Working in government affairs and media, you form many personal bonds with members of the Legislature. Not all of them last.

Some officials leave public life, political differences can strain friendships, and sadly, some depart from this world far too young. This is what happened recently with the passing of Rep. Mandi Ballinger, R-Canton.

She was the chair of the House Juvenile Justice Committee and a force within the General Assembly. While she could be reserved and guarded, she treated me with kindness. Not long before her passing, she and I were scheduled to have dinner to discuss criminal justice reform, a favorite topic of hers, but she canceled due to an emergency.

Now I understand what that emergency was, and she leaves a big void under the Gold Dome. Yet if lawmakers are judged

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