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11Alive's Denis O'Hayer looks at the battle going on under the Gold Dome over Sunday alcohol sales in Georgia in this blog.

Wednesday, 3/12/08
8:10 p.m.

Even in a place that leaks like this one, it was a very poorly kept secret. Supporters of Sunday alcohol sales were going to try to attach their bill--which never got a vote on its own--to another bill that had passed one chamber before the Crossover Day deadline yesterday.

It was also no secret that the bill they were looking at for the marriage was the one legalizing Sunday alcohol sales at the Braves' new minor league ballpark in Gwinnett County. There had even been some thought the statewide legalization forces would try to hook the two bills together a couple of weeks ago, when the stadium bill got a Senate floor vote.

But, they decided to wait until the stadium bill had passed the Senate. They would make their move in a House committee. That was no secret, either.

Still, when it came, the sponsor the stadium bill said she was taken completely by surprise--and not at all happy about the controversial new partner clinging to her measure.

"I feel like I'm caught between two gigantic tigers fighting," said Sen. Renee Unterman (R-Buford). "I had no idea that an amendment was coming up."

That claim started the fireworks.

Committee member Rep. Allen Freeman (R-Macon) was incredulous. "I didn't know you didn't know," Freeman told Unterman, "because everybody else in the Capitol knew."

But that was just the beginning. Freeman told Unterman she had just made a case for her bill (Sunday sales at a ballpark); so, he claimed it was "hypocritical" of her to say she hadn't also laid out the argument for Sunday sales everywhere else.

"The hypocrisy of what you just said is unbelievable and uncomfortable to me," Freeman said.

Visibly angered and taken aback, Unterman replied, "But I never argued for Sunday sales for alcohol in the grocery stores."

"That is appalling. You did!" Freeman shot back.

"No, I didn't!" Unterman snapped. Then, taking a deep breath, she said more calmly, "Y'all are the ones who are mixing the two issues."

After Unterman explained she wanted to limit her Sunday sales bill to the Gwinnett County stadium--or any future facilities like it--Freeman continued his barrage.

"You want us to support you; but you don't want to support me," he said.

Freeman then tried to cut off the exchange with a curt "Thank you, Senator;" but Unterman ignored him.

"My main question is why would the House vote on this bill; knowing that the Governor is going to veto it with the (statewide Sunday sales) amendment?" she said.

Unterman said the Governor had told her he would veto the stadium bill if it had the statewide legalization vote attached.

Whatever he may or may not have told Unterman in private, Governor Sonny Perdue has not yet uttered the v-word in public; though he came pretty close the last time I asked him about it.

The Governor said he opposed linking the two bills; and he hoped he wouldn't see a combined bill on his desk. This afternoon, a spokesman said he had nothing to add to that right now.

But, even before it gets to the Governor, the statewide Sunday sales drive has to get past the House leadership. Yesterday, Majority Leader Jerry Keen (R-St. Simons) said, "there's a little gamesmanship going on here."

Keen again said the House would be glad to vote on the bill, which was initially a Senate initiative, if the Senate will vote first. But, remember, it didn't; and at this point, it's almost impossible for the Senate to do that--and the Majority Leader knows it. So, he's given the House a way to avoid voting, also.

Meanwhile, Unterman told me she'll try to get another committee--Rules is the usual one--to strip the statewide initiative away from the stadium bill; so it can go through without the worry of a defeat in the Senate, or a veto from the Governor.

For their part, Sunday sales supporters are banking on keeping the two parts together, thinking that the Governor will let the local legalization votes happen; because he doesn't want to kill the stadium bill.

Expect a lot more loud arguments--and silent behind-the-scenes maneuvering--in the next week or two. Winning side buys the beer.