By John Mayo

We left about 3:10.  I am home now.

The last bill we took up was one I authored.  Actually we passed it earlier this week and it was held on a motion to reconsider.

About 3 p.m. the Chairman of Labor motioned to table the motion to reconsider the vote by which it passed.  A voice vote was taken and the Speaker could not determine who won the shouting match.  The voting board was opened.  The motion to table the motion to reconsider prevailed, 61-60, the closest vote you can have and win.

Someone did not vote.  A tie kills the bill.

The bill was one that an employer could not fire an employee simply because the employee filed a workman's comp claim.  During earlier debate, an amendment was made to remove the burden of proof for a "just" firing from employer to employee.  I did not want that, but the amendment passed and as a result so did the bill.

What does that have to do with the Rolling Stones?  From the movie "The Big Chill"

do you remember--

"You can't always get what you want (no) / But if you try sometimes you just might find / You get what you need."

That is what happens down here.  While you want the ideal (at least in your mind), you have to accept, other people do not see it your way.  But, if you are willing to try, you can get what you need....does that make sense?  It's not evil or underhanded; it's learning to work with people who see things differently.

Without that amendment my bill would have failed.  You work together, you get things done.  You have a "my way or the highway" attitude, the legislature will give you the highway every time.  Does that make sense to many of you?