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AJC.com > Legislature > Blog > Archives > 2007 > January > 30
Tuesday, January 30, 2007
Poll: Georgia headed in the right direction
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
A new poll suggests Georgians think the state is headed in the right direction, the kind of news politicians love to hear.
The poll by InsiderAdvantage, an Atlanta-based online political media firm, showed 64 percent of 500 respondents surveyed Jan. 24-26 thought Georgia was headed in the right direction. Only 28 percent said they thought the state was headed in the wrong direction, and 8 percent were undecided.
The poll had a margin of error of plus or minus 4 percentage points.
“Right track, wrong track” polls are frequently used in politics to determine the mood of voters heading into an election.
This time, with the election season over, Matt Towery, CEO of InsiderAdvantage, said the poll is good news for Gov. Sonny Perdue and lawmakers as they begin a new legislative session.
“Respondents indicate that they are confident in Georgia’s economy and generally have few pressing issues that they consider of dire importance,” Towery said. “These numbers fly starkly in the face of some national polling trends in which Americans feel that as a nation, America is headed in the wrong direction.
“The flip side of this news is that issues which may need addressing such as transportation and healthcare simply are not receiving the degree of public concern that those advocating change or action would like to see,” he added. “As a consequence, you will likely continue to see the legislature and the governor take a cautious position on those ‘big ticket’ items.”
Permalink | Comments (5) | Categories: politics
House wants to restrict fingerprinting
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
A state legislative study panel says Georgia should restrict who may collect biometric information — such as fingerprints and retinal scans — and set limits on how long it may be kept.
The House Study Committee on Biological Privacy, for example, says employers should not be allowed to require that workers have microchips implanted in their arms so their bosses may track them daily.
Additionally, the panel says insurance companies should be prohibited from requiring genetic screenings for customers seeking life insurance policies.
And public and private schools should be barred from requiring students to submit their fingerprints before they are admitted.
“We see that as an issue with respect to individual liberties,” State Rep. Ed Setzler (R-Acworth), chairman of the committee, said at a news conference this morning.
Setzler said he plans to introduce legislation this week that will include the committee’s recommendations. The panel’s report is scheduled to be released this afternoon.
Permalink | | Categories: Miscellaneous
Lawmakers seek to defend “merry Christmas”
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
The “Merry Christmas” versus “Happy Holidays” debate is back on in Georgia’s Legislature.
A Republican state lawmaker has revived legislation that would prohibit all state and county government agencies and school boards from barring people from saying “Merry Christmas,” “Happy Hanukkah,” or any other holiday expression.
The bill’s sponsor, State Rep. Clay Cox (R-Lilburn), has said he has heard from teachers, public employees and students who were afraid to say, “Merry Christmas.”
“It protects free speech of our public employees and our students,” Cox told the House Civil Judiciary Committee this morning moments before the panel gave preliminary approval to his bill.
Before voting, the committee asked Cox if he could cite any examples of schools attempting to curb free speech.
Cox said fliers for a holiday parade in Lilburn were not distributed at a local school because the word ‘Christmas’ was printed on them. Cox declined to identify the school other than to say it is an elementary school in his legislative district.
“Students were instead — on an announcement — encouraged that if they wished they could attend a ‘winter parade’ at the city of Lilburn on Main Street,” Cox said. “And that is just absurd.”
The bill is similar to legislation Cox introduced last year, which passed the House but didn’t make it out of the Senate.
National radio talk shows have fueled the debate over whether government employees should say “Merry Christmas” or the more generic “Happy Holidays.” And some Christian groups have also complained about government agencies and major retailers taking the words “Merry Christmas” out of seasonal marketing displays.
Sadie Fields, chairman of the Georgia Christian Alliance, said her organization supports Clay’s bill as a way to protect free speech.
“At this moment in our history, Christian symbols are being discriminated against and it is unfortunate that we have to have legislation,” she said. “But if that what it takes, that’s what it takes.”
HB 12 applies to all public and legal holidays. Government agencies and schools would still be allowed to enforce regulations preventing “unlawful speech or expression” that disrupts class work or violates the rights of others.
The American Civil Liberties Union of Georgia raised Constitutional concerns about the bill Tuesday, saying it creates the perception that government and school officials can restrict speech more than what it is legally allowed.
“It is problematic because it is actually constitutionally unsound,” said Maggie Garrett, legislative director for the ACLU of Georgia. “Because of the way the bill is drafted, I think it may actually create more confusion for teachers then without the bill.”
The Georgia School Boards Association also raised concerns at the committee meeting Tuesday, calling the bill “confusing.”
“It is a very short, simple bill,” said Angela Palm, director of policy for the association, “but I have to tell you I find it very confusing as to exactly what it is that it would direct a school board to do.”
Permalink | Comments (134) | Categories: politics
Governor pushes limit on lottery spending
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
Flanked by 13 lawmakers, Gov. Sonny Perdue announced Tuesday he will once again try to get the state Constitution amended to limit how lottery funds are spent.
Lottery money goes to HOPE Scholarships for higher education students and pre-K education. In the past, it’s also been used to buy satellite dishes and computers for schools at all grade levels. Perdue wants to make grades kindergarten through 12 off limits to lottery money.
“We’ve got to use that revenue in the right way,” Perdue said. “I really can’t find a substatitive reason why anyone would object to this.”
Last year, the HOPE Chest amendment failed to win enough support from lawmakers to be put on the ballot. This year, Perdue’s chances are better, according to lawmakers.
“I anticipate it will be received well in the House,” House Speaker Glenn Richardson (R- Hiram) said.
“The rhetoric got kind of out of hand last year,” Sen. George Hooks (D-Americus) said.
