Legislative Briefing

Shorter workweeks commence

As legislators labored through their first official three-day workweek of the 2009 session, attention turned to power: who has it; who pays to get close to it; and when Georgia Power Co. can make us start paying for it.

The lawmakers decided earlier this month to split their 40 days of meetings into two sessions spread over six months. They’ll meet three days a week for the next six weeks or so, then take some time off. They’ll return, if necessary, in June to wrap things up.

The pace of legislative activity is now starting to pick up. Here’s a review of some things that took place last week:

Winners …

Georgia Power. Zap! The Senate voted to let the power company start charging customers for new nuclear reactors in 2011, six years before the nukes start cranking out electricity.

Property taxpayers. The House voted to ban for two years increases in property tax appraisals. (The appraisals were capped, not frozen; they can still go down.) Opponents said the change would hurt cities, counties and school districts as they struggle to balance their budgets. The Senate now must agree on the cap.

Losers …

Local governments. See “Property taxpayers,” above.

Property taxpayers. Gov. Sonny Perdue hinted that local officials shouldn’t count on $428 million in tax grants. The grants save a typical homeowner $200 to $300 a year on his or her property tax bill.

Tom Murphy’s ghost. If there’s one thing the late speaker hated and would never allow under his Gold Dome, it was approval of a law requiring seat belt use in pickups. Last week, the Senate did just that. Now we’ll find out whether the House, once ruled by Murphy, will go along. There’s a cash incentive: The state could pick up $4.6 million from the federal government if the law is approved.

Quote of the week:

“When you hear this is a simple bill that does one thing, hold on to your wallet, your house, your car. This is a complicated bill that does one wrong thing.”

Sen. Minority Leader Robert Brown (D-Macon), scoffing at suggestions a proposal was simple and straightforward as it allowed Georgia Power Co. to charge for nuclear power plants before they are built. The Senate approved the bill.

Also overheard

“There is not $428 million to spare in the budget I submitted.”

Gov. Sonny Perdue, hinting that a plan to restore $428 million in tax grants to Georgia homeowners might not survive, given the state’s tight budget. The grants save a typical homeowner $200 to $300 a year in property taxes.

“It will be a shock to homeowners. They’re going to be mad as heck.”

Oconee County Commission Chairman Melvin Davis, predicting the reactions of taxpayers when they get bills for the $200 to $300 in 2008 property taxes the tax grants had paid.

“Let’s don’t devastate local governments.”

Rep. Al Williams (D-Midway), opposing a plan to cap increases in property tax assessments.

Freebie of the week

> MARTA and two of its consultants spent $10,000 for a “State of MARTA” luncheon to feed barbecue and iced tea to lawmakers and to tell them the transit agency is losing millions and needs legislative help to improve its finances.

Coming this week

> The Senate Regulated Industries Committee plans to hold a hearing Wednesday on legislation to allow Sunday sales in stores of alcoholic beverages.

Ah, the memories: Sticky and sweet

Who says that in these days of tight budgets and political bickering, that elected officials can’t keep their notorious sense of humor? Freshman Sen. Jim Butterworth (R-Clarkesville) presented his first bill in the Senate last week and was rewarded with a lot of teasing, a bit of backslapping and a big bottle of Mrs. Butterworth’s syrup signed by the lieutenant governor and several senators.

—- Compiled by Joe Earle from reports by Ariel Hart, Margaret Newkirk, Mary Lou Pickel and James Salzer