And the 2009 Shroud Award Goes to...

The award for the deadest bill during the 2009 legislative session went to state Rep. John Knight for his bill to remove the state portion of the sales tax from groceries.

Knight's bill was voted on four times by the House and failed to pass on a procedural vote each time.

The legislator from Montgomery, who had just been honored for his meritorious military service moments before receiving the shroud award, had this to say:

"I don't know what I can call this day after having a joint resolution then receiving this. That's oxymoronic if I've ever seen anything else. I think receiving the combat infantry badge was easier than passing the grocery tax. I can't say I thank you for the award."

Knight vowed to return with the bill next year, and said he hoped that over the break that Republican and Democrats could work together to come with a bill everyone could live with.

Runners up for the 2009 Shroud Award:

State Rep. Ron Johnson -- bill on the resale of auto parts
State Rep. Jack Williams -- bill regarding reporting animal abuse
State Rep. Joseph Mitchell -- bill requiring audio recording proceedings
State Rep. Tammy Irons -- tax preparer regulation bill
State Rep. Craig Ford -- bill setting the start date of the school year
Gov. Bob Riley's Ethics Package
Speaker Pro Tem Demetrius Newton -- resolution calling for constitutional convention
State Rep. Marcel Black -- Sweet Home Alabama bingo bill
State Rep. Jamie Ison -- bill requiring teachers to pay cost of health insurance
State Rep. Cam Ward -- bill to criminalize cockfighting


-- posted by Markeshia Ricks