Politics
What to expect from the Georgia Legislature
By Kristina Torres
Jan 12, 2014The 2014 Georgia legislative session kicks off at 10 a.m. Monday under the Gold Dome. Here’s a look at what to expect over the 40-day term:
Major issues
- Budget: For the first time in many years, the state is expected to have a budget surplus for the fiscal year that begins July 1. Expect those extra dollars to go toward raises for teachers and state employees, public schools, health care, the Division of Family and Children's Services and other areas.
- Guns: The Republican majorities in the House and Senate remain committed to expanding the places Georgians with a permit can legally carry firearms.
- Child endangerment: Gov. Nathan Deal said he has made it a priority to add money and staff to help stem a crisis involving the protection of children in foster care.
Things to look for
- Brevity: Lawmakers are expected to move the state primary election to May 20 from its traditional July date to have it coincide with primaries for the U.S. House and Senate. Those primaries were ordered moved by a federal judge. As a result, legislators will want to finish their work as quickly as possible to campaign and raise money — incumbent state elected officials cannot raise money during the legislative session.
- Ethics: New laws went into effect Jan. 1 that limit the ability of lobbyists in some cases to ply lawmakers with free gifts and meals. Gone are free tickets to sporting events and unlimited spending on meals. A $75 cap is now in place for meals and drinks, but there are loopholes and many questions about what is or isn't allowed.
- Balfour returns: Sen. Don Balfour, R-Snellville, who was acquitted last month on charges that he claimed expense reimbursement he was not entitled to, returns to the Senate for the first time since being indicted in September. Having been suspended pending the trial, he'll face a Republican caucus that initially turned its back on him.
- Candidates galore: Every House and Senate seat is up for election in 2014, and several lawmakers are gunning for higher office. State Sen. Jason Carter, D-Atlanta, is running for governor, state Rep. Ed Lindsey, R-Atlanta, is running for Congress and state Rep. Alisha Thomas Morgan, D-Austell, is running for state schools superintendent. In an election year, every move in the General Assembly must be judged against that backdrop.
