Optimism Abounds
I’m one of the new guys, and let me tell you, inexperience equals unbridled optimism. I arrived at the State House last year believing that we were going to pass good legislation and kill those bills that deserved to die. From the first day in the House, we began the process. Bills would be introduced, debated, and passed or killed based on the actions of the membership. It was just as I envisioned. I do not know if you guys remember the ABC cartoon special in which an animated bill appropriately named “Bill” detailed the legislative process from start to finish in a catchy little tune that I still remember to this day. “I’m just a Bill, yes I’m only a Bill, and I’m sitting here on Capitol Hill . . . .” feel free to sing it if you remember the words. Bottom line, he goes through the entire process and he barely “passes” and becomes law at the very last minute. Apparently, “Bill” has never been to Alabama.
Last year, the Senate beat “Bill” bloody and left him on the steps of the State House to die. Along with his untimely demise went my youthful exuberance, excitement, and blind optimism. I quickly learned that the Senate was deadlocked and that nothing, and I mean nothing, would pass during the session. The House passed Bill after Bill with full knowledge that chances were that it would never see the light of the day. Knowing the informed readership of this blog, I know that I do not have to go through all of the sordid details of the last session. Eventually, though, the deadlock ended and some bills were passed. We actually passed a couple of pretty good budgets.
The point of all this is to say that while it appears that all differences have been set aside and we are set to pass a number of Bills this session, it could all change in a matter of seconds. So, armed with the last year’s experience, my understanding of the process is now tempered by cautious optimism.
However, it is a new session and optimism abounds in the Legislature. Throughout the hallways, members, lobbyist, clerks, and pages all have visions of a successful session. Maybe this year “Bill” and a number of friends will survive and actually become Law.
(R) Jeff Sessions (1-19)
(D) Vivian Figures (33-1)
(D) Artur Davis (1-49)
(R) Mike Hubbard (13-1)
(?) David Bronner (OFF)
For everyone reading Chris’s blog for the first time I can tell you he is a great addition to the legislative blog caucus! He really works his bills and has quickly learned the process. Glad to have you blogging with all of us Chris.
Comment by Cam Ward — February 12, 2008 @ 8:42 pm
I seem to recall that a lucrative “personal budget” sailed through both chambers very early in one session. Was that last year?
Comment by Don — February 13, 2008 @ 8:33 am
Optimism. That’s a very important attitude in all of life, not just for ole’ “Bill.” I certainly remember the cartoon you referred to:) Both on the legislative floor and in every other aspect of life, the choices we make can have a great impact on the lives of others. At the end of the day (regardless of what happens to “Bill”) the decisions you make have far reaching implications that will always effect others to a greater extent than you may care to imagine. Your blog entry gives me the opportunity to use a few quotes that I try to live by, and think are of even more importance for those who are put in positions to impact others in a public capacity:
“Nearly all men can stand adversity, but if you want to test a man’s character, give him power.”
“Good government begins in the family; political character will follow.”
“Be more concerned with your character than your reputation, because your character is what you really are, while your reputation is merely what others think you are.” (This is my personal favorite)
“Our character is what we do when we think no one is looking.”
“The true test of character is not how much we know how to do, but how we behave when we don’t know what to do.”
Good luck newbie
Comment by AnonymouS — February 13, 2008 @ 9:39 am
Great post. Let me apologize in advance. From our perspective, it often just seems like the whole process is deadlocked and beating up on Bill. It’s not easy for us to differentiate the Senate and the House when all we normally see is Bill goes in, nothing comes out.
When I say “we” I don’t mean “me” really, but most people I talk to don’t realize it’s the 35 upstairs and not the 105 in the other room.
Comment by Dan — February 25, 2008 @ 10:22 pm
Great post Rep. England and thank you for having the courage to face the public in the online world. Only a few brave legislative souls have taken that step thus far.
I shared your disappointment last year and in previous years. I work on a number of different causes and it is so frustrating when we have to use our scarce resources and bust our behinds only to have the Senate lock down or have whatever committee we have our bills in wait until the last day of the session to pass the bill out. Then it never makes it to the full house floor for a debate. We have to start all over again the next session.
By the end of this week a new Compassionate Care Act (medical marijuana bill) will be introduced. This year the bill will be renamed in memory of Michael Paul Phillips, a patient who gave testimony in the judiciary committee last year, who I introduceda both you and Rep. Cam Ward to on a couple of different occasions. Michael passed away unexpectedly on December 09, 2007. His mother and father will be giving testimony in his place this year.
While you may or may not support medical marijuana in the state of Alabama I am asking you to please vote it out of committee this year, so that a full debate on the house floor can be had. Voting yes to pass it out of committee is not voting yes to legalize marijuana. Voting yes to pass this bill out of committee simply means you support the right of the people and, more importantly, the right of terminally ill patients and their families to make their case before the only people who have the power to protect them from prosecution and imprisonment.
Thanks again for making it easier to access you in a public forum. That speaks volumes to me.
Best,
Loretta Nall
Comment by Loretta Nall — February 26, 2008 @ 8:09 am
[…] I haven’t been reading many blogs recently at all, and I just now read through some of the posts at the Legislative Dispatch at Doc’s Political Parlor. Senators Rusty Glover (R) and Parker Griffith (D) join Representatives Chris England (D) and Cam Ward (R) to blog about political life. I’ve only met the two reps, but I can confidently say that Mr. England and Mr. Ward will be great additions to the Bama blogosphere. I particularly enjoyed Chris England’s most recent post, but maybe that’s because he’s from my neck of the woods. […]
Pingback by Daily Dixie: Blogging legislators — February 26, 2008 @ 9:02 am
Chris, Good job. You have come a long way from guarding the UA law school with me.
Comment by ron — February 26, 2008 @ 11:19 am
Rep. England,
I want to applaud you and the House Judiciary Committee for giving SB 540 a “favorable” report. Kudos to Rep. DeMarco for “tweaking” the wording just a tad. Way to go, paesan!
I hope all of you & the entire House can vote “YEA” on it and facilitate its passage. Even with the substitutions and amendments made to it, I can still benefit from it. For too long, Alabama has needed some type of criminal records arrest and conviction records expungement law.
The State Pardons do not seem to have any operational usefulness.
Comment by Darryl Morris — May 14, 2008 @ 1:47 pm