Day 2 -- Cigarette Tax Debate

0800 - 2145.

Today was long and warm (77º), so the summary will be just that -- summarily short. I felt like I was settling into the routine more today, and I didn't feel faced with anything too daunting. Since I am currently assistant-sergeant-at-arms, whenever the sergeant-at-arms goes on break or leaves for the day, I take his spot at the desk near the back of the room. It's a fun job, when its not boring, but when you aren't busy you can listen to the debates or talk to the doormen, who are remarkably interesting.

The actual house business today was alternatively interesting and tedious. Several bills passed unopposed, and we pages passed out a significant pile of admendments and revisions to the "big bill" of the day -- the cigarette tax. For a more comprehensive look at the debate during the day, check out this corresponding blog, written by a fellow page. I can tell you what happened after 5 PM, however. The cigarette tax bill's admendments were still being considered through 7:30ish, the bill went back to a financial committee (Approportianment), and was eventually changed to match Senate File 128, the Senate's corresponding bill. Sooner or later, the House got around to voting on the actual bill. I was one of the last pages to leave, but they had not quite voted by 9:45. I just tuned into the live House audio feed, and it appears that the cigarette tax has passed. More information later ... until then, stay cooler than the Capitol.