Gold Dome Live is moving!
Our new spot will allow us to get the news to you even faster and make commenting easier. Please bookmark the new site and sign up for our rss feed:
http://blogs.ajc.com/gold-dome-live/
AJC.com > Legislature > Georgia Beat > Archives > 2005 > February > 25
Friday, February 25, 2005
Redrawn Congressional districts won’t be ‘bizarre shapes,’ says Senate
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
Senate Democrats were today unable to amend a measure changing the state’s Congressional voting districts.
Sen. Chip Rogers (R-Woodstock), chairman of the reapportionment committee, introduced Senate Resolution 166, which would set guidelines for redrawing the state’s 13 Congressional districts.
The resolution passed by a vote of 36-16.
The bill reads that, “all districts shall be compact in form. Bizarre shapes shall be avoided.” It also mandates districts be composed of contiguous territory and that districts should divide as few counties and recognized political boundaries as possible.
Sen. Doug Stoner (D-Smyrna) offered an amendment, which would establish an independent commission to review redistricting plans. The commission would have to approve any map by three-fourths of the members. It failed 32-20. Stoner proposed a second amendment, which sought to stop any redistricting efforts prior to 2011. The measure also failed 32-20.
The Senate also voted 48-1 in favor of a bill introduced by Sen. Joseph Carter (R-Tifton) that would prohibit smoking on school buses and vans. The Senate approved an amendment that clarifies the bill does not apply to the personal vehicles of teachers and staff.
The Senate adjourned until 1 p.m. Wednesday.
Permalink | |
Senate votes to rename office building for late U.S. Sen. Coverdell
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
The state Senate voted 47-3 this morning to name the state’s Legislative Office Building in his honor.
Earlier this year, House Majority Leader Jerry Keen (R-St. Simons Island) proposed to rename the building. The office building is on Mitchell Street across from the Capitol.
Coverdell held the No. 5 position in the Senate Republican leadership, but his roots were in the Georgia General Assembly. He was instrumental in developing the Georgia GOP, beginning his state Senate career in 1970 when there were only five GOP senators.
Coverdell died in 2000 at age 61 of complications from a massive stroke.
Several other bills are on the Senate calendar Friday, including Senate Bill 140, a measure that would reduce the maximum eligibility income limits for the state’s PeachCare medical program.
Permalink | |
House honors slain Douglas County deputy
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
The Georgia House opened its session today on a somber note, holding a moment of silence for slain Douglas County Sheriff’s Deputy Blake Gammill.
State Rep. Tim Bearden (R-Villa Rica) fought back tears as he told lawmakers about the circumstances of Gammill’s slaying and his personal affection for him.
“I know personally he was a fine officer and a well-respected officer,” said Bearden, who was 2003 Officer of the Year for the City of Douglasville Police Department.
Police say Gammill was shot by homeowner Gerald Greene when Gammill and other officers went to arrest Jimmy Bilbo, a former county deputy and stepson of Greene who was free on bond and awaiting trial on child molestation charges.
Permalink | |
