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.

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?

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!

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!