As they see it.

• Position: Quotes from politicians

"I understand that it is not just my hands that take the gavel today.... it is the hands of my relatives who toiled under the overseer's whip on the red clay of Georgia."

--Colorado Senate President Peter Groff to the legislature as it convened for a 120-day session. He became the Senate's first black president.

Lost your home? ... you're welcome to stay with me for awhile ...

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"Scratch-off tickets are to the lottery what crack is to cocaine."

--Texas Senator Eliot Shapleigh to The New York Times about how states are turning to instant scratch games to lure new players. Critics say games promising this kind of instant gratification are more likely to contribute to problem gambling and take advantage of the most vulnerable members of society.

"I hope that people in the district say, "That's a sacrifice we can live with so that he can do what he's doing." If that's not the case, then I am not the right guy. This is important to me and I hope it is important to them."

--Illinois Representative Jim Watson, to the Associated Press, about how his deployment to Iraq in January will take him away from representing his constituents.

"We've bled 'em down. We've said, 'Wait till next year.' We need to do better by our parks, build them up instead of trying to close them."

--Arizona Representative Jack Brown to The Arizona Republic about the Legislature's appropriations for state parks.

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"It seems to me if the states and feds can't figure out a way to clean up this industry, shame on us."

--Iowa Attorney General Tom Miller to USA Today about the mortgage business and foreclosure crisis.

"A lot of legislators--they're...