In KTLO, Classic Hits and the Boot’s new political news series, titled Town Hall, we’ll speak with area legislators about the legislative session and their political stance both personal and in relation to their constituents in the The Twin Lakes Area.Part one of the Town Hall series focuses on an issue local senators and state representatives have in common- the feedback they receive when they vote, or choose not to vote, on a particular bill. Both local representatives and senators say there is a misconception the choice to not vote or be counted as “present” on a particular bill signifies the legislator is unable to make up his or her own mind or afraid to take a particular stance.
District 17 Senator Scott Flippo says he’s heard the argument and has a rebuttal.
He says approximately 2,000 bills are filed for consideration in a legislative session. As the bills are assigned to different committees, there may be a chance he hasn’t reviewed the bill before it’s time to vote.
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Legislative committees are categorized as either “A” or “B”. Each legislator serves on one “A” committee and one “B” committee.
As more and more bills are filed the process sets the stage for each legislator to hear approximately twenty percent of the bills going through the committee process, as committees meet simultaneously.
Listen:
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Flippo says he, like many legislators, either have to vote yes or no on a bill which they may not have enough background information. For him voting present is a way to say he’s in the chamber, but isn’t comfortable taking a particular stance until he can make an informed decision.
District 83 Representative David Branscum and District 99’s Jack Fortner, in a recent interview with Bob Knight on KTLO FM, shares a similar view.
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Fortner says out of the 2,000 bills proposed nearly 1,000 passed. He says it’s not possible to read 2,000 bills and thoroughly understand each.
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