Georgia's state legislature has been hard at work this session, fighting injustice and righting new and old wrongs. (This is the kind of thing that Dave usually covers, but I see he has posted about other news today.) Just what does this very important work entail? Mostly they seem focused on protecting the wounded pride of UGA fans, but they've also had time to put forth some really ridiculous solutions to the water crisis.
Last month they voted 151-9 to enact a resolution calling on the NCAA to replace the BCS with a playoff system. Because this is clearly pressing business that the state of Georgia has control over... NOT.
They're barking mad over the new "Florida Gator" license plates that just gained approval by the Georgia DMV. Several other colleges from neighboring states have special Georgia plates as well. Some legislators have introduced a bill that would require reciprocity, or the out of state schools will not get their tags renewed. I think all this hoopla is because the Gators really get under UGA fans' skins. They didn't get too worked up when Georgia Tech rival Clemson got a plate. But U of F? That's going too far and cannot be tolerated.
Just when you thought it couldn't get any sillier, I present to you SR822. This bill seeks to correct a surveying error that occurred in 1818, when the Georgia-Tennessee border was incorrectly moved about a mile south of the 35th parallel, which remains the official border. This error, while seemingly water under the bridge for almost two hundred years, has the unfortunate consequence of placing the Tennessee River out of Georgia's reach in a time of historic drought. We're already in a longstanding fight with Alabama and Florida over water - sure, why not pick a little border fight with Tennessee while we're at it! Because that will be so helpful. I thought this was a joke when I first heard about it, but apparently it is serious.
What the legislature will not consider, even though a majority of Georgians are in favor of it, are Sunday sales of alcohol. It is an election year, so that topic is DOA.
So there you go. The legislative priorities this year are set. We'll rekindle the Civil War - this time with Tennessee - and make sure that the University of Georgia fans get everything they want. I can't decide if I am mad that the legislature is wasting time with crap like this, or happy that it is keeping them occupied and out of trouble (can't make a mess out of real problem solving if you are busy with this kind of stuff).
14 comments:
The federal government will order that the southeastern states form a regional water authority before the courts place half of Chattanooga in Georgia.
Meanwhile, the Georgia Legislature knows that protecting the interests of Dawg fans is where the votes are at. Thousands of whiny-ass Vol fans can relate...
Interesting...
I'm a firm believer that the less government actually does, the better off we all are.
As for the border... that could be an interesting twist, what with each of those states being riparian water doctrines and all...
As for the rest... you GT fans are just bitter that UGA beat you in football... again. ;)
The folks in our capitol in Harrisburg decided, I think it was about two years ago now, that something really important about our fair commonwealth had been overlooked. So, they had a big piece of legislation there about whether PA should adopt the Penna. Polka as its state song. I don't remember the outcome cause I was too pissed thinking of the raise they'd passed for themselves in the summer of 2005, where each legislator got a minimun of and $11,700 per year raise -some got upwards of a $40,000 to $50,000 raise or some obnoxious figure like that. I don't remember the exact figures now but I knew 'em then -for sure! Shows how they have priorities though doesn't it?
Dr S - The federal courts are already heavily involved in the water wars. Lake Lanier is a federal reservoir that is under the authority of the Army Corps of Engineers. The latest court ruling determined that the ACoE had no legal basis to have made a deal with Georgia about water releases from the lake. I think all three (and now possibly four) states need to work together to share this resource, or it will literally dry up.
LL - it is true that Tech people are not enjoying the long losing streak, but at least we're not in the legislature passing anti-harrassment laws to keep the Dawg fans from razzing us about it.
jeni - it goes without saying that one of their top priorities is taking care of themselves first. Our state revenues are down due to the economic slowdown, but I haven't heard any discussion of reducing their salaries or foregoing raises to help balance the books.
You would think Sunday alcohol sales wouldn't even get a second thought, but no...
The solution is likely to involve all the region's river systems. What we're looking at is along the lines of the Colorado River Compact, the agreement by which several Western states allocate Colorado River water. Those states realized a long time ago they would literally die of thirst if some sort of agreement wasn't worked out, although the growth of cities like Phoenix and Las Vegas has led to increased tensions over water issues in recent years.
If the Southeastern states were to enter into such an arrangement voluntarily, that would be ideal, but given the political attitudes of the region it seems that some sort of federal mandate is inevitable.
Y'all can't get your drink on on Sunday either, eh?
The border thing is inspired. Who BROUGHT that legislation forward? They deserve a medal for creativity, at least.
I'm ready to shoot the Michigan legislature as well. They couldn't freaking balance the freaking budget last year, but they managed to tick off the Republican and Democratic National Committees by moving our primary forward so that we'd have "more of a say in the picking of the next president," but that backfired because the Democrats stripped of us of all our delegates while the Republicans only stripped us of 50%. Bloody friggin' idiots.
Way to go, Georgia State Legislature! Better late than never, hey?
My first year here in Tennessee I "in your face" bought a University of Florida tag for my orange car...that is Florida orange, not Tennessee, thank you very much.
Decided it was not worth the hassle the next year but GO GATORS (and Tech :)~
Gotta root for the Alma Maters
Liquor laws in this county are ridiculous and my local government doesn't seem to be able to be fiscally responsible...don't even want to think about State and we are not discussing national politics today, thank you. Chattanooga is still 19" rainfall deficit http://www.nws.noaa.gov/oh/hic/current/drought/mrx.htm
So don't y'all Georgia folks be thinkin' you're gonna take any of our water anytime soon (hee)
Just saw your comment at Beth's. Do you read the wvsr regularly or just found the link to the fast food reality site?
kat - I've been reading Jeff's hilarity for many years. Found him through the "gargoyle letters" and was hooked. I hardly ever leave a comment though -- too many to wade through.
Ah! I've been reading him for years, too. That's how I knew Trina had posted...saw her comment at the wvsr.
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