With Georgia state lawmakers in an election year, the Republican-controlled Gold Dome struck a familiar chord Wednesday by demanding more personal responsibility from the state's neediest residents.
On the final day for the General Assembly to pass bills through at least one chamber to give them a chance to become law this session the state Senate voted to require school or other "personal growth" activities for people getting food stamps and drug tests for parents seeking public assistance.
New restrictions on protests and picketing that drew the ire of community leaders and workers' groups also passed the Senate, as did a bill exempting some employers from providing contraception coverage in their health plans.
It made for a Crossover Day packed with red-meat Republican issues, which included an assortment of gun, abortion and charter school bills.
The House, meanwhile, voted to ban assisted suicide and require drug tests for those receiving public aid .
It also passed next year's proposed $19.2 billion state budget plan, which slightly increases spending from what Gov. Nathan Deal recommended earlier this year, though it follows much of his spending blueprint as the state recovers from a recession that prompted years of billion-dollar cuts. “Reductions are still prevalent, but it is clear we are slowly moving out of this recessionary stand,” said House Appropriations Chairman Terry England, R-Auburn.
Now, with 10 days left, the bills that passed Wednesday set the mark for the rest of the session. Lawmakers shared deeply personal stories and debated single bills for hours.
Most of the passionate debate was reserved for bills that would ban state employee health insurance plans from offering coverage for abortion services, SB 438, and SB 460, which would allow Georgia to exempt religiously affiliated businesses from having to provide birth control coverage.
The Senate passed the abortion bill. The bill's chief sponsor, Sen. Mike Crane, R-Newnan, drew gasps from some lawmakers when he said he would not consider rape or incest exemptions for his bill.
"I don't think we as a body should compound one crime with another," he said. The 33-18 vote angered Democratic women, who linked arms and walked out of the chamber after voting against the bill.
"This is not a good day for women in Georgia," said Sen. Valencia Seay, D-Riverdale. "Come on, guys. We are not your property."
Sen. Judson Hill, R-Marietta, said his yes vote in favor of the ban on covering abortions with the state health plan was personal. Two of his sons were born at 24-weeks-old and lived for a day, he said. "I'm standing for life. I'm going to stand for those babies who are 24-weeks-old."
If it becomes law that food stamp recipients would have to participate in "personal growth" activities, it's not likely go into effect soon.
The bill's sponsor, Sen. William Ligon, R-Brunswick, had agreed that it could be implemented only once there was enough funding. Officials with the Department of Human Services have said they can't afford the program the $11.5 million cost right now because of millions of dollars in state cuts to their budget.
Activities mandated by SB 312 would include working toward a GED or high school diploma, receiving technical training, attending self-development classes or enrolling in adult literacy classes. "This is a worthy bill and it certainly helps those who receive these benefits help themselves and train themselves," Ligon said.
A similar argument came with SB 292, which would require drug tests for parents who apply for the federal Temporary Assistance for Needy Families program. TANF provides temporary financial help to low-income families with children. It passed on a 35-18 vote, after a Democratic amendment to force state office holders to also take drug tests failed.
The bill's sponsor, Sen. John Albers, R-Roswell, said it would save the state money and help addicts by identifying those who need assistance. Albers based the proposal on Florida's drug-testing law, which a federal judge has temporarily blocked. Albers said he felt he had properly addressed confidentiality concerns.
State officials said it was hard to pinpoint the financial impact of the bill. They offered a range, saying the bill's impact could range from a net cost of about $84,500 to a savings of about $103,000 annually.
SB 469 would limit mass picketing outside private residences and fine individuals $1,000 a day -- and organizations as much as $10,000 as day -- if they ignore court orders to stop their protests. The bill, drafted by the Georgia Chamber of Commerce, passed on a 38-18 vote.
To sweeten the bill's chances for chances, its sponsor, Sen. Don Balfour, R-Snellville, amended it. He exempted members of groups like the popular Professional Association of Georgia Educators from a mandate requiring them to put into writing every year they want to pay union dues or organizational fees through paycheck deductions. That mandate, however, would apply to most labor unions.
Staff writers Chris Joyner and April Hunt contributed to this article.
The 33-18 vote came at 7:44 p.m., and it clearly disgusted Democratic lawmakers -- several walked out of the chamber after voting.
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