Today is the final day of the 2011 legislative session. And there are still some major issues to be decided. Here’s what’s at stake.
Immigration
Efforts to crack down on illegal immigrants have come down to a fight about using a federal program to make sure new employees are eligible to work in the United States.
Health care
After tea party pressure, Gov. Nathan Deal withdrew a measure that would have allowed Georgia to create a health insurance exchange, part of the federal health care law. Instead, the House passed a measure that would allow alliances with other states on health care. That bill has yet to pass the Senate.
Unemployment
Long-term benefits will run out for more than 22,000 Georgians beginning in June unless legislators tweak a Georgia law to match federal law. Those who want to keep it plan to add a rider to a different employment bill, but a disagreement about extending benefits could derail that.
On the bubble
Several bills have nearly made it to the finish line but contained changes that require one more OK. They include:
- A legislative fix that would close a loophole in state ethics law regarding lobbyist spending on state employees.
- A bill that would prevent elderly people who need some assistance from being forced into nursing homes.
- A bill that would make the decongestant pseudoephedrine available only in pharmacies.
- A bill that would give the governor the power to remove all members of the Atlanta school board and would reduce the DeKalb school board's size.
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