I've covered the legislature several times during my decades with this paper. The most exciting was the special session on abortion called some time in the late '80s by then-Governor Bob Martinez . There were demonstrations and counter-demonstrations in the streets, along with some rather appalling visual aids being waved around. But that's another story, and if I can ever dig up my combat-cartooning journalism from that time, I'll post it on this blog.

In the meantime, I recalled from my visits to our capital a phenomenon known locally as Tallahassee Tummy, a condition born of lobbyist-provided food and drink that is not quite as prevalent now in the era of restrictions on gift acceptance. There is still plenty of girth up there to go around, however, and it seemed ironic that those who cannot even control themselves are attempting to control the dress habits of school kids.