So the governor went to Elmore Lake State Park on Tuesday, austensibly to sign the telecommunications bill in a place where there is not now but will with the help of this bill be cell phone and high-speed Internet access.
Except he doesn't have the bill yet, so it turned into a sort of faux signing. Much as I love Elmore Lake State Park on a sunny, warm day, I am glad I didn't make the trip.
House Speaker Gaye Symington didn't want anyone accusing her of holding that bill back on purpose. She said she didn't know the governor's office didn't have it. All they had to do was call.
The governor's office also doesn't have the energy bill yet - the one he says he's going to veto. Gubernatorial spokesman Jason Gibbs speculated that legislative leaders were holding that one back until the governor is in China next month. He'll be gone just enough days that they might get away with forcing either the lieutenant governor to act on it, or if he were also out of state, the speaker.
Intriguing idea, but pure speculation, Symington said. She's planning to sign that one herself Thursday, in a 5:45 a.m. pass-through Montpelier. Douglas will have his chance at it after that, a full two weeks before he goes to China.
- Terri Hallenbeck
