Comments on: House Appropriations public hearing.

By: Waldo Jaquith

Waldo Jaquith — Sun, 22 Jan 2006 17:30:51 +0000

If I had a press pass, had access to their audio feed room, and they had a feed from that room. You know how little that I know about audio but, that said, I’m not confident that a mic would pick up their comments from within the room.

By: Sean Tubbs

Sean Tubbs — Sun, 22 Jan 2006 17:17:25 +0000

Waldo, is it possible to record these proceedings? There is more heartbreak than we know what to do with using existing media channels, but making these presentations available as podcasts would serve as aural records of what these individuals had to say.

By: Mike Rafone

Mike Rafone — Thu, 19 Jan 2006 18:35:50 +0000

FYI,

“Chicken’s Snack Bar” was named for its original proprieter, the late Louise “Chicken” Oliff, who ran the lunch counter in the Capitol building for years.

By: Mary

Mary — Thu, 19 Jan 2006 15:13:11 +0000

I attended and reported on the full scope of the earlier hearing in Northern Virginia (nb–I believe its the Joint Allocations Committee, not the Finance Committee):

http://www.raisingkaine.com/1561

The burning issue at these hearings appears to be whether Warner’s proposed investment to rennovate mental health facilities and invest in ancillary care will actually get enacted–or cut. By law, something has to be done. How it happens is the subject of debate. Ultimately, the families of these chronically disabled patients want good. care–something that may not be reliable if the GA decides to take a cheaper option, like burying these folks in nursing homes.

By: Kevin

Kevin — Wed, 18 Jan 2006 23:46:31 +0000

This is one of the best posts I’ve read in the Virginia blogosphere over the last two years!

By: Shawn Lea

Shawn Lea — Wed, 18 Jan 2006 23:06:01 +0000

In Mississippi, we have shouting and moaning in the Chambers all the time. Must be a Southern thang.

(And at least your experience should remind you to strap on your helmet before rollerblading!)

By: J.C. Wilmore

J.C. Wilmore — Wed, 18 Jan 2006 21:58:18 +0000

What I found most distracting when I went to the House Finance Committee meeting on Monday was the little coterie of lobbyists that hung out on one side of the back of the room, whispering and giggling. God knows why or about what.

By: Ross

Ross — Wed, 18 Jan 2006 21:31:44 +0000

Hey you write good.

You should submit this to the VBC, conspicuously hosted somewhere next week…

Also, I think that sort of situation would kill my idealist heart.

By: Kat

Kat — Wed, 18 Jan 2006 20:47:48 +0000

Waldo, are there any pages in the committee rooms? If you’re looking for someone who can testify to the jaded nature of most legislators (or just for some interesting perspective), track down a page who has served in a committee covering health and human services. I was a page in the Ohio House of Reps for two years and sat through many committees, and the frustration never left. Your suspicion is correct; legislators (and pages) have heard it all. The hardest part, as you have illustrated, is knowing that so many just need a little help to survive but having no power to provide it.

By: Valley Redneck

Valley Redneck — Wed, 18 Jan 2006 20:18:37 +0000

Don’t miss the cafeteria on the 6th floor, either. Not great food, but great gossip and a stellar view on a clear day.

By: Waldo Jaquith

Waldo Jaquith — Wed, 18 Jan 2006 19:50:20 +0000

Your suggestion is such a good one that I preemptively took you up on it — Chris Piper, of the SBE, introduced me to it. I had the Patrick Henry and a limeade. Gotta love the limeade.

“Chickens.” What a name.

By: Valley Redneck

Valley Redneck — Wed, 18 Jan 2006 19:39:58 +0000

Welcome to the place where reporters and elected folks live. More than enough heartbreak to go around, but limited resources to deal with it. And so you have to turn off a little bit of your humanity to keep from being overwhelmed by it all.

Hang tough. Go down to Chickens and get something to eat.