House back in session

Like an extra scene after the credits, the legislature came back today.

In its first act, the House seated newly appointed Rep. Ken Furr. The Albemarle Republican replaces former Rep. David Almond, who resigned last month after a personnel complaint.

After the governor's veto message was read, Rep. Cullie Tarleton took the opportunity to praise Appalachian State University's football team for its upset win over the University of Michigan last weekend.

"This was the all-time football upset," said the Blowing Rock Democrat.

Rep. Curtis Blackwood then thanked his colleagues for their thank-you notes and flowers after his father's funeral.

Oh, and that veto? The House went into recess so that Democrats could go back to caucus at 2:45. House Republicans will caucus at 3 p.m., "so we can find out what the Democrats" are doing, as Minority Leader Paul Stam put it.

No word yet on what House Democrats are thinking about the veto, but if they had walked in with the votes for an override, they probably would have just done it.