Georgia Legislature Today: Football and politics on first day of session
The Georgia General Assembly at a glance for Jan. 8, 2018:
Opening Day: The Georgia Legislature plans to kick off its yearly lawmaking session at 10 a.m. on Monday. The state House and Senate will gavel in the session, decide when they'll meet next at the Capitol and then quickly leave before the big game. Down the street a few hours later, the sporting world will be watching Georgia play Alabama for the college football championship at Mercedes-Benz Stadium. Legislators will announce Monday whether they're taking a day off Tuesday because of the championship game. President Donald Trump is attending the game.
Election-year politics: Every House and Senate seat is up for election this year, and some legislators are running for higher office. Many of them want to finish the state government's business by the end of March so they can resume campaigning. Some running for office could use the legislation session as a public platform to promote their campaign messages. Legislators aren't allowed to collect campaign contributions during the legislative session.
On the record: "My strategy is going to be talking to the people of Georgia and reminding them that we have elections every two years in this state. If we're going to take off every other year for people to run for office, then maybe we just ought not have a session in an election year." — House Speaker David Ralston, R-Blue Ridge.
Business days remaining in the 2018 legislative session: 40
Complete Georgia Legislature coverage
Georgians have 26 billion reasons to watch budget this year
Will election year keep Ga. lawmakers away from controversial issues?
Rural Georgia finally gets the Legislature's attention
Georgia lawmakers to tackle transit funding in metro Atlanta
Stalled progress doesn't dampen supporters' hope for casinos in Georgia
A wide range of health care woes face Georgia Legislature this year
About the Author
Mark Niesse is an enterprise reporter and covers elections and Georgia government for The Atlanta Journal-Constitution and is considered an expert on elections and voting. Before joining the AJC, he worked for The Associated Press in Atlanta, Honolulu and Montgomery, Alabama. He also reported for The Daily Report and The Santiago Times in Chile.
