While I didn’t go, I just checked the tape we shot of the governor’s ceremonial bill signings today. The bills that got the most attention were the signing of the cable competition bill and the voter confidence act.
The cable competition bill is, of course, the bill to let AT&T enter the cable game in the state. Here’s what was said about that bill.
“Anytime an industry is opened up to more competition, I really believe it’s the consumers that get the most benefit and this is no exception.” –Governor Phil Bredesen
“I only got them [AT&T and the cable industry] together because I felt if we could get these competing industries together, that it would be doing something good for the consumers in Tennessee.” –House Speaker Jimmy Naifeh
The “Voter Confidence Act” will mandate that optical scan machines would be used in all precincts by 2010. Currently, only Hamilton County uses the machines. It’s estimated that it will cost $31 million to change the machines, but that money will come from federal funds given to the state through the “Help America Vote Act”.
“I have great joy in my heart because after 2000 in Florida, whether you were a Republican or a Democrat, you had to be concerned. You had to be concerned because a lot of people didn’t get their vote counted that year, and this will ensure that this will get our vote counted.” –State Senator Joe Haynes.
