As they see it.

"Nothing happens until the last two minutes. The last two minutes will decide whether it's a win or a loss."

--Florida Representative Dan Gelber to the St. Petersburg Times about how the 60-day session is a lot like an NBA game.

"I have a little bell alert when a constituent feedback e-mail comes in. My office is like a bell choir since this bill was proposed. It really is monopolizing a lot of my time, responding."

--Pennsylvania Representative Tim Seip to the Associated Press about constituent response to a proposal to impose strict registration requirements on gun owners.

"There are quite of few folks afraid to go to anything. Instead of legislators focusing on what we should be focusing on, we have to worry about who is trying to trip us up."

--Colorado Representative Nancy Todd to the Rocky Mountain News about the new voter-approved amendment there that, in part, bans gifts worth $50 or more to lawmakers, government workers and their families.

"We're seeing the same thing in all age groups and all races. This is an equal opportunity epidemic."

--Robin Hamre, team leader of a national nutrition and obesity prevention program at the Centers for Disease Control, to the Associated Press about obesity in America.

"At the end of the day, what senators really want is the ability for their voices to be heard and to be part of the process. They want to feel like their input matters."

--Georgia's Lieutenant Governor Casey Cagle to the Associated Press about his efforts to make the state Senate a fair and respectful place to make laws.

"Any way we can make the system better, we ought to be looking at it. Instead of just talking about commutation of prisoners, you've got

to fix the system before you can just implode it and walk away."

--Michigan Senate Majority Leader Mike Bishop to the Detroit News about the need for prison reform.

"It's like looking in the refrigerator for the 100th time and hoping there will be something in there this time."

--Kris Tefft, general counsel for the Association of Washington Business to the Associated Press about a measure being considered for the sixth year in a row to require paid family leave.