The Ayes of March

Even during the Senate meetings, Ford is not safe from being recorded. Humphrey tells the court that they record all meetings. March 5, 2005 was one of these sessions.

"Ah, Sentate Bill 94 has to do with our surplus property. If, Mr. Chairman, if I could get a motion to second the bill I have had amended by the Comptroller's office," says Ford.

Ford tells the Senate what E-Cycle does. He tells them that they pick up the surplus equipment and dispose of it. He says that the amended version has a clause so vendors can bid on the surplus equipment and the compnay with the highest bid would get to have the surplus equipment.

"...May be charged a fee to dispose the equipment," says one of the members. "What if the cost of disposing the equipment costs more than the fee paid for the surplus?"

Ford doesn't think this will happen.

"Why are we requiring that someone be in business for one year prior," asks another member.

Ford says that this was put in the clause to make sure that people are following the recycling guidelines.

"I think the standards can be mandated through the contract to protect the interests of the state," says the member, rejecting Ford's statement.

The Senate votes and they decide to take out the 1-year clause. They then vote on the bill and the majority wins. In fact, there is not one "nay" in the group.

"Nine 'ayes' are going to send it to Finance Committee," says Senator Cohen who chairs this meeting.

Senator Steve Cohen, then remembers it doesn't have to go to Finance.

"Scatch that. Nine 'ayes' sends it to the floor," says Senator Cohen.