Call in days . . . Today and Tomorrow (Wednesday and Thursday) . . . get those fingers dialing!
We have a real opportunity to pass a budget that moves the country in the direction we need, but only if you . . .
Call Senators Saxby Chambliss, Johnnie Isakson and your Congressional Representative too!
Do it now, toll-free, at 1-888-436-8427!
GRUS distributing fliers asking the same thing last Friday's Stand for Peace at Colony Square in Atlanta, asking people to contact their Representatives and Senators NOW:
Tell them: "Please vote to support President Obama's budget priorities, to set us on the path to create jobs, provide health care for all, and develop renewable energy. I care about taking care of families during the recession, and about reducing poverty in the long run. These investments will revive our economy and build a foundation for long-term prosperity."
The President has produced a groundbreaking 2010 budget proposal to reset America's priorities.
But opposition is growing. That's because the budget is responsible in paying for these investments. There are corporations who don't want their loopholes closed, wealthy households who don't want to lose any of their tax deductions, military contractors who like their generous payments, and companies who don't want to pay a fee designed to reduce global warming. The hoofprints of a lot of gored oxen are visible on Capitol Hill.
The President included $634 billion in the budget as a down payment on health care reform. This is an historic commitment and a vital first step toward achieving quality, affordable health care for all in 2009. Put simply, Congress must pass a budget that funds health care if we want to enact comprehensive reform this year. It's time to turn our momentum into action and make sure President Obama's budget passes, so we can get our economy back on track and win quality affordable health care for all. (Join healthcareforamericanow.org )
If you want the public interest to win out over the vested interests, please call your Congressional Representative and Senators Chambliss and Isakson!
Wednesday, March 25, 2009
Thursday, March 19, 2009
Day 33 - Like High School, with Higher Stakes
A few weeks ago one of us left a voice mail for someone and got a text back asking, "Where are you? Church?" There are multiple school choirs singing in the rotunda or on the main stairs every day of the session. "It doesn't make it hard to hear what's going on in the House and Senate?" you might ask. Yes, it does.
Today we actually had some high school's rock band. Not kidding. They had gone electric, and there were these two kids singing alt rock.
Then we had another elementary school choir, and someone commented that they felt like they were in the cafeteria in third grade.
To which a more astute lobbyist replied, "This whole place is like high school. You've got the rich kids over there [the corporate lobbyists, who hang out in one spot], you've got the poor kids over here [the progressive non-profit lobbyists, who hang out in another spot], and then in both you've got all these different cliques."
And of course there are bullies. Leaving out some of the bullies inside the chambers, there's a certain infamous, nationally-known anti-immigrant lobbyist who likes to follow around those of us who work to protect immigrants' rights, post up on a wall, and try to stare us down. Or something. It's actually a little unclear what he's trying to accomplish. But isn't it always that way with bullies?
Speaking of which, we're fighting 3 bills that have passed the House and are in committee this coming Tuesday. They all seek to keep Georgia in the past:
First of all, there's SB 20 and SB 86. Rather than rehash the issues with those bills here, you can go back to Day 21 and read about SB 20 and HB 45, which is the House version of SB 86. (Sometimes they'll pass separate House and Senate versions of a bill in case one of them gets held up somewhere and risks not passing.) Day 21 is here: http://georgiasummithotline.blogspot.com/2009/02/just-plain-mean.html.
Then there's SB 67. It would require that driver's license exams be given only in English. The sponsors apparently want to make a point about immigrants needing to learn English. But the real effect will be to discourage foreign companies from doing business here. If you're Kia -- the car company -- for example, and you're planning to build a plant in Georgia, and you find out that your executives' spouses, who might stay home with the kids and not really need to learn English to live their lives, are gonna have to learn English just to be able to drive to the grocery store, wouldn't you take another look at some other state that doesn't have such restrictions?
The thing is, the road test is already given only in English. If you don't understand English well enough to understand the person riding with you administering your road test, and you fail that, you don't get a driver's license. But the bill's sponsors want the written test to be given only in English too. Lots of business folks oppose this bill. As one of them told us, he has plenty of clients -- foreign business-people working in the U.S., many with Green Cards -- who are completely fluent in English but who might not do well on a written English test full of technicalities. If we effectively make companies pay for those employees to get extra English training when they're already fluent, are they really gonna want to come here?
At a time when Georgians are suffering crisis levels of unemployment, we're apparently about to tell these companies that we don't want their jobs. All just to make a political point.
***We can really use your help on Tuesday. If you want to come to the capitol to help us oppose the bill at the committee meeting, please email brooksGRUS@gmail.com. You don't have to have any experience; we just need you to show up.***
Today we actually had some high school's rock band. Not kidding. They had gone electric, and there were these two kids singing alt rock.
Then we had another elementary school choir, and someone commented that they felt like they were in the cafeteria in third grade.
To which a more astute lobbyist replied, "This whole place is like high school. You've got the rich kids over there [the corporate lobbyists, who hang out in one spot], you've got the poor kids over here [the progressive non-profit lobbyists, who hang out in another spot], and then in both you've got all these different cliques."
And of course there are bullies. Leaving out some of the bullies inside the chambers, there's a certain infamous, nationally-known anti-immigrant lobbyist who likes to follow around those of us who work to protect immigrants' rights, post up on a wall, and try to stare us down. Or something. It's actually a little unclear what he's trying to accomplish. But isn't it always that way with bullies?
Speaking of which, we're fighting 3 bills that have passed the House and are in committee this coming Tuesday. They all seek to keep Georgia in the past:
First of all, there's SB 20 and SB 86. Rather than rehash the issues with those bills here, you can go back to Day 21 and read about SB 20 and HB 45, which is the House version of SB 86. (Sometimes they'll pass separate House and Senate versions of a bill in case one of them gets held up somewhere and risks not passing.) Day 21 is here: http://georgiasummithotline.blogspot.com/2009/02/just-plain-mean.html.
Then there's SB 67. It would require that driver's license exams be given only in English. The sponsors apparently want to make a point about immigrants needing to learn English. But the real effect will be to discourage foreign companies from doing business here. If you're Kia -- the car company -- for example, and you're planning to build a plant in Georgia, and you find out that your executives' spouses, who might stay home with the kids and not really need to learn English to live their lives, are gonna have to learn English just to be able to drive to the grocery store, wouldn't you take another look at some other state that doesn't have such restrictions?
The thing is, the road test is already given only in English. If you don't understand English well enough to understand the person riding with you administering your road test, and you fail that, you don't get a driver's license. But the bill's sponsors want the written test to be given only in English too. Lots of business folks oppose this bill. As one of them told us, he has plenty of clients -- foreign business-people working in the U.S., many with Green Cards -- who are completely fluent in English but who might not do well on a written English test full of technicalities. If we effectively make companies pay for those employees to get extra English training when they're already fluent, are they really gonna want to come here?
At a time when Georgians are suffering crisis levels of unemployment, we're apparently about to tell these companies that we don't want their jobs. All just to make a political point.
***We can really use your help on Tuesday. If you want to come to the capitol to help us oppose the bill at the committee meeting, please email brooksGRUS@gmail.com. You don't have to have any experience; we just need you to show up.***
Thursday, March 12, 2009
Day 30 - Crossover Madness 4: Rules, Shmules
So, the Republicans came back from the arm-twisting recess ready to fall in line. They introduced a new version of SB 169, with at least 5 amendments and a new name. Sen. Steve Thompson (D) raised an objection, saying with the amendments and the name change, the bill either had to go through the usual committee process (which there would not be time for since it was Crossover Day) or the Senate would have to approve putting the new bill on the Calendar with a 2/3 vote.
Lt. Gov Casey Cagel and the Sec. of the Senate denied Thompson's invocation of the rule - ignoring the rule - and put the new version of the bill on the Calendar for debate.
During the debate, Thompson gave an impassioned speech about the Lt. Gov.'s violation of the rules, saying that the majority party ran the risk of damaging our system of government by playing "fast and loose" with the rules, that the Senate was supposed to be "the deliberative house," and that the embryo/stem cell issue should take a year and a half of work, not be crammed through like it was being.
He, along with others, also took issue with Sen. Ralph T. Hudgens's (R - sponsor of the bill) comparison of embryonic stem cell research to the deadly and torturous experimentation on humans of the Nazi Dr. Mengele and the Tuskegee Experiment. Yes, he really made that comparison.
Sen. David Adelman (D), read the language in the bill that made the use of in vitro fertilization legal only in cases of infertility. Adelman said that this would take away in vitro fertilization away as an option in cases where both members of a couple are fertile but the woman has health problems that make carrying a baby or giving birth dangerous. Hudgens said that in that case the woman was infertile. After much back-and-forth, Adelman nailed Hudgens down on the point, asking, Are you saying that if a woman can get pregnant, but she has a heart condition that makes it dangerous for her to carry a baby, then she is infertile? Hudgens finally answered Yes.
Lt. Gov Casey Cagel and the Sec. of the Senate denied Thompson's invocation of the rule - ignoring the rule - and put the new version of the bill on the Calendar for debate.
During the debate, Thompson gave an impassioned speech about the Lt. Gov.'s violation of the rules, saying that the majority party ran the risk of damaging our system of government by playing "fast and loose" with the rules, that the Senate was supposed to be "the deliberative house," and that the embryo/stem cell issue should take a year and a half of work, not be crammed through like it was being.
He, along with others, also took issue with Sen. Ralph T. Hudgens's (R - sponsor of the bill) comparison of embryonic stem cell research to the deadly and torturous experimentation on humans of the Nazi Dr. Mengele and the Tuskegee Experiment. Yes, he really made that comparison.
Sen. David Adelman (D), read the language in the bill that made the use of in vitro fertilization legal only in cases of infertility. Adelman said that this would take away in vitro fertilization away as an option in cases where both members of a couple are fertile but the woman has health problems that make carrying a baby or giving birth dangerous. Hudgens said that in that case the woman was infertile. After much back-and-forth, Adelman nailed Hudgens down on the point, asking, Are you saying that if a woman can get pregnant, but she has a heart condition that makes it dangerous for her to carry a baby, then she is infertile? Hudgens finally answered Yes.
Day 30 - Crossover Madness 3: A Bad Bill Fails, and the Arm-Twisting Begins
As we write, some Republican senators arms are being twisted in the backroom of the Senate. We're outside listening for that snapping sound that means, well, you know...
Just a bit ago, there was applause from all the folks glued to the monitor in the hallway, after SB 169 was tabled (meaning it wouldn't have a chance to pass this year.)
SB 169, by Sen. Hudgens, was rewritten in special a subcommittee by Senator Smith. Much of the original language was removed but the revised bill would ban cloning and stem cell research and would elevate the legal status of an embryo to that of a "person".
For couples who are challenged with fertility issues, it would throw up road blocks that interfere with their ability to build their families.
Elevating the legal status of embryos, to that of a “person,” could have random implications and broad, legal and medical ramifications.
And other language that would shut down stem cell research projects in Georgia.
The "debate" was hilarious. Sen. Hudgins (R) took question after question that he admitted to not being able to answer.
In response to many questions about the bill, his response was, "I'm not a scientist" [and thus can't answer the question.]
Sen. Seth Harp (D) asked, Wouldn't the bill, if passed, make anyone who destroys an embryo guilty of capital murder? Hudgins's response, after saying at least once that he wasn't a lawyer: "I'm not gonna argue the law with you."
Apparently he isn't much of anything.
In response to Sen. Nan Orrock's (D) question about the 71,000 Georgians that have in vitro babies that wouldn't have been able to be born under this law, Hudgins said, "We want that embryo declared an 'embryonic human being' - or whatever you wanna call it."
This bill was about three things: science, the law, and legal definitions of embryos. Yet Hudgins directly and indirectly said that he couldn't address any of those things.
Thankfully, the bill failed. And now, the arm-twisting has begun.
. . .
On the House side, they're still working their way through the bills on the calendar. And we're still waiting to see if they do a supplemental Rules meeting when they're done, meaning...will they meet to add more bills to the calendar. We're crossing our fingers that the relative calm of today's Crossover Day will not be shattered in the next couple of hours, and that everybody can go home at a reasonable time and without having to deal with any more crazy bills or backroom mauneuvers.
Just a bit ago, there was applause from all the folks glued to the monitor in the hallway, after SB 169 was tabled (meaning it wouldn't have a chance to pass this year.)
SB 169, by Sen. Hudgens, was rewritten in special a subcommittee by Senator Smith. Much of the original language was removed but the revised bill would ban cloning and stem cell research and would elevate the legal status of an embryo to that of a "person".
For couples who are challenged with fertility issues, it would throw up road blocks that interfere with their ability to build their families.
Elevating the legal status of embryos, to that of a “person,” could have random implications and broad, legal and medical ramifications.
And other language that would shut down stem cell research projects in Georgia.
The "debate" was hilarious. Sen. Hudgins (R) took question after question that he admitted to not being able to answer.
In response to many questions about the bill, his response was, "I'm not a scientist" [and thus can't answer the question.]
Sen. Seth Harp (D) asked, Wouldn't the bill, if passed, make anyone who destroys an embryo guilty of capital murder? Hudgins's response, after saying at least once that he wasn't a lawyer: "I'm not gonna argue the law with you."
Apparently he isn't much of anything.
In response to Sen. Nan Orrock's (D) question about the 71,000 Georgians that have in vitro babies that wouldn't have been able to be born under this law, Hudgins said, "We want that embryo declared an 'embryonic human being' - or whatever you wanna call it."
This bill was about three things: science, the law, and legal definitions of embryos. Yet Hudgins directly and indirectly said that he couldn't address any of those things.
Thankfully, the bill failed. And now, the arm-twisting has begun.
. . .
On the House side, they're still working their way through the bills on the calendar. And we're still waiting to see if they do a supplemental Rules meeting when they're done, meaning...will they meet to add more bills to the calendar. We're crossing our fingers that the relative calm of today's Crossover Day will not be shattered in the next couple of hours, and that everybody can go home at a reasonable time and without having to deal with any more crazy bills or backroom mauneuvers.
Day 30 - Crossover Madness 2: What's Austin Scott up to?
HB 225: This bill would require a person to be a Georgia resident in order to register voters in Georgia. That's right, it would be illegal for someone to come here as a volunteer to register voters. It's most likely a response to Obama's success using voter registration teams. The bill had been tabled in committee, giving us a brief sigh of relief. Then Monday we had heard it might be added as an amendment on the floor, and people were running all over to get the opposition together. The rumor that the bill would be resurrected was only half true. It turned out that the attempt to resurrect was not on the floor but in committee. Governmental Affairs Committee Chair, Rep. Austin Scott (R), briefly had HB 225 on his agenda, but when questioned about why the tabled bill was coming back up, he removed it from the agenda. That was Monday.
So what happened yesterday...when the legislature wasn't even in session? Chairman Scott (also an announced candidate for Governor) held a committee meeting and started talking about the bill. He did not follow procedure and post a notice about the meeting on the House notice board. The meeting was at 11:00; we happened to notice at 11:30 that it was posted on the small board outside his office.
In the committee, he didn't even discuss taking it back off the table. He just started talking about it again. Both Republican and Democratic Committee members were clearly not much interested in passing the bill. Scott just said we're going to pass this bill.
Things are hard enough to accomplish when the rules are stacked against you...but ignoring the rules makes things impossible. This is what gives politicians a bad name. And the public a cynical view of government.
Rep. Alisha Thomas-Morgan (D) filed a Minority Report, a procedure which will give her 20 minutes to speak on the floor about her and fellow committee members' objections to the bill. In addition, she challenged the rules violations that occurred when the bill was not voted off the table and when the meeting notice was not properly given.
We're curious to see if Rep. Scott wants that discussion to happen on the House floor.
Technically the bill does not qualify for the regular 30th day calendar, because even with the shenanigans, it came out of committee a day too late. But it could come up again if the House calls a supplemental Rules Committee meeting to add more bills to today's calendar to try to get it through by the end of the day. We expect at least one of these meetings later today on the House side. Stay tuned.
So what happened yesterday...when the legislature wasn't even in session? Chairman Scott (also an announced candidate for Governor) held a committee meeting and started talking about the bill. He did not follow procedure and post a notice about the meeting on the House notice board. The meeting was at 11:00; we happened to notice at 11:30 that it was posted on the small board outside his office.
In the committee, he didn't even discuss taking it back off the table. He just started talking about it again. Both Republican and Democratic Committee members were clearly not much interested in passing the bill. Scott just said we're going to pass this bill.
Things are hard enough to accomplish when the rules are stacked against you...but ignoring the rules makes things impossible. This is what gives politicians a bad name. And the public a cynical view of government.
Rep. Alisha Thomas-Morgan (D) filed a Minority Report, a procedure which will give her 20 minutes to speak on the floor about her and fellow committee members' objections to the bill. In addition, she challenged the rules violations that occurred when the bill was not voted off the table and when the meeting notice was not properly given.
We're curious to see if Rep. Scott wants that discussion to happen on the House floor.
Technically the bill does not qualify for the regular 30th day calendar, because even with the shenanigans, it came out of committee a day too late. But it could come up again if the House calls a supplemental Rules Committee meeting to add more bills to today's calendar to try to get it through by the end of the day. We expect at least one of these meetings later today on the House side. Stay tuned.
Day 30 - Crossover Madness 1
It's Crossover Day, the 30th day of the session, when a bill has to pass either the House or the Senate or it's dead.
Here's where we are:
HB 388 passed the House, 96-66. Clost vote: They needed 91 to pass. What does it do? Allows you to adopt human embryos. Yeah. Very useful. Good use of taxpayer money. But Obama just lifted the ban on federal funding for stem cell research, right? Right. But with this bill, NONE of that money can come to Georgia. Apparently, some of our legislators would rather save zygotes than save human lives with stem cell research. "Pro-life"? Really?
SB 228 passed the Senate, 49-3. It's a terrible bill, which exempts "ephemeral" and "intermittent" streams from the statewide 25-foot stream buffer. The buffer exists to prevent construction within 25 feet of all waterways, in large part to protect our waterways from construction runoff. This bill exempts all ephemeral and intermittent streams, streams which only appear when it rains, from the buffer. The problem: When it rains, these streams appear, and whatever runs into them runs right into our water supply.
COBRA Extension: Read the post from yesterday for the details on what SB 182 would have done. It's a no-brainer. All it will do is help Georgians keep health insurance while they're unemployed, and it will cost taxpayers nothing. So it's hard to figure out why it wasn't put on the calendar today. But it wasn't. We're looking at other ways to get the extension passed, and we're hoping our legislators will do the right thing. Read the post from yesterday and stay tuned.
Here's where we are:
HB 388 passed the House, 96-66. Clost vote: They needed 91 to pass. What does it do? Allows you to adopt human embryos. Yeah. Very useful. Good use of taxpayer money. But Obama just lifted the ban on federal funding for stem cell research, right? Right. But with this bill, NONE of that money can come to Georgia. Apparently, some of our legislators would rather save zygotes than save human lives with stem cell research. "Pro-life"? Really?
SB 228 passed the Senate, 49-3. It's a terrible bill, which exempts "ephemeral" and "intermittent" streams from the statewide 25-foot stream buffer. The buffer exists to prevent construction within 25 feet of all waterways, in large part to protect our waterways from construction runoff. This bill exempts all ephemeral and intermittent streams, streams which only appear when it rains, from the buffer. The problem: When it rains, these streams appear, and whatever runs into them runs right into our water supply.
COBRA Extension: Read the post from yesterday for the details on what SB 182 would have done. It's a no-brainer. All it will do is help Georgians keep health insurance while they're unemployed, and it will cost taxpayers nothing. So it's hard to figure out why it wasn't put on the calendar today. But it wasn't. We're looking at other ways to get the extension passed, and we're hoping our legislators will do the right thing. Read the post from yesterday and stay tuned.
Wednesday, March 11, 2009
COBRA before Crossover (Call Today)
In addition to the bills to take action on listed in the "Sleep with the Lights On" post from Monday, we've got a proactive bill that needs support
SB 182 would go a long way towards helping all the folks who are or will soon be out of work. Here's how:
When you lose your job and with it the health insurance provided by your employer, the COBRA program allows you to pay a premium for health insurance until you find another job. Right now in Georgia, however, there is a 3 month cap on COBRA coverage.
The good news is that the Federal Stimulus Package provides for 9 months of COBRA subsidized by the federal goverment at 65% (meaning the federal government will pay 65% of your COBRA premium for 9 months). But with the 3-month cap in Georgia, Georgians who are unemployed are still out of luck.
So SB 182 has been forth to remedy the problem. SB 182 calls for increasing the Georgia cap on COBRA coverage to 18 months. That would allow Georgians to accept the 9 months of subsidized COBRA coverage. And unlike so much legislation, it includes the foresight that the federal government may renew the subsidies at the end of 9 months and add on another 9 months. This is a bill that just makes so much sense in these desperate times of increasing unemployment.
What you can do:
1. Of course let your own representatives and senators know you support this bill, but more importantly:
2. Call Senator Don Balfour at 404.656.0095 and tell him that you support the bill and ask him to please put the bill on the Senate Calendar. Balfour is the chair of the Senate Rules Committee, which decides which bills get put on the calendar to even get a chance of being passed. Since all bills have to be out of committee by tomorrow ("Crossover Day" - the 30th day of the session, when a bill has to get passed out of committee or it dies), your call is needed TODAY to tell him that you support SB 182 and you want it heard.
SB 182 would go a long way towards helping all the folks who are or will soon be out of work. Here's how:
When you lose your job and with it the health insurance provided by your employer, the COBRA program allows you to pay a premium for health insurance until you find another job. Right now in Georgia, however, there is a 3 month cap on COBRA coverage.
The good news is that the Federal Stimulus Package provides for 9 months of COBRA subsidized by the federal goverment at 65% (meaning the federal government will pay 65% of your COBRA premium for 9 months). But with the 3-month cap in Georgia, Georgians who are unemployed are still out of luck.
So SB 182 has been forth to remedy the problem. SB 182 calls for increasing the Georgia cap on COBRA coverage to 18 months. That would allow Georgians to accept the 9 months of subsidized COBRA coverage. And unlike so much legislation, it includes the foresight that the federal government may renew the subsidies at the end of 9 months and add on another 9 months. This is a bill that just makes so much sense in these desperate times of increasing unemployment.
What you can do:
1. Of course let your own representatives and senators know you support this bill, but more importantly:
2. Call Senator Don Balfour at 404.656.0095 and tell him that you support the bill and ask him to please put the bill on the Senate Calendar. Balfour is the chair of the Senate Rules Committee, which decides which bills get put on the calendar to even get a chance of being passed. Since all bills have to be out of committee by tomorrow ("Crossover Day" - the 30th day of the session, when a bill has to get passed out of committee or it dies), your call is needed TODAY to tell him that you support SB 182 and you want it heard.
Tuesday, March 10, 2009
More from yesterday
Quick Hits:
Who got hit? Super speeders. The House passed a bill that would levy an additional fine and the dollars will partially go toward funding trauma care.
Who got hit? Clean water advocates. The Senate passed a bill (SB 155)that strips protection from streams carrying rainwater. Construction buffers intended to reduce pollutin were weakened.
Who got hit? Voters. A bill that had been tabled and thought dead, HB 225, was temporarily revived in committee then pulled from debate. The bill proposes to make it illegal for a person who is not a resident of Georgia to do voter registration campaigns in the state. Hopefully, the bill will go away permanently this time.
Who got hit? Anyone who eats. Last week two bills moved out of committee that were legislators idea of addressing the economic crisis. One would repeal corporate income taxes. The other was to balance the loss of revenue by adding back the grocery tax. The tax repeal author yesterday announced he would hold up the bill because it needed "study". Ya think? Couldn't they have come to this conclusion before committee passage? But the tax on groceries bill moves forward and is eligible for a floor vote any day now.
Not a hit, but a home run? For voters!!! In a surprise move, after all the other voter suppression proposals this year, SB 11 was passed by committee. This bill requires that all those who lost their right to vote after a felony conviction, are to be given a certicicate of voter restoration at the time they complete their sentence requirements. This is necessary because the Georgia Constitution allows restoration but many ex-offenders were being told and have been told, that they could never vote again. We feel safe in saying this was intentional misrepresentation of the law, again to suppress voting. So it's good news that this bill attempts to correct that injustice. We want ex-offenders to feel like they can get back into the game of life and should be encouraged to be involved in their community. It remains to bee seen, however, whether the bill will ever be scheduled for a floor vote.
Who got hit? Super speeders. The House passed a bill that would levy an additional fine and the dollars will partially go toward funding trauma care.
Who got hit? Clean water advocates. The Senate passed a bill (SB 155)that strips protection from streams carrying rainwater. Construction buffers intended to reduce pollutin were weakened.
Who got hit? Voters. A bill that had been tabled and thought dead, HB 225, was temporarily revived in committee then pulled from debate. The bill proposes to make it illegal for a person who is not a resident of Georgia to do voter registration campaigns in the state. Hopefully, the bill will go away permanently this time.
Who got hit? Anyone who eats. Last week two bills moved out of committee that were legislators idea of addressing the economic crisis. One would repeal corporate income taxes. The other was to balance the loss of revenue by adding back the grocery tax. The tax repeal author yesterday announced he would hold up the bill because it needed "study". Ya think? Couldn't they have come to this conclusion before committee passage? But the tax on groceries bill moves forward and is eligible for a floor vote any day now.
Not a hit, but a home run? For voters!!! In a surprise move, after all the other voter suppression proposals this year, SB 11 was passed by committee. This bill requires that all those who lost their right to vote after a felony conviction, are to be given a certicicate of voter restoration at the time they complete their sentence requirements. This is necessary because the Georgia Constitution allows restoration but many ex-offenders were being told and have been told, that they could never vote again. We feel safe in saying this was intentional misrepresentation of the law, again to suppress voting. So it's good news that this bill attempts to correct that injustice. We want ex-offenders to feel like they can get back into the game of life and should be encouraged to be involved in their community. It remains to bee seen, however, whether the bill will ever be scheduled for a floor vote.
Will the tree of knowledge be allowed to grow in Georgia?
The branches
Yikes...abortion doctors charged with murder, fertilization defined as the moment of conception, allowing adoption of human embryos, stem cell research restrictions...where do legislators think they are going with all of this? Into the 19th century no doubt.
The roots
Despite all scientific evidence and advancements it's a struggle to get legislators to give up their perception they must represent their religions when adopting laws. And not just on this issue.
Yesterdays hearing on a stem cell research bill proved that pandering to the threats of fundamentalist-right Christian voters is all that matters to some. It's fine to have deeply held religious beliefs, but don't make laws that make everyone else have to follow your religion, by law. The fundamentalist-right is neither fun, nor mental, nor right.
The trunk...Baggage we'll have to carry.
On the very day the restrictions on stem cell research were lifted nationally, the bill seeking imposition of restrictions was passed out of committee. Let's hope SB 169 goes no further. Despite testimony that life-saving stem cell research resrtictions would hurt Georgia (and close down at least 4 Georegia university programs) the committee voted 7-6 for the bill. Are we supposed to be encouraged that the vote was close?
Yikes...abortion doctors charged with murder, fertilization defined as the moment of conception, allowing adoption of human embryos, stem cell research restrictions...where do legislators think they are going with all of this? Into the 19th century no doubt.
The roots
Despite all scientific evidence and advancements it's a struggle to get legislators to give up their perception they must represent their religions when adopting laws. And not just on this issue.
Yesterdays hearing on a stem cell research bill proved that pandering to the threats of fundamentalist-right Christian voters is all that matters to some. It's fine to have deeply held religious beliefs, but don't make laws that make everyone else have to follow your religion, by law. The fundamentalist-right is neither fun, nor mental, nor right.
The trunk...Baggage we'll have to carry.
On the very day the restrictions on stem cell research were lifted nationally, the bill seeking imposition of restrictions was passed out of committee. Let's hope SB 169 goes no further. Despite testimony that life-saving stem cell research resrtictions would hurt Georgia (and close down at least 4 Georegia university programs) the committee voted 7-6 for the bill. Are we supposed to be encouraged that the vote was close?
Monday, March 9, 2009
Sleep With Your Lights On
Be alert this week, several big issues are expected to hit the floor for a vote.
Some battles anticipated and what you can do:
Vouchers, SB 90 - the scheme to undermine public schools, more at www.gae.org and www.lwvga.org
Stem Cell research Restrictions, SB 169 - Adoption of Human Embryos, SB 204 (and other similar far-out stuff) - so visit www.ppga.org
Save the Georgia Commission on Family Violence, HB 385 - more at www.gcfv.org
Medicaid and Peachcare changes that promote reduced benefits in private plans, SB 92 - find your State Senator at www.vote-smart.org and call to oppose
Want Clean Water? Then you won't like SB 155 - see alert from Georgia Conservation Voters at http://protectgeorgia.net/takeaction.asp?aaid=3772
Voting Rights and Restoration of Voting Rights, various bills so get update from League of Women Voters Georgia www.lwvga.org
Some battles anticipated and what you can do:
Vouchers, SB 90 - the scheme to undermine public schools, more at www.gae.org and www.lwvga.org
Stem Cell research Restrictions, SB 169 - Adoption of Human Embryos, SB 204 (and other similar far-out stuff) - so visit www.ppga.org
Save the Georgia Commission on Family Violence, HB 385 - more at www.gcfv.org
Medicaid and Peachcare changes that promote reduced benefits in private plans, SB 92 - find your State Senator at www.vote-smart.org and call to oppose
Want Clean Water? Then you won't like SB 155 - see alert from Georgia Conservation Voters at http://protectgeorgia.net/takeaction.asp?aaid=3772
Voting Rights and Restoration of Voting Rights, various bills so get update from League of Women Voters Georgia www.lwvga.org
What is Crossover Day? - If You Were Joan of Arc, you'd rather see a match
Crossover is the 30th day of the 40 day General Assembly session. By legislative rules, it is the last day that a bill must be passed by it's originating chamber to be eligible to continue to be "alive". So it is a mad scramble to load up the calendar of the 30th day with bills to get a final chance toward becoming law. Well, "final" is actually a relative term in the Gold Dome. Because bills can be amended, that is the manuever that can be used to by-pass the Crossover rule. Legislators and/or leadership can take a bill that failed to make the cut-off and just attach it to a bill that did. This is difficult to track and often happens at the last minute. Imagine the possibilities: a bill you thought had died is attached to another bill and all the sudden there is a new bill number to follow, amendments can happen on the floor and legislators are somewhat blindsided, those favoring or oppossing the contents of the amendment have to get word into the chamber for a last minute battle...well, you get the picture.
But what makes it to the floor by the 30th day is generally an indication of leaderships priorities. So many of the contoversial bills that don't make the cut are truly seen as not moving this year. Since General Assembly is in the first of a two year cycle, the bills can be reactivated next January.
And that's how it is.
But what makes it to the floor by the 30th day is generally an indication of leaderships priorities. So many of the contoversial bills that don't make the cut are truly seen as not moving this year. Since General Assembly is in the first of a two year cycle, the bills can be reactivated next January.
And that's how it is.
Sunday, March 8, 2009
Budgets Passed But Not Behind Us
Both Chambers passed their versions of the 2009 Amended Budget, which goes through June. The Supplemental Budget, they call it. Email smithlowe@earthlink.net to get a summary, in plain language, of where there are differences between the House and Senate versions. What happens next is a Conference of three House and three Senate members get together to hash out compromises. You can also get info on the budget at http://www.gbpi.org/ The BIG budget, for FY 2010, is still being worked on. It could go a couple of more weeks before floor votes...and there will certainly be a conference committee needed after that.
Speaking of the budget, we are all still perplexed by the lack of serious movement of the revenue enhancing bills. So what did move last week? Corporate tax cuts. You guessed it. Rep. Tom Graves (R-Ranger, District 12) got HB 481 passed out of committee. It would phase out corporate income taxes. That's a huge hit for revenues at any time, but intolerable during the current economic crisis. So, what could possibly replace the revenue loss? This you probably would not have guessed...bring back the grocery tax!!!! Yes, Rep. Chuck Sims (R-Ambrose, District 169) has had the grocery tax HB 67 passed out of the same committee.
When we hear politicians talk about "safe districts", I guess they think of District 12 & 169. Think the folks back home are paying attention?
Speaking of the budget, we are all still perplexed by the lack of serious movement of the revenue enhancing bills. So what did move last week? Corporate tax cuts. You guessed it. Rep. Tom Graves (R-Ranger, District 12) got HB 481 passed out of committee. It would phase out corporate income taxes. That's a huge hit for revenues at any time, but intolerable during the current economic crisis. So, what could possibly replace the revenue loss? This you probably would not have guessed...bring back the grocery tax!!!! Yes, Rep. Chuck Sims (R-Ambrose, District 169) has had the grocery tax HB 67 passed out of the same committee.
When we hear politicians talk about "safe districts", I guess they think of District 12 & 169. Think the folks back home are paying attention?
Even Cagle Had the Blues
Last week there was excitement when Democrats in both chambers waged spirited opposition to a pair of voter registration bills. As you know from previous blog entries, the bills seek to require birth certificates, passports et al as proof of citizenship when a person registers to vote. A continuing assault on the right to vote for those most affected by adding more barriers...African Americans, older citizens, naturalized citizens, college students. Imagine conducting a voter registration drive and having all registrars needing to carry a copy machine. Wouldn't balance very well on the traditional clipboard.
Anyway, all that debate rhetoric was overshadowed by the squable over a bill by Sen. Eric Johnson that would have allowed the State Revenue Dept. to release the names of Legislators who had disputes with them. Currently the law says the dispute charges are not made public until there is legal action by the Revenue Deptartment. So, no matter what we might think about those who are investigated...or why...legislators would be treated differently than other citizens and essentially be guilty until proven innocent. Tough territory to be in if you are an elected official.
Senate Minority Leader Robert Brown argued that even he was the subject of malicious prior judgement on this kind of issue, since he filed an extension on his tax filing due to a lengthy illness. But in a stunning one-upsmanship screed, Brown expounded on the intentions of Johnson to embarass what he thought might be Democrat scuffows. Although Johnson never anwered to the charge of being a "blood-sucker", he did recoil when the overhead projector behind Brown displayed a photo of Johnson wrapping himself in the old Georgia Confederate flag. Jaws dropped, mouths hung open and we were all sure that the Senate was going the way of Rome, Greece and big time vaudeville.
Perhaps it was an attempt to diffuse the intense levels of feelings, but Lt. Gov. Cagle commented that the bill never should have gotten to the floor. He didn't take the position of the Dems ("Blues"...get it?) but he did recognize that there are some battles that shouldn't be played out on the Senate floor. Exhausting just thinking about it.
Anyway, all that debate rhetoric was overshadowed by the squable over a bill by Sen. Eric Johnson that would have allowed the State Revenue Dept. to release the names of Legislators who had disputes with them. Currently the law says the dispute charges are not made public until there is legal action by the Revenue Deptartment. So, no matter what we might think about those who are investigated...or why...legislators would be treated differently than other citizens and essentially be guilty until proven innocent. Tough territory to be in if you are an elected official.
Senate Minority Leader Robert Brown argued that even he was the subject of malicious prior judgement on this kind of issue, since he filed an extension on his tax filing due to a lengthy illness. But in a stunning one-upsmanship screed, Brown expounded on the intentions of Johnson to embarass what he thought might be Democrat scuffows. Although Johnson never anwered to the charge of being a "blood-sucker", he did recoil when the overhead projector behind Brown displayed a photo of Johnson wrapping himself in the old Georgia Confederate flag. Jaws dropped, mouths hung open and we were all sure that the Senate was going the way of Rome, Greece and big time vaudeville.
Perhaps it was an attempt to diffuse the intense levels of feelings, but Lt. Gov. Cagle commented that the bill never should have gotten to the floor. He didn't take the position of the Dems ("Blues"...get it?) but he did recognize that there are some battles that shouldn't be played out on the Senate floor. Exhausting just thinking about it.
Thursday, March 5, 2009
New Schedule for End of Session
After rumblings for more than a week, it turns out to be true...General Assembly will now adjourn April 3rd. Leadership feels they now have a good enough idea of how much and how to use the federal Recovery Act funds coming to Georgia. It was just two days ago that the Governor gave a clear signal that he was going to apply for all the avaiable funds. For way too long, he was hinting that he'd follow some of the other Republican Governors and take a "conservative stand" to not accept "strings" that come with federal dollars.
So, now they think they can come up with a bidget and be out of here April 3 instead of having to break and come back in June.
In addition, it was announced that the 40th day would NOT have a Rules Calendar and would only deal with Agrees and Disagrees...which are bills that have to be reconciled after House and Senate pass diffferent versions of the same bill. In the past there was a huge amount of criticism when these bills came out of Conference Committee (Reconciled) and were slipped in between other bills on the calendar for agree or disagree votes. This process was extra chaotic because legislators were forced to vote on bills that were changed and they did not even know how they were changed .
Most folks in the halls were pretty happy that folks would not have to return in June.
So, now they think they can come up with a bidget and be out of here April 3 instead of having to break and come back in June.
In addition, it was announced that the 40th day would NOT have a Rules Calendar and would only deal with Agrees and Disagrees...which are bills that have to be reconciled after House and Senate pass diffferent versions of the same bill. In the past there was a huge amount of criticism when these bills came out of Conference Committee (Reconciled) and were slipped in between other bills on the calendar for agree or disagree votes. This process was extra chaotic because legislators were forced to vote on bills that were changed and they did not even know how they were changed .
Most folks in the halls were pretty happy that folks would not have to return in June.
Wednesday, March 4, 2009
Day 26 - "The United States of this country"
That's how Rep. Mills managed to refer to our nation when speaking in support of his HB 45. Ironic that the point of the bill is to require proof of citizenship to register to vote. Shouldn't you have to know the name of the country too?
As we write this, debate has begun on HB 45, yet another voter disenfranchisement bill. For the reasons it's such a bad idea, go here:
http://www.lwvga.org/documents/proofofcitizenship2AA7EC_000.pdf
The Gold Dome was swarming with folks this morning. By the People Day/Women in the Halls (co-sponsored every Wednesday by the ACLU, Planned Parenthood, Feminist Women's Health Center, and GRUS), had two special foci today: Immigrants' Rights and Raising the GA Minimum Wage. So many people came to advocate that we had to split into two different rooms.
The group headed from the LOB over to the Capitol, we had a lot to work on. We lobbied hard against HB 45, sending information in to legislators and calling them out from the floor to talk to them about why it's such a bad bill.
One member, who started out telling us he wanted to prevent voter fraud, but who seemed to come around to the reality that voter fraud is not an issue that we have any reason to be worried about, and that this bill would in fact threaten citizens' right to vote, finally just said, "What am I supposed to tell my constituents in North Georgia? They won't understand me voting against it."
Well, it just so happened that a few of his constituents, who had come down to the Capitol for other issues, happened to be standing behind us, overheard us, and then said that they in fact did want him to vote against it. They called him back out from the floor to talk to him about it. No word, unfortunately, on how that went.
Speaking of all these voter ID-voter registration-picture ID-birth certificate bills, if they ever get around to passing one of the several bills giving rights to embryos (or zygotes at this point), does the mother get the embryo's vote? (Yes, bills have been introduced allowing you to adopt embryos. Yea! I'm already picking out names for mine!)
So here we are almost at the end of the session, and as bad as the budget is, they still haven't moved any revenue bills. What's up with that?
At the same time, Ways and Means has a dozen tax credit bills for corporations that they're considering. When have you ever benefited from corporate tax breaks?
*** And we're abruptly brought back to more ridiculousness: HB 45 has now passed. A partisan vote with only one Republican voting No. So get ready to find your birth certificate when you want to register to vote. Don't have it? Just get your passport. Too poor to think about traveling overseas? They don't care.
And that legislator who said he had to listen to his constituents' wishes, and whose constituents told him they wanted him to vote against it? He voted for it. Republican leadership called for a block vote and only one had the courage to bolt, but not this guy who actually had consituent input.
Meanwhile, the Senate ended up passing another terrible anti-immigrant bill this morning. SB 136 is intended to speed up the deportation process for those undocumented who are incarcerated. It would allow Pardons and Paroles to half the sentence when the inmate agreed to voluntarily waive legal rights and representation. And then be immediately deported without possibility of return. The bill also takes the decision issue final deportation orders away from an immigration judge and delegates that part to the prison system folks. So, no matter what you think of the immigrantion issue, it is not a good idea to entice people to give up their rights...and an even worse idea to take away the role of judges to determine what the law actually allows.
So let's recap, shall we?
What our legislators are spending time on:
- Taking away and/or erecting barriers for the right to vote.
- Allowing us to adopt embryos.
- Giving tax breaks to corporations.
What our legislators are not spending time on:
- Budget shortfalls.
- Jobs.
- Education.
- Health Care.
- Things on top of the list of what you actually need.
Remember that you can always look up legislation and find out who your legislators are and how they voted on legislation, on the General Assembly's website: http://www.legis.ga.gov/
And you can come down here and talk to your legislators whenever you want.
Speaking of which, Polly McKinney of the League of Women Voters had about 25 third graders down here with her this morning. We suspect they were a bit disappointed when they left.
As we write this, debate has begun on HB 45, yet another voter disenfranchisement bill. For the reasons it's such a bad idea, go here:
http://www.lwvga.org/documents/proofofcitizenship2AA7EC_000.pdf
The Gold Dome was swarming with folks this morning. By the People Day/Women in the Halls (co-sponsored every Wednesday by the ACLU, Planned Parenthood, Feminist Women's Health Center, and GRUS), had two special foci today: Immigrants' Rights and Raising the GA Minimum Wage. So many people came to advocate that we had to split into two different rooms.
The group headed from the LOB over to the Capitol, we had a lot to work on. We lobbied hard against HB 45, sending information in to legislators and calling them out from the floor to talk to them about why it's such a bad bill.
One member, who started out telling us he wanted to prevent voter fraud, but who seemed to come around to the reality that voter fraud is not an issue that we have any reason to be worried about, and that this bill would in fact threaten citizens' right to vote, finally just said, "What am I supposed to tell my constituents in North Georgia? They won't understand me voting against it."
Well, it just so happened that a few of his constituents, who had come down to the Capitol for other issues, happened to be standing behind us, overheard us, and then said that they in fact did want him to vote against it. They called him back out from the floor to talk to him about it. No word, unfortunately, on how that went.
Speaking of all these voter ID-voter registration-picture ID-birth certificate bills, if they ever get around to passing one of the several bills giving rights to embryos (or zygotes at this point), does the mother get the embryo's vote? (Yes, bills have been introduced allowing you to adopt embryos. Yea! I'm already picking out names for mine!)
So here we are almost at the end of the session, and as bad as the budget is, they still haven't moved any revenue bills. What's up with that?
At the same time, Ways and Means has a dozen tax credit bills for corporations that they're considering. When have you ever benefited from corporate tax breaks?
*** And we're abruptly brought back to more ridiculousness: HB 45 has now passed. A partisan vote with only one Republican voting No. So get ready to find your birth certificate when you want to register to vote. Don't have it? Just get your passport. Too poor to think about traveling overseas? They don't care.
And that legislator who said he had to listen to his constituents' wishes, and whose constituents told him they wanted him to vote against it? He voted for it. Republican leadership called for a block vote and only one had the courage to bolt, but not this guy who actually had consituent input.
Meanwhile, the Senate ended up passing another terrible anti-immigrant bill this morning. SB 136 is intended to speed up the deportation process for those undocumented who are incarcerated. It would allow Pardons and Paroles to half the sentence when the inmate agreed to voluntarily waive legal rights and representation. And then be immediately deported without possibility of return. The bill also takes the decision issue final deportation orders away from an immigration judge and delegates that part to the prison system folks. So, no matter what you think of the immigrantion issue, it is not a good idea to entice people to give up their rights...and an even worse idea to take away the role of judges to determine what the law actually allows.
So let's recap, shall we?
What our legislators are spending time on:
- Taking away and/or erecting barriers for the right to vote.
- Allowing us to adopt embryos.
- Giving tax breaks to corporations.
What our legislators are not spending time on:
- Budget shortfalls.
- Jobs.
- Education.
- Health Care.
- Things on top of the list of what you actually need.
Remember that you can always look up legislation and find out who your legislators are and how they voted on legislation, on the General Assembly's website: http://www.legis.ga.gov/
And you can come down here and talk to your legislators whenever you want.
Speaking of which, Polly McKinney of the League of Women Voters had about 25 third graders down here with her this morning. We suspect they were a bit disappointed when they left.
Day 25 - Deja Vu all over again
It was another marathon debate in the Senate March 3 when Democrats offered spirited and near unanimous opposition to a bill by the author of the 2005 Voter ID bill. This time it was a bill that would require proof of citizenship at time of registration. SB 86 is said by sponsor Cecil Staton (R-Macon) to "just prevent fraud" and voting by illegal aliens. But in close to three hours of debate, no one spoke in favor of the bill except Staton. Same old claims that the "potential" for "illegals" voting outweighed the disenfranchishment of those who cannot produce or cannot afford to track down the paperwork necessary to satify the voter registration requirements. Nevermind that no examples of anyone voting illegally exists. Nevermind that no non-citizen, who might be undocumented, is likely to rush down to register to vote and thus turn themselves in for deportation. Nevermind that African Americans, the elderly, the disabled and those born at home will have a heck of a time producing papers the state would require. Putting up barriers that actually discourage voting is not preventing fraud, it's voter suppression. Republican Senators silently sat through the impassioned reasoning and still voted as a block to prevent a "problem" for which no actual case exists. More about this later, the House is expect to vote on it's version of this same scheme (HB 45) later today.
Thursday, February 26, 2009
Day 23 - Minority Report
The House debated SB 31 for about 3 1/2 hours today. This is the bill we've reported on several times already, which would do an end run around the Public Service Commission (PSC) and allow Georgia Power to charge us, its individual customers, in advance, for the planned construction of a nuclear plant.
How ever one feels about nuclear power, this bill was terrible for consumers.
The main argument of those who supported the bill was that it would save consumers a huge rate hike in the future by allowing Georgia Power to charge us a little bit at a time so that we wouldn't have to pay interest on interest later. This was nonsense.
Rather than demonstrating that with bits of the back-and-forth debate, we'll instead give you the Minority Report.
It's rarely used, but if something about to pass is egregious enough, a legislator can call for a Minority Report. This allows, at the end of debate, for an important group to speak. Those members of the committee that sent the bill on to the full Senate who voted against the bill when it was in that committee - in other words those who were on the losing side when the bill was voted out of committee - are allowed 20 minutes to speak about why they opposed the bill, and their report is printed up and given to all Senators.
Democrats Brian Thomas and Dubose Porter gave the Minority Report.
Thomas dismantled the arguments of the bill's supporters with the skill and precision of the archaeologist that he is. (Yes, he really is an archaeologist - pretty cool.)
First, he crushed the argument that this plan will save consumers money. Of the money that we would have added to our Georgia Power bills in fees that's supposedly going to prevent us from paying interest on interest:
Only 25% - $500 million - is going towards that goal of paying as we go so that we don't pay interest on interest later on.
50% - $1.1 million - is going straight to Georgia Power as profit. (They call it "return on equity".)
25% - $500 million - would go to paying taxes on that profit.
So, rather than saving us money, 75% of the extra fees we're charged will go towards Georgia Power making bigger profits.
Second, he said that this was not a referendum on nuclear power. The PSC will decide on construction of nuclear plants March 17 at its next meeting.
Third, he pointed out that it's not a referendum on jobs in Augusta. Those jobs will arrive if and when a nuclear plant is built there, which has nothing to do with this bill.
This bill was only about how Georgia Power gets its money.
Dubose Porter informed younger members that when a scheme like this passed through the Georgia Legislature many years ago, it became known as the "Retirement Bill," because so many members lost their seats for voting for it.
Of course, this valiant effort didn't take the day.
The converts to the church of Georgia Power ignored the many unanswered questions, and didn't seem to think it mattered if we had to fight to get them answered later. Apparently their votes were lined up in advance.
The bill passed 107-66, with about 20 Republicans voting against it and about 20 Democrats voting for it.
With so many people and groups opposing it, it's a tough loss to take, because legislators admitted that they had gotten very few to zero calls in favor from constituents. That's not the way things are supposed to work.
How ever one feels about nuclear power, this bill was terrible for consumers.
The main argument of those who supported the bill was that it would save consumers a huge rate hike in the future by allowing Georgia Power to charge us a little bit at a time so that we wouldn't have to pay interest on interest later. This was nonsense.
Rather than demonstrating that with bits of the back-and-forth debate, we'll instead give you the Minority Report.
It's rarely used, but if something about to pass is egregious enough, a legislator can call for a Minority Report. This allows, at the end of debate, for an important group to speak. Those members of the committee that sent the bill on to the full Senate who voted against the bill when it was in that committee - in other words those who were on the losing side when the bill was voted out of committee - are allowed 20 minutes to speak about why they opposed the bill, and their report is printed up and given to all Senators.
Democrats Brian Thomas and Dubose Porter gave the Minority Report.
Thomas dismantled the arguments of the bill's supporters with the skill and precision of the archaeologist that he is. (Yes, he really is an archaeologist - pretty cool.)
First, he crushed the argument that this plan will save consumers money. Of the money that we would have added to our Georgia Power bills in fees that's supposedly going to prevent us from paying interest on interest:
Only 25% - $500 million - is going towards that goal of paying as we go so that we don't pay interest on interest later on.
50% - $1.1 million - is going straight to Georgia Power as profit. (They call it "return on equity".)
25% - $500 million - would go to paying taxes on that profit.
So, rather than saving us money, 75% of the extra fees we're charged will go towards Georgia Power making bigger profits.
Second, he said that this was not a referendum on nuclear power. The PSC will decide on construction of nuclear plants March 17 at its next meeting.
Third, he pointed out that it's not a referendum on jobs in Augusta. Those jobs will arrive if and when a nuclear plant is built there, which has nothing to do with this bill.
This bill was only about how Georgia Power gets its money.
Dubose Porter informed younger members that when a scheme like this passed through the Georgia Legislature many years ago, it became known as the "Retirement Bill," because so many members lost their seats for voting for it.
Of course, this valiant effort didn't take the day.
The converts to the church of Georgia Power ignored the many unanswered questions, and didn't seem to think it mattered if we had to fight to get them answered later. Apparently their votes were lined up in advance.
The bill passed 107-66, with about 20 Republicans voting against it and about 20 Democrats voting for it.
With so many people and groups opposing it, it's a tough loss to take, because legislators admitted that they had gotten very few to zero calls in favor from constituents. That's not the way things are supposed to work.
Wednesday, February 25, 2009
Our Town Hall
Check out video of the GRUS Town Hall on Health Care and the Economy, which we held last Thursday at the Academy Theatre in Avondale Estates.
Representative Michelle Henson, Tim Sweeney of Georgia Budget and Policy Institute (www.gbpi.org), Kathy McClure of VoteHealthcare.org (www.votehealthcare.org) and our own Health Care for America Now! (www.HealthCareforAmericaNow.org) director, Charity Woods presented, followed by Q & A with great questions and comments from the attendees.
This clip is from the Q & A. Some vid of the presentations is on our YouTube page.
Representative Michelle Henson, Tim Sweeney of Georgia Budget and Policy Institute (www.gbpi.org), Kathy McClure of VoteHealthcare.org (www.votehealthcare.org) and our own Health Care for America Now! (www.HealthCareforAmericaNow.org) director, Charity Woods presented, followed by Q & A with great questions and comments from the attendees.
This clip is from the Q & A. Some vid of the presentations is on our YouTube page.
Tuesday, February 24, 2009
Day 21 - Just Plain Mean
The Anti-Immigrant Zealots are at it again. Not quite as bad as last year, but still really bad. One sane Senator said today that loss of state funds, when cities declare themselves "Sanctuary Cities", as bad as it is, was "mild for these anti-people, and sometimes you have to throw them a bone." How sad when laws get made this way.
The bill was SB 20, and it did pass out of the Senate today by a wide margin. The problem is, as Sen. Emanuel Jones said from the well, "It's a bill in search of a problem."
SB 20 would make it illegal for any Georgia locality to be a "Sanctuary City." But no city in Georgia has said it had any intention of being a Sanctuary City. What's a Sanctuary City? Exactly. . . . You haven't heard of it before because it's not an issue.
And there's the rub... In committee last week, the bill's author said that he really did want it to apply to cities that "acted like" Sanctuary Cities. So it would be a technical violation...no city declaration but still liable if someone thinks you act like you declared.
The bill doesn't say how one would identify that a city is acting like that, or how the state could enforce such a law. Or even who could report violations. So what the Senate has now passed is a bill that opens up a Pandora's Box where any anti-immigrant vigilante with a gripe can go after any locality he or she wants and report it for violating some standards that don't exist.
It's just another mean-spirited bill aimed at showing how hostile Georgia is to immigrants. Sen. Nan Orrock raised, from the floor, the concern that a bill like this would discourage foreign companies from coming to Georgia. We share that concern. But for some of our legislators, it's more important to look tough by demonizing whole sectors of the population than it is to look out for the real interests of hard-working Georgians -- like, say, jobs.
Which is why yesterday another anti-immigrant bill passed out of committee.
HB 45 would require proof of citizenship to register to vote. Has the state, or the bill's sponsors, or anyone, demonstrated a single instance of a non-citizen attempting to register to vote or to vote? No. Not a single one. And as Rep. Pedro Marin has said, no undocumented immigrant in her or his right mind would risk deportation by attempting to register. So this is another bill in search of a problem. Undocumented immigrants are not trying to vote.
While the bill won't address any problem, it will hurt elderly people, especially African-Americans, who don't have access to a birth certificate because they were born in another state or weren't born in a hospital. So, while there is not supposed to be any cost or poll tax for voting, you might have people who have to pay for document searches and perhaps even have to get a lawyer...just to straighten out their legitimate eligibility to vote. Put up enough barriers and people lose interest. Is that what's intended? You betcha!
The bill was SB 20, and it did pass out of the Senate today by a wide margin. The problem is, as Sen. Emanuel Jones said from the well, "It's a bill in search of a problem."
SB 20 would make it illegal for any Georgia locality to be a "Sanctuary City." But no city in Georgia has said it had any intention of being a Sanctuary City. What's a Sanctuary City? Exactly. . . . You haven't heard of it before because it's not an issue.
And there's the rub... In committee last week, the bill's author said that he really did want it to apply to cities that "acted like" Sanctuary Cities. So it would be a technical violation...no city declaration but still liable if someone thinks you act like you declared.
The bill doesn't say how one would identify that a city is acting like that, or how the state could enforce such a law. Or even who could report violations. So what the Senate has now passed is a bill that opens up a Pandora's Box where any anti-immigrant vigilante with a gripe can go after any locality he or she wants and report it for violating some standards that don't exist.
It's just another mean-spirited bill aimed at showing how hostile Georgia is to immigrants. Sen. Nan Orrock raised, from the floor, the concern that a bill like this would discourage foreign companies from coming to Georgia. We share that concern. But for some of our legislators, it's more important to look tough by demonizing whole sectors of the population than it is to look out for the real interests of hard-working Georgians -- like, say, jobs.
Which is why yesterday another anti-immigrant bill passed out of committee.
HB 45 would require proof of citizenship to register to vote. Has the state, or the bill's sponsors, or anyone, demonstrated a single instance of a non-citizen attempting to register to vote or to vote? No. Not a single one. And as Rep. Pedro Marin has said, no undocumented immigrant in her or his right mind would risk deportation by attempting to register. So this is another bill in search of a problem. Undocumented immigrants are not trying to vote.
While the bill won't address any problem, it will hurt elderly people, especially African-Americans, who don't have access to a birth certificate because they were born in another state or weren't born in a hospital. So, while there is not supposed to be any cost or poll tax for voting, you might have people who have to pay for document searches and perhaps even have to get a lawyer...just to straighten out their legitimate eligibility to vote. Put up enough barriers and people lose interest. Is that what's intended? You betcha!
Passing the Half-Way Mark...Hurry Up and Wait
This week begins the sprint that follows the passing of the 20 th day of the 40 day session.
The upcoming legislative days are expected to be a little more hectic as bills continue to be heard in spurts of committee activity. Finally. Or regretably, depending on how you look at it. Some wish they would just take care of the budget and not do much else. You know the old joke about "lock up the women and children, they are not safe during session".
But very few bills have passed both chambers thus far. One, that was supposed to protect the homeowners property tax grant, was really a smooth head-fake. You get the grant this year, but it goes away next year...likely never to be seen again. You see, after 2009 instead of a set grant, the "possibility" of a grant hinges on a complicated formula that triggers a grant only when state revenue increases at certain levels. By most accounts it will be impossible to reach the trigger levels. What was promoted as a love letter turned out to be a Dear John.
S.H.O.T. 's across the bow - Short Here's Our Take stream:
- Revenue is desperately needed but no action yet taken on Pass the Buck (HB 39) to bring in another $1 in per pack sales. No action yet taken on Sunday Alcohol Sales (SB 16) which would bring in additional revenue in the localities that vote to do so. And maybe one of several versions of eliminating the seatbelt wearing exception for pick-up trucks will pass. And that bill alone would bring Georgia over 4 million in Federal Highway Safety Funds. But will it pass the House? Surprise, it's not the slam dunk you would think.
- SB 31, we're told, is greased to override the great public outcry against it. Having already passed the Senate this bill starts charging Georgia Power consumers now for the future construction of nuclear power plant construction. The plants haven't even been approved. And if they are, construction isn't scheduled until 2016. And then, cost over-runs get billed to the customer too. Didn't Madoff get arrested for this kind of "deal"?
- Sen. Steve Thompson calls SB 31 "The Lobbyist Employment Act".
- And wouldn't you have guessed, Gov. Perdue's current Chief of Staff had a 39 year career with Georgia Power. No, not in some accounting cubicle, but as the company's chief lobbyist! Good grief.
- Initial Republican leadership reluctance to show any public salivating over federal dollars coming from the Recovery Act, has begun to disovle. Talk now about how to use those dollars to relieve the budget deficit is getting serious. Advocacy groups are pressing for allocation toward the services that were cut in Perdue's proposal. First clue on how that turns out will be in the Supplemental budget that comes up this week. The Supplemental is what makes adjustments for FY 2009. The BIG Budget is the FY 2010 proposal that will correspond to the arrival of the biggest federal dollars.
- We can't see the genie going back in the bottle, but...Speaking of embracing federal Recovery money, the first leadership announced plans for using the influx did not include any expression of thanks or recognition that it came from Congressional Democrats.
- Leadership squabbles of the last couple of years have been largely hidden this time. Watching the Governor, Speaker and Lt. Governor feuds were about the only fun to be had for the previous sessions. Now there are a lot more joint announcements with a tip-toeing around differences. This can't last much longer, right?
- One mistake that could be costly would be leadership making a symbolic "conservative" stand against changing Ga law to accommodate the Recovery Act increased unemployment benefits. Perdue hints that he may not accept money intended as a subsidy to the unemployed to keep their health insurance. This is called COBRA, which allows continuation of insurance at a premium rate. To allow people to take the subsidy for more than 3 months would require a GA bill to extend the coverage time. Without the subsidy, the COBRA payments would consume 85% of the average family unemployment benefit. And who, being unemployed, could ever afford to accept the 15% left to live on? So without a change in law most all would have to let their insurance lapse. That results in more costs to the health care system and peoples individual health. What a viscious cycle. Pay now or pay more later. For those that still pray, pray now for Federal health care reform ASAP.
The upcoming legislative days are expected to be a little more hectic as bills continue to be heard in spurts of committee activity. Finally. Or regretably, depending on how you look at it. Some wish they would just take care of the budget and not do much else. You know the old joke about "lock up the women and children, they are not safe during session".
But very few bills have passed both chambers thus far. One, that was supposed to protect the homeowners property tax grant, was really a smooth head-fake. You get the grant this year, but it goes away next year...likely never to be seen again. You see, after 2009 instead of a set grant, the "possibility" of a grant hinges on a complicated formula that triggers a grant only when state revenue increases at certain levels. By most accounts it will be impossible to reach the trigger levels. What was promoted as a love letter turned out to be a Dear John.
S.H.O.T. 's across the bow - Short Here's Our Take stream:
- Revenue is desperately needed but no action yet taken on Pass the Buck (HB 39) to bring in another $1 in per pack sales. No action yet taken on Sunday Alcohol Sales (SB 16) which would bring in additional revenue in the localities that vote to do so. And maybe one of several versions of eliminating the seatbelt wearing exception for pick-up trucks will pass. And that bill alone would bring Georgia over 4 million in Federal Highway Safety Funds. But will it pass the House? Surprise, it's not the slam dunk you would think.
- SB 31, we're told, is greased to override the great public outcry against it. Having already passed the Senate this bill starts charging Georgia Power consumers now for the future construction of nuclear power plant construction. The plants haven't even been approved. And if they are, construction isn't scheduled until 2016. And then, cost over-runs get billed to the customer too. Didn't Madoff get arrested for this kind of "deal"?
- Sen. Steve Thompson calls SB 31 "The Lobbyist Employment Act".
- And wouldn't you have guessed, Gov. Perdue's current Chief of Staff had a 39 year career with Georgia Power. No, not in some accounting cubicle, but as the company's chief lobbyist! Good grief.
- Initial Republican leadership reluctance to show any public salivating over federal dollars coming from the Recovery Act, has begun to disovle. Talk now about how to use those dollars to relieve the budget deficit is getting serious. Advocacy groups are pressing for allocation toward the services that were cut in Perdue's proposal. First clue on how that turns out will be in the Supplemental budget that comes up this week. The Supplemental is what makes adjustments for FY 2009. The BIG Budget is the FY 2010 proposal that will correspond to the arrival of the biggest federal dollars.
- We can't see the genie going back in the bottle, but...Speaking of embracing federal Recovery money, the first leadership announced plans for using the influx did not include any expression of thanks or recognition that it came from Congressional Democrats.
- Leadership squabbles of the last couple of years have been largely hidden this time. Watching the Governor, Speaker and Lt. Governor feuds were about the only fun to be had for the previous sessions. Now there are a lot more joint announcements with a tip-toeing around differences. This can't last much longer, right?
- One mistake that could be costly would be leadership making a symbolic "conservative" stand against changing Ga law to accommodate the Recovery Act increased unemployment benefits. Perdue hints that he may not accept money intended as a subsidy to the unemployed to keep their health insurance. This is called COBRA, which allows continuation of insurance at a premium rate. To allow people to take the subsidy for more than 3 months would require a GA bill to extend the coverage time. Without the subsidy, the COBRA payments would consume 85% of the average family unemployment benefit. And who, being unemployed, could ever afford to accept the 15% left to live on? So without a change in law most all would have to let their insurance lapse. That results in more costs to the health care system and peoples individual health. What a viscious cycle. Pay now or pay more later. For those that still pray, pray now for Federal health care reform ASAP.
Tuesday, February 17, 2009
It's always fun to be a spectator
They’ve been dragging their feet down here under the Gold Dome, but this week things are picking up big time.
Sen. Fort introduced a bill to impose a moratorium on the death penalty. SB 175. Shalom.
Johnny Isakson announced his intention to run for his U.S. Senate seat again in 2010. Lots of people gathered around, but no one asked the question..."Six more years of what, exactly?"
There are some whispers that they may be reconsidering the long break between March and June. Maybe we’ll get a better feel for that when Gov. Perdue holds his press conference on how more federal dollars might influence the state’s budget.
On top of that, this week we’re staying on top of hearings on Sunday Sales and School Vouchers, and the Senate version of the GSU professors sex Inquistion. http://www.ajc.com/metro/content/metro/stories/2009/02/02/sex_experts_legislature.html
And there's still Georgia Power's plan to get us all to pay in advance so they can build a couple of nuclear reactors in Georgia. The first one is not even scheduled to begin construction until 2016. And even this first plant has not yet received all approvals. Senate Minority Leader Robert Brown reflected eloquently from the well this morning and bemoaned the Senate vote to approve this sweetheart deal. Actually his booming voice reflected too...one of the better raise-the-rafters speeches heard in a long time. Sometime speaking with authority has its proper decibel level.
It’s always nerve-wracking to have 2 or 3 committee hearings to get to every afternoon, but now there are 2 or 3 at the same time – in different buildings.
Sen. Fort introduced a bill to impose a moratorium on the death penalty. SB 175. Shalom.
Johnny Isakson announced his intention to run for his U.S. Senate seat again in 2010. Lots of people gathered around, but no one asked the question..."Six more years of what, exactly?"
There are some whispers that they may be reconsidering the long break between March and June. Maybe we’ll get a better feel for that when Gov. Perdue holds his press conference on how more federal dollars might influence the state’s budget.
On top of that, this week we’re staying on top of hearings on Sunday Sales and School Vouchers, and the Senate version of the GSU professors sex Inquistion. http://www.ajc.com/metro/content/metro/stories/2009/02/02/sex_experts_legislature.html
And there's still Georgia Power's plan to get us all to pay in advance so they can build a couple of nuclear reactors in Georgia. The first one is not even scheduled to begin construction until 2016. And even this first plant has not yet received all approvals. Senate Minority Leader Robert Brown reflected eloquently from the well this morning and bemoaned the Senate vote to approve this sweetheart deal. Actually his booming voice reflected too...one of the better raise-the-rafters speeches heard in a long time. Sometime speaking with authority has its proper decibel level.
It’s always nerve-wracking to have 2 or 3 committee hearings to get to every afternoon, but now there are 2 or 3 at the same time – in different buildings.
Friday, February 13, 2009
More Highlights from this Week: In Defense of Sanity
Voter ID redux – The big battle in ’05 was to require photo ID for voting and it was a pretty transparent effort to reduce the voting power of minorities and seniors. The more moderate and liberal portion of the potential voting pool. Under the unproven claim that requiring ID would eliminate some imaginary fraudulent voting conspiracy, the ID requirements were passed on a strictly partisan vote. The Dems even staged a protest walkout in both Chambers when the bill was loaded with barriers to registering and voting.
The majority Repubs crafted lots of requirements that wound up as a neat little circle around who they thought was worthy of being a voter. One part of the bill allows for college ID’s from UGA and state universities to be acceptable proof of voting eligibility. But NOT ID’s from Spelman, Morehouse, Morris Brown…well, you get the picture.
Now Rep. Alisha Thomas Morgan seeks to rectify this backhanded discrimination with HB 209.
Her bill passed out of subcommittee but the Secretary of State’s office threw out some last minute requests for changes to the bill. Rep. Morgan questioned why, after an agreeable meeting with the Secretary of State, she had to deal with last minute change requests. No answer is yet available. We’ll keep you posted. Passage out of subcommittee does not guarantee final passage, of course.
-------------------
Meanwhile . . .
-------------------
Rep. Karla Drenner took to the well and defended academic freedom against the mistaken onslaught from some conservative legislators.
You may have heard that
Well, Reps. Calvin Hill and Charlice Byrd thought that the list of topics was a list of classes that the professors offered. So when they saw “oral sex” and “male prostitution” they railed against Ga State’s morals for offering such “classes”. And suggested Ga State’s budget should be cut. They continued railing even after they were informed they had misinterpreted the media guide.
We are not happy to report that the legislature actually wasted time holding a hearing on this silly matter. We are happy to report that the two challenged professors eloquently defended themselves and showed the value of their research to public health policy development.
Another example of why you leave curriculum to the education professionals and not the legislators. That’s a Gold Dome over the Capitol, not a Big Steeple.
The Real State of the Union
The longtime tradition of the annual REAL State of the Union event was to hoot and holler in counter to the Bush State of the Union message. A chance to reverse the adminstration’s spin. What would it be like when the Bush empire ended? Well, this year's event - held on Tuesday, Feb. 10 - was still a stem-winding good time delivered by AJC columnist Jay Bookman and Rev. Joe Lowery.
Lowery about our role in relation to Obama: "We have to continue to speak truth to power, no matter who holds the reins of power."
Lowery on the first black chairman of the Republican Party: "Michael Steele shows that no one race holds a monopoly on foolishness.” The church was full of Amens.
Thursday, February 12, 2009
Day 16, Part II - Dateline: Fantasy Island (Part III)
And connecting the dots between the last two posts:
Did we mention that Georgia Power has exempted its corporate customers from the rate hike? That's right - it's only we individual customers who get to pay the extra fees.
Did we mention that Georgia Power has exempted its corporate customers from the rate hike? That's right - it's only we individual customers who get to pay the extra fees.
Day 16 - Dateline: Fantasy Island (Part II)
Wednesday, February 12
Well, the Senate passed the bill written by 70-some Georgia Power lobbyists to allow the electric company to bill customers, in advance, for the costs of building new nuclear power plants. (That’s not a typo, 70 lobbyists.) The monthly additional consumer charges will help pay for plants that have not yet even been approved for construction.
Usually the Public Service Commission oversees the rate increase process, but the legislature usurps power here as a favor to their corporate benefactors. Why a bill to step in now? The PSC’s own staff researchers recommended against approval of the Georgia Power scheme. Inquiring minds want to know why the PSC has rolled over and allowed the regulatory power to be taken away. Could it be that they would have likewise knuckeled under to their corporate friends and voted for approval against staff recommendation and they don’t want to be blamed? Shame.
Well, the Senate passed the bill written by 70-some Georgia Power lobbyists to allow the electric company to bill customers, in advance, for the costs of building new nuclear power plants. (That’s not a typo, 70 lobbyists.) The monthly additional consumer charges will help pay for plants that have not yet even been approved for construction.
Usually the Public Service Commission oversees the rate increase process, but the legislature usurps power here as a favor to their corporate benefactors. Why a bill to step in now? The PSC’s own staff researchers recommended against approval of the Georgia Power scheme. Inquiring minds want to know why the PSC has rolled over and allowed the regulatory power to be taken away. Could it be that they would have likewise knuckeled under to their corporate friends and voted for approval against staff recommendation and they don’t want to be blamed? Shame.
Day 15 - Dateline: Fantasy Island (Part I)
Tuesday, February 11
Another corporate bailout sails through as Delta and others get fuel tax breaks further reducing the state’s income to fund budget shortfalls for services. Said Rep. Roberta Abdul-Salaam from the well: "It is incumbent upon the state of Georgia to educate our children; it is not incumbent upon the state of Georgia to bail out private companies." In other words, with all the cuts we've made to services like education this year, why on earth would the House vote to reduce the state's revenues?
Georgia’s legislature has been giving out tax breaks to corporations for a long time. There isn’t even a list of who has received long-forgotten favoritism. And no one evaluates whether the breaks are still appropriate. The conservative mantra has been that tax cuts are best given to business so they can trickle down benefits to everyone. And how has that theory been working out for us? Time to look at who gets what, why they got it and did they do what they prom ised in exchange for the break.
Another corporate bailout sails through as Delta and others get fuel tax breaks further reducing the state’s income to fund budget shortfalls for services. Said Rep. Roberta Abdul-Salaam from the well: "It is incumbent upon the state of Georgia to educate our children; it is not incumbent upon the state of Georgia to bail out private companies." In other words, with all the cuts we've made to services like education this year, why on earth would the House vote to reduce the state's revenues?
Georgia’s legislature has been giving out tax breaks to corporations for a long time. There isn’t even a list of who has received long-forgotten favoritism. And no one evaluates whether the breaks are still appropriate. The conservative mantra has been that tax cuts are best given to business so they can trickle down benefits to everyone. And how has that theory been working out for us? Time to look at who gets what, why they got it and did they do what they prom ised in exchange for the break.
Thursday, February 5, 2009
Day 14 - "Pass the Buck" and Buckle Up
"Pass the Buck" is gaining momentum. The coalition aiming to pass Ron Stephens' (R-Savannah) $1/pack cigarette tax held a press conference this morning with probably 30 doctors, and Stephens spoke to the Working Families Caucus this afternoon.
He noted that each pack of cigarettes carries with it $9 in healthcare costs for Georgia taxpayers, and that what he's asking for is only what turns out to actually be a $1 voluntary user fee. And could be expected to raise $350 million for the state.
Rep. Stephens and many doctors also noted that studies have proven that price hikes do help prevent teens from smoking, because, let's face it, most teens are broke.
With the current budget crisis, this bill -- which would help financially and directly help save lives -- seems like a no-brainer. A smokin' good idea.
And also remember, there are a couple of bills floating around that would remove the exemption from truck owners having to wear seat belts. This little change in law would trigger $4 million in Federal Highway Safety Funds to be released to Georgia. Hey this stuff adds up. Anyone have any more good ideas? Could be helpful.
He noted that each pack of cigarettes carries with it $9 in healthcare costs for Georgia taxpayers, and that what he's asking for is only what turns out to actually be a $1 voluntary user fee. And could be expected to raise $350 million for the state.
Rep. Stephens and many doctors also noted that studies have proven that price hikes do help prevent teens from smoking, because, let's face it, most teens are broke.
With the current budget crisis, this bill -- which would help financially and directly help save lives -- seems like a no-brainer. A smokin' good idea.
And also remember, there are a couple of bills floating around that would remove the exemption from truck owners having to wear seat belts. This little change in law would trigger $4 million in Federal Highway Safety Funds to be released to Georgia. Hey this stuff adds up. Anyone have any more good ideas? Could be helpful.
Wednesday, February 4, 2009
Day 13 -- One way to get out of the house
Another person commented on school vouchers today: "After 9 years of cuts, this is just another chip in the plan to eventually eliminate public schools."
Maybe it was because this assault on public education was on our mind, but it was difficult to be excited about the homeschoolers lobbying all over the place today. Not wanting to disparage them or their education, it was sort of painful to watch them unsuccessfully try to interact. They were cute, and they had their literature and their promotional tables, but they really did seem to need to get out more. Sorry.
Maybe it was because this assault on public education was on our mind, but it was difficult to be excited about the homeschoolers lobbying all over the place today. Not wanting to disparage them or their education, it was sort of painful to watch them unsuccessfully try to interact. They were cute, and they had their literature and their promotional tables, but they really did seem to need to get out more. Sorry.
Day 13 -- Who said fathers know best?
The Women's Policy Group held a lunchtime Capitol Briefing today that was so well-attended that about 15 of us sat on the floor.
And it was a good thing it was crowded -- with the budget cuts, women are taking some of the hardest hits, as usual.
Nice to hear from the crowd that many of them intended to run for office, as women are underrepresented under the Gold Dome.
Lobbyist Extraordinaire Elizabeth Appley listed some of the things coming down the pike:
The Governor's proposal to eliminate the Family Violence Commission: Since its creation in 2001, the Commission has reduced Georgia's per capita family violence homicides by 26.2%, a rate almost 6 times better than the national average. So why does he think cutting it is such a good idea?
He also wants to eliminate the Temporary Protective Order Registry, which keeps a computer record of every restraining order, so that when a woman flees her abusive partner with her kids in tow in the middle of the night, she doesn't have to find the paper copy of the restraining order first.
Oh, and he wants to freeze funding for Domestic Violence Shelters and Rape Crisis Centers. Who needs 'em anyway.
In the meantime, Appley pointed out, the state gives $5 million a year in tax exemptions to llama farmers. Call us if you want to find out how to get in on this great deal.
Oh, and if the state's in such a budget shortfall, wouldn't you think the 90% federal matching funds for family planning money make the state think twice about the 34% family planning cuts?
It's amazing how some people in our state government have said they are willing to turn down matching federal dollars.
And it was a good thing it was crowded -- with the budget cuts, women are taking some of the hardest hits, as usual.
Nice to hear from the crowd that many of them intended to run for office, as women are underrepresented under the Gold Dome.
Lobbyist Extraordinaire Elizabeth Appley listed some of the things coming down the pike:
The Governor's proposal to eliminate the Family Violence Commission: Since its creation in 2001, the Commission has reduced Georgia's per capita family violence homicides by 26.2%, a rate almost 6 times better than the national average. So why does he think cutting it is such a good idea?
He also wants to eliminate the Temporary Protective Order Registry, which keeps a computer record of every restraining order, so that when a woman flees her abusive partner with her kids in tow in the middle of the night, she doesn't have to find the paper copy of the restraining order first.
Oh, and he wants to freeze funding for Domestic Violence Shelters and Rape Crisis Centers. Who needs 'em anyway.
In the meantime, Appley pointed out, the state gives $5 million a year in tax exemptions to llama farmers. Call us if you want to find out how to get in on this great deal.
Oh, and if the state's in such a budget shortfall, wouldn't you think the 90% federal matching funds for family planning money make the state think twice about the 34% family planning cuts?
It's amazing how some people in our state government have said they are willing to turn down matching federal dollars.
Day 13 -- One of the most frequently asked questions was . . . not answered today
Don't you know politicians always have to have it both ways . . .
This morning we heard legislative session would be 40 consecutive workdays and General Assembly would be out early this year -- Hooray.
But wouldn't you know, this afternoon, equally credible sources were saying, "Hey, it looks like they'll be taking Fridays and Mondays off for a couple weeks."
We're kind of hoping they go home early, because then we'll be safe until next year.
This morning we heard legislative session would be 40 consecutive workdays and General Assembly would be out early this year -- Hooray.
But wouldn't you know, this afternoon, equally credible sources were saying, "Hey, it looks like they'll be taking Fridays and Mondays off for a couple weeks."
We're kind of hoping they go home early, because then we'll be safe until next year.
Tuesday, February 3, 2009
Day 12
February 3
Cutting education funds, cutting school nurses, and now proposing vouchers, which would take even more money out of the education system.
Why don't they just go ahead and engrave the tombstone "Public Schools R.I.P." and be done with it?
Cutting education funds, cutting school nurses, and now proposing vouchers, which would take even more money out of the education system.
Why don't they just go ahead and engrave the tombstone "Public Schools R.I.P." and be done with it?
Tuesday, January 27, 2009
And on the 7th Day...Not Looking Good for Kids
The H.O.T. Line
Here's Our Take
January 27
Sen. Nan Orrock spoke from the well this morning about the need for our Senators in Washington, Saxby Chambliss and Johnny Isakson, to vote to approve the SCHIP funding for healthcare for children. Doing her usual spot-on best, Orrock tried to light a fire under the two. Speaking of how Georgia could benefit by having a partnership with Federal programs like SCHIP and it would alleviate our PeachCare funding needs. And in addition, MORE kids would get coverage.
Both Chambliss and Isakson are expected to vote against it. What? Are they trying to find excuses not to vote for helping more Georgia kids? Calls to their offices elicited various cranky responses. Costs too much. If a family is earning the top qualifying income, they can afford to get their own insurance. And, surprise, documented children should have to wait five years for coverage. Blah, blah. In Saxby-ville, the babies on their way to becoming New Americans should just not get sick. And in "fiscal conservative" Isakson-land, it's apparently OK to pay more for treatment than for keeping well in the first place.
Have you made your call yet to the Senators offices? Get those dialing fingers to work! (1-800-828-0498)
Hundreds of white-coated angels from the ranks of Georgia's nurses overtook the capitol this morning.
One might have thought they were there because of Gov. Sonny Perdue's decision to cut $30 million from the school nurse budget. (That's right – kids, really, don't get sick. No, really, seriously, at this point, just don't get sick, okay?) In reality, the nurses were already planning to be at the capitol for their annual lobby day. But it was a timely and needed presence. It's always tough to reverse a cut in the Governor's proposal. But some hope when a member of the Governor's own party was overheard saying that the nurses ought to show up on the front lawn of the Governor's mansion in all their white coats. We'll see how much certain lawmakers can get away with in balancing the budget on the backs of sick kids.
And speaking about not being well, Rep. Bobby Franklin took his personal speaking privilege time this week to address what has certainly been on the top of everyone's mind this week. He railed about Hillary Clinton's Sec of State confirmation being unconstitutional. Yeah, as if there weren't big problems to solve. But we should just let him go...at least he's not passing any of his bills.
It's past due to be prioritizing transportation needs, but are some of the proposals to shake-up and reorganize hiding a hidden agenda. Will some "reforms" be so broadly written that they open the way for the state to claim a capitol city airport or transit system? We can only relay suspicious chatter from the hallways.
The AJC reported not-too-loud whispers speculating on the secret reasons for Gov. Perdue's $21 million dollar loan. We think they may be hard of hearing. That roar WE hear wonders why the stonewalling. Maybe a reason will eventually be revealed but the longer the fish stays out, the more it smells.
Here's Our Take
January 27
Sen. Nan Orrock spoke from the well this morning about the need for our Senators in Washington, Saxby Chambliss and Johnny Isakson, to vote to approve the SCHIP funding for healthcare for children. Doing her usual spot-on best, Orrock tried to light a fire under the two. Speaking of how Georgia could benefit by having a partnership with Federal programs like SCHIP and it would alleviate our PeachCare funding needs. And in addition, MORE kids would get coverage.
Both Chambliss and Isakson are expected to vote against it. What? Are they trying to find excuses not to vote for helping more Georgia kids? Calls to their offices elicited various cranky responses. Costs too much. If a family is earning the top qualifying income, they can afford to get their own insurance. And, surprise, documented children should have to wait five years for coverage. Blah, blah. In Saxby-ville, the babies on their way to becoming New Americans should just not get sick. And in "fiscal conservative" Isakson-land, it's apparently OK to pay more for treatment than for keeping well in the first place.
Have you made your call yet to the Senators offices? Get those dialing fingers to work! (1-800-828-0498)
Hundreds of white-coated angels from the ranks of Georgia's nurses overtook the capitol this morning.
One might have thought they were there because of Gov. Sonny Perdue's decision to cut $30 million from the school nurse budget. (That's right – kids, really, don't get sick. No, really, seriously, at this point, just don't get sick, okay?) In reality, the nurses were already planning to be at the capitol for their annual lobby day. But it was a timely and needed presence. It's always tough to reverse a cut in the Governor's proposal. But some hope when a member of the Governor's own party was overheard saying that the nurses ought to show up on the front lawn of the Governor's mansion in all their white coats. We'll see how much certain lawmakers can get away with in balancing the budget on the backs of sick kids.And speaking about not being well, Rep. Bobby Franklin took his personal speaking privilege time this week to address what has certainly been on the top of everyone's mind this week. He railed about Hillary Clinton's Sec of State confirmation being unconstitutional. Yeah, as if there weren't big problems to solve. But we should just let him go...at least he's not passing any of his bills.
It's past due to be prioritizing transportation needs, but are some of the proposals to shake-up and reorganize hiding a hidden agenda. Will some "reforms" be so broadly written that they open the way for the state to claim a capitol city airport or transit system? We can only relay suspicious chatter from the hallways.
The AJC reported not-too-loud whispers speculating on the secret reasons for Gov. Perdue's $21 million dollar loan. We think they may be hard of hearing. That roar WE hear wonders why the stonewalling. Maybe a reason will eventually be revealed but the longer the fish stays out, the more it smells.
Friday, January 16, 2009
Days 3 & 4 - Animals, Kids, and the Budget (and even scarier stuff like Foreclosures and Car Seizures), Oh My!
The H.O.T. Line
Here's Our Take
January 14 & 15
Senators Vincent Fort and Steve Thompson are working with a Republican Committee Chairman on a fair lending bill that will bring some relief for the foreclosure crisis in Georgia. But there is not a whole lot the state can do. Since Federal proposals are mired in indecision, a bipartisan Georgia effort is critical. Watch for a bill number to emerge soon...and get ready for the fight. The banks and subprime lenders that created the crisis are formidable opponents who don't want to give up a dime of what they squeezed out of folks. The real estate collapse was the largest transfer of wealth from African-Americans to whites in history.
The Capitol is always crowded with lobby day advocates, school field trips, high school bands, etc. Today the place was mobbed with 8-year-olds...and just to be clear, we're talking about outside the legislative chambers.
And speaking of bands, addressing a marching band visiting from Cobb County Gov. Perdue said that he was preparing to attend the inauguration. He didn't say, but after his budget presentation, we hope he uses his time to promote Georgia's infrastructure needs. With the new administration and Georgia's Congressmen continuing to block vote in a partisan way....even on the SCHIP (PeachCare) vote Wednesday...he's gonna have to be smart and do some schmoozing.
Last year was a nightmare with over a dozen mean spirited anti-immigrant bills proposed. This year it started again with a couple introduced early. Including adding vehicle seizures for driving without a license, when it is already a felony to do so. A catch 22 aimed at those who are prohibited from getting a license because of citizenship. We thought conservatives were staunch opponents of the government seizing private property. And hey, what does citizenship have to do with ability to drive a car? Wouldn't you rather have the person in the next lane take a license test and be insured?
Thursday was Wildlife in Georgia Day and the rotunda was full of the woodsy types, both animal and human. There was even a huge display table of animal skins, skulls and pelts. Ironic to pass by this table on the same day that House committee assignments were announced. The fellow that had the audacity to challenge the incumbent House Speaker wound up losing his committee Chairmanship. Some of us thought that big skull in the middle of the table looked familiar.
More on the budget later, but with all the wailing and gnashing of teeth over the revenue deficit legislators of every stripe have pushed each other out of the way to get to the TV cameras to declare opposition to proposals to generate revenue. Sunday alcohol sales now looks like it's the only one that really might have a chance. On the back-burner...tobacco taxes, casinos, fees for hospital Medicaid administration, et al.
Names floating around...former Senator Brian Kemp announces his intent to run for Secretary of State now that incumbent Karen Handle declares for Governor. And lots of other names rumored for this that or the other. A noticeable silence though on the Insurance Commissioner position. John Oxendine has been on the stump for a while now trying to get support for his Governor race. But who's heard of candidates that would run for the Insurance vacancy? What does that say? Last election cycle Oxendine raised lots of money when he campaigned to move up, but then backed out. Do folks think he's going to do the same thing again?
Here's Our Take
January 14 & 15
Senators Vincent Fort and Steve Thompson are working with a Republican Committee Chairman on a fair lending bill that will bring some relief for the foreclosure crisis in Georgia. But there is not a whole lot the state can do. Since Federal proposals are mired in indecision, a bipartisan Georgia effort is critical. Watch for a bill number to emerge soon...and get ready for the fight. The banks and subprime lenders that created the crisis are formidable opponents who don't want to give up a dime of what they squeezed out of folks. The real estate collapse was the largest transfer of wealth from African-Americans to whites in history.
The Capitol is always crowded with lobby day advocates, school field trips, high school bands, etc. Today the place was mobbed with 8-year-olds...and just to be clear, we're talking about outside the legislative chambers.
And speaking of bands, addressing a marching band visiting from Cobb County Gov. Perdue said that he was preparing to attend the inauguration. He didn't say, but after his budget presentation, we hope he uses his time to promote Georgia's infrastructure needs. With the new administration and Georgia's Congressmen continuing to block vote in a partisan way....even on the SCHIP (PeachCare) vote Wednesday...he's gonna have to be smart and do some schmoozing.
Last year was a nightmare with over a dozen mean spirited anti-immigrant bills proposed. This year it started again with a couple introduced early. Including adding vehicle seizures for driving without a license, when it is already a felony to do so. A catch 22 aimed at those who are prohibited from getting a license because of citizenship. We thought conservatives were staunch opponents of the government seizing private property. And hey, what does citizenship have to do with ability to drive a car? Wouldn't you rather have the person in the next lane take a license test and be insured?
Thursday was Wildlife in Georgia Day and the rotunda was full of the woodsy types, both animal and human. There was even a huge display table of animal skins, skulls and pelts. Ironic to pass by this table on the same day that House committee assignments were announced. The fellow that had the audacity to challenge the incumbent House Speaker wound up losing his committee Chairmanship. Some of us thought that big skull in the middle of the table looked familiar.
More on the budget later, but with all the wailing and gnashing of teeth over the revenue deficit legislators of every stripe have pushed each other out of the way to get to the TV cameras to declare opposition to proposals to generate revenue. Sunday alcohol sales now looks like it's the only one that really might have a chance. On the back-burner...tobacco taxes, casinos, fees for hospital Medicaid administration, et al.
Names floating around...former Senator Brian Kemp announces his intent to run for Secretary of State now that incumbent Karen Handle declares for Governor. And lots of other names rumored for this that or the other. A noticeable silence though on the Insurance Commissioner position. John Oxendine has been on the stump for a while now trying to get support for his Governor race. But who's heard of candidates that would run for the Insurance vacancy? What does that say? Last election cycle Oxendine raised lots of money when he campaigned to move up, but then backed out. Do folks think he's going to do the same thing again?
Tuesday, January 13, 2009
Day 2 - 900 Bills Already Introduced?!
H.O.T. Line
Here’s Our Take
January 13
A local radio station was doing a great civic good this morning by informing its listeners of the bills that would be coming up this session.
They had been told that any of the bills from last year that didn't pass could be reintroduced this year.
The problem was, they misinterpreted that to mean that every bill from last year had already been reintroduced.
They were already up into the 900s when Representative Pedro Marin (D-96), who fortuitously heard the much-too-extensive list being read while on his way in to the capitol, called the station and rescued listeners from the onslaught.
Gives you hope to see what happens when good intentions combine with good looking out. Kudos to both the station and Representative Marin!
Here’s Our Take
January 13
A local radio station was doing a great civic good this morning by informing its listeners of the bills that would be coming up this session.
They had been told that any of the bills from last year that didn't pass could be reintroduced this year.
The problem was, they misinterpreted that to mean that every bill from last year had already been reintroduced.
They were already up into the 900s when Representative Pedro Marin (D-96), who fortuitously heard the much-too-extensive list being read while on his way in to the capitol, called the station and rescued listeners from the onslaught.
Gives you hope to see what happens when good intentions combine with good looking out. Kudos to both the station and Representative Marin!
January 12 - Opening Day: Buckle your Seatbelts -- It's gonna be a bumpy ride (especially if you drive a truck)
H.O.T. Line
Here’s Our Take
January 12
Like going back to school after summer recess, the opening day of Georgia's General Assembly is mostly like “what I did last summer” day. Some ceremonial functions but mostly catching up with legislators or people in the halls you haven’t seen for a while.
There was no suspense in the voting for House and Senate Leaders. The Republican Majority had a lock on their folks. I think it’s in their DNA.
Most of the talk in the halls was about the budget. The mainstream press has written about this extensively, so in a way the mold is already set for what will be known as the over-riding issue. And it truly is. No one will be happy with the final budget. So tough is the balancing task, no one can even reasonably predict how long it will take.
Other issues on the table will be transportation plans that failed last year, a plan for funding trauma centers that failed last year, anti-immigrant proposals that failed last year, and even some proposals for new revenue sources (alcohol sales and tobacco taxes) that…you guessed it…failed in the past as well. No law against do-overs.
Too early to tell what stands a chance this time around. Although we know that the “sin taxes” give some cover to those who pledged never to vote for a tax increase. If proven to bring in enough dollars, watch for the magical transformation of new taxes to become “fees”.
One thing that may get traction this year is the proposal that would no longer exempt truck owners from having to wear seatbelts. After decades of being stymied by those so in touch with their inner NASCAR, the light bulb has flashed…removing the exemption will bring 4 million federal highway dollars to Georgia immediately. $afety first, eh?
Upsetting the jovial nature of the first day was a press conference by D.A. King, leader of an anti-immigrant organization designated as a “hate group” by the Southern Law Poverty Center and Anti-Defamation League. Same old bashing, with a dozen legislators and Governor candidate John Oxendine standing in support. It was a real vanity project…King spoke extensively but didn’t let any of the legislators speak. You’ll be happy to know they all just stood there like they lost a bet.
The Resolution will not be televised…from a Capitol newcomer, came the question of why the sound was so low on the House TV monitor that you couldn’t hear what they were doing inside the chamber. All the Capitol novices come in believing the place is consumer friendly. Sometimes trying to explain how things are decided here is like trying to explain why Paris Hilton is famous.
The newly issued lobbyist badges are way over-designed, but they do have enough colors to match any outfit. Stare at them long enough and you’ll see a sailboat.
OK, so the first day wasn’t exactly Jerry Springer material…but there are 39 left!
Here’s Our Take
January 12
Like going back to school after summer recess, the opening day of Georgia's General Assembly is mostly like “what I did last summer” day. Some ceremonial functions but mostly catching up with legislators or people in the halls you haven’t seen for a while.
There was no suspense in the voting for House and Senate Leaders. The Republican Majority had a lock on their folks. I think it’s in their DNA.
Most of the talk in the halls was about the budget. The mainstream press has written about this extensively, so in a way the mold is already set for what will be known as the over-riding issue. And it truly is. No one will be happy with the final budget. So tough is the balancing task, no one can even reasonably predict how long it will take.
Other issues on the table will be transportation plans that failed last year, a plan for funding trauma centers that failed last year, anti-immigrant proposals that failed last year, and even some proposals for new revenue sources (alcohol sales and tobacco taxes) that…you guessed it…failed in the past as well. No law against do-overs.
Too early to tell what stands a chance this time around. Although we know that the “sin taxes” give some cover to those who pledged never to vote for a tax increase. If proven to bring in enough dollars, watch for the magical transformation of new taxes to become “fees”.
One thing that may get traction this year is the proposal that would no longer exempt truck owners from having to wear seatbelts. After decades of being stymied by those so in touch with their inner NASCAR, the light bulb has flashed…removing the exemption will bring 4 million federal highway dollars to Georgia immediately. $afety first, eh?
Upsetting the jovial nature of the first day was a press conference by D.A. King, leader of an anti-immigrant organization designated as a “hate group” by the Southern Law Poverty Center and Anti-Defamation League. Same old bashing, with a dozen legislators and Governor candidate John Oxendine standing in support. It was a real vanity project…King spoke extensively but didn’t let any of the legislators speak. You’ll be happy to know they all just stood there like they lost a bet.
The Resolution will not be televised…from a Capitol newcomer, came the question of why the sound was so low on the House TV monitor that you couldn’t hear what they were doing inside the chamber. All the Capitol novices come in believing the place is consumer friendly. Sometimes trying to explain how things are decided here is like trying to explain why Paris Hilton is famous.
The newly issued lobbyist badges are way over-designed, but they do have enough colors to match any outfit. Stare at them long enough and you’ll see a sailboat.
OK, so the first day wasn’t exactly Jerry Springer material…but there are 39 left!
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)
