Friday, January 29, 2010

Legislative Schedule

Just a reminder that the schedule for the Georgia General Assembly as set by House Resolution 1091 is as follows:

Friday, January 29 through Sunday, January 31. . . in adjournment

Monday, February 1. . . . . . . . . . in session for legislative day 9
Tuesday, February 2.. . . . . . . . . in session for legislative day 10
Wednesday, February 3. . . . . . . in session for legislative day 11
Thursday, February 4 . . . . . . . . in session for legislative day 12
Friday, February 5. . . . . . . . . . . in session for legislative day 13

Saturday, February 6 and Sunday, February 7. . . . . in adjournment
Monday, February 8.. . . . . . . . . in session for legislative day 14

Lawmakers returns on Monday, February 1 at 7 PM on GPB.

Thursday, January 28, 2010

Day 8- January 28, 2010

Tonight on Lawmakers, the Senate passes a measure guaranteeing motorists the right to use hands–free cell phone devices; Rules changes in the House that abolish the hawk system are finalized; our leadership series of interviews continues with Senate Democratic Caucus Chair Tim Golden; and we’ll talk with Tom Crawford of The Georgia Report.

If you were unaware that it is illegal to use a hands–free device while driving, you are not alone. Senator Bill Heath had the issue brought to his attention by a constituent. The Senate today passed Senate Bill 306, that measure clarifies the law in regard to audio amplification while driving.

Its official. There are no more hawks in the house. Today the House passed House Resolution 1168, a resolution to change House Rules to open up debate. Among other things it abolishes the hawks system and allows reporters on the house floor during session, but only after the daily devotion.

Representative Tom Graves introduced the Jobs, Opportunity, and Business Success Act , or JOBS Act of 2010 today. The sponsor says that the legislation is designed to stimulate the state’s economy by providing tax credits, cuts and incentives to create, expand and attract new businesses in Georgia. Lawmakers Valarie Edwards has more.

Our leadership series of interviews continues with Senate Democratic Caucus Chair Tim Golden. Nwandi Lawson talks with Senator Golden about the tough economic times, what Georgia can do to create jobs and what the State’s budget priorities should be.

And it’s the end of another legislative week- that means it’s time to check in with Tom Crawford of The Georgia Report. Susan talks with Tom about the happenings under the gold dome.

As a part of the celebration of Lawmakers’ 40th season, we continue our Lawmakers Flashback series. Tonight’s excerpt features Speaker of the House George L. Smith presiding over a floor debate in 1973.

Tuesday, January 26, 2010

Day 6- January 26, 2010

Republican leadership in the House and Senate announce plans to ask legislators to accept more furlough days, new changes in House Rules abolishing the hawk system, new legislation prohibiting racial profiling and more highlights from last week's budget briefings.

Lieutenant Governor Casey Cagle and House Speaker David Ralston are asking legislators to take six more furlough days before July. Combined with five furlough days already taken by the legislature that brings the total to eleven days of furlough this fiscal year. The move would give back $170,000 to state coffers.

The ACLU and other community coalitions joined legislators in announcing a new measure to prohibit racial profiling. The measure would require annual law enforcement training as well as a system of reporting the race, sex and ethnicity of all traffic stops. Similar legislation passed the House in 2004, but failed to pass the Senate. Supporters say that this version of the bill will be acceptable to law enforcement

The outlook for the economy and job creation in Georgia were the subject of a Joint House–Senate Economic Development Committee meeting this afternoon. Prominent economists shared their thoughts about the challenges Georgia faces in the coming year. Despite some rather bleak assessments for the immediate future, the consensus is that we're headed for recovery.

As a part of the celebration of Lawmakers’ 40th season, we continue our Lawmakers Flashback series. Tonight’s excerpt features highlights from the 1971 budget briefings.

Today was Stop Violence Against Women Day at the State Capitol. Advocates for battered women expressed concern over proposed budget cuts and urged legislators to increase rather than decrease the funding. Victims and their families spoke out about the need for more resources. Lawmakers’ Lara Fawaz has that story.