Blogging from the capitals (but not Boston)
Stateline.org has a handy list of state legislators who blog. None are from Massachusetts or, more curiously, California. For some reason, the activity seems most popular in the South, with Alabama, Georgia, and South Carolina each boasting a roster of five or six. It's hard to imagine a Bay State legislator taking the time to update constituents on the daily activities of the Legislature (even if through their own, partisan eyes), but I think it would get more people interested in state politics. Here are two posts from Alabama state Sen. Cam Ward, over at Doc's Political Parlor and Home of Lawn Mower Repair.
From April 23:
The legislative session is now entering its 24th day and with only six more legislative days to go the light is at the end of the tunnel. Of course that could be the light of a very big train coming down the tracks as well. The House is expected to take up the Education Budget on Thursday and I suspect it will pass the House after some, although not much debate that afternoon. You always have less debate on a budget when money is short and there is very little to fight over.
Every hot topic imaginable is on the plate this week. Rep. John Knight’s bill to reduce sales taxes while increasing income taxes is up today. The Jefferson County financial crisis looks likely to spill over into the House Rules Committee this morning. Both of these bills mean that there is a real chance for some sparks to fly today because the votes on these issues are very close in my opinion.
Tomorrow I have a bill in committee to reduce the requirement necessary for third parties or independents to gain ballot access while at the same time the House Judiciary Committee has a host of hot button topics. Legislation to extend the hate crimes law to homosexuals, mandatory registration for stun guns, and a bill to eliminate Alabama’s ban on sex toys all await the committee members for Judiciary. That committee alone will give the reporters enough print to keep them busy for the week.
Reporters cover the Legislature in Alabama? I wonder what that's like...
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