Don Balfour's return to the state Senate

Don Balfour at the State Capitol Monday. Photo by Brant Sanderlin. Don Balfour at the State Capitol Monday. Photo by Brant Sanderlin.

Credit: Brian O'Shea (AJC)

Credit: Brian O'Shea (AJC)

Don Balfour at the State Capitol Monday. Photo by Brant Sanderlin. Don Balfour at the State Capitol Monday. Photo by Brant Sanderlin.

After the back-slapping and routine chores of reconvening, state Sen. Don Balfour, R-Snellville, took the well to address his December acquittal on 18 felony counts associated with the misuse of his Capitol expense account. Here's what he said:

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Balfour's appearance in the well was preceded by state Sen. Charlie Bethel, R-Dalton, the governor's floor leader, who noted that Balfour's son had just left for another tour in Afghanistan, and wished the young man well. That apparently was a signal that the episode is over -- and that a motion of censure, rumored to be afoot, would be going nowhere.