New state Senate rules is to be unveiled Monday, and will vest authority in an eight-member Committee on Assignments - “The Ocho”

Jim Galloway of the ajc's Political Insider reports:

In November, you’ll recall, Senate Republicans revolted and stripped Lt. Gov. Casey Cagle of nearly all his power over the chamber – save for wielding the gavel while the Senate is in session.

A written version of the new Senate rules is to be unveiled Monday, and will vest authority in an eight-member Committee on Assignments – which Capitol insiders have dubbed “the Ocho.” (Something to do with “Dodge Ball: The Movie,” we hear.)

Cagle is allowed two appointees – Jeff Mullis, R-Chickamauga, and Jim Butterworth, R-Cornelia. But six members of the Ocho – the ones who backed the coup – are the ones who really matter.

Senate President pro tem Tommie Williams, R-Lyons, will chair the Committee on Assignments – but will vote only in cases of a tie. His office remains on the third floor of the Capitol. Senate Majority Chip Rogers, the next most powerful members, has his office on the second floor.

The other four members of the Ocho who matter have taken over the 421 suites: Cecil Staton, R-Macon, is in the office once occupied by Mullis, who now has a corner office in a basement suite; Bill Cowsert, R-Athens, is in an office that last year belonged to Renee Unterman, R-Buford; Greg Goggans, R-Douglas, replaces Dan Moody, R-Roswell, who retired; and David Shafer, R-Duluth.