Is this thread dead? Because there's still stuff going on about this, and I haven't been able to find another thread about it other than the one specifically a about the 'prank call'.
I've been quite busy with work, so the updates are sparse, if you guys have questions i'm more than happy to explain what is going on. The restrictions on the public access to the Capitol has gotten quite out of hand, with so many badges, and security queues, and escorting and everything that nobody working the building has a good handle on exactly what is going on. There were several times when one person who wanted to sit in on a public hearing would be surrounded by about 15 staff, police and sgts staff trying to figure out what the person needed for a pass to attend it. An injunction was filed against the Department of Administration to open the building to the public, and they went into court over it today around 2:00. People were flashing copies of the injunctions at us, not understanding that its up to the Governors office to obey the injunction, not the police staff, and especially not the Senate sgts staff, since we really only have power over what happens at the Senate Chambers, and inside senate offices.
I'm leaving out reporting on the things that i read in the news, as it is well known enough that i'd just be rehashing the stuff you've already read, and not really giving any insight. As far as the sale of power plants, a lot of the facilities in question are heating and power plants built for state government buildings, and hard wired directly to them. If sold off, the state would then be a captive consumer, and would be forced to lease back from the plant that it just sold off. These would also be sold at the discretion of the governors office, without bids. The JFC amended the bill, to allow for the joint finance committee to have the opportunity for passive review, which being a no-bid sale, would not have information available to them to be able to tell if any potential crony-ism is going on.