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AJC.com > Legislature > Blog > Archives > 2009 > February
February 2009
Protesters hold anti-stimulus “tea party” at the Capitol
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
Hundreds of people gathered in the pouring rain at the state Capitol to protest the multi-billion dollar federal stimulus package signed by President Barack Obama.
Protesters chanted, “Take back America,” and held signs against bailouts. Another protester held a U.S. Navy Jack with the rattlesnake and the words, “Don’t Tread on Me.”
Protests across the country have sprung up today, inspired by Rick Santelli of CNBC, who stood on the floor of the Chicago Board of Trade last week and went on a spontaneous on-air rant against Pres. Obama’s proposed mortgage bailout. Santelli mentioned holding a tea party to protest the idea, like the Boston Tea Party, when colonists protested unjust taxation from England.
The idea has taken a life of its own, and Friday, about 200 protesters showed up in Atlanta, some with tea bags, to protest the stimulus bill and other bailouts.
“My concern is that this country is going down a dangerous path toward socialism and that’s not what my forefathers, or my ancestors, fought and died for,” said protester Allen LaBerteaux, 41, of Lilburn. He had two tea bags in his pocket.
The state employee went to the Capitol in the cold rain to register his opposition to the stimulus bill, which he sees as irresponsible spending by the federal government.
Supporters say the $787 billion stimulus package is designed to jump-start the economy with public works construction, new jobs and tax cuts for millions of Americans.
Protesters at the Capitol handed out One Trillion dollar bills with the faces of House Speaker Nancy Pelosi (D-California) and Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid (D-Nevada).
State Republican politicians lined up to speak in the rain, including gubernatorial hopefuls Insurance Commissioner John Oxendine and Rep. Austin Scott (R-Tifton).
State Senate Majority Leader Chip Rogers (R-Woodstock) also spoke, urging the crowd to find socialists in office and “kick them out.”
“Let’s go after them,” Rogers said, to cheers from the crowd.
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Cagle won’t block Sunday sales vote
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
With a vote on Sunday alcohol sales coming up next week, Lt. Gov. Casey Cagle is continuing to signal that he’s not standing in the way of the bill’s passage.
Cagle, the Senate’s president, has been accused of blocking Sunday alcohol sales legislation in the past. He’s only said publicly that he wouldn’t stand in the way of a Senate vote on Senate Bill 16, which allows communities to hold a referendum to vote on Sunday sales of beer, wine and liquor at stores. Alcoholic beverages can already be sold on Sundays in many areas at restaurants and bars.
But when supporters of the bill contact his office, Cagle has been for months responding with a letter that takes a much stronger stance.
In it, Cagle said he personally opposes Sunday sales for religious reasons.
But he adds, “I recognize we live in a democracy where the wishes of the majority must be respected. For this reason, I have not opposed a referendum that will allow voters to choose whether or not to allow Sunday sales.
“While I would vote against such a change at the ballot box, I do not believe the Legislature should deny voters of our state a chance to make this choice for themselves and their community,” he wrote.
That viewpoint puts Cagle, a Republican running for governor in 2010, on the opposite side of the Christian Coalition of Georgia and Gov. Sonny Perdue. The Christian Coalition has already vowed to make it a Republican primary issue next year. And one of Cagle’s opponents, Republican Insurance Commissioner John Oxendine, has already come out against Sunday sales.
The Sunday sales bill is set to be considered by the Senate Regulated Industries Committee next Wednesday.
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Senate passes property assessment cap
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
The Georgia Senate voted Thursday to ban property assessment increases for the next two years to hold down property taxes.
The Senate passed the measure 42 to 5, after no debate, with all the “no” votes coming from Democrats.
Senate Majority Leader Chip Rogers (R-Woodstock) said the bill would prevent assessments from increasing, but would not prevent assessments from falling, which many have already.
“Georgians have lost billions of dollars of wealth in their property in the last couple of years,” Rogers said.
Republicans want to make sure the assessments follow the market trend and that homeowners struggling to make ends meet are not taxed out of their homes.
Opponents say the cap would put a burden on cities, counties and school districts, leaving them with a stagnant tax base. It could require local governments to raise tax rates in order to collect more taxes, rather than relying on increased property values.
Sen. Doug Stoner (D-Smyrna), who missed the vote on the bill, said he was “sick of this,” saying the measure interfered with local governments’ ability to collect taxes and provide services.
“We can’t solve our own problems and so we start sticking our noses into everybody else’s business,” Stoner said.
House Bill 233 is another in a series of bills Republicans have introduced this session dealing with property tax issues and assessments. Supporters say the bills will provide homeowners with tax relief, while opponents call the measures smoke and mirrors that will actually require local governments to cut services or raise millage rates to make up for lost taxes.
House Bill 233 has already passed the House and was amended by the Senate in committee.
Senators added language that would exempt about five counties from the property assessment cap temporarily. Those counties are in the midst of county-wide reassessments. The cap would have interfered with that work, possibly nullifying millions of dollars of assessment work already done, Rogers said.
The Senate also added language that would allow increases in assessments if a property were divided, rezoned, or if an assessor had missed a room, for example, Rogers said.
Because of the changes, House Bill 233 must go back to the House for consideration.
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House adopts amended 2009 budget
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
The House voted Thursday to approve an amended, $18.9 billion 2009 budget.
The 168-5 vote sends the amended current year’s spending plan to the Senate, where it is also expected to be approved with little fanfare. House Speaker Glenn Richardson (R-Hiram), however, just said he would be surprised if the Senate does not amend it in some way and send it back to the House for approval.
The 2009 budget that was originally approved last year, had to be amended now to absorb more than $2 billion in cuts. Those cuts were necessary as state revenues from taxes plummeted from their previous estimates.
With this budget out of the way, House leaders will turn their attention to working on the 2010 state budget that takes effect July 1.
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House is on the budget
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
With Georgia Power done with, and after a all-too-brief lunch break, the House is back in action on the amended, $18.9 billion, amended 2009 state budget.
House Appropriations Committee Chairman Ben Harbin (R-Evans) is explaining the budget rapt (sort of) House chamber.
While this bill could, under House rules, be amended on the floor, there isn’t expected to be much of a fight given the state’s dire financial situation, and given the need to move quickly.
But, that could sure change.
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Senate passes revisions to trauma care commission
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
Georgia may have edged closer to creating a trauma care network with passage of a bill in the Senate Thursday that sets a clearer mission for the task.
The Senate unanimously approved revisions to the duties of the Georgia Trauma Care Network Commission. The measure must still pass the House.
Revising the nine-member commission’s mission was one hurdle that Lt. Gov. Casey Cagle had said previously would be necessary before the state could entrust millions of dollars to the group on a continual basis. The bill passed 49 to 0.
There is still no permanent source of funding for a trauma care network. There are bills before both chambers that would impose a $10 fee on car tag renewals, but similar bills have failed in the past.
The governor supports legislation to levy extra fines on motorists who are super-speeders, to help pay for a trauma care network. Supporters say the state needs about $80 million per year to sustain a network that covers the whole state.
Revisions to the trauma commission is a first step, said bill sponsor Cecil Staton (R-Macon).
“It’s making the Governor and Lt. Governor and House members more comfortable with creating a new commission and giving them large chunks of money,” Staton said.
One sticking point in the commission’s duties is how it will spend money on uncompensated care.
Trauma care is expensive, and lots of time people can’t pay. This means hospitals lose money by providing such care.
Cagle wanted to make sure that uncompensated care is not the only factor in determining how the commission spends money.
Senate Bill 156 says that uncompensated care is considered part of the trauma care network’s readiness. It should be taken into consideration when the commission makes sure the network is ready, which is one of its central tasks.
But at the same time, the commission must spend money to help smaller rural hospitals become capable of providing trauma care too.
The bills allows the commission discretion in the funding formula to support trauma centers that incur greater losses.
“Grady is going to have a much higher level of uncompensated care,” said Staton, referring to the Atlanta hospital.
Still, the trauma care network money cannot be used to reimburse all uncompensated care, Station said.
“We’re not seeing uncompensated care as an open-ended bucket,” Staton said.
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Senate passes ethics bill on campaign contributions
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
Senators unanimously passed an ethics bill Thursday that would shine a light on campaign contributions received by candidates who could regulate business or hand out contracts.
Sen. George Hooks (D-Americus) sponsored the bill, SB 70, saying “many of us are appalled,” about the corruption scandal in Illinois surrounding Gov. Rod Blagojevich.
Hooks said he wants to prevent similar corruption in Georgia.
His bill would require businesses to report within two days any contributions they make to a candidate for office where they have a contract or could get a contract.
The bill also requires officers with a company to report if they personally, or if a family member, give campaign contributions to those who could regulate the business.
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Senate approves liquor sales close to public housing
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
Need a drink?
A law that prohibits selling alcohol within 100 yards of a public housing complex might be watered-down, if a bill that passed the Senate Thursday becomes law.
Senate Bill 68 would allow local governments to make exceptions and allow alcohol sales close to public housing, with the OK of the housing authority board of commissioners.
“Are we sending the wrong message by making an exemption in the law?” asked Sen. Emanuel Jones (D-Decatur), who opposed the bill. He argued that 100 yards is a good buffer.
Sen. Jack Murphy (R-Cumming), the bill sponsor, said it would be up to each local government to decide.
The bill passed 32 to 14.
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UPDATE: Georgia Power bill headed to governor
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
The House has voted 107-66 to approve SB 31, the Georgia Power bill, which now heads to Gov. Sonny Perdue’s desk.
After more than three hours of debate, the vote was anti-climatic.
The bill would allow Georgia Power to begin charging customers in 2011 for new nuclear plants expected to go online in 2017.
10:10 a.m.Rep. Ben Harbin (R-Evans) just got a pretty tough question from Rep. Karla Drenner (D-Avondale Estates).
Harbin, leading the effort to pass SB 31, the Georgia Power bill, heard this from Drenner:
“Can you tell us why this isn’t a Ponzi scheme?” Drenner said.
Harbin’s response:
“In a Ponzi scheme, there’s no oversight. The Public Service Commission will have oversight and make sure the money is used only to cover the financing costs of construction. This is not a Ponzi scheme.”
UPDATE 10:17 a.m.: Harbin has yielded the floor, having taken up the 20 minutes he was allowed (and then some), and Rep. Austin Scott (R-Tifton) has replaced him.
Scott spoke against the bill, although he said he supports new nuclear construction.
He didn’t take long and now Rep. Georgianna Sinkfield (D-Atlanta) is calling the bill an opportunity for learning: “Lessons learned that should not be repeated,” she said.
It’s a bad idea to go down this road, Sinkfield said. .
And just to note, 17 House members have signed up to speak on the bill. We’re on number three.
UPDATE: 10:35 a.m.: Sinkfield is still in the well, and she’s gaining steam.
“We could very well be buying into an issue that will come back and bite us, because there could be something better out there than nuclear energy,” she said. “We haven’t examined it as a body, who should dwell on this issue.”
UPDATE: 10:48 a.m.: It’s Rep. David Lucas’ turn to bash the bill now. The Macon Democrat wants the bill to go back to committee.
“We ought not pay sales tax on the money they’re going to get for us to finance the debt service,” he said.
He points out, rightly, that because of House rules, SB 31 can’t be amended on the floor. And, he said, changes are needed.
“When it doesn’t turn out right, and they go to the Public Service Commission, they’re going to tell you and they’re going to tell your folk, ‘We didn’t do it, your representative did,’” Lucas said. “You need to be very, very careful to know what you’re doing.”
UPDATE: 10:57 a.m.: Next up on the I-hate-SB 31 train is Rep. Debbie Buckner (D-Junction City)
“I have no problem paying for something in advance that’s a fair system,” she said. “This isn’t a fair system.”
The citizens of Georgia, she said, “will share the risk that shareholders of this publicly traded company should be taking.”
And now she’s done and we’re on to number five: Rep. Earnest “Coach” Williams (D-Avondale Estates).
One thing that will be interesting to watch: Will any Republicans (besides Austin Scott, who already spoke) speak out against the bill?
UPDATE: 11:06 a.m.: Rep. Don Wix (D-Mableton) is challenging colleagues to show some backbone.
“Some of you out there are voting ‘yes’ for this bill or some of you are voting ‘no’ and hope it passes,” he said. “That’s not what you’re elected for. We’re down here to make a decision.”
Meanwhile, he said, there are more than 100 House bills waiting to be considered, yes House leaders are rushing this Senate bill through first.
“I just don’t appreciate the power play we’re seeing in the hall,” Wix said, referring to the Georgia Power lobbyists sporting “Yes on SB 31” stickers.
UPDATE: 11:15 a.m.: Georgia Power has gotten this far only because it managed to exempt its big industrial users from paying the higher fees that residential costumers will face, Rep. Mary Margaret Oliver (D-Decatur) said.
“If they had not been allowed to make a special deal with big industrial users they would not be here in front of 185 bills,” Oliver said. “The PSC would not let them do it. They had to come here to do that.”
And now it’s Rep. Rob Teilhet’s turn as the Smyrna Democrat takes the well.
UPDATE: 11:31 a.m.: Rep. Randal Mangham (D-Decatur) is charging that the fix is in on this bill.
Florida went through this, he said, and regrets their decision. Georgia will, too, Mangham said.
Mangham also managed to tie in the election of Barack Obama into all this and said democracy itself is at stake.
Meanwhile, House Speaker Glenn Richardson (R-Hiram) has said the House will not break for lunch until this bill is done. We’ve got 10 more speakers to go, once Mangham finishes up.
UPDATE: 11:47 a.m.: So Mangham has finished up his remarks and is now taking questions from Appropriations Committee Ben Harbin (R-Evans), the sponsor of SB 31 in the House.
Harbin has already managed to poke a few holes in Mangham’s earlier remarks, including whether anyone was denied the opportunity to speak on the bill in committee. Apparently they were not, something Mangham admitted he wasn’t sure of because he wasn’t there.
Mangham’s time has expired and we’re on to speaker number 11. Mangham also says there is a minority report to the bill, meaning once they’re finished with the speakers, the minority report will be presented.
Rep. Mark Hatfield (R-Waycross) is now speaking. Will he be the Republican who speaks out against the bill?
UPDATE: 11:52 a.m. Rep. Mark Hatfield (R-Waycross) is kinda, sorta speaking against SB 31, the Georgia Power bill.
Hatfield says allowing the utility to charge customers in advance for future construction is a good idea, but, he said, that’s what the Public Service Commission is for. And that, he said, is who should decide this.
He has not, however, said whether he’s voting for the bill …
UPDATE: 11:55 a.m. Hatfield just made news.
The Waycross Republican said he will, at the appropriate time, make a motion to recommit the bill to committee. That motion, when it comes, will be an important test vote.
Hatfield has left the well and Rep. Chuck Martin (R-Alpharetta) has the floor. Hatfield has not yet made his motion, but keep an eye out for it.
UPDATE: 12:05 p.m.: Martin spoke in favor of the bill, because, he said, it’s a good tool for economic development.
Martin also claimed the Public Service Commission is not a constitutional body and the General Assembly, which is, should decide this issue.
That’s an odd argument to make, as Rep. Stephanie Benfield (D-Atlanta) just pointed out.
Benfield has the floor now making the argument, again, that PSC is where this issue should be decided.
UPDATE: 12:16 p.m.: OK, either we can’t count or we got confused. But Rep. Kevin Levitas (D-Atlanta) is now speaking and he, apparently, is speaker number 10 out of 17.
We still have a ways to go and Levitas is speaking in favor of the bill.
“We can’t decide policy on only today,” he said. “When you’re considering that vote consider Georgia’s future.”
And now he’s done and we’re on to Rep. Tommy Smith (R-Nichols) has started in on a story that begins, he said, in 1960.
UPDATE: 12:33 p.m.: Smith’s story took awhile and ended with support for the bill. And then Rep. Steve Davis (R-McDonough) said much the same thing, repeating the Georgia Power talking point that it saves consumers $330 million ultimately (of course, that’s over many decades, something they don’t as readily point out).
Now, Rep. Karla Drenner (D-Avondale Estates) is speaking in support of the bill, too. According to the best count available in the House Press Gallery, a place math goes to die, Drenner is speaker number 13 out of 17 signed up.
UPDATE: 12:40 p.m.: Well, we warned you before —Â we can’t count. Rep. Ed Setzler (R-Acworth) is now speaking and Speaker Richardson announced he is the final speaker.
“You are the only thing standing between us and a previous question,” Richardson said, using House jargon to refer to an actual vote.
Setzler said he understood and he wouldn’t take long (although he’s still going). Once he’s done, there are still a few speeches to make before the vote, however, as the sponsor gets to speak as does the signer of the minority report. But … we’re getting closer.
UPDATE: 12:48 p.m.: Setlzer is done, Richardson is ringing the bill and Hatfield is making his motion to commit the bill.
Hatfield wants to send the bill back to the Rules Committee. They’re voting on the board.
UPDATE: 12:49 p.m.: That’s an awfully red board as a “no” vote in this case is a vote against sending the bill back to committee.
Hatfield’s motion fails 44-116 and they’re on to the previous question and now Rep. Randal Mangham (D-Decatur) is back up to present the minority report.
He gets 20 minutes and then Ben Harbin gets 20.
Mangham is giving up his spot in favor of Rep. Brian Thomas (D-Lilburn) and Minority Leader DuBose Porter (D-Dublin).
UPDATE: 1:07 p.m.: Thomas took 15 minutes, making the same general argument against the bill and yielded his final five minutes to Porter.
Porter made clear that he is speaking not as the minority leader but as an individual lawmaker, a distinction that speaks to the difficulty in finding concensus on this bill.
UPDATE: 1:09 p.m.: Porter is done, and we’re on to the final 20 minutes. Supporters have four people who are going to split their time, apparently, including Speaker Pro Tem Mark Burkhalter (R-Johns Creek) and Harbin, chairman of Appropriations who began this day speaking in favor of the bill.
Almost there!
UPDATE: 1:20 p.m.: Vote! Vote! Vote! Vote!
Nearly four hours after beginning this debate on SB 31, the House is voting on the Georgia Power bill.
A green board sends the bill to Gov. Sonny Perdue’s desk. A red board kills it.
UPDATE: 1:22 p.m.: SB 31, the Georgia Power bill, passes by a vote of 107-66.
After all that, it wasn’t even close.
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Georgia Power up now!
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
The House jumped right into its work calendar and first out of the gate is the Georgia Power bill, SB 31.
House Appropriations Chairman Ben Harbin (R-Evans) is leading the effort for the bill.
Come back often for updates.
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Deaf child wows House
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
The House of Representatives had the Pledge of Allegiance twice today and it’s doubtful there’s been a more emotional version heard in this chamber.
Kevon London is a 6-year-old deaf child who can hear thanks to a cochlear implant and training at the Atlanta Speech School. Introduced by Rep. Kathy Ashe (D-Atlanta), London recited the Pledge to a silent House chamber and then led lawmakers in it a second time.
Many eyes in the House were wet with tears as the kindergartener, in his suit and bow tie, confidently recited the familiar words.
We don’t often get such touching moments in here, and it was a nice way to begin what promises to be a difficult day.
Photo credit: Kimberly Smith/ksmith@ajc.com
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Long day begins in House
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
While it seems most of the action thus far in the 2009 legislative session has been in the Senate, the House is ready to change that today.
Buckle in, stock up on the sodas and salty snacks, people, it’s going to be a long day in the House.
There are only three bills on the calendar and really only two of significance: the amended 2009 state budget and the Georgia Power bill (which, you know by now, would allow the utility to begin charging customers years in advance for construction of a new nuke plant).
The House has been in since 9 a.m. but have yet to reach to being actual legislating, to make up a word. There’s no word yet on the order the bills will come up, but it’s likely they’ll try and knock out HB 169 first. It requires the state to notify property owners if the federal government changes flood elevations.
Then, it’ll either be HB 118, the amended budget, or SB 31, the Georgia Power bill. The betting odds are that the budget goes first.
We’ll keep you posted as the day, slowly, progresses.
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Voucher bill advances to Senate
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
The Senate Education and Youth Committee late Wednesday approved a bill that would use taxpayer funds to pay tuition to private schools.
SB 90, sponsored by Sen. Eric Johnson (R-Savannah), now advances to the full Senate, where a similar measure passed last year. That bill, SB 458, died in the House in the closing days of the session.
“This bill gives parents the freedom to choose the best school for their child and not have the government do it for them,” Johnson explained. “Academic studies of vouchers indicate that student test scores improve, taxpayers save money, and parents are more satisfied,” Johnson said in a statement following the vote, which was 6-4.
Supporters claim the bill helps parents find — and afford — the best education for their children.
But opponents, and they are many, worry the bill is an effort to dismantle the public education system and would only benefit upper-income families who could afford to pay the difference between the voucher itself and private school tuition, which is often higher. The bill also provides no money or system for lower-income parents to get their children to or from school.
For any student receiving a voucher under Johnson’s bill, the Department of Education would pay the amount it would normally send to the student’s former public school, or the tuition at the chosen private school — whichever is less.
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Sunday sales vote delayed
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
A key Senate committee had to put off a vote on allowing Sunday alcohol sales at stores Wednesday because not enough lawmakers showed up to vote.
The Senate Regulated Industries Committee was set to vote on legislation by Sen. Seth Harp (R-Midland) that would let local voters decide if they want Sunday beer, wine and liquor sales at stores.
Georgia is one of three states in the country with a total ban on Sunday sales. The legislation has been stalled in the Senate the past three sessions and some lawmakers have expressed reservations about going on the record on the issue.
The Christian Coalition of Georgia, which opposes the bill, has said it would include the issue in its political scorecard that goes out to voters.
Supporters of the bill had hoped to get it approved Wednesday to set up a Senate floor vote. But only two senators showed up for the committee meeting, not enough to provide a quorum.
Senate Regulated Industries Chairman David Shafer (R-Duluth) said the issue will be considered again next Wednesday.
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Failure to wear a seat belt could be used against you
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
Failure to wear a seat belt could be used against an injured motorist in court, according to a bill that passed the Senate Wednesday.
Senate Bill 23, which passed 39 to 12, allows juries to hear about seat belt use in determining negligence in civil lawsuits.
A part of the bill that would have required seat belt usage in pickup trucks in Georgia was removed.
Sen. Seth Harp (R-Midland) spoke in favor of the truck seat belt language, saying such a requirement has historically had a hard time passing in the House of Representatives. Including the pickup truck language in this bill might “give it some legs” in the House, Harp said.
But the language was removed.
In a letter to senators, the Association of County Commissioners of Georgia supported introducing seat belt usage into evidence, saying counties are often defendants in cases involving accidents where people argue that a defect in a county road was the cause.
The bill allows counties to argue back that the motorist wouldn’t have been as severely injured if they had worn a seat belt.
The Georgia Chamber of Commerce gave talking points to senators, saying the bill would encourage seat belt use. In turn, more seat belt use could save insurance companies $55.8 million per year because injuries sustained while wearing a seat belt are less expensive to treat, according to the chamber.
Bill sponsor Sen. Lee Hawkins (R-Gainesville), a dentist, said his purpose was to encourage seat belt use.
“I want to do everything I can to influence people to wear seat belts,” he said.
Sen. John Wiles (R-Marietta), said he thought it was only fair to allow juries to hear about seat belt use, since they can now hear about distractions, such as if a motorist was applying make-up while driving.
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Perdue talks stimulus with state agency heads
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
Gov. Sonny Perdue said Wednesday that the federal stimulus plan is not an “all or nothing proposal” and said he might not accept all of the $6 billion the state could collect.
Speaking to state agency heads, Perdue said if federal money would help the state, he’d take it. But if it would cost the state in the long term, he might not.
On Sunday, Perdue said he has specific concerns about money for unemployment insurance.
Georgia is expected to get about $220 million in federal aid to bolster its unemployment insurance program. But Perdue has said he’s worried that accepting that money could force the state to change its unemployment laws — and ultimately force the state to raise unemployment taxes to pay for it.
Celeste Osborn, the state’s deputy financial officer charged with overseeing the stimulus package, warned agency heads: “There are no administrative shortcuts. We have one chance to get this right.”
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High schoolers could go to college early
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
High school juniors and seniors could soon find themselves finishing their diplomas in a college setting.
The state House on Wednesday approved HB 149, which would let those public high school students take college classes and have those credits count toward their diplomas.
Sponsored by Rep. Jan Jones (R-Alpharetta), the bill would use state funds to help pay for the college tuition. The Department of Education would pay colleges the actual cost of tuition, materials and fees or the amount the state typically provided the student’s high school, whichever is less. Local school systems would get to keep a $200 records fee for each student who participates.
The bill now goes to the Senate.
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Physical assessments for students OK’d by House
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
The Department of Education must create a system for measuring students’ physical condition under a bill approved Wednesday in the state House.
HB 229, sponsored by House Education Committee Chairman Brooks Coleman (R-Duluth) is a second attempt at tackling childhood obesity. A similar measure failed last year — at Coleman’s urging — because it included a requirement that students’ body mass be measured. That proved too controversial as parents and educators worried about the impact on students.
But HB 229, which passed 116-42, could still make those measurements required, something opponents noted in limited debate on the House floor. The Education Department would be tasked with creating the physical assessment, and could choose to include body mass index testing.
The bill now goes to the Senate.
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Governor could remove school board members, under bill passed by Senate Wednesday
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
Failing school boards could be removed by the governor before their system loses accreditation, according to a bill passed by the Senate Wednesday.
The bill comes after the Clayton County school board, which has a history of infighting, lost accreditation of the public school system.
“We want somebody to step in for the interest of these children who don’t have a voice,” said bill sponsor Sen. Bill Heath (R-Bremen).
“It’s a very touchy area,” Heath said of the removal of school board members, but he said it’s something that has to be done in a fair and effective way.
Police removed a school board member from a Clayton County school board meeting earlier this week, after an ethics commission voted earlier in the month that he should not serve on the board.
Senate Bill 84, which passed 35 to 14, sets standards for school boards to avoid nepotism and conflicts of interest. It also establishes qualifications and training for school board members.
Sen. Vincent Fort (D-Atlanta) opposed the bill, saying it takes away local control and gives the governor too much authority.
“It ought to be the decision of the local folk,” Fort said of who sits on the school board.
Sen. Gail Buckner (D-Morrow) defended Clayton County schools, saying the education the children get is good, notwithstanding a school board that micromanages.
“We got state award winners and national award winners,” Buckner said.
She introduced an amendment that would allow a local grand jury to appoint new school board members if the governor removed some members, as a way to retain local control. It failed.
Sen. Steve Thompson (D-Marietta), said the governor should have to pick from a list provided by local people.
“He doesn’t need to appoint everybody in the state,” Thompson said.
Thompson said the Legislature has given the governor increasing power, including appointing the public defender council and control over the state Department of Transportation.
“I’m afraid before it’s over we’ll let him pick the lottery numbers, and maybe he’ll win,” Thompson said.
“This is not any kind of power grab,” said Heath, who urged senators to support the bill. “This is to assure that the children of the state of Georgia get a good education.”
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Teacher bonuses still in play
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
The fight over whether to keep bonuses for Georgia teachers with national board certification continues.
The House academic support education subcommittee tabled HB 243, which would eliminate the 10 percent salary increase about 2,500 Georgia teachers currently receive.
Rep. Jimmy Pruett (R-Eastman) filed the legislation on behalf of Gov. Sonny Perdue, who has said eliminating the bonuses could save the state about $12 million. The state is facing a $2 billion deficit.
But House Education Committee Chairman Brooks Coleman (R-Duluth) offered a substitute bill to continue the bonuses for teachers who already receive it. No new certificate recipients would get the money, under Coleman’s bill.
“I guarantee you, we think you deserve it,” he said to the nationally certified teachers who packed the meeting. “We’re trying to stop what is happening.”
Coleman was unsure where the $12 million would come from to pay for the bonuses.
Teachers overcrowded Tuesday’s meeting asking Legislators to vote again the bill filed by Pruett and requested time to study Coleman’s substitute bill.
The National Board for Professional Teaching Standards runs that certification program. The rigorous program often takes more than a year to complete.
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House advances scholarship credit bill
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
The House has voted 98-69 this afternoon to approve legislation that changes how the state’s new tuition tax credit program works.
But the vote potentially sets up a showdown between Rules Committee Chairman Earl Ehrhart (R-Powder Springs), the sponsor of HB 100, and Gov. Sonny Perdue, who has his own bill making more substantive changes to the program.
HB 100 would make it easier for small businesses to take advantage of the tax credit program, which gives credits against income taxes for individuals and corporations who contribute cash to organizations that give scholarships for students to attend private school.
Ehrhart, who sponsored the bill last year creating the program, also would streamline the process for scholarship organizations to form and for donors to get approval for the tax credit.
The state has capped at $50 million the total amount of tax credits available.
Perdue’s bill, which is being sponsored by his floor leader, Rep. Jim Cole (R-Forsyth), makes major changes to the program, including limiting eligibility to students who qualify for free or reduced-cost lunch. It would also cap the total value of the scholarships available.
Cole’s bill has yet to be taken up in committee. But opponents of HB 100, including many Democrats, urged their colleagues to defeat Ehrhart’s bill in favor of Cole’s.
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Senate passes bill cracking down on illegal immigration
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
Local governments that don’t take steps to make sure they do not hire illegal immigrants or give them welfare benefits, could face a loss of state dollars, according to a bill that passed the state Senate Tuesday.
Senate Bill 20 also prohibits local governments from declaring themselves as sanctuary cities, and directs them to cooperate with federal agents in enforcing immigration laws.
Failure to do any of those requirements could result in withholding of state funding or state-administered federal funding.
Bill sponsor Chip Pearson (R-Dawsonville) said there are about 60 cities nationwide that have declared themselves sanctuary cities for illegal immigrants. There are none so far in Georgia and he hopes it will stay that way.
Sen. Emanuel Jones (D-Decatur) spoke against the bill, which passed 37 to 9.
There are no sanctuary cities in Georgia, Jones said, therefore the bill is unnecessary. It also has no enforcement mechanism, Jones said.
Sen. Nan Orrock (D-Atlanta), said that such legislation sends “increasingly hostile messages” to the state’s international community and will hurt the economy.
Senate Bill 20 adds some teeth to a Georgia law passed two years ago that cracked down on illegal immigration. Compliance with that law _ the Georgia Security and Immigration Compliance Act _ has been lacking critics say.
So far, only a dozen municipalities and agencies statewide have signed up for a federal database that lets them check legal status of immigrants before giving benefits, even though Georgia law requires them to do so.
And many county and city governments took more than a year to sign up for the federal E-Verify program, which allows employers to check the legal status of new hires.
There are still many smaller cities that have not signed up for E-Verify, according to an Atlanta Journal-Constitution review of Department of Homeland Security documents.
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Bills would give lawmakers subpoena power
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
A rash of bills introduced in the Georgia House this week would give state lawmakers and committees the power to compel testimony and subpoena information.
HB 490 would allow any legislative committee that is created by House and Senate rules to issue subpoenas and would impose criminal penalties for failure to comply. HB 510 would do the same, only it would limit the power to House and Senate appropriations committees.
HB 490 is sponsored by Rep. Kevin Levitas (D-Atlanta), but has the backing of Rep. David Ralston (R-Blue Ridge), the vice chairman of the Judiciary Committee, and Rep. Ben Harbin (R-Evans), the chairman of appropriations.
HB 510, sponsored by Rep. Mark Butler (R-Carrollton) and also has Harbin’s support.
There is also a House resolution, HR 335, that would call a constitutional amendment to enact the changes.
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State cuts few jobs, but furloughs 25,000
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
Big businesses across the country are laying off workers in droves but, despite facing a $2.6 billion shortfall, state government has been more benevolent.
Through last week there have been a little over 300 RIFs, or reductions in force, in state government this fiscal year, according to reports filed with State Personnel Administration. The biggest chunk of those job cuts have come at the Department of Human Resources, but several other agencies also reported layoffs.
The state has about 100,000 employees.
Meanwhile, agencies have reported that 25,000 employees have been or would be taking furloughs, days off without pay, to help the state make ends meet.
About half of those are Department of Corrections employees. Many agencies, from the Department of Juvenile Justice, DHR and Pardons and Paroles to the Department of Agriculture and the Department of Technical and Adult Education, also have reported furloughing staffers.
State Personnel officials said the numbers they have don’t tell the whole story. For instance, the University System of Georgia, which has 40,000 employees, hasn’t made any reports to state personnel officials. Individual schools in the system have laid off a small number of employees.
As for furloughs, System Chancellor Erroll Davis told lawmakers last month he was “philosophically opposed” to them. Considering the fact that many businesses are dumping workers and many state agencies are furloughing employees, that didn’t sit well with legislators.
Within a few weeks of Davis making that statement, top lawmakers said they expect all agencies to force workers to take days off without pay over the next few months.
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Bill would allow use of multiple standard parking spaces for the disabled
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
Disabled Vietnam veteran Jim Cherry almost got a ticket when he took up a few regular parking spaces because there were no more handicapped spaces.
His wife parked his van diagonally, and that led to trouble in the parking lot of a Stone Mountain restaurant last year.
State Sen. Steve Henson (D-Tucker) has introduced a bill in response that would make it legal for a disabled person to use more than one regular parking space when in a pinch.
Senate Bill 153 says such use of parking spaces would not be a violation of any parking law.
In that incident last year, a restaurant patron got angry.
“Somebody saw what we did and got irate and the next thing you know the police are there,” Cherry said.
“I asked them to go ahead and give me a ticket and I’ll make an issue of it that way,” Cherry said.
The police did not issue a ticket, but Cherry followed through and asked for a law.
Cherry, who uses a van that is equipped with a cargo door and a lift for his wheelchair, says such vans need to park so there’s lots of room to get out the side door.
“It requires almost a diagonal parking process,” he said. The Southeastern Paralyzed Veterans Association supports the bill, Cherry said.
Henson said he’s not sure if the police have issued many tickets in such cases, but he doesn’t want there to be doubt.
“In most cases I don’t think people would ticket a car that’s got a handicapped tag that’s taking up two spaces,” Henson said.
“But I want to make sure it’s cleared up.”
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Senator calls for tougher standards for no-knock warrants
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
Sen. Vincent Fort (D-Atlanta) says it should be harder for police to get a no-knock warrant like the kind used in a botched drug raid that left a 92-year-old Atlanta woman dead.
Fort has introduced Senate Bill 197 which would require that an affidavit for a no-knock warrant must establish probable cause that knocking on the door first would likely pose a significant and imminent danger to human life or imminent danger of evidence being destroyed.
Fort spoke at the sentencing Monday of three Atlanta police officers who shot and killed 92-year-old Kathryn Johnston in a botched drug raid in 2006.
Fort told the federal judge: “Elderly residents often times feel they are under siege by drug dealers; now they tell me they are skeptical and fearful of the very people who are supposed to serve and protect them.”
One of the officers falsified the affidavit that allowed the drug unit to obtain a no-knock warrant to break down Johnston’s door in 2006. She feared she was being invaded and shot through the door. Police fired back, hitting and killing the elderly woman.
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Candidates to see contribution caps increased
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
While lawmakers are debating policy at the Capitol Tuesday, the State Ethics Commission will be increasing the amount of money they can raise from people to stay in office.
The commission meets to vote on new campaign contribution limits, and as in most years, they are going up because they are tied to the consumer price index.
People running for statewide office, such as governor, school superintendent, secretary of state and public service commissioner, will be able to raise $6,100 from each individual, business or entity for the primary and then again for the general election. That’s up $200 per primary and general election. They will be able to raise $3,600 for any runoff, up $100.
So, if a candidate for governor goes through a Republican or Democratic primary, then a runoff, and then the general election, they will be able to raise up to $15,800 from a single individual, business or political entity such as a political action committee.
State lawmakers running for re-election would be able to raise $2,400 each from somebody for primary and general elections and $1,200 for a runoff. That’s up $200 combined for the primary and runoff.
The higher limits make it easier for candidates with big-money donors to raise more money.
The downer for lawmakers: they can’t raise a dime while the session is going on, so the new laws won’t have an impact for them until later this year.
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House panel approves Ga. Power bill
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
A House subcommittee has given preliminary approval to a bill allowing Georgia Power to begin charging customers in advance for the cost of future construction of a nuclear power plant.
The House Energy, Utilities and Telecommunications panel approved SB 31 in a voice vote.
The bill, one of the more controversial pieces of legislation this session, now moves to the full committee.
The subcommittee heard more than 3 hours of testimony over two days before sending the bill forward.
The utility wants to construct a new nuclear plant near Augusta. It is seeking permission to begin charging its costumers now for the expected costs of that construction.
The legislation seeks to bypass the Public Service Commission, which ordinarily would have the power to decide the issue.
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Lights go out at Ga Power hearing — a sign?
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
“We have to keep the lights on,” Georgia Power attorney Kevin Green told a House subcommittee this morning hearing testimony — yet again — on the bill that would allow the utility giant to charge costumers now for future construction of a new nuke plant.
Oddly, the lights went off while Green was at the podium.
As Green took questions from lawmakers the lights in the hearing room of the Coverdell Legislative Office Building dimmed, rose, dimmed and finally went out.
Only briefly, as it seems someone accidently — we guess — leaned against the wall and hit the switches.
Sen. Don Balfour (R-Snellville), the sponsor of SB 31, was in the audience and had the quip of the day:
“Must have been a cloud passing over the solar panels,” Balfour snickered.
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Public defender group under the gun
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
An outspoken public defender board that has criticized the Legislature for not giving enough money to defend the poor, could be stripped of its authority.
The state Senate voted 32 to 21 to pass Senate Bill 42, which revises the Georgia Indigent Defense Act, taking power away from the public defender board.
Bill sponsor Sen. Preston Smith (R-Rome) said the Georgia Public Defender Standards Council has ceased to work effectively with the Legislature and the executive branch, and has become “dysfunctional.”
The council wants to spend too much money, Smith said.
“You have been hoodwinked,” Smith told the Senate, referring to the cry for more money from public defenders.
Public defenders are not required to give an elaborate defense, like the O.J. Simpson trial, he said.
“We’re saying how much does this system cost,” Smith said, “and they are saying, ‘How much do you have to spend?’”
The group disrespects the authority of the Legislature to control the purse strings, Smith said.
His bill gives control over the state’s public defender system to the director of the council, instead of its 15 board members.
Under the bill, which still must pass the House, the council would be renamed the Georgia Public Defender Agency, and it would serve an advisory role only.
Democrats expressed concerns over disbanding a group of people who are dedicated to defending the poor.
“If I’m standing before the bar, with my life in the balance, I want the most extensive defense I can get,” said Senate Minority Leader Robert Brown (D-Macon).
The high cost of defending courthouse killer Brian Nichols came up during the debate.
Smith said that kind of defense is over the top and not required by law.
Democrats said the $2 million-plus to defend Nichols is no reason to weaken the defense of other indigent defendants.
“This Brian Nichols fellow, who has already hurt so many people, is being used as a poster child to hurt even more people — some guy who can’t afford an adequate lawyer,” said Sen. Kasim Reed (D-Atlanta).
While Reed and others did not stick up for the cost of Nichols’ defense, they said good lawyering does cost money.
“Whether you’re O.J. or No-J, if you got a million dollars, you’re probably going home,” Reed said.
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Rep. Bishop: Stimulus written to avoid GOP blockades
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
U.S. Rep. Sanford Bishop (D-Ga.) said Thursday morning that the $787 million economic stimulus plan was written to ensure Republicans in the states did not hijack or block the money from serving its intended targets.
Speaking to a legislative breakfast of Voices for Georgia’s Children, Sanford — who serves on the House Appropriations Committee — said the more than $10 billion in K-12 money for Title 1 schools is a good example.
“You won’t believe the fight we had with the other side of the aisle on how the funds will be distributed,” Bishop said. “Title 1, that was suggested as the guideline as the criteria for targeting many of the resources in the stimulus package so we wouldn’t have to trust state governments and governors to distribute those funds — make sure we had formulas in place that would ensure the funds got places where they are needed most.”
Georgia is set to receive more than $400 million for Title 1 schools, money that will go directly to local school districts. While much of the nearly $6 billion in overall stimulus money will flow through either Gov. Sonny Perdue’s office or state agencies, such as the Department of Transportation, some will be awarded through federal agencies directly to county or local governments.
That was intentional, Bishop said.
“There was a great deal of trepidation” among Democrats in Congress, he said. “Twenty-seven governors are Democrats. The remainder are Republican. Of course, some of us who are in states where the governor (like Perdue) is of the other party were concerned that there were governors who were not in favor of the stimulus plan, who said they did not want the money. Of course, our concern was how to do we make sure the people who need these resources can access the money.”
Perdue has been critical of the plan, but has not said he would not accept the money it sends. Earlier this week he named a point person to coordinate the state’s efforts to navigate the often complicated funding plan.
Still, Bishop said he’s hopeful the stimulus package will have wide impacts.
“The bill is not perfect,” he said. “But it will extend a helping hand to those who are hurt by the recession, while, hopefully, it will lay the foundation for the preservation and creation of new jobs.”
Any trepidation Bishop has does not appear to extend to the state Senate Appropriations Committee.
Chairman Jack Hill (R-Reidsville) also spoke to the Voices for Georgia’s Children breakfast and said the federal stimulus money will be much needed.
“There’s no doubt these federal funds are going to be good for Georgia and good for children,” Hill said.
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Senate passes food testing disclosure law in response to salmonella outbreak
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
Food processing plants would have to inform the government of positive test results of food contamination _ such as salmonella _ under a bill that unanimously passed the Senate Wednesday.
Sen. John Bulloch (R-Ochlocknee), said his bill, S.B. 80, would be one of the toughest in the nation and require food processors to report such results within 24 hours to the state Department of Agriculture.
Companies would also have to keep such records for two years.
“It’s a step in the right direction,” Bulloch said.
The legislation is in response to the nationwide salmonella outbreak stemming from tainted peanut butter traced to the Peanut Corp. of America processing plant in Blakely, Ga., which is in Bulloch’s district.
The outbreak has sickened more than 600 people and may have killed nine.
The new reporting requirements would raise “a red flag,” with the state if contamination were found, Bulloch said.
Under the bill, which passed the Senate 50 to 0, the state’s Department of Agriculture would determine how frequently plants must test their products.
But, in a last-minute amendment introduced on the Senate floor by Bulloch, a food processor could be exempted from the Department of Agriculture’s testing rules if it submits a food safety plan and the state approves it.
Sen. Nan Orrock (D-Atlanta) asked Bulloch if this amendment weakens the bill. “They can follow their own plan rather than the rules and regulations of the Department of Agriculture,” she said.
“You’re partly right,” Bulloch said. But he added that it’s up to the state to decide if the food safety plans are adequate. The amendment was adopted.
All food processors regularly test their products with state regulation, or without it, Bulloch said. It’s likely that any food safety plan would contain testing, he said.
“A company has to be responsible for the products it sells,” Bulloch said.
The results of not testing food quality can be disastrous, he said. Peanut Corp. of America has gone bankrupt. “They’ve lost everything,” Bulloch said.
“In this case, they may lose their freedom.”
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Senate passes foreclosure and assessment law
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
If there’s a foreclosure on your street, a bill that passed the Senate today would require the tax assessor to take it into account when assessing the value of your home.
If the foreclosed home sells for less and the assessment goes down, the other houses on the street should also see a lower assessment and therefore a property tax decrease, said Senate Majority Leader Chip Rogers (R-Woodstock).
“It’ll bring the assessment to fair market value,” Rogers said.
Sen. Steve Thompson (D-Marietta) cautioned that the bill, Senate bill 55, could affect the value of neighborhoods, sending values of non-foreclosed homes down in what is already a bad economic time. He voted against it. The bill passed 46-6.
Supporter Sen. Seth Harp (R-Midland) said the bill would mean less revenue for local municipalities, but it was necessary. “It’s about bringing reality and common sense into the assessments that go on in this state,” Harp said.
The bill requires that other factors be taken into account when determining the value of a home including the net taxable value declared, for tax purposes, on the real estate transfer tax declaration; and the decreased value of the property based on limitations resulting from conservation easement.
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MARTA chief: No new expansion through stimulus
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
Beverly Scott, general manager and CEO of MARTA, said Wednesday that the Atlanta-based transit system could see $60 million to $70 million in new money from the federal economic stimulus package.
Speaking to reporters on a conference call for Transportation for America, Scott said her system would not use the money for expansion projects.
Instead, she said, her “absolute focus” would be on repairs and “system preservation projects.”
“Quite candidly, what it will give us is an opportunity to do some, an I emphasize only limited, back-fill for the loss of what we’re seeing in terms of the dramatic downturn in sales tax revenue,” Scott said.
The money also cannot be used for general operating expenses.
The federal stimulus bill, signed into law Tuesday by President Barack Obama, included more than $8 billion for transit systems and projects.
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Perdue changes tune on homeowner relief grants
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
Gov. Sonny Perdue reversed course and will fund legislation that will avoid homeowners getting a supplemental $200-$300 tax bill later this year.
However, he also told reporters Tuesday that the continued recession is forcing him to lower the amount of money the state will be able to spend this year by $450 million, forcing a new round of budget cuts.
Perdue was joined by Lt. Gov. Casey Cagle and House Speaker Glenn Richardson (R-Hiram) when he announced backing for the $428 million needed to pay for the homeowners’ relief grants that were handed out last fall.
Perdue opposes the grant program started by his predecessor Roy Barnes a decade ago. But the influx of billions of dollars expected from the federal stimulus package helped convince him to fund the $200 to $300 grants homeowners received on their tax bills last fall.
County officials have said if the $428 million wasn’t made available, they would have to send out supplemental bills asking for the grant money back.
However, the news on the budget front wasn’t all good. Despite the expected stimulus package, lawmakers will have to cut even more spending.
Lawmakers already face the prospect of slashing $2 billion from this year’s budget. Many state agencies are having to cut spending 10 percent and furlough employees without pay.
They expected further cuts in the revenue estimate - what Perdue expects state government to take in this year - after January tax collections dropped 14 percent, or $262 million.
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Farmers push peanuts at the Capitol
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
Peanut farmer Ken Hardy of Hawkinsville has seen his boiled peanut sales drop 30 percent in the last three weeks. The nationwide salmonella outbreak linked to one Georgia peanut processing plant has sent negative ripples throughout the industry.
“It’s not the peanuts, ” Hardy said. “The peanuts are good. The farmer’s are doing a good job,” he said.
The outbreak, which has sickened hundreds and possibly led to nine deaths, has hurt sales for many farmers and spurred peanut producers to stick up for their products Tuesday at a “Peanut Power Hour” at the Capitol.
On display were peanut butter crackers, boiled peanuts, apples and peanut butter and regular roasted goobers.
Legislators joined the PR effort. Rep. Kevin Levitas (D-Atlanta) held a jar of Smucker’s crunchy peanut butter and ate some in front of the cameras.
Perhaps the most significant person who ate peanut butter was nine-year-old Caleb Godwin, whose mother let him.
“We feel like it’s been taken care of,” his mother Kimberly Godwin said. Peanut butter in jars has not been part of the product recall.
Godwin, a fourth-grader at Calvary Chapel Christian School, ate a small cup and stashed a pack of peanut butter crackers in his coat pocket too.
“It’s one of the few things he will eat,” his mother said.
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HR 1 just … won’t … die
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
The House moments ago voted to reconsider HR 1, the seemingly immortal legislation that would cap county property assessment increases at no more than 3 percent a year.
By a vote of 101-58, House Republicans managed to give one more life to the resolution. Earlier in the session, HR 1 was shuttled back to committee when its backers realized they didn’t have the two-thirds vote necessary to advance a constitutional amendment.
Last week, then, they tried again and, sure enough, they didn’t have the votes, as Democrats largely held together and the resolution failed with a 105-67 vote (yes, a majority, no, not the two-thirds majority needed).
Today’s vote (which only required a majority of those in the chamber) means the resolution goes back to the Rules Committee, which could vote to bring it back to the House pretty much any time. When it does come back, however, it will still need a two-thirds vote to make it out — a dubious proposition.
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U.S. Senator Johnny Isakson says spend stimulus wisely
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
Stimulus money is coming to Georgia, and United States Senator Johnny Isakson (R-Georgia) urged the Georgia Senate to spend it wisely on Tuesday.
Isakson made brief remarks to senators Tuesday morning while fellow U.S. Senator Saxby Chambliss (R-Georgia) looked on. Chambliss did not make remarks.
“There will be significant money coming to Georgia,” Isakson said.
“Don’t get used to it, and don’t get dependent on it,” he said. It is a one-time deal.
Isakson said the money would help on the Medicaid front and the transportation front, but that the state still needs to come up with ways to pay for those programs on its own.
“I know you will spend it wisely,” Isakson said.
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UPDATED Georgia’s Big Three plan 1:30 budget announcement
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
Gov. Sonny Perdue, Lt. Gov. Casey Cagle and House Speaker Glenn Richardson (R-Hiram) will gather together at 1:30 this afternoon for a budget announcement. Could it be “stimulating?”
UPDATE: It’s expected that Perdue will support funding homeowners’ tax relief grants for this year. Without the $428 million in funding, counties would have to send out supplemental tax bills to homeowners in the range of $200 to $300.
Ordinarily, such an appointment would not be that big of a deal. But, three things make this one different.
First, any budget announcement from Perdue right now is a big deal, considering the state’s dire financial straits. He could lower the revenue estimate further, prompting the Legislature to have to make deeper cuts to state programs and services. Second, it’s all three of these men together that raises an eyebrow. Whatever they’re going to announce, apparently all three are in agreement —Â a rare enough occasion.
But, finally, it very well could be that the trio are going to unveil their plans for the nearly $6 billion in federal money coming to the state via the $787 billion federal economic stimulus bill that President Barack Obama is signing into law today.
Of that money, about $1.5 billion will go directly to the state, through Perdue, and can be used for K-12 spending, public safety and other areas.
Stay tuned for more after the 1:30 announcement.
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Bipartisan support for Sunday booze
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
Who said bipartisanship is dead in politics?
The Georgia Young Republicans and Georgia Young Democrats are getting together Tuesday to voice their support for legislation that would allow Sunday sales of beer, wine and liquor at stores.
The legislation is scheduled for a public hearing in the Senate Regulated Industries Committee on Wednesday.
The two groups plan to hold a press conference Tuesday at the Capitol to announce that they are backing the bill.
Under the legislation, local communities would hold votes on Sunday sales. Similar bills have stalled in the Senate the past two years.
Republican Gov. Sonny Perdue, who would have to sign a bill if it passes, opposes Sunday sales.
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Freshman senator hazed on first bill
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
Freshman Sen. Jim Butterworth (R-Clarkesville) presented his first bill in the Senate today and got the usual ribbing from colleagues.
His presentation about SB 63, a bill that would allow 25 Georgia colleges to band together to form a pool for better health insurance rates, became something of a form of entertainment for the other senators.
Sen. Steve Thompson (D-Marietta) started the hazing when he tried to prevent Butterworth from taking the well of the Senate in the first place.
Lt. Gov. Casey Cagle said he guessed that Thompson thought Butterworth wasn’t ready, but said they’d just have to give the freshman a chance anyway.
Sen. Preston Smith (R-Rome) a lawyer, interrogated Butterworth, who is a Delta Airlines pilot. He pointed out holes in his bill, eliciting laughter from the other senators.
“Will the senator yield?” Smith asked, meaning he wanted to take the floor away from Butterworth. “Eagerly!” Butterworth replied.
Smith then asked Butterworth if he was a familiar with a certain law, and Butterworth said no. “The senator should be, because it’s in the bill you offered,” said Smith, to another big laugh.
Smith asked Butterworth, “Senator, are you in the aviation business? Isn’t it true that when it’s just not your day, it’s better to give up? Even if it’s to land in the Hudson River?”
Butterworth said, “No.”
His bill then passed 52-0 to applause and slaps on the back from his colleagues.
On his desk was a bottle of Mrs. Butterworth’s maple syrup signed by the Lt. Gov. and senators, and also a Butterfinger candy bar.
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Assessment cap shot down in House
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
The House voted down a proposal Thursday to cap county property assessments at no more than 3 percent a year.
Had it been approved, House Resoluton 1 would have gone to voters next year.
The House voted 105 to 67 for the resolution. However, the measure needed a two-thirds majority to win passage because it was a proposed constitutional amendment. The resolution, sponsored by Rep. Edward Lindsey (R-Atlanta), was aimed at holding down escalating property assessments used in deciding how much taxes Georgians pay.
The cap, if in place today, would have limited impact because property values have declined in the past year.
However, prior to that, many homeowners complained that counties were jacking up the taxable value of properties. By increasing the assessments, property owners had to pay higher taxes even if the millage rate remained the same because the property was “worth” more.
Lindsey said limiting increases in property assessments would eliminate such “back-door tax increases.”
“It’s time for us to look taxpayers in the eye and say, ‘we’re with you,’ ” Lindsey said.
Rep. Burke Day (R-Tybee Island), said county commissioners have been able to run for office saying they didn’t raise taxes.
“They didn’t have to raise taxes,” Day said. “The people they appointed to the board of assessors did it for them.”
However, opponents said because commercial property assessments would also be capped, homeowners would bear a larger burden for funding local services. Commericial property tax increases have helped mitigate taxes on homeowners, local officials say. And under the resolution, property values could be reassessed higher when homes and businesses are sold. Homes change hands more than business property, critics of the resolution said.
Rep. Stacey Abrams (D-Atlanta), said, “Fundamentally, it doesn’t work.”
House Minority Leader DuBose Porter (D-Dublin) said the assessment cap would mean less money for local governments, leading to lay offs for cities, counties and school districts.
“If you want to be part of laying off firefighters and police officers, vote for this bill,” Porter said.
But Rep. Ron Stephens (R-Savannah) said the same argument was made a decade ago when his areas approved assessment limits. That never happened, he said.
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Senate passes seatbelt law for pickups
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
Georgia could finally require pickup truck drivers to wear seatbelts if a bill that passed the Senate today becomes law.
For years, agricultural interests have opposed the idea, saying it is an unnecessary regulation that could hinder farmers.
Sen. Don Thomas (R-Dalton) is the bill’s sponsor and a doctor.
“I’ve seen numerous deaths and severe injuries that could have been prevented if they had a seatbelt,” Thomas said. “The first vehicle a lot of teenage boys get is a pickup truck.”
Thomas included an exception for trucks being used “in connection with agricultural pursuits” that are normal to the user’s farming operation.
Senate Bill 5 passed Thursday by a vote of 49 to 4 and a similar measure passed in the Senate two years ago too.
The measure traditionally dies in the House.
Georgia’s former Speaker of the House, Tom Murphy now deceasedwas a vocal opponent.
“He drove a pickup truck and opposed it,” Thomas said. “He said he would not buckle up under any circumstances.”
A House version of the bill has been introduced this year and has been referred to the House Agriculture and Consumer Affairs Committee.
Sen. Jack Murphy (R-Cumming) said Thomas’ bill deserves a hearing on the House floor and urged House members to take it up.
“At least give him an up and down vote on this legislation,” Murphy said. Thomas said he will say a prayer that the House will take it up this year.
“I don’t want the blood of a single death on my hands for not doing the right thing,” Thomas said.
Sen. Chip Pearson (R-Dawsonville) asked if he had a bale of hay in the back of his truck and drove down to the Legislature, would he get a ticket if he didn’t wear a seatbelt? Thomas said that he wouldn’t because it was in agricultural use and that he’d even pay the ticket if he got one.
Pearson asked if he could put that in writing, to which Thomas said that the concerns of farmers were overblown.
“This whole thing is a smokescreen,” Thomas said. “The farmers are not going to be bothered by this,” Thomas said.
Bob Dallas, Director of the Governor’s Office of Highway Safety, supports the bill and estimates it would prevent 105 deaths per year in Georgia.
The state could also receive up to $4.6 million from the federal highway safety department if it passes the seatbelt law.
“In this crunch-time, $4 to $5 million means a lot,” Thomas said.
The state received $20.7 million last year because it had 85 percent seatbelt compliance in cars two years in a row, Dallas said.
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Senate committee approves bill for food safety in wake of salmonella outbreak
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
A bill that would require Georgia food manufacturing plants — like the one linked to a nationwide outbreak of salmonella —to regularly test for contamination unanimously passed a Senate committee Wednesday.
The state Senate Agriculture and Consumer Affairs Committee approved SB 80, which chairman John Bulloch (R-Ochlocknee), said would throw “a red flag up” if a manufacturer found salmonella or some other contamination in a product.
The bill requires regular testing of food samples and reporting of any contamination found to the state Department of Agriculture. The company must also keep records of the tests for two years.
“If this bill had been in place, there would have been a red flag raised because of the tests coming back,” Bulloch said. He was referring to the case of the Peanut Corp. of America, which is under investigation as the source of the nationwide salmonella outbreak. The company had tested its product and found salmonella and then re-tested and found none. It then proceeded to sell the product.
“No, this won’t guarantee that we won’t have another contamination problem coming out of a Georgia plant,” Bulloch said. The bill would get the state Department of Agriculture involved earlier, he said. But that won’t be enough, he said.
“The federal government, they’re going to have to step up oversight,” Bulloch added.
State Department of Agriculture Commissioner Tommy Irvin watched the committee pass the bill and later congratulated the senators.
“You are going to be the national leader,” Irvin said. “Take pride in the fact that Georgia will be first.”
Irvin said his department would need more inspectors to work on testing of food samples if the bill becomes law. Senate Majority Leader Chip Rogers (R-Woodstock) has already said that the Department of Agriculture has seen its budget grow and might need to shift its resources.
“If they don’t load us down too much, I think we can find ways to accomplish the goals,” Irvin said.
The department may use local boards of health to help, he said.
He added that his department would probably need to switch inspectors from duties such as verifying the expiration dates on products, and put them to work on testing of food samples.
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Senate committee debates failing school boards
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
A Senate education committee debated new rules for all Georgia public school board members and ways to remove them if they fail to perform their duties.
SB 84, introduced by Sen. Bill Heath (R-Bremen), would allow the governor to suspend board members and appoint new ones if a system is placed on probation by an accreditation agency.
The bill also requires ethics training and policies for all school boards; clarifies who can serve on school boards; defines the roles of board members and superintendents; and limits school boards to seven members, unless previous action authorized a school board be larger.
The legislation includes recommendations from a commission the State Board of Education created after Clayton County public schools lost its accreditation.
Many speakers at the Senate Education and Youth Committee asked whether the changes would improve student learning. They questioned the constitutionality of removing school board members and whether the bill usurps local control. No vote was taken.
Fulton County school board member Katie Reeves said Clayton was a unique situation and that legislation won’t prevent it from happening again.
She asked school boards be allowed to “try to solve this without imposing certain restrictions on us and without taking away voters’ voices.”
Others speakers said the bill places rules on school boards that city councils and county commissioners don’t have to follow.
Heath said school board members face unique responsibilities.
“They are representing people who can’t represent themselves,” Heath said. “They are representing people who can’t vote.”
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Senate approves Georgia Power bill
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
Georgia Power won approval in the state Senate Wednesday to charge customers years in advance to help finance a nuclear power plant near Augusta.
“This bill is good for every homeowner. It’s also good for business,” said Senator Don Balfour (R-Snellville) the bill’s sponsor.
Other senators called the proposal a “lousy” bill that makes an end-run around the Public Service Commission, which is the state agency that would normally regulate utilities.
Also, large industries and big retailers are largely excluded from having to pay for the interest costs, which would be born by small businesses and homeowners.
Large industries have been “carved out,” said Robert Brown (D-Macon) Senate Minority Leader. “They got a deal.”
He told colleagues not to look in the bill for evidence of that deal.
“The place to see if the big rate payers are exempted is in the hall,” Brown said, referring to the crowds of lobbyists that assemble there. It there had been no deal, he said, lobbyists with “Gucci shoes would be all over you.”
After a presentation by Balfour, followed by the opposing view presented by Sen. David Adelman (D-Decatur), and a lengthy debate, senators voted 38 to 16 to approve the bill, SB 31, which will now go before the House.
The bill will allow Georgia Power to collect up front an estimated $1.6 billion in financing costs.
The company plans to charge the typical customer $1.30 per month starting in 2011, racheting up to $9.10 per month by 2017, when both nuclear reactors come online. After that, rates are expected to gradually decline over the next 60 years.
If Georgia Power didn’t charge early to minimize interest costs, bills would jump by $5.85 in 2016 and again in 2017, for a peak total of $11.70, the company says.
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HR 1 to return from exile
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
House Resolution 1, that mythical proposition that would cap increases in property tax assessments, will return from its exile in Rules Committee on Thursday.
That committee voted this morning to send the proposed constitutional amendment back to the floor — but this time with some back-up.
The resolution, sponsored by Rep. Edward Lindsey (R-Atlanta) was originally supposed to have been voted on Day 10 of the session, back in January. But its supporters pulled it when there were doubts they had the necessary two-thirds vote. It was sent back to Rules, and there it has languished.
But Friday, the Rules Committee voted to send it back to the floor. Accompanying it this time will be House Bill 233, also sponsored by Lindsey, which does much the same thing as HR 1. HB 233, according to Majority Leader Jerry Keen (R-St. Simon) would essentially freeze counties and local governments from increasing assessments at all for the next two years.
Rules chairman Earl Ehrhart (R-Powder Springs) said Wednesday that HR 1 will come up for a vote first. If it gets two-thirds of the chamber, great. If it does not, then HB 233 will come up, which only needs a simple majority vote.
Some lawmakers have already begun to question why one measure (HR 1) requires a constitutional amendment and the other (HB 233) does not, yet they both apparently do much the same thing, which is tell local governments what they can and cannot do.
That question, surely, will be a hotly debated one on the floor Thursday, should HR 1 fail.
The question is whether House Resolution 1, sponsored by Rep. Edward Lindsey (R-Atlanta), comes up for a vote in the chamber today. The resolution, you might recall, would cap local governments’ ability to reassess property, thereby ensuring that homeowners don’t face steep tax increases in a down economy.
But the resolution, which requires a two-thirds vote of the House as it is a proposed constitutional amendment, was on the House calendar for this past Friday. But, instead of debating it as expected, the House abruptly adjourned for the weekend.
The word late Friday and over the weekend was that the Republican majority didn’t have the votes to get the bill to the Senate and leadership wanted the weekend to try and change hearts and minds.
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Lawmaker defends academic freedom in sex expert spat
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
Rep. Karla Drenner (D-Avondale Estates) said Wednesday that some of her colleagues in the House have engaged in “unsubstantiated fear and rumor mongering” by questioning the motivations of university instructors who are experts in subjects like oral sex, “queer theory” and male prostitution.
Drenner, an adjunct professor at DeVry University, said those lawmakers are challenging the foundation of academic freedom, which she said is a vital tool in research and in building a well-rounded citizenry.
Several Georgia State University instructors spoke at a House Higher Education Committee meeting on Tuesday after a pair of lawmakers over the past week have blistered the school for employing them.
Reps. Calvin Hill (R-Canton) and Charlice Byrd (R-Woodstock) have said the state should not fund professors and experts in those kinds of topics. Byrd has also questioned why the University of Georgia has a professor with a class dealing with “queer theory,” according to a story in today’s Athens Banner-Herald.
The GSU instructors do not teach courses in male prostitution or oral sex, but were listed as experts in those subjects in the university’s experts guide, which journalists and others use to find people knowledgeable in various topics.
Those teachers, Drenner said, “had to appear because of misleading accusations made from this well.”
“I know many people have a low opinion of things like academic freedom,” Drenner said. “As a college faculty member myself, I relish academic freedom. I do not relish it as being able to say anything I want and as some relic of the past to hide behind. I relish it because it allows us all to watch a student’s mind” grow and prosper.
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House panel advanced bill offering life with parole
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
The House Non-Civil Judiciary Committee moments ago unanimously advanced to the full House a bill that would allow prosecutors to seek a sentence of life in prison without parole for murder without having to ask for the death penalty to get it.
Under Georgia law, prosecutors can get life without parole for murder by seeking the death penalty. If a defendant is convicted, the jury has three sentencing options: life with the possibility of parole; life without parole; or death. In regular murder cases, there is only one sentence: life with parole.
Senate Bill 13 would let a district attorney ask the judge during the sentencing hearing of a murder trial to give a life-without-parole sentence.
The bill has widespread support because it would spare DAs from mounting costly death penalty prosecutions when the sentence they want is life without parole. It also would let DAs focus capital prosecutions on the most heinous murder cases, potentially making administration of Georgia’s death penalty less arbitrary.
It has already passed the Senate.
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Plea for F-22 Raptor in the Legislature
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
A resolution asking Pres. Barack Obama to preserve funding for Lockheed Martin’s F-22 Raptor was making the rounds of the Senate chamber Tuesday.
Sen. Doug Stoner (D-Smyrna) sponsored the bill. Lockheed Martin, in Cobb County, is in his district.
The resolution calls for “uninterrupted production of the F-22,” Stoner said. The plane is the Air Force’s newest fighter aircraft.
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Klesko honored by House
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
Former Braves slugger Ryan Klesko brought some unusual star power to an otherwise routine day in the Georgia House on Tuesday, when he was recognized after retiring from baseball.
Klesko, who belted more than 270 home runs in his 15-year career with the Braves, San Francisco Giants and San Diego Padres, told lawmakers he was honored by the attention from “my adopted home state.”
Klesko hit 3 home runs and battled .313 with an .875 slugging percentage in the 1995 World Series, which the Braves won over the Cleveland Indians for the team’s first and only championship in Atlanta.
Retired since April 2008, Klesko said he plans to raise his new son in Georgia and will work for wildlife conservation and carbon abatement through improved forestry in the state.
Former Braves first baseman/outfielder Ryan Klesko posed for pictures with lawmakers and House staff after being honored in the chamber on Tuesday. Here, poses with House committee aide Jessica Zarter. Photo credit: Aaron Gould Sheinin/asheinin@ajc.com.
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Senate votes to end homeowner grants
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
The Senate gave final approval Tuesday to legislation that will probably mean homeowners won’t receive a taxpayer relief grant this fall.
The House passed the measure a few weeks ago, and the Senate narrowly approved it Friday. However, an opponent of the bill, Sen. Steve Thompson (R-Marietta), used a parliamentary maneuver to bring it up for a final vote again Tuesday. His move to have the bill reconsider failed 23-32.
The bill guarantees the state will fund the grants, which save homeowners about $200 to $300 on their property taxes, this fiscal year, which ends June 30. Homeowners received the grants on their tax bills last fall, but counties haven’t been reimbursed for those awards.
The bill essentially promises to pay the counties the $428 million to fund the awards from last fall. Without that money, counties would likely send out supplemental tax bills to homeowners later this year.
While the state may fund the grants in the future if the revenue outlook improves, they won’t be awarded this fall.
Gov. Sonny Perdue has not said if he’ll sign the legislation, or approve the $428 million needed to pay back the counties.
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House continues tax break for jet fuel
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
The House just voted 132-31 to continue for two more years tax exemptions for airlines to purchase jet fuel.
The overwhelming vote on HB 212 to continue until 2011 the tax break came despite impassioned objections from two House members, who said the state can hardly afford the price tag in an era of massive budget cuts.
Rep. David Lucas (D-Macon) said he understands the idea behind the bill, which was sponsored by Speaker Pro Tem Mark Burkhalter (R-Johns Creek), but said it’s a bad idea. The state is considering eliminating funding for school nurses but wants to give Delta and other airlines tax credits.
Rep. Roberta Abdul-Salaam (D-Riverdale) said even after the tax cut was first implemented in 2008, Delta still laid off hundreds of workers and that it and other airlines have done very little to improve the communities around the airport. Abdul-Salaam’s district includes much of Clayton County where, she said, unemployment and foreclosures have sky-rocketed.
The bill is estimated to cost the state $24.4 million a year and local governments $13.5 million per year in lost sales taxes.
The bill now goes to the Senate.
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One senator wants permanent property tax grants
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
Sen. Mitch Seabaugh (R-Sharpsburg) has introduced a bill that would give voters the chance to change the state constitution to make property tax grants permanent.
While the Legislature has passed bills that would pay for the grants this year, the future of the grants are in doubt. Without the grants, property taxes would likely increase $200 to $300 per year for the average homeowner.
Senate Resolution 179 would ask voters whether they would like to make the property tax grants permanent.
“There seems to be a sentiment around here to allow the taxpayers to decide,” Seabaugh said, “so I dropped a bill giving them the opportunity to do so.”
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House Dems see $1 billion in untapped sales tax
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
House Democratic leaders on Tuesday unveiled legislation that they claim would help the state rake in an estimated $1 billion in unpaid sales taxes.
The bill would streamline the way businesses report sales tax receipts to the Department of Revenue and how the agency sends that money back to local governments.
Rep. Virgil Fludd (D-Tyrone) is the lead sponsor of HB 356. It transfers control for collecting sales taxes from DOR to local governments. Democrats said that Alabama has instituted a similar system and that it saw a $1 billion increase in revenue.
Fludd, House Minority Leader DuBose Porter (D-Dublin) and House Democratic Caucus chairman Calvin Smyre (D-Columbus) were joined by several other colleagues at a news conference to announce the plan Tuesday morning.
Fludd plans to speak from the well of the House today to urge bipartisan support — but whether that is on its way is unclear. The lawmakers said they would welcome Republican support, which is typically necessary for a bill to make it through the GOP-dominated General Assembly.
Under the plan, more businesses would report sales tax collections electronically. Businesses that report more than $5,000 a month in sales tax revenue already do that, but the legislation would lower that threshold to $1,000.
Porter and Fludd said businesses would have no upfront costs to participate. Fludd said the Department of Revenue has estimated that the state is losing $1.6 billion in uncollected sales and income taxes.
Caption: From left, Rep. DuBose Porter (D-Dublin), Rep. Calvin Smyre (D-Columbus), Rep. Nikki Randall (D-Macon) and Rep. Virgil Fludd (D-Tyrone).Photo credit: Aaron Gould Sheinin/asheinin@ajc.com
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Teilhet calls for tougher rules for ‘refund anticipation loans’
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
Rep. Rob Teilhet (D-Smyrna) will introduce legislation this week targeting high-interest loans granted against expected income tax refunds.
Teilhet, a frequent critic of industries he considers to be predatory lenders, said the bill requires firms that offer the loans to fully disclose the terms and make borrowers aware that they are entitled to receive their tax refunds free of charge from the IRS in eight to 15 days by direct deposit without getting a loan. Interest on these loans can reach triple digits on an annual basis.
“For too long, Georgia and other states have allowed predatory lenders to deceive taxpayers into loans soaked with extravagant fees and triple digit interest rates,” Teilhet said. “By passing this bill, Georgia will say “yes” to full disclosure and “no” to deceptive sales pitches. It is time that Georgia stood up to the predatory lenders that have done so much damage to our nation’s economy.”
If you REALLY want to know more, Teilhet has his own YouTube channel where he discusses the bill.
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Senate leaders look down on stimulus relief
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
Georgia is facing a steep $2 billion budget deficit, but Senate Republicans say they’re not waiting for a fix from Washington.
Or are they?
The Senate voted today to approve House Resolution 238, which would convene the General Assembly only three days a week until March 25. Senators would return in late June to close the session.
The delay would give them time to make changes to the state budget if revenue numbers continue to fall as they have, Senate Majority Leader Chip Rogers (R-Woodstock) said.
It could also give legislators time to see what kind of stimulus money could trickle down to Georgia.
But both Rogers and Lt. Gov. Casey Cagle said Friday the lengthy legislative delay has nothing to do with waiting for stimulus money.
Rogers referred to the stimulus package as a “bogus loan program” that would be placed “on our children’s backs.”
“We’re not looking to see what the stimulus does,” Rogers said.
“My intent is not to wait,” Cagle said.
“It’s not going to give us an enormous amount of budgeting relief,” Cagle said of the stimulus money.
Larry Pellegrini, a lobbyist for the Georgia Rural Urban Summit and a regular in the halls of the Capitol, said Republican leaders don’t appear to have reached out to their federal brethren for inside information on how much money Georgia could get.
“It just seems like attitude,” Pellegrini said of the snubbing of stimulus money.
“They should be trying to get some clues right now so they can put together a better budget.”
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State tax collections off 14 percent
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
Senate President Pro-Tem Tommie Williams told lawmakers Friday that state tax collections for January were $262 million below what they were last January.
That would be a 14.2 percent dropoff.
Gov. Sonny Perdue and the Department of Revenue have held off announcing the bad numbers, but legislative leaders were told Thursday. The DOR is expected to formally release the January results later today.
Because of the poor numbers, Perdue is expected to request even more budget cuts from lawmakers. The General Assembly is currently working on budget plans that call for $2 billion in spending cuts.
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UPDATED THROUGHOUT: Senators vote to double homestead exemption
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
The Senate voted overwhelmingly to double the state’s homestead exemption, although it may cost the state millions of dollars to ratify the change.
The Senate voted 40-14 to increase from $2,000 to $4,000 the amount of property value homeowners can exempt from taxes.
The change would save homeowners about $50 to $75 on their taxes this fall, depending on local tax rates and depending on whether local governments raise the rates to make up for the lost revenue.
In addition, the exemption would increase each year at the rate of inflation.
The proposed exemption increase, which would be on the ballot in a special referendum in June, is aimed at making up in part for the loss of the homeowners’ tax relief grant this fall. However, it could cost millions of dollars to hold the June referendum.
Senate Majority Leader Chip Rogers (R-Woodstock) said the state homestead exemption has not been changed since it was enacted in 1937. At the time, if you owned the average-priced home in Georgia, you were exempt from all property taxes, he said.
If it had been adjusted for inflation, the exemption would be $33,000 today, Rogers added.
Clint Mueller, a lobbyist for the Association County Commissioners of Georgia, said increasing the exemption will cost local governments more than $100 million in lost revenue.
But Rogers said, “We have thousands and thousands of homes being foreclosed upon, and we have the temerity to say, “What about local government?
“What about the taxpayers? They are the ones that sent us here.”
Sen. Steve Thompson (D-Marietta), called it “smoke and mirrors” legislation because local governments will raise property taxes to make up for the lost revenue. Thompson called the measure a “sham.”
The Senate approved on a 29-24 vote Friday for legislation that would essentially guarantee the state won’t fund the homeowners grant — which saves homeowners $200 to $300 a year — this fall. However, the Senate may reconsider the vote Tuesday.
The grants cost the state $428 million, and with the recession killing tax collections, the government doesn’t have the money to fund them in the coming year. The legislation sets up a formula to fund the grants in the future if the state has fairly strong revenue growth. But it’s unlikely the grants will come back until the fall of 2010 or later.
“We understand that state legislators are trying to make up for not being able to fund the HTRG credit this year,” said ACCG Executive Director Jerry Griffin. “But, the savings that they are offering to homeowners will come directly out of local government budgets by increasing the property tax exemption. That shifts the financial burden of a state funded benefit to local governments who are also dealing with declining revenues.”
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House votes to leave in March, return in June
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
The state House just voted unanimously to split the 40-day legislative session into two parts, which lawmakers hope will give them flexibility to deal with whatever economic stimulus package comes from Washington.
The House voted 165-0 to meet three days a week through March 25 and then return in late June. The General Assembly is constitutionally required to meet for no more than 40 days a year, although those 40 days do not have to run consecutively.
House Majority Leader Jerry Keen (R-St. Simons) said Senate leaders have also agreed to the change, although that body must approve the adjournment resolution before it takes effect.
This, Keen said, allows the Legislature to be “responsive to things that may or may not come down from Washington.”
Congress is debating a $800 billion to $900 billion economic stimulus package, which by some estimates could send $5.6 billion in additional federal dollars to Georgia for education, Medicaid, infrastructure and more.
State lawmakers, meanwhile, are consider an amended budget for the current fiscal year that must find $2 billion in savings, as well as a budget for the year that begins July 1 that seeks even deeper cuts.
Going to a three-day work week — the House and Senate would convene Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday — slows down the clock and allows budget writers and Congress more time to figure out what money is available.
“All of us see the news and read the newspaper,” Keen said. “We have worked very hard with the Senate to craft a schedule to let you know where we are but at the same time allow us enough flexibility to respond to what may or may not happen in Washington.”
Committees, especially budget-writing panels, would likely continue to meet on Mondays and Fridays, Keen said.
March 25 would represent the 35th day of the session, under the adopted resolution, and returning June 27 would give lawmakers five full days before the beginning of the next fiscal year July 1.
“If we leave and things change, this will allow us to come back in a five-day period,” he said. “It gives us a lot of flexibility and options in terms of what we do.”
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UPDATED THROUGHOUT: Lawmaker rails against university sex experts
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
Rep. Charlice Byrd (R-Woodstock) took to the floor of the House on Friday to blister state universities who “offer such special-interest classes and expertise on male prostitution, queer theory, oral sex.”
Byrd’s criticism comes days after Rep. Calvin Hill (R-Canton) specifically singled out Georgia State University, which includes in its 2009 media experts guide professors and instructors knowledgeable about those subjects. Hill originally believed GSU offered classes in those subjects, but later realized that was incorrect.
“Yes, ladies and gentlemen, you have heard me right,” Byrd said. “In this present economy, the taxpayers’ dollars are being used by the Board of Regents to inform students about such social topics. The universities in this state are to prepare an opportunity for higher education, not studies on controversial issues.”
Byrd said the state and its taxpayers should have not shoulder the cost of funding these professors’ jobs or their work. That cost, she said, should be paid “by the student who has interest in such courses.”
But a GSU spokeswoman said higher education has broad missions.
“University researchers study everything from cancer to corporate finance for the good of the public,” Andrea Jones said. “Teaching courses in criminal justice, for example, does not mean that our students are being prepared to become criminals. Quite the opposite. Legitimate research and teaching are central to the development of relevant and effective policy. The argument to limit or eliminate certain areas of research and education is flawed.”
After the House adjourned, Byrd was asked who should be the arbiter of what classes or subjects are appropriate to be taught at public colleges and universities.
“Certainly, if legislators are to dole out dollars for funding, we should have a say in these kinds of courses,” Byrd said.
Byrd said she has contacted the Georgia Christian Coalition and the Georgia Baptist Convention to rally support for ridding the system of these kinds of topics.
But Hill said the Board of Regents and the universities themselves do and should control what subjects and issues they teach. Still, he said, “they need to get rid of these frivolous classes” and get back to their core mission of educating students and preparing them for the workforce.
With lawmakers now considering a state budget that must absorb billions of dollars in cuts, “I believe the timing is perfect to eliminate positions, of professors and staff who are paid to provide such services,” Byrd said. “I am sure many of you share my disgust and outrage at how taxpayers’ dollars are being spent by our universities.”
As Byrd left the well of the House, a few lawmakers clapped.
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Senate OKs student-administered EpiPens in school
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
The difference between life and death could be 15 minutes.
That’s why the Senate voted Thursday 51-0 to pass a bill that would allow school children with allergies to prick themselves with an EpiPen if they suffer an attack in school.
Senate Bill 8 tells school boards to adopt a policy authorizing students who need it to self-administer an “auto-injectable epinephrine” dose.
It also allows school nurses to administer the medicine if the student is in shock, bill sponsor Jack Murphy (R-Cumming) said.
Sen. Valencia Seay (D-Riverdale) rose to add a comment broadening the issue: “This is just another reason why we need to keep school nurses.”
The school nurse program is in peril under current budget cuts.
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Boll weevil eradication
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
One of Georgia’s cash crops got a little help Thursday.
The Senate changed current law to require that the first handler of cotton, meaning the one who owns or operates the gin where cotton is first delivered from the grower, must collect the boll weevil eradication fee. Before it was the first one who first bought the cotton.
Sen. George Hooks (D-Americus) said the current boll weevil eradication process is much better than the old way. In the old days, farmers used DDT, which created a dust in the air over large parts of the land.
The Senate passed the measure, Senate Bill 43, by a vote of 49 to 0.
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House moves to protect HOPE book grant
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
The House voted overwhelmingly Thursday for legislation that could help HOPE scholars keep their $300 book allowance, at least for now.
Under legislation that passed 159-0, lottery revenues would have to fall 8 percent below HOPE and pre-kindergarten costs before the state cut the allowance from $300 to $150.
Under current law, that would happen if lottery revenue fell $1 short of paying for HOPE and pre-kindergarten. Continued cuts in following years would also occur if revenues fell $1 or more short of expenses.
The House bill would eliminate book allowances completely if revenues fell to only 84 percent of the cost of HOPE and pre-kindergarten in the second year. Mandatory fee payments to HOPE students would be eliminated if, in the third year, revenues fell 25 percent short of funding HOPE AND pre-kindergarten.
State officials say expenses for the two programs may top lottery revenue to pay for them by next year. If that happens, students could lose part of their book allowance by the fall of 2011 under current state law.
House Appropriations Chairman Ben Harbin (R-Evans), said he sponsored the new legislation because there is no HOPE emergency. The lottery-funded programs have reserves of more than $960 million. That’s more than enough to fund both programs for an entire year without any additional money.
A similar bill by Harbin passed the General Assembly last year but was vetoed by Gov. Sonny Perdue.
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Lottery director grilled over bonus
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
Georgia Lottery CEO Margaret DeFrancisco and lottery board members took heat from House Higher Education chairman Bill Hembree Wednesday over her $150,000 bonus.
During a joint House-Senate Lottery Oversight Committee hearing, Hembree (R-Winston) repeatedly asked DeFrancisco and board members if it seemed like a good idea to grant bonuses in a year in which the economy tanked.
DeFrancisco got the bonus last year, on top of her $286,000 salary, in large part because the lottery continues to set sales records. In all, the lottery handed out about $2.5 million in bonuses to employees last year.
DeFrancisco’s bonus in 2008 was down from $236,500 she received in 2007.
Hembree told the lottery officials “I just feel you are a little out of touch” with what’s going on in the economy.
After several pointed questions, DeFrancisco shot back, “I deserve every single penny I make and then some.”
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Early negotiations key to transportation sales tax
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
What is the key to legislators hammering out a compromise to pay for transportation improvements this year?
It’s early negotiations, says Sen. Jeff Mullis (R-Chickamauga), sponsor of Senate proposals (Senate Bill 39 and Senate Resolution 44) that would ask voters to approve a regional penny sales tax that could be used by a 10-county region in metro Atlanta, and other counties throughout the state.
If the House of Representatives does not pass its competing statewide sales tax proposal by the 20th or 25th day of this legislative session, the chances for the Senate and House to come together and create a deal are slim, Mullis said.
“If it doesn’t get here by mid-term of the session (day 20 or 25), it’ll be highly unlikely that it will pass this session,” Mullis said Wednesday.
Last year the Legislature failed to pass a bill that could pay for new roads, bridges, rail and more that could help solve traffic congestion in metro Atlanta and pay for more roads in the rest of the state.
This year, there’s two different approaches in the Legislature. The House proposal, sponsored by Rep. Vance Smith Jr. (R-Pine Mountain), would create a statewide penny sales tax rather than a regional one.
Lt. Gov. Casey Cagle, who is running for governor next year, has already called the House proposal “the largest tax increase in Georgia history.”
Who’s willing to give up what in order for these competing proposals to become one?
No one will say.
Sen. Kasim Reed (D-Atlanta), said “It’ll get solved in conference committee. Everyone needs a deal.”
Getting those deals rolling early seems to be the key.
“We’re 17 days ahead of where we were last year,” Mullis said.
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Senator wants “plane train” from Atlanta to Chattanooga
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
Sen. Jeff Mullis (R-Chickamauga), says Georgia would benefit from a super-fast magnetic levitation train from Atlanta to Chattanooga.
His Senate Resolution 117, was voted favorably out of the Senate Transportation Committee today. Mullis chairs the committee.
The legislation urges the state’s Department of Transportation to build a maglev train from Hartsfield-Jackson International Airport in Atlanta to Chattanooga Municipal Airport.
The train would take 40 minutes to get from one place to another, Mullis said, traveling at 240 miles per hour near the I-75 corridor. It could cut down on road congestion as well as airport congestion at Hartsfield, he said.
It’s all talk, though, unless the federal government devotes money for the project, Mullis said. That could be five to 15 years away.
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Lottery sells big in bad economy
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
The lousy economy hasn’t stopped people from buying lottery tickets.
Sales for the first half of fiscal 2009, which began July 1, were up about 2.5 percent through Dec. 31, according to lottery officials.
In all, the state sold about $1.73 billion worth of tickets during the first half of the year. The Lottery Corp. returned $421 million of that to the state to fund HOPE scholarships and pre-kindergarten classes.
Georgia’s lottery has been among the most successful gaming operations in the nation for years. Yearly sales have declined only once since the first tickets were sold in 1993.
Few if any lotteries in the country have had such a run.
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Senate votes to limit some life insurance practices
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
The Senate voted to prohibit certain life insurance practices by a vote of 50 to 0 Wednesday morning, passing Senate Bill 61.
The legislation would not allow “stranger-initiated life insurance policies” that encourage people to take out life insurance policies that they otherwise would not have taken out. Bill sponsor Sen. Ralph Hudgens (R-Hull) explained that investors will actually loan people money so they can make the payments, and make sure the payments continue to happen, with the understanding that the investor will get the insurance policy when the individual dies.
“This whole industry of life settlements started when the AIDS epidemic first became a problem in the United States,” Hudgens said. This gave rise to the viatical settlements industry, he said, where an AIDS patient could get some money up front, and hand the policy over to the investor who helped him. In cases of terminal illness, it’s a legitimate practice, Hudgens said.
But it’s not good when investors approach a broader spectrum of the population, he said.
“This is bad for the industry,” Hudgens said. “If every life insurance policy is transferred over, the cost of everyone’s insurance is going to go up,” he said. “If this keeps taking place, we’re all going to pay for it,” he said.
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Bill would offer home buyers a tax credit
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
With home-sale closings in metro Atlanta down 44 percent in the third quarter of 2008, state lawmakers are looking for various ways of getting people buying real estate again.
Rep. Ron Stephens (R-Savannah), chairman of the House Economic Development and Tourism Committee, on Tuesday introduced HB 261, which would provide an income tax credit for anyone purchasing a qualifying home.
The bill applies to homes with a purchase price between $40,000 and $300,000 and would offer a tax credit of up to 1.2 percent of the sale price. That means the buyer of a $200,000 home would get a credit of $2,400, with the maximum credit of $3,600 for a $300,000 home.
The spur sales, the bill would give the 1.2 percent credit only for the first six months after the bill becomes law. In the next six months, the bill gives a 0.6 percent credit.
It would also apply the credit to the purchase of a home that is in mortgage default or that has been foreclosed.
The bill has been assigned to the House Ways and Means Committee. Lawmakers in the past month have been considering other options to spur home sales, including reducing property taxes for vacant homes and lots or easing construction regulations.
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Tech schools seek $365 million
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
The Technical College System of Georgia has submitted more than $365 million worth of projects in a wish list for funding through the proposed federal stimulus package.
Mike Light, the system’s director of communications, said the list was sent to the state Office of Policy and Budget.
Most of the projects involve renovation and construction at dozens of schools across the state. Included in the Metro Atlanta area are a $3.5 million request from DeKalb Technical College for a classroom building and $19.6 million from Gwinnett Technical College for a classroom building.
Here’s the full list:
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Senators ask Congress for reservoir in national forest
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
The Senate Natural Resources & the Environment Committee on Tuesday unanimously approved a resolution to ask Congress for help in building a water supply reservoir upstream of Lake Lanier in the Chattahoochee National Forest.
Sen. Chip Pearson (R-Dawsonville), who sponsored Senate Resolution 107, said a reservoir at the top of the Chattahoochee River watershed could be used to refill Lanier.
The lake is currently more than 13 feet below full.
The Georgia Chapter of the Sierra Club opposed the resolution. According to the club, the watershed above Lanier is too small to support another reservoir and conservation is a cheaper option.
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Senate passes more options for murder punishment
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
Life without parole could be an option for prosecutors, when it comes to aggravated murder cases.
Senate Bill 13, sponsored by Sen. Preston Smith (R-Rome), passed the Senate by a vote of 54 to 0 today.
The bill allows district attorneys to seek life-without parole sentences in aggravated murder cases. Now, DAs can seek life without parole only when they pursue the death penalty or when a defendant had a prior violent felony conviction.
Supporters of S.B. 13 say it will spare DAs from mounting a costly death-penalty prosecution when they would otherwise agree to let the defendant spend the rest of his or her life in prison without the possibility of parole.
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Senate passes regional transportation sales tax proposal
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
The Georgia Senate overwhelmingly passed legislation today that could let voters decide to pay a penny sales tax in metro Atlanta for new roads, rail and other transportation projects.
The measure would allow other counties in the rest of the state to band together to tax themselves, or go it alone, if they chose.
First, voters would have to vote on the concept of approving such a regional tax, via a constitutional amendment. Then if local governments wanted to do it, voters would have to vote to approve a tax for a list of specific projects in their region.
The measures, Senate Bill 39 and Senate Resolution 44, now must go before the House for approval.
That is anything but certain.
The House has a competing proposal to allow voters to adopt a statewide sales tax that would not let counties opt out.
Last year the Legislature could not come up with an agreement on transportation policy.
A similar measure to pay for transportation on a regional basis failed in last year’s session, by a slim margin, at the 11th hour.
Sen. Jeff Mullis (R-Chickamauga), sponsored the Senate legislation today and hailed its passage as “the first step out of the gate” towards solving metro Atlanta’s and Georgia’s transportation mess.
“I am honored to have bi-partisan support _ metro and rural support_ for this measure,” Mullis said.
“The key is to come together very soon,” he said. “We are 17 days ahead of where we were last year,” he said.
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Herding cats, er, lawmakers
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
How do you get 180 state lawmakers to sit still?
Carefully, slowly and patiently.
The Georgia House had its annual official photograph taken today, a panoramic affair, that was going to take, Speaker Glenn Richardson said, “as long as you allow it.”
Richardson (R-Hiram) threatened to fine any House member $1,000 if they left the chamber before the ordeal was over.
Everyone stayed. And everyone, as best we could tell, smiled real nice.
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Richardson climbing the charts
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
Former Georgia House Speaker Tom Murphy was often recognized as the longest-serving House Speaker in the country, holding the post for nearly three decades before losing re-election in 2002.
Current House Speaker Glenn Richardson (R-Hiram), hasn’t taken quite so long to move up the seniority rankings.
Richardson, who became speaker in 2005, said he jumped to the top half of seniority among speakers nationally this year because there are 29 new House Speakers in 2009.
One of the major reasons for the turnover, he said, is term limits. Many states limit the amount of terms you can serve, so it’s impossible to build up seniority. Georgia has no such limits, and Richardson could be in for a long tenure after surviving a challenge for the top job from Rep. David Ralston (R-Blue Ridge) last fall.
Republicans have a solid majority in the chamber and Richardson made friends among the new GOP members of the House last fall by campaigning hard for their election.
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A move to cut DOT’s control over aviation
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
A new Georgia Aviation Authority could take shape under a bill submitted by Senate Republicans today.
Senate Bill 85 would move authority for all state aviation assets from the Department of Transportation to the new authority, except for defense aircraft. The authority would have the power to charge for use of state aircraft and dispose of and buy, new aircraft and buy property.
Sen. Bill Heath (R- Bremen) introduced the bill.
The governor, lieutenant governor and the speaker of the House are among those who would either sit on the new aviation authority or appoint members.
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Senator introduces universal school voucher bill
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
Sen. Eric Johnson (R-Savannah) introduced a bill today that would give parents about $5,000 to help pay private school tuition. His universal school voucher bill, Senate Bill 90, is not a “silver bullet,” he said. It would probably be used by about 5 percent of public school parents to switch their kids to a school that is better for them.
Georgia’s education ranking is “near the bottom,” Johnson said. It’s time to try something new such as free market ideas of competition between schools.
Sen. Chip Rogers (R-Woodstock) said only parents with enough money now have a choice of schools if they aren’t happy with their public school. “School choice exists today if you are lucky enough to afford it,” Rogers said.
Parents could also try to switch their child to another public school under the bill. In the case of a popular public school, if that school had any openings, there would be an application process to see which children from out of the district could be accepted, Johnson said.
In any case, parents would be responsible for transporting their child to the new school, and the new school would first have to accept the student, Johnson said.
Andre O’Brien, 43, said his daughter left one Cobb County school that was deemed by the government as a failing school under No Child Left Behind. She was able to go to another elementary school that was better, he said. But now, she’ll have to return to another faltering school for middle school. He would welcome a voucher.
“We just want to educate our child in the best way we possibly can,” O’Brien said.
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State workers likely to face more furloughs
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
Senate President Pro Tem Tommie Williams (R-Lyons) acknowledged Monday what everybody at the Capitol already suspected: lawmakers won’t be able to balance the state budget without more furlough’s of the government’s 100,000 employees.
Many state agencies, including the Department of Human Resources and the Insurance Commissioner’s Office, have been forcing employees to take days off without pay for months.
However, some agencies have been reluctant. The chancellor of the University System of Georgia, which has more than 40,000 employees, said recently he doesn’t believe in furloughs.
That may be true, but he may not have a choice in the matter.
Lawmakers need to find $428 million in spending cuts to fund homeowners’ tax relief grants that the state gave out last fall. In all, Gov. Sonny Perdue’s budget proposal, which lawmakers are considering, cuts $2.2 billion in spending.
“We can’t get to $428 million without furloughs,” Williams told reporters Monday. Williams said the furloughs shouldn’t include prison guards or state police.
But Senate Majority Leader Chip Rogers (R-Woodstock), said a huge percentage of the state’s $20 billion budget goes for personnel.
“To suggest that we should take that off the table is irresponsible,” Rogers said.
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UPDATED HR 1 or no HR 1?
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
It’s Day 11 and the House has its first moment of intrigue of the 2009 General Assembly.
The question is whether House Resolution 1, sponsored by Rep. Edward Lindsey (R-Atlanta), comes up for a vote in the chamber today. The resolution, you might recall, would cap local governments’ ability to reassess property, thereby ensuring that homeowners don’t face steep tax increases in a down economy.
But the resolution, which requires a two-thirds vote of the House as it is a proposed constitutional amendment, was on the House calendar for this past Friday. But, instead of debating it as expected, the House abruptly adjourned for the weekend.
The word late Friday and over the weekend was that the Republican majority didn’t have the votes to get the bill to the Senate and leadership wanted the weekend to try and change hearts and minds.
Whether that effort was successful will become clear in the coming moments, as the House begins to convene for the week.
UPDATE: The House just sent HR 1 back to Rules Committee. So that’s that, for today.
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