Day 15- February 11, 2008

Tonight on Lawmakers, the Senate asks for Georgia’s fair share of federal highway funding, the House votes to allow defensive driving courses to be completed online, Rep. Sharon Beasley-Teague is investigated by the State Ethics Commission, and Senator Eric Johnson and Representative Barry Fleming sponsor legislation to even the score between out of state collegiate emblems and Georgia license tags.

The Senate today passed a resolution urging the U.S. Department of Transportation to revise the way it distributes collected fuel taxes. SR 750 urges the DOT to cease the collection of fuel taxes from the states, and allow the states to retain fuel tax money for use on local transportation projects.

The House passed a bill that will allow defensive driving courses to be completed online today. The bill expressly prohibits participants enrolled in DUI Alcohol and Drug Use Risk Reduction programs from taking courses online. House Bill 1027 passed the House 103 to 56 after lengthy debate. It now moves to the Senate.

Lawmakers reported last week that Representative Sharon Beasley-Teague is being investigated by the State Ethics Commission over accusations of fraudulent expense and campaign disclosure reports. Lawmakers’ Sandra Parrish spoke with Rep. Beasley-Teague this afternoon about the allegations.

Legislation was announced today that aims to make it harder to stick a Florida Gator or an Auburn Tiger on a Georgia license plate. Bill sponsors Sen. Eric Johnson and Rep. Barry Fleming say this is important because states like Florida make it difficult for Georgia grads to show their school pride on license plates, but out of state graduates in Georgia have a fairly easy time of it.

All that and more, tonight on Lawmakers. Watch Online!