From Sine Die, a look at how ethics gets squeezed out of the sausage
Around 6 p.m. Thursday, the final day of this year’s legislative session, Lt. Gov. Casey Cagle had to make a phone call.
He wasn’t phoning the speaker of the House so they could gavel the session adjourned, sine die. Rather, Cagle was asking his chief legal counsel about an amendment to a bill.
I know, I know: Government-jargon-blah-blah-blah alerts are sounding all across metro Atlanta right about now. But this story isn’t about Gold Dome process. It’s about money, power and how the two intersect in ways that can be hard to see.
For a seasoned presiding officer who wastes little time assigning bills to committees and making various other rulings from the rostrum, Cagle’s pause was unusual. Then again, the amendment was unusually delicate: Sen. Jason Carter, an Atlanta Democrat, was proposing a $100 limit on lobbyist gifts to legislators. It was the same limit proposed by Republicans and — until then — snuffed out by higher-ranking Republicans in both the Senate and the House this year.
Cagle hung up, brought the Senate to order, and spoke.
He personally, he said, had voted before for gift caps, and he would allow the amendment if he could. But he was advised that, legally, he could not deem the amendment germane to the underlying bill because it dealt with a different section of state elections law.
Cagle’s decision probably was the prudent thing to do, legally. Even some proponents of the gift limit acknowledged it’s not necessarily a good precedent to lump two issues that different into one bill.
Four hours later, though, some legislators dispensed with that restraint. But not to pass a gift limit. Oh, no.
Instead, senators voted 46-4 to approve a bill, HB 875, about hunting and fishing licenses. The final version of the bill just happened to include an amendment allowing some rulings by the state ethics commission to be sealed from public view.
Carter’s amendment and the underlying bill both fell under Title 21 (Elections) of the state code, but the amendment was deemed out of bounds.
Now, follow me if you can: HB 875 began in Title 27 (Game and Fish), looped in part of Title 52 (Waters of the State, Ports, and Watercraft), at one point stood to tack on another amendment concerning Title 50 (State Government), and eventually circled all the way back to — irony alert — Title 21 (Elections), to add that part about sealed records.
To be fair, I guess, all those various portions of HB 875 did relate to withholding information from the public.
In the end, House members caught on to the attempt to use HB 875 to take some of the transparency out of the Georgia Government Transparency and Campaign Finance Commission (the agency formerly known as the State Ethics Commission). They voted it down, 143-25.
But if you’re wondering how these two situations could unfold so differently, you haven’t been paying attention. Everyone at the Capitol is for ethics and good governance, until they aren’t. So, as I heard in recent weeks from multiple people, the House can try to restore rule-making authority to the ethics commission, only to be blocked by the Senate, and the Senate can desire to study a gift limit and other potential reforms but get a cold reception in the House for the idea. The only result is neither gets done.
A ray of hope: Cagle could follow his stated interest in a gift cap by appointing a committee to study the concept and propose a bill next year. Unlike some others, he at least seems to understand it’s good politics.
– By Kyle Wingfield
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120 comments Add your comment
tiredofIT
March 31st, 2012
4:41 pm
Georgia government is a mirror of it’s citizens, sad.
Dusty
March 31st, 2012
5:19 pm
Michael H. Smith @ 3:09
Your ideas sound fine to me about lobbyists at the state capitol.. I might make a few more suggestions…
All lobbyist must wear the new five inch heel shoes or combat boots.
All complimentary lunches must be held at BurgerKing.
No lobbyists under 65 years of age.
I think these requirements would also be very helpful.
Wade Hampton
March 31st, 2012
6:12 pm
Ethics squeezed out?
.
Georgia lawyers.. and the Georgia Bar……
Those ethics were squeezed out in Law School.
.
Crooks all.
Lil' Barry Bailout (Revised Downward)
March 31st, 2012
6:15 pm
carlosgvv: The Roman Empire fell because it became corrupt and rotten from within.
———–
The corruption that will destroy us is not that of the politician, it is the corruption of our moral base, most significantly the growth of the entitlement mentality. When we get to the point where adults attending posh private law schools demand middle class workers pay their $9-a-month incidental expenses, it’s over for us.
crankee-yankee
March 31st, 2012
6:28 pm
“Todd’s Principles of Politics”
1) Whatever they are telling us, they aren’t telling the whole truth.
2) Whatever they are talking about, they are talking about money.
Michael H. Smith
March 31st, 2012
8:08 pm
Dusty @ 5:19 pm
Those ideas could lend themselves to some interesting interpretations, probably even better results if one chose to read between the lines so to speak.
Our Government Crooks
March 31st, 2012
10:15 pm
The government at their best. They did accomplish something—we became the most corrupt state government in the United States–they effectively abolished the hr for the state–they watered down ethics—go figure—you ain’t see nothing yet! These crooks are experts!
David Green
March 31st, 2012
10:35 pm
Kyle in regards to the political corruption being promoted by conservative republicans underneath the gold dome; you and your fellow conservatives made your own bed {by voting them into political office based not on the morality you Christians profess but on the basis of a corrupt and sociopathic ideology: conservatism} now you will just have to lie in it and hang your head in shame.
Tiberius - Your lightning rod of hate!
March 31st, 2012
11:35 pm
“GW. destroyed the USA in 8 years.”
teh stoopid. It burns.
captguitarman
April 1st, 2012
12:34 am
Jes’ good ol’ boys doin’ bidness. It’s been that way since Reconstruction. The change from one party Dem rule to one party Pub rule did not change the legislative culture, and it will not change for the better when the things recycle and the Pubs are shown the door. It’s just Georgia. Georgians have the government they deserve. It is that simple. If the decline continues, enough people get fed up one the ruling party’s arrogance, it will change gain. Voters don’t forget things like this on a subliminal level . . . it all kind of piles up over there in the corner. And then one fome election day, this big negative vibe rears its head among voters, and the ruling party is kicked out, and the outsiders come in, and guess what? start doing the same things. But, it will not take 150 years for this to happen again. In fact, with the crowd in power since Sonny was elected Gov, and then the Real Deal, the cycle will only get shorter. And things will change only when ethics laws with teeth are passed and an enforcement agency is given independent power, and a budget large enough to finance enforcement measures.
I Report (-: You Whine )-: mmm, mmmm, mmmmm! Just sayin...
April 1st, 2012
6:58 am
These liberals just never stop with their race hate-
WASHINGTON — At first, the shooting death of an unarmed black teenager at the hands of a >>>white<<<>>many<<< previous tragedies that cut short the lives of young black men. – Urinal
How much more ignorant can you left wing hate mongers really be?
1. If Zimmerman is white than so is obozo.
2. Name one other instance of a “white” shooting an unarmed black teenager. Just one.
If anyone is cutting short the lives of young black men it’s the liberals miring their families in welfare poverty or aborting them before they are even born.
And they are trying to blame all of it on “whites.”
Sick. Unbelievably sick.
I Report (-: You Whine )-: mmm, mmmm, mmmmm! Just sayin...
April 1st, 2012
7:00 am
(Format issues @ 6:58)
These liberals just never stop with their race hate-
WASHINGTON — At first, the shooting death of an unarmed black teenager at the hands of a {{{white}}} neighborhood watch volunteer was playing out like {{{many}}} previous tragedies that cut short the lives of young black men. – Urinal
How much more ignorant can you left wing hate mongers really be?
1. If Zimmerman is white than so is obozo.
2. Name one other instance of a “white” shooting an unarmed black teenager. Just one.
If anyone is cutting short the lives of young black men it’s the liberals miring their families in welfare poverty or aborting them before they are even born.
And they are trying to blame all of it on “whites.”
Sick. Unbelievably sick.
Lil' Barry Bailout (Revised Downward)
April 1st, 2012
7:34 am
“Todd’s Principles of Politics”
1) Whatever they are telling us, they aren’t telling the whole truth.
2) Whatever they are talking about, they are talking about money.
——————————–
“I’ll have more flexibility after my election”
Got it.
I Report (-: You Whine )-: mmm, mmmm, mmmmm! Just sayin...
April 1st, 2012
8:19 am
So now that the geniuses at the Urinal have classified obozo as a white man, is it time to start accusing him of right wing extremism?
hahahahahahahaha, Good Lord, what a bunch of morons these liberals are.
RW-(the original)
April 1st, 2012
8:46 am
A tribute to the day.
http://www.museumofhoaxes.com/hoax/aprilfool/P0/
Enjoy
David
April 1st, 2012
9:42 am
everyone one of our elected officials are crooks. The steal just enough under the table they can’t be prosecuted. I will vote againast all incumbents for the next 12 years.
Dusty
April 1st, 2012
2:40 pm
RW-(the original) @ 8:46
You’re back! Lovely! So good to hear from you. Now don’t run off again.
Thanks for the info you posted. Very helpful!!! I covered my TV with a nylon stocking (for better transmission) and planted a spaghetti tree in the back yard. Can we celebrate with a visit from the Viking Kitties?
Dusty
April 1st, 2012
2:40 pm
RW-(the original) @ 8:46
You’re back! Lovely! So good to hear from you. Now don’t run off again.
Thanks for the info you posted. Very helpful!!! I covered my TV with a nylon stocking (for better transmission) and planted a spaghetti tree in the back yard. Can we celebrate with a visit from the Viking Kitties?
Dusty
April 1st, 2012
2:42 pm
My goodness. It really is April Fools Day. I didn’t do both. I really did not! No no!!
Don Abernethy
April 1st, 2012
2:54 pm
I have given up on politicians. When, as ordinary citizens, they become politicians their personality,their greed, their morals,their concerned for ordinary people. their ability to lie all goes out the window and they become the “politician”. You can not believe anything they say. They change. Voters are bewildered and have no clue who to vote for because it really doesn,t make any difference. They will do what ever they please after being elected and they know that voters are so stupid they will vote for them again next election. Our governments are broken and no one knows how to fix them.
Dusty
April 1st, 2012
3:07 pm
Dear Don,
Have a little more faith in your politicians (it is a hard job) or run for office yourself.
Best to consider what others have and what we have . We are ahead every time in every nationality. .
MarkV
April 1st, 2012
4:00 pm
Dusty – the ingénue in our play here, who believes that we have the best in everything. A true-blood conservative, because if we already have the best, why try to improve? No wonder the conservatives dislike progressives so much. They want progress? Horror!
I Report (-: You Whine )-: mmm, mmmm, mmmmm! Just sayin...
April 1st, 2012
4:04 pm
“The president wants to reject the pipeline, and yet take credit for approving it,” said the president of the Institute for Energy Research, a think tank in Houston.
Referring to the president’s support for only part of the XL pipeline, Rep. Dennis Cardoza, D-Calif., said he was “highlighting a waffle,” keeping the issue alive while pleasing no one. “I think it’s the most idiotic political move I’ve ever seen.”
Well, besides becoming a ho to the Russians, but it’s close.
RW-(the original)
April 1st, 2012
4:05 pm
Of course we can
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ApxnAr6pRt0
Dusty
April 1st, 2012
4:44 pm
RW, it’s really YOU!!! Hugs!! How good it was to see those charming kittens again. I say “was” ’cause I had to watch them several times just for the fun of it. I think they are my all time favorites.
Now remember, you are here to stay unless you are too busy making millions elsewhere. I haven’t won the lottery yet so I am still here. Wouldn’t leave anyway.
You wouldn’t leave dear Georgia either, would you? Perish the thought!!
Linda
April 1st, 2012
4:47 pm
The progressive movement has nothing to do with progress & is bankrupting America. Progressives don’t even like America.
http://townhall.com/columnists/derekhunter/2012/04/01/progressives_simply_do_not_like_the_united_states
Lil' Barry Bailout (Revised Downward)
April 1st, 2012
4:54 pm
No wonder the conservatives dislike progressives so much. They want progress?
——————-
Our President Bush’s deficits: $300 billion. Obozo’s deficits: $1.5 trillion. Not progress.
Our President Bush’s unemployment: 4-6%. Obozo’s unemployment: 8-10%. Not progress.
Our President Bush’s food stamp recipients: 32 million. Obozo’s food stamp recipients: 46 million. Not progress.
Obozo: A failure to progress.
Linda
April 1st, 2012
5:33 pm
Even tho liberals can’t stand this web site, the article was written by a college professor. It’s a take on progressives & the constitution, the separation of powers, socialism & their connection to our current crisis.
http://www.glennbeck.com/content/articles/article/198/23936/
getalife
April 1st, 2012
5:39 pm
Which part of we are back did you not understand?.
No more doom and gloom.
Now get back to work Americans,
We need the revenue preferably in the green energy sector.
Dusty
April 1st, 2012
5:52 pm
Well, in my ingenueish energy to extinguish the eternal egotism of MarkV @4:00, let me say that as a progressive in thought but not in governance, I would suggest a most provident move to keep America even more beautiful Give us a new president! STAT! Emergency!
NO place excels like our America and I want to keep it on the road of exellence. (If you disagree, please name the nation of your choice.)
getalife
April 1st, 2012
5:55 pm
Dusty,
We just recovered from the w collapse and you want to go back to another gop disaster?
Why do you hate your country like that?
Dusty
April 1st, 2012
6:04 pm
Getalife,
President Obama has already exploited the field of green energy with Solyndra.
Don’t ask him to do anything else.
Even the Supreme Court is having trouble trying to clean up his healthcare mess.
Dusty
April 1st, 2012
6:06 pm
getalife, 5:55
I don’t like people who tell lies.
I wish you would not fabricate facts so often.
getalife
April 1st, 2012
6:10 pm
Dusty,
Vermont is leading the green energy field and some red States are competing well.
The healthcare bill will pass 5-4.
His first term was the come back.
His second term will be peace and prosperity.
Americans that love their country do not want to go back to another gop disaster.
What is wrong with you?
RW-(the original)
April 1st, 2012
6:15 pm
Hi there Dusty! No way am I leaving Georgia unless we decide to open an office in Tampa. In that case I’m outta here! Although I think the internet still works from there.
I hope your spaghetti tree has a bountiful harvest
MarkV
April 1st, 2012
6:15 pm
Dusty @5:52 pm: “NO place excels like our America and I want to keep it on the road of exellence. (If you disagree, please name the nation of your choice.)”
Dusty,
It is not a question of choice. Most everybody wants his/her country to be the best. But it is about the mindless proclamations that we are best in everything. Unless one is an expert in a particular area, or it is something totally obvious, in most cases such a suggestion is an empty gesture. Tell me something where we are the best, and then tell me how you know it.
Hillbilly D
April 1st, 2012
6:59 pm
I hope your spaghetti tree has a bountiful harvest
I hope spaghetti is easier to pick than grits.
Dave
April 1st, 2012
7:08 pm
“Everyone at the Capitol is for ethics and good governance, until they aren’t.” No they aren’t or they’d act ethically and vote for bills that held them to it. Our legislators are an “ethical” joke. The funny part about it is they are so blatant about their distain for their constituents, they have no shame. They know that if they love them some Bible, restriction of civil liberties for everyone but the right people and are for lower taxes for the upper classes and corporations (check out the unemployment insurance bill) they’ll get re-elected. Sad – they fully intended to fully imasculate the ethics commission but got caught. Give ‘em a couple of years and they’ll “get it right.”
Linda
April 1st, 2012
7:35 pm
I’ve lived under 12 presidents & have never seen a president try to divide our country like Obama, but today proves that conservatives & liberals can celebrate together in harmony. While conservatives are celebrating our Palm Sunday, liberals are celebrating their Fools’ Day.
Dusty
April 1st, 2012
8:12 pm
MarkV @ 6:15
“Tell me something where we are the best, and then tell me how you know it”.
—
Oh ye of little faith!! You are so easy.
We excel in Freedom! I know it because I have lived with it all my life and enjoyed it privileges.
Any more questions?
Dusty
April 1st, 2012
8:21 pm
Well, RW & Hillbilly D,
You have so encouraged me and my spaghetti tree that I am planning a Spaghetti R US party at harvest time. All the good folks here will be invited, even MarkV and getalife who obviously need a good party.
And HillBilly, would you pick some grits for the party? I don’t have any hors d’oeuvres growing.at present.
Dusty
April 1st, 2012
8:58 pm
Dave @7:05
You can do better just like our state legislators can do better. But you strike below the belt starting with Christians–”they love them some Bible”.
Yes, we do and faith and love are the key to our beliefs. But like all humans, sometimes we fail.
Then you said “restrictions of liberty for everyone but the right people”.
The only restrictions on liberty fall on criminals. Is that your reference?
(They)”lower tqxes for upper classes and corprations”.
That doesn’t pass because 50% of Americans pay no taxes and most of the rest is paid by wealthy people and corporations.
Our legislators meet again in the near future. Write them your ideas and objections with no name calling and they will pay more attention.
In the meantime, remember. Our legislators have done nothing illegal. Just NO satisfaction!
.
Hillbilly D
April 1st, 2012
9:08 pm
I don’t have any hors d’oeuvres growing.at present.
I’ve got some neighbors that have horses and you never see anybody riding them. They might cut you a deal.
Linda
April 1st, 2012
9:42 pm
Dusty, just make sure your spaghetti tree does not produce bleached flour, which is outlawed in 27 European countries plus Canada plus Australia. I ran across this info a few years ago & let my husband read it. He has more of a chemical background than I do. He told me to NEVER buy bleached flour or bleached anything ever again.
As much as the fed. govt. wants to control our lives, wonder why the CDC does not ban bleached flour, etc. (rice, etc.) & wonder why the EPA is going after greenhouse gas emissions (breath) that cause greenhouse plants to thrive.
http://foodlorists.blogspot.com/2007/11/what-means-bleached-flour.html
Dusty
April 1st, 2012
10:26 pm
HillBilly D, 9:09
All I can say is “neighhhhhh”! Thanks anyway.
MarkV
April 1st, 2012
10:41 pm
Dusty @8:12 pm
MarkV: “Tell me something where we are the best, and then tell me how you know it”.
Dusty: “We excel in Freedom! I know it because I have lived with it all my life and enjoyed it privileges. Any more questions?”
And you have lived nowhere else? Then how do you know we are the best in Freedom?
The question was where we are the best.
Dusty
April 1st, 2012
10:42 pm
LInda @ 9:42
I assure you that my spaghetti tree will never produce anything with bleached flour. If those lil’ ol’ bleacher bugs attack my tree, I shall cut it down immediately. Nothing is safe these days!
(For real, Linda, I do use some unbleached flour. Sounds like it is much healthier for us. Thanks for the info.)
Dusty
April 1st, 2012
11:04 pm
Mark V, 10:41
Surprise! I can still read and write and see quite well and I’ve been looking around for some time. USA still the best!!
Now I did reside in Toronto for a short time when my husband had business there. Niagra Falls was still falling nearby.. And I did run over to Nogales, Mexico on a shopping trip–”Come ennn..have a look!” I once went on a short cruise far out in the Atlantic. Does that count?
Perhaps you would like to tell us where you have lived that makes you think we should change after hundreds of years of success..Yes? Well? We are waiting. Don’t change the subject! Confess!! No fudging!
Lil' Barry Bailout (Unexpectedly Revised Downward)
April 1st, 2012
11:47 pm
Funny how Georgia is allegedly the “most corrupt” state government…so where are all the convictions?
Illinois.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Governor_of_Illinois#Convicted
MarkV
April 2nd, 2012
8:20 am
Dusty,
I have a question first: Are you ever able to answer a question that is asked? You must have learned the skill of avoiding questions by watching politicians. I had asked you how you knew that we were best in something, not whether we excel.
To answer your second “answer” first, your residence in Toronto and your short visits elsewhere do not count for answer to my question. You are still ignorant of the vast majority of the world to make a judgment where something is “best.”
And no, I do not like to answer your question about where I have lived. I have not made the claims you have made.