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.

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.

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.

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!