Georgia Attorney General Sam Olens told the Atlanta Press Club Thursday that a hearing on a proposed revision to the state’s open records and open meetings act will be held Aug. 30 at the state Capitol. The House Judiciary Committee will discuss House Bill 397, a revision of the state’s so-called “sunshine laws” which are used by citizens, the media and others to access government records and meetings. The Legislature will be convened in a special session to address redistricting. Olens said he doesn’t expect the open records and meetings bill to be voted on by the Legislature at that time, but he’s hoping to get action on it when the regular session resumes in January. RACHEL TOBIN
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Group to hold ‘map fair' during lawmakers' special session
A group of government watchdogs will greet legislators returning to session Aug. 15 with an array of citizen-drawn suggestions for new political maps.
The Georgia Redistricting Alliance said its "map fair" will be from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. in the state Capitol. The General Assembly will reconvene that day in special session to consider and approve new maps that delineate the boundaries of the state's congressional and legislative districts. The process of redistricting occurs following the U.S. Census every 10 years.
Any individual or group that wants to display maps during the event should call (404) 522-4598 or e-mail kelli@lwga.org.
The alliance is comprised of Common Cause Georgia, the League of Women Voters of Georgia and Georgia WAND.
AARON GOULD SHEININ
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Three Georgia lawyers have been appointed to a national task force formed by the Legal Services Corp. to help low-income Americans facing foreclosure, domestic violence and other legal problems.
The 51-member panel includes Georgia attorneys Michael Monahan, director of the State Bar's Pro Bono Project; Teresa Roseborough, MetLife's deputy general counsel; and Frank Strickland of Strickland Brockington Lewis. Studies show that increasing numbers of low-income Americans are handling their legal problems on their own, Legal Services chairman John Levi said. BILL RANKIN
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