Georgia Legislative Watch

The amended FY 2008 budget passed this morning, six legislators voted against it.

One interesting note, there was a rule change in the House that prevented amendments from being offered:

Rule 108.3 No amendment to any appropriations bill shall be in order if the amendment has the effect of both reducing one appropriation and either increasing another appropriation or adding a new appropriation. No amendment to any appropriations bill increasing any appropriation or adding a new appropriation shall be in order unless there has previously been adopted an amendment reducing some other appropriation so as to make funds available for such new or increased appropriation; and no amendment to any appropriations bill shall be in order which would cause the bill to violate the balanced budget requirements of the Constitution.

[UPDATE] Who voted against it? Tom Graves, Bobby Franklin, Steve Davis, Barry Loudermilk, Martin Scott and Doug Holt. All Republicans, all members of the 216 Group. Here is a copy of the statement released by the six legislators provided by the Political Insider.