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AJC.com > Legislature > Georgia Beat > Archives > 2005 > March > 17
Thursday, March 17, 2005
Hunting and fishing amendment to appear on ballot
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
The Georgia House today unanimously approved a constitutional amendment calling for preservation of the tradition of fishing and hunting rights in Georgia.
Senate Resolution 67 passed 152 to 0.
State Senate President Pro Tem Eric Johnson (R-Savannah), the resolution’s sponsor, suggested the amendment is a preventative measure.
“There are activist judges and future legislatures … that could restrict further our heritage and our historic right to hunting and fishing,” he told the Senate earlier.
No further action is necessary for the amendment to appear on the ballot as follows: Shall the Constitution of Georgia be amended so as to provide that the tradition of fishing and hunting and the taking of fish and wildlife shall be preserved for the people and shall be managed by law and regulation for the public good?”
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Legislature strikes ordinances requiring domestic partner benefits
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
A proposal that would void an Atlanta city ordinance requiring associations such as the Druid Hills Golf Club to extend marriage benefits to gay couples cleared its final hurdle in the General Assembly on Thursday.
With very little debate, the state Senate voted 37-11 in favor of House Bill 67. The measure now goes to Gov. Sonny Perdue to be signed into law.
House Rules Committee Chairman Earl Ehrhart (R-Powder Springs) introduced the bill, which would prevent local governments across Georgia from enacting laws requiring organizations to extend domestic benefits to gay couples.
The measure cleared the House by a vote of 124-39, despite protests from Atlanta area lawmakers. Although the bill does not specifically name the city of Atlanta and Druid Hills Golf Club, it is directly aimed at nullifying the city’s human rights ordinance.
In December, Mayor Shirley Franklin said she planned to start fining the club for violating the ordinance, up to a maximum of $90,000. The club responded by filing suit against the city, arguing the ordinance violates the state constitution.
Sen. John Wiles (R-Marietta) carried the bill in the Senate.
“There’s no right for a city government, state government or county government to provide benefits to unmarried persons,” Wiles said from the Senate well.
Sen. Vincent Fort (D-Atlanta) said that legislators were using the issue of domestic benefits for gay couples to pander to voters.
Last year, the General Assembly approved a proposed constitutional amendment banning same-sex marriage. Georgia voters overwhelmingly approved the amendment Nov. 2.
“We use the term ‘local control’ in education and law enforcement,” Fort said. “But when it comes to discrimination … we don’t want local control. When it comes to the city of Atlanta, local control means nothing. It means nothing at all. It’s the height of hypocrisy.”
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Stephens announces secretary of state candidacy
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
Senate Majority Leader Bill Stephens (R-Canton) formally announced on Thursday his candidacy for secretary of state.
Flanked by his wife, mother, two youngest sons, and more than a dozen House and Senate Republicans, Stephens pledged to improve the elections process and strengthen other duties of the office, such as oversight of the state’s 34 licensing boards.
“I believe we must have secure, fair and open elections,” said Stephens, addressing supporters in the Senate chamber. “I believe that we must protect Georgians, particularly the elderly, from fraud and abuse. I believe we can better utilize this office to further job creation statewide.”
Secretary of State Cathy Cox, a Democrat, is expected to run for governor next year.
Democrat Carol Jackson, a former state senator and local elections official from Cleveland, also has announced plans to run for secretary of state.
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Speaker: No disciplinary action for House protests
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
House members who staged vocal protests last last week over legislation to require voters to have photo ID will not face disciplinary action, Speaker Glenn Richardson (R-Hiram) announced this morning.
Richardson said state Rep. Alisha Thomas Morgan (D-Austell) apologized for her actions Saturday, and he accepted.
Morgan went to the well of the House during a rare Saturday session to continue to vent over a Friday night vote on photo IDs. She refused to leave the well after her time had expired, even though Richardson repeatedly asked her to and banged his gavel. Instead she broke into song.
Richardson had threatened disciplinary action against her, as well as a contingent of House Democrats who staged a walkout Friday night over the legislation. He told House members this morning he believes he considers the issue closed.
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