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!
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