Legislature takes snow break, sets rest of schedule

Lawmakers heeded warnings of severe weather on Tuesday and canceled all work the rest of the week.

The General Assembly had been set to meet through Thursday of this week, but under a joint resolution, legislators agreed to leave and not return until Monday.

Meanwhile, the resolution sets the schedule for the rest of the 40-day session, with sine die and final adjournment now scheduled for March 20.

Crossover Day, the 30th day of the session and the typical deadline for bills to make it from one chamber to the other, is scheduled for March 3, the day qualifying begins for the 2014 elections.

In the House, Speaker David Ralston, R-Blue Ridge, rushed members through its business and could be heard hurrying lawmakers to the well to present bills and make announcements.

Gov. Nathan Deal had ordered all state employees to leave by noon, and Ralston and Lt. Gov. Casey Cagle hustled to make sure legislative work was done in time. All committees scheduled to meet Tuesday afternoon also canceled their sessions.

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Aaron Gould Sheinin

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