unusual attack from the well of the House, Speaker Glenn Richardson accused the Senate of engaging in "a power play" to gain more control of billions of dollars in state funds. "Quit playing games. Quit messing around," Richardson said to a standing ovation from House lawmakers. Minutes later, on the other side of the Capitol, Senate President pro tem Eric Johnson fired back, bringing senators to their feet. "There is an arrogance across the aisle that believes the Senate should not have a seat at the table," Johnson said.Appearantly tensions rose from disagreements on items in the judiciary and the education departments. Brandon Larrabee reports that the
senate budget writers want to spell out more clearly how the judiciary spends some administrative money and to make changes to education department budget language.Larrabee went on to report that House leaders were holding firm on the court proposal because they feel that the differences regarding are "particularly dangerous because it could threaten the separation of powers."
Advocates watched the drama from television screens outside the chamber, saying it is not uncommon to have last minute positioning by both sides to help push things along. And in fact, this very public and heated debate followed with one public meeting at 12noon where both sides exchanged budget proposals. Reports and rumors throughout the day seemed to suggest that legislators were focusing on moving legislation through the process. Perhaps in the end they remember what is at stake. The Rome paper quoted State Rep. Paul Smith, D-Rome as saying, he believes voters will show their displeasure [if the work is left unfinished]. “Being election year, everyone involved should stand up and say, ‘Hey, let’s do our jobs, because the voters are watching.’ At least, I hope so.”We do too.
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