Wednesday morning in the Capitol -- UPDATE

There are a few bills in the House Committee on State Agencies and Governmental Affairs worth watching, although the Obama congratulatory resolution isn't one of them (it'll be run Friday).

HB1339 is the bill that, if passed, would require that our electoral votes be cast in accordance with the national popular vote. If enough states enter into the compact, it would be a de facto repeal of the electoral college.

Green Party legislator Richard Carroll is running a couple of bills (HB1246, HB1247) that deal with ballot access of third parties. My main problem with HB1247 is that it gives new parties more help than it gives the existing parties. Republicans and Democrats are required to maintain 3% in the elections for governor or president to keep access to the ballot for its candidates. This bill gives access to new parties who can achieve 3% in any statewide contest. What's good for the existing parties should be good for the new parties.

Update: The national popular vote bill got moved out of committee by a vote of 12-6. The roll call:

Yes: Smith Harrelson Shelby Hall Cowling Lea Wilkins Tyler Lindsey Rogers Cheatham Saunders

No: Slinkard Hopper Carter Dismang Greenberg Baird Absent: Hutchinson Garner