Tonight on Lawmakers, it’s crossover day, legislative day 30, the last chance for bills to pass out of their originating chambers, Senate debate on embryo legislation focuses on donor compensation, legislation intended to stimulate Georgia’s economy passes the House, two ethics bills regulating lobbyists pass the Senate and the House votes to eliminate the ad valorem tax on vehicles.
Attracting new business to Georgia and giving the unemployed some breathing room was the focus of a handful of bills which passed the House earlier today. Representative Tom Graves sponsored House Bill 482, which would exempt business inventory from ad valorem taxes. House Bill 481, the Jobs, Opportunity and Business Act would give approximately a half billion dollars in tax breaks to small businesses. House Bill 581 brings $226 million in federal stimulus to help Georgia’s unemployed. House Bill 261 would provide a state income tax exemption for new home purchase and House Bill 439, backed by Governor Perdue, would provide corporate tax breaks for businesses in less developed parts of the State or who relocate to Georgia. Lawmakers’ Valarie Edwards has that story.
No more birthday tax- the House today approved a measure that would eliminate the ad valorem tax on vehicles. That tag is routinely collected at car tag renewal time on the birthday of vehicle owners. Representative Harry Geisiner sponsors House Bill 480. This idea was championed by Speaker Glenn Richardson last year.
The Senate today approved a measure that would allow voters in municipalities that employ in excess of 1500 police officers and firefighters combined to decide to create a special tax district. Senate Bill 77 is aimed at Atlanta’s current shortfalls that have forced furloughs in the public safety department. Senator Kasim Reed sponsors the legislation which aims to save these jobs and prevent possible furloughs and layoffs.
Senate Bill 169, the Ethical Treatment of Human Embryos Act, began as the “Octomom” bill, but was stripped of any provision limiting the number of in-vitro implanted embryos. The content of the bill substitute that passed out of Health and Human Services gives embryos the status of personhood rather than property. Today’s Senate debate on the bill centered on “valuable consideration”- or potential compensation- for egg donors. Lawmakers’ Brittany Evans has the latest.
The House voted today to allow pre-birth adoption. Opponents of House Bill 388 charge that a means for adopting embryos is not needed in Georgia, but bill sponsor Representative James Mills says the measure has the support of both pro-choice and pro-life groups.
The Senate passed two ethics reform bills today. Combined, Senate Bills 17 and 96 would make three main changes to the ethics law- changes legislators say will provide more integrity in the law making process. GPB Radio’s Rome Bureau Chief John Sepulvado reports for Lawmakers.
Committee chairmen could soon require legislators and anyone else testifying before their committee swear and oath that they are telling the truth. Senate Bill 7, the Truth in Testimony Act is sponsored by Senator Ed Tarver.
A bill that would prohibit teens from talking or texting while driving passed the House today. House Bill 23 would prohibit the use of cell phones or similar electronic devices while driving for those under the age of 18. Lawmakers’ Minoo Hosseini has more.
And we’ll have the results of our weekly legislative issue poll! 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.
Showing posts with label income taxes. Show all posts
Showing posts with label income taxes. Show all posts
Thursday, March 12, 2009
Wednesday, March 4, 2009
Day 26- March 4, 2009
Tonight on Lawmakers, the House passes legislation that would increase pay for math and science teachers; the Senate passes an extension of a tax break on jet fuel for Atlanta-based airlines like Delta and AirTran; a measure that would require State Senators to be current on their state income taxes passes out of Rules Committee; the Senate Special Committee on Stimulus visits an economically disadvantaged community; and our leadership series of interviews continues with House Speaker Pro Tem Mark Burkhalter.
Legislation backed by Governor Sonny Perdue to increase compensation for Georgia’s math and science teachers passed the House today. House Bill 280 is sponsored by House Education Chair Brooks Coleman. The legislation would add about $4,500 per year to highly qualified entry-level math and science teachers in public high schools.
The passage of House Bill 212 could mean two more years of jet fuel tax exemptions for Atlanta based airlines like Delta and AirTran. The bill received bipartisan support in the Senate, passing 47-5. No changes were made in the Senate so that bill heads to Governor Sonny Perdue.
Legislation that could remove a Senator from office for failure to pay income taxes received a do-pass recommendation by substitute from the Senate Rules Committee today. Senate Resolution 452 was authored by Senate Ethics Chair Eric Johnson shortly after the Georgia Department of Revenue announced that 22 state legislators are delinquent on their income taxes. Lawmakers’ Brittany Evans reports.
The House today passed 14 bills on the floor. Among those successful pieces of legislation was House Bill 422, a measure that would allow children under the age of 12 to ride their bicycles on sidewalks and House Bill 220, legislation that would require all Superior Courts in Georgia to uniformly decide motions within 90 days. Although designed to remove a population restriction, the bill also strikes language in that same code section regarding judicial impeachment. Debate on the House floor centered on the role of the General Assembly in the impeachment of Superior Court judges.
The Senate passed 11 pieces of legislation on the floor this morning beginning with Senate Bill 15, a measure from Senator John Douglas which provides certified clean up for sites where methamphetamine has been manufactured. Senator J.B. Powell’s “Made in Georgia” legislation also passed. Senate Bill 117 directs the Department of Economic Development to create and maintain a website that informs the public of Georgia manufacturers and their goods or products. Senate Bill 136, which provides deportation measures of illegal aliens who have been convicted of crimes, passed. Senate Banking and Financial Institutions Chair Bill Hamrick presented Senate Bill 141, which deals with home foreclosure procedures and fees. That legislation also passed and all those bills now head to the House.
A bill that would double the current statewide homestead exemption failed to pass the House today. Senate Bill 83 would increase the current $2000 ad valorem tax exemption to $4000. The legislation requires that the exemption be approved by voters in a special election held on June 16, 2009. That provision had some legislators speaking up for their cash-strapped communities that would have to pay for the election. Lawmakers’ Minoo Hosseini has more.
As you may recall, yesterday the Senate passed a bill that would create new standards for registering to vote. This afternoon, the House passed an almost identical bill. House Bill 45 would require voters show proof of citizenship when they register to vote. Bill sponsor Representative James Mills defended the legislation against House Democratic Leader DuBose Porter who called the bill “un-American”. Lawmakers’ Emily Banks reports.
The Senate Special Committee on Stimulus took their message on the road last week. The committee is working with communities to find out how Georgians feel the federal stimulus monies should be spent. GPB Radio’s Rome Bureau Chief John Sepulvado was there when the committee visited Sparta in Hancock County.
Our leadership series of interviews continues with House Speaker Pro Tem, Representative Mark Burkhalter. Lawmakers’ Nwandi Lawson had a chance to speak with Representative Burkhalter this afternoon about his legislation to re-create Milton County out of north Fulton; the importance of balancing the State’s budget so that no tax increases are necessary and avoiding creating a deficit like the one being created at the federal government level.
A bill that would require that all drivers license exams be administered in Georgia be given in English received a do-pass recommendation from the Senate Public Safety Committee yesterday. The committee had heard testimony on Senate Bill 67 last week as well. We’ll have the highlights of yesterday afternoon’s committee action.
And it was PB and J Day under the gold dome. Lawmakers’ Alan Friedman takes us on a taste adventure of sandwiches, peanuts and other assorted Georgia-grown goodies.
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.
Legislation backed by Governor Sonny Perdue to increase compensation for Georgia’s math and science teachers passed the House today. House Bill 280 is sponsored by House Education Chair Brooks Coleman. The legislation would add about $4,500 per year to highly qualified entry-level math and science teachers in public high schools.
The passage of House Bill 212 could mean two more years of jet fuel tax exemptions for Atlanta based airlines like Delta and AirTran. The bill received bipartisan support in the Senate, passing 47-5. No changes were made in the Senate so that bill heads to Governor Sonny Perdue.
Legislation that could remove a Senator from office for failure to pay income taxes received a do-pass recommendation by substitute from the Senate Rules Committee today. Senate Resolution 452 was authored by Senate Ethics Chair Eric Johnson shortly after the Georgia Department of Revenue announced that 22 state legislators are delinquent on their income taxes. Lawmakers’ Brittany Evans reports.
The House today passed 14 bills on the floor. Among those successful pieces of legislation was House Bill 422, a measure that would allow children under the age of 12 to ride their bicycles on sidewalks and House Bill 220, legislation that would require all Superior Courts in Georgia to uniformly decide motions within 90 days. Although designed to remove a population restriction, the bill also strikes language in that same code section regarding judicial impeachment. Debate on the House floor centered on the role of the General Assembly in the impeachment of Superior Court judges.
The Senate passed 11 pieces of legislation on the floor this morning beginning with Senate Bill 15, a measure from Senator John Douglas which provides certified clean up for sites where methamphetamine has been manufactured. Senator J.B. Powell’s “Made in Georgia” legislation also passed. Senate Bill 117 directs the Department of Economic Development to create and maintain a website that informs the public of Georgia manufacturers and their goods or products. Senate Bill 136, which provides deportation measures of illegal aliens who have been convicted of crimes, passed. Senate Banking and Financial Institutions Chair Bill Hamrick presented Senate Bill 141, which deals with home foreclosure procedures and fees. That legislation also passed and all those bills now head to the House.
A bill that would double the current statewide homestead exemption failed to pass the House today. Senate Bill 83 would increase the current $2000 ad valorem tax exemption to $4000. The legislation requires that the exemption be approved by voters in a special election held on June 16, 2009. That provision had some legislators speaking up for their cash-strapped communities that would have to pay for the election. Lawmakers’ Minoo Hosseini has more.
As you may recall, yesterday the Senate passed a bill that would create new standards for registering to vote. This afternoon, the House passed an almost identical bill. House Bill 45 would require voters show proof of citizenship when they register to vote. Bill sponsor Representative James Mills defended the legislation against House Democratic Leader DuBose Porter who called the bill “un-American”. Lawmakers’ Emily Banks reports.
The Senate Special Committee on Stimulus took their message on the road last week. The committee is working with communities to find out how Georgians feel the federal stimulus monies should be spent. GPB Radio’s Rome Bureau Chief John Sepulvado was there when the committee visited Sparta in Hancock County.
Our leadership series of interviews continues with House Speaker Pro Tem, Representative Mark Burkhalter. Lawmakers’ Nwandi Lawson had a chance to speak with Representative Burkhalter this afternoon about his legislation to re-create Milton County out of north Fulton; the importance of balancing the State’s budget so that no tax increases are necessary and avoiding creating a deficit like the one being created at the federal government level.
A bill that would require that all drivers license exams be administered in Georgia be given in English received a do-pass recommendation from the Senate Public Safety Committee yesterday. The committee had heard testimony on Senate Bill 67 last week as well. We’ll have the highlights of yesterday afternoon’s committee action.
And it was PB and J Day under the gold dome. Lawmakers’ Alan Friedman takes us on a taste adventure of sandwiches, peanuts and other assorted Georgia-grown goodies.
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.
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