As another February rolls around, it is time for yet another dog and pony show at the State Capitol.

Except this year, we get a double-bill — the usual session of the state legislature, plus the added sideshow of the bingo corruption retrial. Both begin this week.

My, aren’t we doubly blessed.

For the lawmakers, another major ordeal is in store. The shortfall for the state’s general fund is $400 million, coming on the heels of big cuts last year. Gov. Robert Bentley wanted to help matters by consolidating the general fund with the education fund — something routinely done in almost all the other states in the nation — but couldn’t get enough support. Apparently the education lobby still wields clout, even without Paul Hubbert around Goat Hill.

There’s also the issue of redrawing district lines for the State House and Senate. Lawmakers did so for Congressional districts last session with little partisan rancor, partly because Republicans have a stranglehold on the Alabama electorate right now, but are basically required to keep one district with an African-American majority.

Meanwhile, a few blocks away, the retrial of the federal bingo corruption case gears up, where the charges that weren’t decided by acquittal the first time will be tried again.

This time, Sen. Scott Beason, R-Gardendale, won’t be taking the stand. That’s probably just as well, as presiding judge Myron Thompson did everything but put a white pointed hood on Beason’s head.

So the circus begins anew in Montgomery, this time with two rings.

Send in the clowns.