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Thursday, September 6, 2007
Murphy tosses voter ID lawsuit: See the order, listen to sound clips here
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
U.S. District Judge Harold Murphy of Rome on Thursday ordered the dismissal of a lawsuit challenging the state’s voter ID law.
It’s a lengthy decision, in two parts, that can be found here and here.
Wrote Murphy:
“Voters who lack photo ID undoubtedly exist somewhere, but the fact that the plaintiffs, in spite of their efforts, have failed to uncover anyone ‘who can attest to the fact that he/she will be prevented from voting’ provides significant support for a conclusion that the photo ID requirement does not unduly burden the right to vote.”
Secretary of State Karen Handel and Gov. Sonny Perdue, both in a good mood, held a quick press conference on Thursday afternoon.
“The photo identification requirement is now in effect for the Sept. 18 election, beginning with in-person early voting, which begins on Monday,” Handel said. “And for all elections thereafter.” Click here for a sound bite..
Said Perdue: “We’re going to do this in a respectful and fair way, and do everything we can to allow people to participate in this most basic of American liberties.” Click here for a sound bite.
See the developing daily story here.
We will now entertain praise of Murphy from Republicans who accused Democrats of judge-shopping the case.
Democrats are no doubt bummed by the news. Remember that only yesterday, U.S. Rep. John Lewis (D-Atlanta) testified in front of the Senate Judiciary Committee, citing U.S. Justice Department approval of Georgia’s voter ID law as evidence of the disarray left by Attorney General Alberto Gonzales.
“Thankfully a federal court saw the law for what it was — a poll tax — and struck it down,” Lewis said. Today, that same federal judge decided the state had improved the law, and provided enough safeguards, to allow it to stand.
Kind of like a murder of crows: A wrinkle of Fred-heads gather tonight
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
Fred-heads are using their hero’s entry into the Republican presidential race as an excuse to drink beer.
They’ll be meeting at 6:30 p.m. today at the 5 Seasons brewery in Sandy Springs, just below I-285 in the Prado. Despite reports to the contrary, no new announcement by Fred Thompson is afoot. The Leno appearance and the webcast here is all there is.
However, about two beers in, there’s supposed to be a telephone conference call in which Thompson will report on his first day in Iowa.
After the phone call, and perhaps a third beer, here’s a suggested topic for discussion: Was it a smart move by Thompson to blow off a New Hampshire debate sponsored by Fox, the TV network most important to the GOP core?
Senate’s first budget director balances his last book
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
The state Senate’s first budget director is calling it quits.
Kevin Fillion, who is credited with changing the way the Legislature addressed the state’s annual budget, was hired to run the newly-created Senate Budget Office in 2003 when Republicans took over the chamber.
Senate Republicans wanted their own budget office because they felt the old Legislative Budget Office was tied too closely to the Democrats who still ran the state House at the time. They also wanted a budget office independent from the House.
Fillion helped greatly increase the amount of budget information lawmakers received and produced documents that showed the true cost of programs, not just what the state kicked in.
Senate President Pro-Tem Eric Johnson (R-Savannah), made the announcement this morning that Fillion is retiring from his post.
“He has led the effort to expand the transparency and increase the accountability of our state’s budget,” Johnson said. “He has challenged us and the departments to be better stewards.”
