Mary the auto-reader has unexpectedly become one of the biggest stars of Floridas legislative session.
Mary is a computerized reader that can automatically read bills lightning fast. She sounds a little like an auctioneer.
Democrats in the House invoked a rarely used procedure requiring all bills to be read in full.
They took that action, they said, because they want Republicans to reconsider their decision to reject billions of federal dollars for health insurance.
Some Republicans complained the procedure was disrespectful.
Rep. Jim Waldman, D-Coconut Creek, said Democrats were just using one of the options available in the Florida Constitution.
Were the minority party," he said. "We dont have the same powers that you all have up in the front rows. We have to take whatever tools we have in our toolbox that are available so we can bring attention to issues that we think need to be discussed.
Rep. Mike Fasano, R-New Port Richey, the only Republican who failed to vote down the Senate amendment, said, Whats happening today is democracy in process. When I was in the Florida House back in 19941996, when I was a member of the minority party back then, we used to throw bombs as well and try and slow down the process. But I think the minority party has every right to speak out and theyre speaking out for a good cause and the cause is to help 1.1 million people have access to health care.
Mary the auto-reader, meanwhile, already has a parody Twitter account with hundreds of followers. In one tweet she exclaims, Im up again! Do I have time to run to the bathroom?
Dave Heller is a Tallahassee freelance reporter/videographer.
