The House this morning voted to reconsider it’s action on House Resolution 413. Because the measure seeks to amend the State Constitution to declare English the official language of the State of Georgia, it requires a 2/3 majority vote. The reconsideration motion succeeded and the legislation returns to House Special Rules.
The “border war” with Tennessee took on a comic note this morning. Mayor Ron Littlefield of Chattanooga sent a truckload of bottled water to the State Capitol. The so-called "gift" is intended to poke fun at resolutions passed last week seeking to change the state line to get a stretch of the Tennessee River. Senate Resolution 822 and House Resolution 1206 both create a Boundary Line Commission to study to accurately survey and correctly mark Georgia's borders with Tennessee and North Carolina. It all started back in 1818 when a faulty survey set Georgia's border, not at the 35th parallel where Congress set it, but one mile south. Lawmakers Sandra Parrish has the latest.
Legislation that opens the door for Cancer Treatment Centers of America to open a metro Atlanta facility passed the Senate today. 23 Senators voted against Senate Bill 433, although none spoke against it. Because the provision would make destination hospitals subject to certificate of need requirements, there is a fear that these types of treatment centers will take resources from existing hospitals.
Secretary of State Karen Handel has opened an investigation of the Clayton Count
y School Board after allegations of impropriety. The Southern Association of Colleges and Schools said two weeks ago that Clayton County Schools are "fatally flawed" and recommended the 52,800 student district lose its accreditation September 1, unless it makes some serious changes. The 9 member school board has come under accusations of foul play and Governor Sonny Perdue has appointed Secretary Handel to investigate its actions. Lawmakers Bridget Snapp reports.The Senate Education and Youth Committee unanimously passed a bill that they believe could decrease the dropout rate among Georgia high school students. Senate Bill 257, the "Dropout Deterrent Act" is sponsored by Senator Vincent Fort.
Lt. Governor Casey Cagle was “roasted” last night by colleagues for the benefit of the TEAM Georgia Foundation and the Herb Emory Victim’s Assistance Fund. We’ll have the highlights.All that and more, tonight on Lawmakers. Watch Online!
