Filibuster Begins As Gambling Issues Surface
Those wishing to see bills passed in the Senate should have visited the State House on Tuesday as several local bills were passed. Following an active committee day on Wednesday, legislation grinded to a halt as SB 191 came up for discussion. Sen. Myron Penn (D-Union Springs), sponsor of the local bill for Macon County, led the filibuster in order to keep control of the discussion and perhaps buy enough time to persuade enough members to invoke cloture (a special vote to end a filibuster) on those who wish to see the bill not come up for a vote. I know this sounds complicated.
I can understand how our constituents would be angry over the gridlock that goes on in Montgomery. The gambling issue has led to a huge tug-of-war that seems set in stalemate. I hope that my colleagues who are so passionate about expanding gambling will display the same intensity toward passing legislation that the citizens of our state are demanding, such as insurance and immigration reform, along with four year reapraisals.
