As two former English majors, I know we are delighted by Arkansas’ new resolution on the proper way to create the possessive form.

Oops — Arkansas’s.

Now let’s hope they can work on its and it’s.

It’s ACC tournament day. Followed by the Selection Show. Followed by three glorious weeks of NCAA basketball. Follolwed by spring, once I go outside again.

There’s nothing better.

UPDATE: Actually, there is one thing better. That’s watching the ‘Heels WIN the ACC tournament.

My neighbor to the north, Vince Callahan, announced yesterday that he will retire at the end of this term. First elected in 1967, he rose to be Chairman of the House Appropriations Committee and lead budget conferee.

When Vince first went down to Richmond, he became one of only 14 Republicans in the House. Northern Virginia’s population was 960,500 (21.3% of the state). Now, Republicans number 57 of the House’s 100 members, and Northern Virginia’s 2,440,091 citizens constitute 31.9% of the Commonwealth.

Vince has served long and well, and we wish him the best. 

“A gaffe is when a politician tells the truth.”

—Michael Kinsley

House Bill 3202, the transportation legislation, is a massive piece of work. We actually saw the legislation only a few hours before we had to vote. Yes, there had been a press conference, but some of us have the pesky habit of actually reading (or trying to read) the bills.

In that process, a problem with one of the enactment clauses (the one appearing on line 2794 – 2796, if you’re keeping score)  was pointed out to me.
It’s the enactment clause that spells out how all those fees will be used. The bill says they shall be used according to Section 33.1-23.03:10 of the Code ofVirginia.

Just one little problem. Section 33.1-23.03:10 doesn’t actually exist.

So I asked about it. Long silence from the Other Side. Finally, Del. Suit pointed out helpfully that the presence of an additional zero wouldn’t matter since these were decimal numbers.

I asked the Speaker if she would please tell that to my bank and if they would add a few zeroes to my balance. (In any event, the Code isn’t numbered according to the decimal system.)

The code section does not, in fact, exist. It does not appear to be a minor omission that can be fixed in the Enrolling Room.

And it’s just one of the reasons I think this bill needs major surgery.

The call came in several weeks ago from a principal of one of my high schools. Could I judge the Mr. West Potomac contest?

It was scheduled for tonight–and a glance at my Palm Pilot told me I had to be in Richmond by 9 a.m. tomorrow. Frankly, I’d have rather stayed home watching basketball.

But then came the kicker. “The kids really want you,” the principal said. “They think you’re so cool.”

Cool? Me? Not once in my whole life has anyone ever told me I was cool.

In high school? I was in the band and on the debate team.

I was not a cool teacher. I gave assignments on weekends and expected students to use correct spelling and grammar.

I was not a cool mom. Sara had to practice piano, eat vegetables, and do homework.

And now–well, hey, I’m 57. I’m in the minority party. I had pretty much crossed “being cool” off my list of things to worry about.

So yes, I’m going. But as I head out the door tonight, I have to ask myself: Where was this 40 years ago when I really needed it?

Happy 50th birthday to The Cat in the Hat. You can always identify the parents of a six-year old in a business meeting: When the leader says, “We need to concentrate on two things,” they’re the ones who reflexively murmur, “Thing One and Thing Two.”

Readers of this blog know of my love for the University of North Carolina basketball team (even though I am not an alum). Watching the team this year has been instructive, especially as Coach Roy Williams has tried to put his best team on the floor.

Wes Miller is a senior guard on a team that values senior leadership. Originally a walk-on, Miller earned a scholarship. He is a self-described “gym rat,” and Coach Williams describes him as one of the hardest-working players he has ever coached. Given the chance, Williams would probably adopt Miller.

But he isn’t starting him. This year, Miller lost his starting spot to freshman Ty Lawson. Blessed with blazing speed, Lawson leads a fast break that devastates opponents.

With Miller, Carolina is a good team. With Lawson at the point, they are a Final Four team.

And that is what happened in the Caucus today.

Do you know where your General Assembly is?

On the floor. The last few days of the session are always in and out. Today, we’ve had several stops and starts–we handle a few bills and send them to the Senate. They handle a few and send them back to us.

About 8, the Governor took pity on us and invited the Democrats over for Chinese food. Now Bob is experimenting with his new Palm Treo. I’d show you what boredom on the floor looks like, but the tech people have all gone home. More tomorrow.

This morning’s Washington Post ran an article on Senate approval of a bill that would permit local governments to reinstitute enforcement of red-light running laws with photo monitoring. “Photo red” had been used by a number of localities (including Arlington) under a pilot program for several years, but was allowed to lapse despite its demonstrated safety benefits. The article contained a quotation from me speculating on why, in this election year, the General Assembly had a newfound enthusiasm for bills regulating “photo red,” booster seats, and cell phone use by teenagers:

“I think they are recognizing that all their ideological talk about the ‘nanny state’ not only isn’t working, but it is also portraying them as callous and indifferent to measures that protect our families and kids.”

Well, at least one reader of the Post came to a different conclusion. This morning I received the following email from a purported constituent:

DEAR BOB “BIG BROTHER/NANNY STATE” BRINKSMANSHIP,

RE: DOUBLE-SECRET CAMERAS HIDDEN IN TRAFFIC LIGHTS THROUGHOUT NORTHERN VIRGINIA

YOU, SIR, ARE DUMB AS DOGDOODY AND A BLITHERING IDIOT TO APPROVE SUCH A MEASURE. DON’T YOU HAVE ANY REGARD FOR THE INDIVIDUAL RIGHTS AND PRIVACY OF VIRGINIA’S CITIZENS? ARE WE TO CONTINUE TO SUFFER FURTHER AND FURTHER ENCROACHMENTS ON OUR LIBERTIES BY “NANNY STATE” PROTAGONIST SOCIALISTS LIKE YOU? WHAT’S YOUR NEXT PROPOSAL, DELEGATE DUMB-AS-DOGDOODY BRINK – – TO INSTALL CAMERAS IN OUR HOMES TO MAKE SURE WE ALL EAT THE PROPER FOODS? YOU ARE A TYPICAL DEMOCRAT ADVOCATE OF BIG BROTHER-TYPE SOCIALIST AND NANNY STATE INFRINGEMENT ON THE RIGHTS OF THE CITIZENS OF THE COMMONWEALTH OF VIRGINIA. IT’S IDIOTS LIKE YOU WHO ARE SCREWING UP OUR BELOVED STATE. WHY DON’T YOU JUST EMIGRATE TO FRANCE (OR SAN FRANCISCO), WHERE YOU’LL FIND MORE INDIVIDUALS WHO SHARE YOUR COMMUNISTIC VALUES. I’LL BE HAPPY TO PAY YOUR WAY, YOU SCOUNDREL ! ! !