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AJC.com > Legislature > Blog > Archives > 2007 > January > 25
Thursday, January 25, 2007
Johnson says ethics complaint not filed properly
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
The General Assembly’s ethics committee has rejected a conflict-of-interest complaint filed against a state lawmaker, declaring that it was not filed correctly.
Senate President Pro Tem Eric Johnson, presiding chairman of the Joint Legislative Ethics Committee, said Edward Chapman did not include a signed affidavit with his complaint.
In his complaint, Chapman alleges state Rep. Larry O’Neal (R-Warner Robins) had a conflict of interest in 2005 when he pushed legislation that gave Republican Gov. Sonny Perdue a $100,000 tax break in connection with land Perdue sold in Houston County.
“The law requires a signed affidavit for obvious reasons and he did not do that,” Johnson said. “I just want to make sure that if he is going to refile it and swear to it that it is factual and truthful and if he has knowledge of it. That is why we do it. Let’s see what this kid knows and swears by.”
Chapman said he signed his complaint, had it notarized and mailed it today so that it would arrive at the State Capitol Friday. He did not sign the original complaint he sent the committee this week.
“While I wish the committee had notified me more promptly, I’m thrilled that the committee takes the process so seriously and look forward to it continuing to do so as the refiled complaint moves forward,” said Chapman, a former Georgia Democratic Party operative.
Also today, Chapman called on House Speaker Glenn Richardson to withdraw from the ethics panel, saying Richardson is unable to make an impartial ruling. Richardson, who is co-chairman of the committee, is refusing to step aside.
In an email to Richardson today, Chapman quoted comments Richardson made late last year about O’Neal.
“If you attack one of us, you attack all of us,” Richardson said about O’Neal in a House Majority Caucus meeting in November. “Somebody attacked one of us, they attacked all of us. We stand with you, Larry.”
Richardson was apparently referring to accusations Democrats made against O’Neal during last year’s gubernatorial campaign between Perdue and Democratic Lt. Gov. Mark Taylor. Chapman dredged up those accusations in the complaint he sent the Joint Legislative Ethics Committee this week.
“It is clear that Speaker Richardson has rendered himself unable to make an impartial ruling,” Chapman said. “Judicial guidelines require that a judge recuse himself if there is even an appearance of impropriety and Speaker Richardson clearly has passed the threshold of appearance.”
Richardson’s spokeswoman today referred to a state law that says the committee “shall be governed by ten members,” including the speaker.
“The statute governing the Joint Legislative Ethics Committee requires the speaker to serve on the committee, and he is going to do the job he was elected to do,” Richardson spokeswoman Clelia Davis said. “This committee will operate under the statutes which govern it.”
Chapman is also calling on the ethics committee to meet in public. The committee’s rules, however, say the ethics panel may meet secretly.
In an interview Wednesday, Johnson said the committee would appoint a three-member panel to determine if Chapman’s complaint warrants an investigation by the full ethics committee. That review panel, he said, will include Johnson, Richardson and a senator appointed by Johnson.
Permalink | Comments (2) | Categories: politics
Senate approves first bill for 2007
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
The Georgia Senate unanimously approved its first bill of the 2007 Legislative session on Thursday.
Sen. David Shafer (R-Duluth) presented Senate Bill 11, a measure that allows judges who are serving in the military to continue in office and be eligible for reelection during such duty. The bill also allows judges to qualify for election by mail and it creates a provision that that performing ordered military duty shall be a basis for requiring assistance from other courts.
Shafer said that he knew of only a few judges who are currently serving as Reservists or National Guardsman, but as the war in Iraq continues, some may be called upon for active duty and need the provisions laid out in the bill. The Senate passed the measure by a vote of 52-0.
The Senate also approved a bill that affects the municipal court in Columbus, Georgia. Sen. Seth Harp (R-Midland) said the court is the only municipal court in the state that also serves as civil court. Senate Bill 18 allows the court to charge additional filing fees for civil actions and cases filed to fund alternative dispute programs.
The Senate approved the measure by a vote of 51-0.
The Senate meets Friday at 9 a.m.
Permalink | | Categories: Criminal justice
Bill would set sales tax “holiday”
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
Georgians will get to shop without having to pay state sales taxes in early August under legislation filed Wednesday.
Rep. Lynn Ratigan Smith (R-Newnan), filed the bill setting the annual sales tax holiday on Aug. 2 though Aug. 5.
The “holiday” is aimed at back-to-school shoppers, allowing Georgians to buy school supplies, clothes and computer equipment without having to pay the state’s 4 percent sales tax.
The bill also would allow Georgians to buy energy efficient products with a sales price of $1,500 or less for home use from Oct. 4 through Oct. 7.
The sales tax holiday costs the state more than $10 million in lost revenue, but supporters say it is a popular way to make sure back-to-school shoppers make their purchases in Georgia, rather than traveling to nearby states with similar tax breaks.
Permalink | Comments (4) | Categories: Taxes
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