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AJC.com > Legislature > Georgia Beat > Archives > 2005 > January > 28 > Entry
Democrats complain of new Republican rules
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
The controversy over tort reform set the mood in the Senate chamber Friday morning, ratcheting up tension between Republicans and Democrats.
Sen. Michael Meyer von Bremen (D-Albany) addressed the chamber and urged his colleagues not to stifle debate under the new Senate rules.
“Any rule serves best when it is applied with fairness,” Meyer von Bremen said.
He was referring to the conflict at Thursday’s Senate Judiciary Committee meeting. The committee voted 6-2 in favor of a tort reform bill that would cap jury awards for pain and suffering in medical malpractice suits.
The two Democrats present at the time of the committee vote - Sen. Kasim Reed (D-Atlanta) and Minority Whip David Adelman (D-Decatur) opposed the measure.
But both Meyer von Bremen and Minority Leader Robert Brown (D-Macon) had walked out of the meeting prior to the vote.
Meyer von Bremen said he had asked Judiciary Chairman Preston Smith (R-Rome) to consider one of his amendments. Smith declined, citing a new rule requiring changes be submitted at least 24 hours before the meeting.
Speaking from the well Friday morning, Meyer von Bremen apologized for abruptly leaving the meeting - a violation of the committee rules.
“I knew I would say things I would regret later,” Meyer von Bremen said, explaining why he walked out. “The last time I was that angry was 10 years ago.”
He implored the members of the Senate not to stifle debate by imposing inflexible rules. Both House and Senate Democrats have complained about some of the rules imposed by the Republicans since the beginning of the session.
Brown also addressed the Senate Friday morning, explaining his reasons for leaving the Judiciary Committee meeting.
Brown said he had filed his amendment within the required time frame, but was told by Smith that the proposal had a technical problem and would not be considered.
“When I’m not allowed to have the opportunity to have it heard, I think that is a violation and a disenfranchisement of the people who sent me here,” Brown said.
Adelman also asked for open debate within the Senate.
“What are they afraid of,” Adelman said. “Why not bring to the committee the thoughts of each and every committee member for full consideration?”
Sen. Jack Wiles (R-Marietta) said that the committee chairman followed the rules.
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