Tonight on Lawmakers, after considerable debate, the House passes one property tax measure but fails to pass another; we take a look at legislation that would make it a crime for lenders to sell subprime mortgages to a third partyand we’ll talk with Tom Crawford of CapitolImpact.com for his thoughts on this week of the session.
While no one seems to dispute the devastating effects of falling real estate values, there are different thoughts about how to best help Georgia homeowners. The House today voted to pass House Bill 233, which provides for a moratorium on all increases in assessed values of real property from 2009 through 2011. The legislation would allow for the reduction of assessed values and requires that each parcel be reassessed at least once during the time period. This morning, however, the House failed to pass House Resolution 1, which would have created a referendum for voters to decide if increases in assessed values of real property for ad valorem tax purposes should be capped at the lesser of 3% or the rate of inflation. We’ll have the highlights of both debates and post-adjournment reaction.
How to protect Georgia homeowners facing foreclosure is at the center of two measures under consideration in the Senate. Lawmakers Valarie Edwards toured a south east Atlanta neighborhood with Senator Vincent Fort, a co-sponsor of Senate Bill 54. That legislation would make it a crime to sell subprime mortgages to a third party.
The Senate today voted to require the use of seat belts in pickup trucks. Currently, Georgia law exempts drivers of pickup trucks from the mandatory use of seat belts. Senator Don Thomas, who is also a medical doctor, sponsors Senate Bill 5 and spoke to the need for the change. The legislation does provide an exemption from seat belt use for drivers of pickup trucks over the age of 18 working in an agricultural pursuit- in other words, farm vehicles.
Even with the State’s unemployment rate at its highest in 26 years, Georgia Labor Commissioner Michael Thurmond was positive about the future at a press conference held at the Capitol today. He said the Department would do everything possible to help Georgians get back to work.
Reaction to the Senate passage yesterday of the Georgia Nuclear Financing Act continued this morning. Senate Bill 31 would allow utility companies to charge customers to cover the cost of building nuclear power plants- before the plants are built. Senate Democratic Leader Robert Brown and Senator Don Balfour, the bill’s sponsor, have their say.
It’s the end of the fourth legislative week under the gold dome, a perfect time to check in with Tom Crawford, National Editor of CapitolImpact.com. David talks with Tom about the Georgia Nuclear Financing Act, property taxes and the impact of the salmonella crisis centered on a peanut plant in South Georgia.
Senator Seth Harp’s controversial resolution to merge four colleges into two to save the state money has been put on hold. Senate Resolution 84’s merger plans included two historically black colleges. Lawmakers’ Emily Banks reports.
And today was Georgia Day under the gold dome. The State’s charter and copy of the Declaration of Independence were on display. Lawmakers’ Andrea Hummel-Shelton has that story.
All that and more tonight on Lawmakers at 7 PM.
Lawmakers repeats on GPB Radio at 8 PM tonight and tomorrow morning on GPB television at 5:30 AM. You can also watch a repeat of Lawmakers tomorrow morning on GPB Knowledge at 7 AM. GPB Knowledge is available to those with digital television receivers at .3 of your local GPB transmitter, for example 20.3 in Augusta, or 8.3 in Atlanta.
Thursday, February 12, 2009
Wednesday, February 11, 2009
Day 17- February 11, 2009
Tonight on Lawmakers, a bill that would allow Georgia Power to charge consumers for the construction of future power plants passes the Senate, legislation aimed at preventing another school board crisis like the one in Clayton County is heard in Senate committee and a look at “Loser Pays” tort reform legislation the Governor says will reduce what he calls “frivolous lawsuits”.
The Senate votes to approve the Georgia Nuclear Energy Financing Act. Senate Bill 31 would allow utility companies to charge customers to cover the cost of building nuclear power plants- before the plants are built. Opponents say the legislation ties the hands of the Public Service Commission, which usually makes utility rate decisions. Lawmakers’ Brittany Evans reports.
The House today passed three bills. House Bill 71 seeks to close a loophole that provides a defense for use of false identifications; House Bill 116 extends the sales tax exemption for the sale or use of engines, parts, equipment and other tangible personal property used in the repair or maintenance of aircraft not registered in Georgia but that are being repaired or maintained in Georgia; and House Bill 231 which would allow interior designers to design non-load–bearing walls in structures other than offices.
In addition to passing Senate Bill 31 today, the Senate also passed Senate Resolution 107, which urges Congress to facilitate the building of reservoirs upstream from Lake Sidney Lanier.
Legislation designed to cut down on what Governor Sonny Perdue has termed “frivolous lawsuits” is being met with resistance. Perdue announced the initiative last month at the Georgia Chamber of Commerce’s Eggs and Issues breakfast. Senate Bill 108, sponsored by Senator Bill Cowsert, provides for what has been called a “loser pays” system, which opponents say should be termed a “victim pays” system. Lawmakers Valarie Edwards continues her look into proposed tort reform legislation.
The Senate Education and Youth committee this afternoon heard discussion on Senate Bill 84, legislation aimed at preventing another school board crisis like the one in Clayton County. An initiative of Governor Sonny Perdue, the bill is sponsored by Senator Bill Heath and seeks to revise elections provisions for school boards.
For the third year in a row, the Georgia General Assembly is considering revising the State’s criminal code to include a life without parole sentence for murder. Senate Bill 13 sponsor, Senator Preston Smith, says that the bill would close a gaping hole in Georgia law. The bill received a do-pass from the House Judiciary Non-Civil committee this morning.
Senate Democrats today introduced of another piece of legislation designed to help veterans in areas from education to financial aid. Senator Robert Brown sheds light on what has been termed the “Five for Fighting” agenda.
House Bill 123 would change the offense of child molestation to include direct contact by electronic means, the internet or telephone. A subcommittee of the House Judiciary Non–Civil committee gave the legislation a do-pass recommendation this afternoon. Representative Matt Ramsey is the sponsor of the bill and the chair of the Subcommittee.
Senator Greg Goggans introduced legislation today that would add a $10 fee to tags purchased for passenger vehicles in Georgia to fund the State’s Trauma Care Network. He took a point of personal privilege to invite his fellow Senators to sign on to the legislation.
And Licensed Practical Nurses or LPNs from across Georgia came to the Capitol today. Several legislators and Secretary of State Karen Handel joined the celebration of careers in the medical field. Lawmakers’ Tiana Fernandez has that story.
All that and more tonight on Lawmakers at 7 PM.
Lawmakers repeats on GPB Radio at 8 PM tonight and tomorrow morning on GPB television at 5:30 AM. You can also watch a repeat of Lawmakers tomorrow morning on GPB Knowledge at 7 AM. GPB Knowledge is available to those with digital television receivers at .3 of your local GPB transmitter, for example 20.3 in Augusta, or 8.3 in Atlanta.
The Senate votes to approve the Georgia Nuclear Energy Financing Act. Senate Bill 31 would allow utility companies to charge customers to cover the cost of building nuclear power plants- before the plants are built. Opponents say the legislation ties the hands of the Public Service Commission, which usually makes utility rate decisions. Lawmakers’ Brittany Evans reports.
The House today passed three bills. House Bill 71 seeks to close a loophole that provides a defense for use of false identifications; House Bill 116 extends the sales tax exemption for the sale or use of engines, parts, equipment and other tangible personal property used in the repair or maintenance of aircraft not registered in Georgia but that are being repaired or maintained in Georgia; and House Bill 231 which would allow interior designers to design non-load–bearing walls in structures other than offices.
In addition to passing Senate Bill 31 today, the Senate also passed Senate Resolution 107, which urges Congress to facilitate the building of reservoirs upstream from Lake Sidney Lanier.
Legislation designed to cut down on what Governor Sonny Perdue has termed “frivolous lawsuits” is being met with resistance. Perdue announced the initiative last month at the Georgia Chamber of Commerce’s Eggs and Issues breakfast. Senate Bill 108, sponsored by Senator Bill Cowsert, provides for what has been called a “loser pays” system, which opponents say should be termed a “victim pays” system. Lawmakers Valarie Edwards continues her look into proposed tort reform legislation.
The Senate Education and Youth committee this afternoon heard discussion on Senate Bill 84, legislation aimed at preventing another school board crisis like the one in Clayton County. An initiative of Governor Sonny Perdue, the bill is sponsored by Senator Bill Heath and seeks to revise elections provisions for school boards.
For the third year in a row, the Georgia General Assembly is considering revising the State’s criminal code to include a life without parole sentence for murder. Senate Bill 13 sponsor, Senator Preston Smith, says that the bill would close a gaping hole in Georgia law. The bill received a do-pass from the House Judiciary Non-Civil committee this morning.
Senate Democrats today introduced of another piece of legislation designed to help veterans in areas from education to financial aid. Senator Robert Brown sheds light on what has been termed the “Five for Fighting” agenda.
House Bill 123 would change the offense of child molestation to include direct contact by electronic means, the internet or telephone. A subcommittee of the House Judiciary Non–Civil committee gave the legislation a do-pass recommendation this afternoon. Representative Matt Ramsey is the sponsor of the bill and the chair of the Subcommittee.
Senator Greg Goggans introduced legislation today that would add a $10 fee to tags purchased for passenger vehicles in Georgia to fund the State’s Trauma Care Network. He took a point of personal privilege to invite his fellow Senators to sign on to the legislation.
And Licensed Practical Nurses or LPNs from across Georgia came to the Capitol today. Several legislators and Secretary of State Karen Handel joined the celebration of careers in the medical field. Lawmakers’ Tiana Fernandez has that story.
All that and more tonight on Lawmakers at 7 PM.
Lawmakers repeats on GPB Radio at 8 PM tonight and tomorrow morning on GPB television at 5:30 AM. You can also watch a repeat of Lawmakers tomorrow morning on GPB Knowledge at 7 AM. GPB Knowledge is available to those with digital television receivers at .3 of your local GPB transmitter, for example 20.3 in Augusta, or 8.3 in Atlanta.
Tuesday, February 10, 2009
Day 16- February 10, 2009
Tonight on Lawmakers, the Senate votes not to reconsider the passage of the Homeowners Tax Relief Grant legislation; Governor Sonny Perdue tells County Commissioners that now is not the time for those property tax grants; Senate Democrats say that they’re developing a plan to carefully consider how the State should move forward in these difficult economic times; Valarie Edwards take a look at proposed tort reform legislation and our leadership interview series continues with Senate Democratic Leader Robert Brown.
The fate of House Bill 143 was finally decided today when the Senate chose not to reconsider their action in passing the legislation on Friday. The bill funds Homeowners Tax Relief Grants (HTRGs) for years when there is a budget surplus and has garnered opposition from Democrats and Republicans who called the bill both unconstitutional and obsolete. In the end, House Bill 143 was engrossed, which means no changes were made. The legislation now heads to Governor Sonny Perdue.
Governor Perdue today told the Association of County Commissioners of Georgia that now is not the time for homeowners tax relief grants, but stopped short of saying that he would not sign House Bill 143. We’ll have the highlights of his luncheon address.
Senate Democrats say they’re developing a plan to carefully consider how the State should move forward in these difficult economic times. The development of the plan depends on two factors: 1) using a base of knowledge about federal stimulus plans from Democratic colleagues serving in Congress, and 2) meeting with State agency directors and commissioners to get a clearer picture of Georgia’s needs.
House Democratic Leader DuBose Porter and House Democrats today announced their introduction of House Bill 356. They claim that the legislation would streamline government, crack down on fraud and put over $1 billion back into State coffers by improving the sales tax collection process.
Legislation designed to spur biotech business growth in Georgia is being met with skepticism from some consumer groups. Governor Sonny Perdue announced the initiative last month at the Georgia Chamber of Commerce’s Eggs and Issues breakfast. Senate Bill 101, sponsored by Senator Bill Cowsert provides blanket immunity to drug manufacturers and makers of medical devices that have FDA- federal Food and Drug Administration- approval. Lawmakers' Valarie Edwards reports.
The Senate today passed three pieces of legislation. Senate Bill 14 which would prohibit those on the National Sex Offender Registry from serving on a school board. Senate Bill 24, the Probation Management Act and Senate Resolution 96, which urges the board of the Georgia Military College to maintain current military programs.
The House passed two pieces of legislation today. House Bill 212 extends an existing sales tax exemption for sales or use of jet fuel by qualifying airlines at qualifying airports and House Bill 194 would require the inclusion of additional information when a generic drug is substituted for a brand name prescription.
State and federal law already requires directors and owners of day care centers to have background checks, but if House Bill 70 becomes law, all day care employees and adults who live homes that are also day care centers would have their fingerprints taken for background checks. Lawmakers’ Emily Banks has more on committee action regarding this legislation.
On the heels of a recent salmonella outbreak across the nation emanating from a peanut processing plant in Georgia, the House Agriculture Committee today announced the creation of the Consumer Protection Investigation and Oversight Subcommittee. The task before the committee: to oversee the safety of agricultural products in Georgia.
Our leadership series of interviews continues with Senate Democratic Leader Robert Brown. Lawmakers' David Zelski had an opportunity to sit down with Senator Brown this afternoon to discuss the budget, education and transportation.
Teens may soon find that holding a cell phone in one hand and a steering wheel in the other is not a legal combination. The Driver Safety and Services Subcommittee of House Motor Vehicles heard testimony on House Bills 21 and 23 Friday afternoon. Both bills look to ban teenage cell phone use while driving but the specifics differ. Lawmakers’ Brittany Evans reports.
Today was Foster Youth and CASA Day at the Capitol. CASA is the organization of Court Appointed Special Advocates which serve abused and neglected children in the State’s justice system and social programs. Lawmakers’ Alan Friedman has that story.
And the National Association of Social Workers trained their members to advocate for legislation at their “Student Lobby Day” under the gold dome. House Bill 37, the Parent Protection Act, is at the top of the agenda. Lawmakers’ Tiana Fernandez reports.
All that and more tonight on Lawmakers at 7 PM.
Lawmakers repeats on GPB Radio at 8 PM tonight and tomorrow morning on GPB television at 5:30 AM. You can also watch a repeat of Lawmakers tomorrow morning on GPB Knowledge at 7 AM. You can also catch a repeat of Lawmakers GPB Knowledge is available to those with digital television receivers at .3 of your local GPB transmitter, for example 20.3 in Augusta, or 8.3 in Atlanta.
The fate of House Bill 143 was finally decided today when the Senate chose not to reconsider their action in passing the legislation on Friday. The bill funds Homeowners Tax Relief Grants (HTRGs) for years when there is a budget surplus and has garnered opposition from Democrats and Republicans who called the bill both unconstitutional and obsolete. In the end, House Bill 143 was engrossed, which means no changes were made. The legislation now heads to Governor Sonny Perdue.
Governor Perdue today told the Association of County Commissioners of Georgia that now is not the time for homeowners tax relief grants, but stopped short of saying that he would not sign House Bill 143. We’ll have the highlights of his luncheon address.
Senate Democrats say they’re developing a plan to carefully consider how the State should move forward in these difficult economic times. The development of the plan depends on two factors: 1) using a base of knowledge about federal stimulus plans from Democratic colleagues serving in Congress, and 2) meeting with State agency directors and commissioners to get a clearer picture of Georgia’s needs.
House Democratic Leader DuBose Porter and House Democrats today announced their introduction of House Bill 356. They claim that the legislation would streamline government, crack down on fraud and put over $1 billion back into State coffers by improving the sales tax collection process.
Legislation designed to spur biotech business growth in Georgia is being met with skepticism from some consumer groups. Governor Sonny Perdue announced the initiative last month at the Georgia Chamber of Commerce’s Eggs and Issues breakfast. Senate Bill 101, sponsored by Senator Bill Cowsert provides blanket immunity to drug manufacturers and makers of medical devices that have FDA- federal Food and Drug Administration- approval. Lawmakers' Valarie Edwards reports.
The Senate today passed three pieces of legislation. Senate Bill 14 which would prohibit those on the National Sex Offender Registry from serving on a school board. Senate Bill 24, the Probation Management Act and Senate Resolution 96, which urges the board of the Georgia Military College to maintain current military programs.
The House passed two pieces of legislation today. House Bill 212 extends an existing sales tax exemption for sales or use of jet fuel by qualifying airlines at qualifying airports and House Bill 194 would require the inclusion of additional information when a generic drug is substituted for a brand name prescription.
State and federal law already requires directors and owners of day care centers to have background checks, but if House Bill 70 becomes law, all day care employees and adults who live homes that are also day care centers would have their fingerprints taken for background checks. Lawmakers’ Emily Banks has more on committee action regarding this legislation.
On the heels of a recent salmonella outbreak across the nation emanating from a peanut processing plant in Georgia, the House Agriculture Committee today announced the creation of the Consumer Protection Investigation and Oversight Subcommittee. The task before the committee: to oversee the safety of agricultural products in Georgia.
Our leadership series of interviews continues with Senate Democratic Leader Robert Brown. Lawmakers' David Zelski had an opportunity to sit down with Senator Brown this afternoon to discuss the budget, education and transportation.
Teens may soon find that holding a cell phone in one hand and a steering wheel in the other is not a legal combination. The Driver Safety and Services Subcommittee of House Motor Vehicles heard testimony on House Bills 21 and 23 Friday afternoon. Both bills look to ban teenage cell phone use while driving but the specifics differ. Lawmakers’ Brittany Evans reports.
Today was Foster Youth and CASA Day at the Capitol. CASA is the organization of Court Appointed Special Advocates which serve abused and neglected children in the State’s justice system and social programs. Lawmakers’ Alan Friedman has that story.
And the National Association of Social Workers trained their members to advocate for legislation at their “Student Lobby Day” under the gold dome. House Bill 37, the Parent Protection Act, is at the top of the agenda. Lawmakers’ Tiana Fernandez reports.
All that and more tonight on Lawmakers at 7 PM.
Lawmakers repeats on GPB Radio at 8 PM tonight and tomorrow morning on GPB television at 5:30 AM. You can also watch a repeat of Lawmakers tomorrow morning on GPB Knowledge at 7 AM. You can also catch a repeat of Lawmakers GPB Knowledge is available to those with digital television receivers at .3 of your local GPB transmitter, for example 20.3 in Augusta, or 8.3 in Atlanta.
Monday, February 9, 2009
Lawmakers Returns Tomorrow
Lawmakers will not be broadcast tonight because the Georgia General Assembly was in recess. For more information about the legislative schedule, check out our posting here.
Our program returns tomorrow, Tuesday, February 10, 2009 at 7 PM on GPB television.
Our program returns tomorrow, Tuesday, February 10, 2009 at 7 PM on GPB television.
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