The 152nd Georgia General Assembly opens its session on Monday, but the festivities have already begun.
Many lawmakers have been here in Atlanta making the best possible use of the days leading up to the opening gavel to raise campaign cash. They can’t do campaign fundraising during the actual legislative session.
And today, the ritual of the Wild Hog Supper will commence. According to the New Georgia Encyclopedia, “since 1962 the Georgia General Assembly has opened its new legislative session each January with the ‘Wild Hog Supper,’ at which legislators enjoy such state delicacies as barbecued wild pig and Brunswick stew.”
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution’s experienced team of journalists have been preparing for this year’s show under the Gold Dome. Expect extensive reporting on the issues that the Legislature takes up — and some they’ll try to avoid taking up. At AJC.com, you can find interactive polls and graphics on key issues of the session, including ethics, the Falcons stadium, health care and gambling.
This year, expect us to be particularly focused on the matter of the Legislature’s ethics — or lack thereof.
Why that, you might ask? The reasons are many.
In a poll we published late last year, 60 percent of respondents in the 10-county Atlanta region said “not many” or “hardly any” of the people running the government are honest.
In that poll, which was not specifically about the Legislature, respondents’ top choice for restoring their trust in government was to get honest politicians in office.
Today, we’ve published a statewide poll in advance of the legislative session. It examines a number of topics, but here are some key findings :
When asked, “How would you rate the ethics and honesty of members of the General Assembly,” fewer than 4 percent of Georgians responded “highly ethical and honest.” In Metro Atlanta, it was less than 3 percent. The proportion of ethical and honest members is probably much higher, but the poll does raise questions about why the public has such a dim view of public servants.
One possible answer? On the question, “Should legislators be allowed to accept gifts from lobbyists,” more than 71 percent of Georgians said no gifts should be allowed. Currently, not only are gifts permitted, there is no limit.
Last week, The Atlanta Journal-Constitution published a landmark story that essentially showed how lobbyists control much of what happens in the Legislature. (If you missed it, you can find it online at: http://www.ajc.com/news/news/ethics/nTnwX/)
Unlike most states, Georgia does not specifically prohibit its legislators from voting on issues in which they have a personal financial stake. This safeguard against conflicts of interest is essential to good government.
So is transparency, which is why 37 states subject their legislature to open government laws, which typically guarantee the public access to key documents and most meetings. Georgia’s lawmakers wrote those laws to apply to others in state and local government, but exempted themselves.
No wonder we don’t trust them.
And the legislators’ idea to restore trust amidst concerns of chicanery? They’ll consider a limit or ban on lobbyists’ gifts.
Little detail has been offered, but one option is a $100 limit; another is a total ban — though both would likely have loopholes.
Here’s the thing: Talk of a ban is nothing but a smokescreen.
While legislators will beat their breasts, and offer hours of speeches on such a ban, they’re just using an old parlor trick: get you to pay attention to the wrong thing.
The Legislature has a historic opportunity. Voters want reform.
They should ban all gifts, pass strong conflict-of-interest laws and make themselves subject to open records and meetings laws. And ensure that existing and new rules have strong enforcement.
Georgia has grown into one of the most important states in the union. But its culture of governance hasn’t advanced with it. Citizens are clamoring for solutions to big problems and asking for transparency and strong, honest leadership.
Certainly, not all of our legislators put their own interests ahead of public service. Some care about what citizens care about and understand why citizens are impatient for change.
Those who do need to find a powerful leader and make themselves heard. They might be punished in the halls of the Capitol, but voters will reward them.
This matters because Georgia has 21st-century challenges; it doesn’t need a 19th-century-style government.
The 152nd General Assembly has its moment. It should take it, and put Georgia on a better course.
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