Friday, April 18, 2008

How would absent Bridges have voted?

Would DuWayne Bridges, R-Valley, voted for repealing the state tax on groceries or against it? His voting machine at the statehouse was one of four vacated machines used to vote for a bill to repeal the tax.

But he was in Korea.

Evidently, Rep. Randy Hinshaw, D-Meridianville, was spotted voting on vacated machines. There is no steadfast rule against voting on absent legislator machines. All that’s needed is permission. Did Hinshaw have Bridges’ permission? If so, then there should be no problem and any issues raised on the subject should be moot.

The tax vote needed 63 “yes” votes to pass. It received 63 votes, making Bridges’ absent vote highly important. My bet is he would have voted against it, as most Republicans did. This newspaper has been on the record suggesting the tax be repealed and the bill passed in the House and Senate. Alabama’s low-income families need a break and this would be a great way to deliver one. But it must be voted in the right way.

Friday, I attempted to reach Bridges, but he was still in Korea reportedly trying to lure industry into the area. He should be back Monday or Tuesday.

It will be interesting to see what Bridges has to say about the vote cast for him, with or without his permission. Perhaps the Legislature can solve these issues by creating measures where legislators cannot vote on other people’s machines, thus avoiding any confusion.