Governor.
Comments