For those who have never witnessed a session of the state House of Representatives, the Speaker – currently Rep. James Amann, D-Milford – basically guides the debate.
A bill is raised and Amann, standing behind the podium at the front of the hall, recognizes fellow lawmakers who want to speak for/against the legislation, confers with staff on questions of rules and propriety, and calls for votes.
It is not uncommon during lengthy debates for the Speaker to have a seat and talk to colleagues, reporters, etc. about other issues.
And sometimes Amann jokes around. On Tuesday night, as House Minority Leader Lawrence Cafero, R-Norwalk, launched into a typically passionate, sometimes amusing and sarcastic, GOP condemnation of a Democratic bill to cut the deficit, Amann started doodling on a pad of paper.
One of Amann’s favorite topics of late is the Republicans’ dwindling numbers in the House of Representatives, despite great effort by Cafero and others to fill the role of loyal opposition.
For the past two years the House GOP has been known as the “Fightin’ 44.” But earlier this month they lost seats and will now be 37 in number until the next election in 2010.
So as Cafero continued to make the case for why Republicans are more fiscally responsible than Democrats Tuesday night, Amann held up his pad to reporters and smiled. It read “10 in 2010.”
