Many political junkies pay little attention to state matters here in Georgia, mostly because they feel that the General Assembly is boring. To those people, all I have to say is that Albany is the place to be for state politics it seems. After Winfred Dukes’ blow up, State Senator Freddie Powell Sims went and shook the whole thing up.
To start with, she claims that Rep. Ed Rynders told her that the ASU money was pulled in retaliation for her vote on a tax bill, as well as Rynders allegedly arguing against the ASU money in the first place. In an Albany Herald report, Sims said:
“Rep. Rynders told me in a conversation that that was why the money was removed from the budget,” Sims said. “And in subsequent conversations with others who are a part of the Republican leadership, they told me that that is what happened.”
Now, we at SWGA Politics have several sources with close ties to Republican leadership who tell us otherwise. According to these sources, who wish to remain anonymous at this time, it was retaliation for Dukes’ vote on Delta and Gulfstream. Yes, it’s petty, but that’s how politics works. Particularly amusing to me is how he says he voted on principle, but we later find out that Rep. Dukes voted for funds to keep Cooper Tire here. Some principles, huh?
Meanwhile, Rep. Carol Fullerton states in another Albany Herald article:
“From everyone I spoke to in the General Assembly who had the power to determine the budget outcome, what (Royal) said coincides with what they told me,”
Royal, you may remember, is the one who “outted” Winfred Dukes as the reason ASU’s funding was yanked.
So now we have half of Dougherty County’s delegation claiming it’s Dukes fault, and one State Senator claiming it’s Rynders’ fault. What is somewhat disturbing is the racial divide. For example, the white half of the delegation is saying that Dukes is responsible, while the black half is saying otherwise. I sincerely hope this is just coincidence, since if it’s not this is a bad situation all around.
One thing that Sen. Sims said that I personally am thrilled to hear was the idea of greater transparency in what the Dougherty County delegation is doing in Atlanta. Of course, that’s what we do. However, we’re thrilled to see Sen. Sims recognize the right of the people to know what our elected officials are doing under the Gold Dome and hope to have her help.
One thing is absolutely correct though. The appearance we have here in Albany is that our delegation is fairly disfunctional. The Consolidation bill is one such example (and it’s not dead yet for those who may not understand that), but there are others. It’s time for them to get over whatever issues they have and put on the big boy/girl pants.
Come on folks, cut the drama. There’s plenty of actual work to do, so get to work!
Great article Tom! I believe Freddie just added some “transparency” on how things operate under the Gold Dome. Why attack Rynders unless she plans to run for the House in his district, which I doubt? I was very disappointed that she opposed the bill that would have allowed the citizens to vote on consolidation. I guess that she hopes we are all ignorant in Southwest Georgia. Not anymore! Thanks SWGA Politics!
Thanks Bill. It’s my understanding through a source I prefer not to name at this point that Sims and Rynders have some tension between the two, though I can’t confirm that. It’s just rumor at this point, though it would explain quite a bit. Especially since there’s no way I can see Sims running against Rynders. The Senate is a bit of a promotion from the House after all, so she won’t be going anywhere if she can help it.
I too was upset that she didn’t give us a chance to vote on Consolidation, though I hear she has her own bill in the works. Unfortunately, we’ll have to wait until next year to see it.
It seems to me that a private conversation is just that, private. The only people that know what was said are the two people in the conversation. If transparency really mattered to Ms. Sims why would she be a part of a PRIVATE conversation with anyone? The democrats all over this nation have a new word. Now all they need to do is look the word up and find it’s meaning.
Jane: That’s a good point as well. Of course, a private conversation becomes her word against Rynders’, which is never an idea situation.
Ms. Sims claims she’s doing this for transparency, but there’s nothing transparent about this one I’m afraid. He said, she said is not the way a government should work.