Georgia Legislative Watch

Here’s how it went down:

Speaker Glenn Richardson (R-Hiram) cast the deciding vote to give House approval to S.B. 200 after holding the vote open while his lieutenants persuaded skeptics to switch their vote.

According to an analysis of the voting board, before and after the vote, five lawmakers switched their vote from a “no” to a “yes”: Reps. Steve Davis (R-McDonough), Billy Horne (R-Newnan), Barry Loudermilk (R-Cassville), Chuck Martin (R-Alpharetta) and Ed Setzler (R-Acworth). Rep. Penny Houston (R-Nashville) switched her vote from a “yes” to a “no.”

When the vote on the transportation governance bill finally came, it appeared to be on its way to defeat, judging by the live vote recorded on the electronic boards in the House. Even Transportation Committee Chairman Vance Smith (R-Pine Mountain) voted against it.

But rather than call the vote to a close, as he normally does, Richardson left it open as the House whips, including Rep. Jan Jones (R-Atlanta) and the sponsor of the bill, Rep. David Ralston (R-Blue Ridge) spread throughout the chamber.

As opponents of the bill realized what was happening, they rose to try and get Richardson’s attention to shut down the vote. instead, Jones, Ralston, Speaker Pro Tem Mark Burkhalter (R-Johns Creek) and the governor’s floor leaders, including Rep. Jim Cole (R-Monroe) twisted arms, cajoled and asked for votes.

They got them. When the vote was called, it stood as 90 in favor, 84 against. Richardson, who votes very rarely, cast his vote in favor. It takes 91 votes — a majority of the 180 seats — for a bill to pass.