The House and Senate convened at 9 a.m. today – an early assembly designed for a quick weekend getaway.
The Senate is set to pass the midyear budget.
The House intends to dabble in territory that would be familiar to Charles Dickens. Maybe you saw this recent piece by our AJC colleague Rhonda Cook:
Private probation companies are responsible for monitoring and collecting fines from Georgians who commit misdemeanor crimes, such as traffic offenses and public intoxication, but who cannot pay upfront. An Atlanta Journal-Constitution investigation last month found that such companies have pocketed large fees while, in at least some cases, doing little to supervise those under their watch. And a string of lawsuits argue the companies have illegally forced offenders to pay for things, such as electronic monitoring and drug testing, beyond what was ordered by the courts.
[A] Human Rights Watch report underscores another criticism of private probation: The companies often order the arrest of those under their supervision who fail to pay fees owed to the company. And, when those misdemeanor offenders wind up in jail, taxpayers are on the hook, challenging the notion that private probation companies provide great savings to government.
This morning, lawmakers appear set to approve a bill that would strengthen the hand of private probation companies, by putting a client/offender’s sentence on pause until he/she comes up with the cash that’s owed.
On the House side, afternoon committee meetings will deal with an anti-Obamacare bill and two measures that would shield more information from public view. One relates to state government contracts for work on public building projects, and the other relates to 911 calls.
Finally, state Sen. Brandon Beach, R-Roswell, on Thursday auditioned for a job as Patrick Stewart’s stand-in:
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