UPDATE 2: Sen. Sokola states that Rep. Kowalko’s VCCB bill WILL be on the Senate agenda, per Matthews. Two ways to read this little boomlet: 1) Rumors were true, and publication of them forced Governor’s office and the Senate leadership to backtrack, or 2) Rumors were not true to begin with.
UPDATE: The Governor’s office is denying this story to both Matthews and myself. Tommywonk probably accurately describes this rumor as the work of Kowalko detractors in the GA.
From Matthews:
From multiple sources: Because of Rep. Kowalko’s support of certain tax and fee bills, his Violent Crimes Compensation bill will not be run. I’m told the governor’s office is doing this in retaliation.
This is petty if true. Kowalko is offering alternatives that should be debated. It does not embarrass the Governor or the Democratic Leadership to have his bills considered. Nor does it delay the proceedings any more than meaningless and endless tributes and proclamations and endless dinner breaks. This kind of retaliation is usually used to put a wayward Representative in line. But if that is the Governor’s motive, he has missed his mark, since Kowalko hasn’t backed down over the last six months and shows no sign of backing down now. Thus all the Governor is doing is delaying a much need reform of the Victim Compensation board.
Shame on the purveyors of false rumors for sport.