Paul is good enough to tip me off to an AJC article that lists the most tardy members of the GA House and Senate so far in 2008.

At first glance, two representatives from “Decatur” make the list: Pam Stephenson (#2) and Stephanie Stuckey-Benefield (#6). But as far as I can tell, the AJC incorrectly lists Pam Stephenson as from Decatur. Her website clearly states that she serves Lithonia. (Apparently Lithonia reps have better things to do than vote on bills. Rep. Ron Sailor (missed 211 or 233 votes) and Stephenson “missed nearly half” of votes, ranking 1 and 2 among truant State legislators.)

However, Rep. Stephanie Stuckey-Benefield (who missed 53 votes – 23%) does live locally, right outside of Decatur on Artwood Rd in the no-man’s land that is an Atlanta address in DeKalb County. To her credit, Stuckey-Benefield didn’t duck the article (like the Lithonia reps) and responded to the AJC’s inquiry by explaining that sick kids have been the main reason for her absence so far this year.

But what I found most interesting was this rather fortuitous blurb I ran across from 2002 Georgia Trends “40 Under 40″ article about Stuckey-Benefield that comes off making her sound a bit over-extended…

Stephanie Stuckey-Benefield will probably become the state’s Mother Protector now that she’s juggling child rearing with her work as a family law attorney and state legislator. Think about it: Three years ago — long before she gave birth to her son — she helped pass a law mandating gender equity in school athletics. Since then, she has faced off with county review boards statewide to ensure girls get the funds they need to play the sports they want. “You have to carve out a niche for yourself or else you’ll run yourself ragged and be ineffective,” she says. “She’s a terrific role model,” says law partner Holly Manheimer. “The fact that she can do all the things she does and can still be an awesome friend is great.”

The AJC article makes it sound like Stuckey-Benefield has since given up her practice of the law to be a full-time mother and legislator since the blurb above was written. It would be interesting to know her attendance in prior years.

I don’t claim to be an expert of Stuckey-Benefield’s service to the county (her website has a list of her accomplishments) so if you have additional insight about her work and/or absences, I would love to hear your comments below. Regardless, it’s never good to find your name on this list, which newspapers around the country seem to revisit every few months.

And I certainly am not one to point fingers at people for being over-extended. I excel in that department. Stress and too many commitments…and I don’t even have any kids!