Session Review 2010

The 2010 session of the Georgia General Assembly has drawn to a close. Wondering how the actions of the legislature might affect you and your family? Be sure and tune in for “Lawmakers: Session Review 2010” at 7 PM tonight. Hosted by Lawmakers’ co-anchor Susan Hoffman, this special journalists’ roundtable features Tom Crawford of The Georgia Report, Sandra Parrish of WSB-Radio and Jim Galloway, the AJC’s Political Insider. Only on GPB.

Day 34- April 12, 2010

Tonight on Lawmakers, retribution over “no” votes on the hospital provider fee as several Senators are stripped of committee chairmanships and leadership roles; Insurance Commissioner John Oxendine says he will not implement the first phase of the new federal healthcare legislation; a bill that would require the use of seatbelts in pickup trucks clears a House committee hurdle; and we’ll talk with Tom Crawford of The Georgia Report to get us up to speed after the week-long recess. All that and more tonight.

Day 33- April 1, 2010

Tonight on Lawmakers, Governor Sonny Perdue's proposed hospital provider tax fuels long and heated debate in the Senate; an update on Ethics reform legislation; the Senate passes a measure that would allow local school systems to increase class sizes in an effort to save money in a lean budget year; legislation that would prevent so-called "double dipping" by State retirees working on contract passes the Senate; ant it's the end of another legislative week, we'll check in with Tom Crawford of The Georgia Report.

Day 31- March 30, 2010

Tonight on Lawmakers, Republicans and Democrats try to work out their differences over Governor Sonny Perdue's hospital provider tax proposal, touching off a slow down in the FY 2011 budget process; the regional transportation funding proposal hangs on in conference committee; Representative Mark Hatfield files legislation to begin impeachment proceedings against Attorney General Thurbert Baker; and Tom Crawford of The Georgia Report catches us up on the last of the Crossover day action. All that and more tonight.

Day 30- March 26, 2010

Tonight on Lawmakers, it's the crucial 30th legislative day, also known as Crossover Day, this is the deadline for legislation to pass out of its chamber of origination, we'll have the latest; the House passes Governor Sonny Perdue's hospital provider tax; House Speaker David Ralston's ethics reform bill is expected to come for a vote; the Senate passes a measure making it a crime to coerce abortion for any reason; and it's the end of another legislative week, which means it's time to check in with Tom Crawford of The Georgia Report. All that and more tonight.

Day 24- March 11, 2010

Tonight on Lawmakers, Governor Sonny Perdue abandons the so-called “bed tax” proposition to fund the Medicaid shortfall, opting instead to propose decreasing Medicaid reimbursements by 10.25%; the Senate passes legislation aimed at establishing statewide standards for property tax assessments and appeals; and it’s the end of another legislative week, time to check in with Tom Crawford of The Georgia Report.

Day 21- March 8, 2010

Tonight on Lawmakers, February revenue figures are announced, and the continued decline is likely to mean more budget cuts; House and Senate leaders look to fee increases to help shore up the State’s budget; a new tax intended to pay for a new domed stadium in Atlanta passes the House; and we check in with Tom Crawford of The Georgia Report to catch up on what took place at the Capitol during the two week recess.

Day 20- February 18, 2010

Tonight on Lawmakers, amid worries of falling State revenues, the Senate passes their version of the FY 2010 Amended Budget; the House and Senate agree to take a two week recess to continue to work on both budgets- the FY 2010 Amended and FY 2011 General; a coalition of legislators who think Georgia’s working families are being overlooked in the budget process speak out; and it’s the end of another legislative week- that means it’s time to check in with Tom Crawford of The Georgia Report.

Day 17- February 11, 2010

Tonight on Lawmakers, the 2010 Amended Budget passes the House; Governor Sonny Perdue, Lt. Governor Casey Cagle and House Speaker David Ralston present a unified transportation plan calling for voters to decide on sales tax increases in the State’s 12 transportation regions; our leadership series of interviews continues with Senate Democratic Leader Robert Brown; and it’s the end of another legislative week- that means it’s time to check in with Tom Crawford of the Georgia Report.

Day 13- February 5, 2010

Tonight on Lawmakers, Governor Sonny Perdue wants to make four of the State’s constitutional officers that are currently elected into appointed positions instead; after being taken to task by a Senate committee yesterday, the Department of Transportation Board votes to rescind a controversial decision to institute accrual accounting practices; and we’ll take a look back at this week under the gold dome with Tom Crawford of The Georgia Report. All that and more tonight on Lawmakers.

Day 4- January 14, 2010

Tonight on Lawmakers, Governor Sonny Perdue announces a $3 billion, ten year transportation plan, Susan Hoffman sits down with the new Speaker of the House, Rep. David Ralston of Blue Ridge, the annual Capitol remembrance of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. and Nwandi Lawson talks with Tom Crawford of Capitol Impact.com about the first legislative week of 2010.

Governor Sonny Perdue proposes a 10 year, $3 billion dollar spending plan for transportation. The monies would go for statewide transportation infrastructure including rail and public transit. The Governor is recommending $300 million in general obligation bonds backed by specific transportation projects as developed by the Department of Transportation. In addition, he wants the debt service to be paid by the general budget, not by revenues from the gas tax. He says the time to invest is now... and not investing is not an option.

The new Speaker of the House, David Ralston of Blue Ridge, sits down with Lawmakers’ Susan Hoffman to talk about the challenges and opportunities Georgia faces and his plans as Speaker.

The annual Capitol Celebration of the life of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. took place today under the gold dome. The ceremonies were marked by prayers for the people of Haiti along with a few light hearted moments recalling doctor king as father, brother, friend and leader. Lawmakers’ Valarie Edwards has the highlights.

If you're texting on your cell phone while driving, one state representative says no more! You are putting yourself and others in harm's way. Rep. Amos Amerson is drafting legislation at the request of a grandmother who lost her grandson who was texting while driving. The bill suggests a $100 fine if you're caught texting while driving. Rep. Amerson is also offering another bill that says no talking on the phone while driving. He says cell phone use while driving is almost as dangerous as drinking and driving. Amerson says the fine for talking while driving would be capped at $300. Amerson and some co–sponsors believe the time is now to pass such legislation and that voters favor the ban.

And it’s the end of the first legislative week under the gold dome. That means it’s time to check in with Tom Crawford of CapitolImpact.com. Tom talks with Lawmakers’ Nwandi Lawson about the highlights of the week.

Labor Commissioner Michael Thurmond is calling on anyone and everyone to help come up with a solution to Georgia's unemployment problem. He says we can't wait for the Federal Government to bail us out, we have to help ourselves- and exploit all options. He's holding a jobs summit that is a bi–partisan effort that hopes to bring the best and brightest together to find solutions. Shaping Georgia's Economic Destiny is Monday, January 18 from 8am until 4pm at the Georgia Tech Hotel and Conference Center in Atlanta. Click here for more details.

As a part of the celebration of Lawmakers’ 40th season, we continue our Lawmakers Flashback series. Tonight’s excerpt features the 1971 Speaker of the House, George L. Smith.

Lawmakers Sine Die Special at 11 PM

Since 1971, Georgia Public Broadcasting Television has produced a special newscast every day the Georgia General Assembly is in session. “Lawmakers” concludes its 39th season today, Friday, April 3. Join David Zelski and Nwandi Lawson for a one hour live presentation of the Lawmakers Sine Die Special at 11 PM.

In addition to highlights of the day’s most important House and Senate action, we’ll bring you the latest on the Four T’s: Taxes, Transportation, Trauma and Teachers.

TAXES
There are still several measures yet to achieve final passage this year in regard to taxes. Proposals that failed this session include: SB 83, a bill that would have increased the statewide homestead exemption by doubling the ad valorem tax exemption failed in the House back on March 25; HB 39, the co-called “Pass the Buck” bill that would have added $1 excise tax per pack on cigarettes or tobacco products; SB 91, the so-called “sin tax” that would have added a $5 surcharge for patrons of adult entertainment clubs; and HB 67, which would have brought back sales taxes on groceries. Some proposals are still undecided: HB 261 would give an income tax credit for the purchase of a single family home of either 1.2% or $3600, whichever is less; the House agreed to a Conference Committee report just before 9 PM; the Senate would still have to agree; HB 439, a corporate tax break proposal backed by Governor Perdue passed the Senate by substitute Wednesday, the House still needs to agree; HB 480 would eliminate of the ad valorem tax on cars, but add a significant title fee onto cars purchased after the act would go into law, that legislation was tabled in the Senate on Wednesday and although it could come up for a vote, it may be dead for the session. HB 482, which would provide an ad valorem tax exemption for property constituting the inventory of a business has passed both chambers and is headed to the Governor.

TRANSPORTATION
In the Transportation arena, the House and Senate have dueling proposals in regard to funding transportation. While the House favors a statewide 1% sales tax to fund a specific list of transportation projects, the Senate favors a T-SPLOST, or Transportation Special Local Option Sales Tax, which aims to provide funding solutions for local traffic woes by asking voters to approve a regional 1% sales tax. The vehicle for a funding solution is HB 277, originally titled the Georgia 2020 Transportation Act. Conferees have met numerous times to come to an agreement on a compromise between the two plans. Lawmakers’ Valarie Edwards has been following this issue all session and will bring us the latest.

TRAUMA
With the third T, Trauma, we’ll be taking a look at Georgia’s lack of a Statewide Trauma Care network. Currently, there are no trauma centers south of Macon to almost the Florida State line. There are several issues that pose problems here: funding, staffing and emergency transport. SB 156 would extensively revise the duties and powers of the Georgia Trauma Care Network Commission, abolishes the existing Georgia Trauma Trust Fund and establishes a new State Office of EMS/Trauma. The real sticking point is funding. HB 160, the so-called Super Speeder legislation, will increase fines for those driving in excess of 85 MPH on highways or 75 MPH on two-lane roads by $200. It will also increase the fee to renew a driver’s license. The $23 million expected to be generated by the new fines and fees is intended to go towards funding trauma, but the monies will go into the general fund rather than a specific fund for trauma care.

TEACHERS
The final T is Teachers but really that is education in general. There are several education proposals that have already failed this legislative session: SB 90, Senator Eric Johnson’s universal school voucher bill failed to make it out of the Senate Rules committee before crossover day; SB 93, an initiative of Governor Sonny Perdue which would have established a program to reward high performing principals with $10,000 bonuses also failed to make crossover day; and HB 282 which would have created the Georgia Master Teacher Program and provided a bonus for those master teachers also failed to make crossover day and appears to be dead for the session. Of the proposals that are still alive at this point in the session are: HB 243, legislation that repeals the salary increase for teachers that gain National Board Certification, that bill will likely go to a conference committee as the Senate passed the bill by substitute on Wednesday; HB 251, legislation that would have allowed students to attend any public school as long as the school board approved the transfer the new student- State funding would accompany that student to the new district; the House agreed to the Senate substitute, but amended the bill on the floor- it goes back to the Senate and may end up in Conference Committee. One measure that affects Georgia’s educators has passed and goes to Governor Perdue: HB 280, legislation that provides additional compensation for “highly qualified” math and science teachers.

You can also expect an update on HB 119, the FY 2010 budget. A Conference Committee report has been adopted by the House and Senate on that $18.6 billion spending plan.

We’ll also be joined live by the National Editor for CapitolImpact.com, Tom Crawford.

And in celebration of the conclusion of the 39th season of Lawmakers, we’ll take a look back at episodes from the past four decades.

All that and more on the Lawmakers Sine Die Special at 11 PM tonight!

The Lawmakers Sine Die Special repeats Saturday 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. You can also watch a repeat of the Lawmakers Sine Die Special on Monday, April 6 on GPB television at 5 AM.

Day 40- April 3, 2009

Tonight on Lawmakers at 7 PM, a joint Conference Committee works to come to an agreement on the $18.6 billion budget; negotiations on a transportation funding solution go down to the wire; compensation for the wrongly convicted John Jerome White narrowly passes the Senate; National Editor of Capitol Impact dot com, Tom Crawford, joins us live for the latest Capitol news and the Senate attempts to amend House legislation to require the use of seatbelts in pickup trucks. Also tonight at 11 PM, the Lawmakers Sine Die Special!

It’s the 40th and final day of the Georgia General Assembly’s 2009 session. Join David Zelski and Nwandi Lawson at 7 PM for our half hour Lawmakers program as we review the day's action thus far and return to GPB at 11 PM for a one hour live presentation of the Lawmakers Sine Die Special.

Many issues remain unresolved as we approach the end of the session, perhaps most importantly the 2010 budget and transportation funding solutions. We’ll have the latest from the Conference Committees on HB 119, the FY 2010 budget and HB 277, the Georgia 2020 Transportation Act.

We’ll also be wrapping up this legislative week in fine Lawmakers fashion by checking in with the venerable Tom Crawford, National Editor of CapitolImpact.com for his thoughts on the action under the gold dome as the clock ticks down to midnight.

All that and the latest Capitol news- including live coverage of the House and Senate- tonight on Lawmakers at 7 PM.

Day 34- March 20, 2009

Tonight on Lawmakers, the House votes to compensate John Jerome White, who was wrongfully convicted and served over ten years in prison; the Senate votes to give state income tax credits for scholarship fund donations; our leadership series of interviews continues with Senate President Pro Tem Tommie Williams; our legislative scorecard as of day 34; and we’ll talk with Tom Crawford of CapitolImpact.com for his thoughts on this week under the gold dome.

A man who served 10 years in prison after being wrongfully convicted of rape, burglary and aggravated assault is one step closer to receiving compensation from the State. But passage of House Resolution 161 was preceded by serious questions about whether John Jerome White deserves an annuity package valued at over $700,000.

The House today also passed Senate Bill 193, legislation which would allow inmates to transfer to transitional centers or work release programs during the offender’s final year of incarceration.

Legislation giving individuals and corporations the option to donate to student scholarship organizations for tax credit passed the Senate today, but not without heavy opposition from Democrats. Senator Steve Thompson says House Bill 100 is just another step closer towards a statewide school voucher system.

The Senate today passed House Bill 71; legislation that supporters say removes a loophole used a defense by producers of false identification or documents. Under this bill, having the word “novelty” printed on false ID will no longer be a defense for charges of manufacturing, selling or distributing false identification documents. Changes in Senate Committee send that bill back to the House.

The Senate today failed to pass House Bill 550. This measure, which relates to the conversion of a mutual insurer to a stock insurer, seeks to provide an additional method of payment by a mutual insurer of the equity, namely, a paid-up life insurance policy with a cash value equal to 100% of the policyholder’s equity.

Senate Majority Leader Chip Rogers spoke out yesterday about Georgia’s rising unemployment, which is now at a record 9.3%. He spoke about the JOBS Act, House Bill 481, which he says will help create jobs. Today, Senator Nan Orrock spoke out about the cost associated with that job creation. She says it will cost the State an average of $265,000 per job created- that figure from the Georgia Budget and Policy Institute.

Our leadership interview series continues with Senate President Pro Tem Tommie Williams. David Zelski had a chance to interview Senator Williams about his transition from Majority Leader to Senate President Pro Tem in challenging economic times. They also spoke about transportation, the budget and federal stimulus dollars.

Only 6 legislative days remain in the 2009 session. Tonight we bring you the Lawmakers’ legislative scorecard. Where in the process are the big issues? Tune in for our synopsis.

Today marks the end of the ninth 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 budget, funding for Medicaid and the controversy in the House over a resolution that would have made President Barack Obama an honorary member of the Georgia Legislative Black Caucus.

All that and more tonight on Lawmakers at 7 PM.

Lawmakers repeats 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. You can also watch a repeat of Lawmakers Monday morning on GPB television at 5:30 AM.

Day 31- March 17, 2009

Tonight on Lawmakers, an update on the big issues of the session, the Four T’s: transportation, taxes, trauma and teachers; on the first post-crossover legislative day, a review of bills that are likely dead for the session; the Public Service Commission gives Georgia Power the go-ahead to build two new nuclear power plants; Georgia Virtual Schools lobby legislators to provide funding on par with other public schools; and we’ll talk with Tom Crawford of Capitol Impact.com for his thoughts on the remaining days under the gold dome.

TRANSPORTATION
It was always anticipated that transportation would be a big issue in the 2009 session. First, the Senate and house revealed two different approaches to funding the State’s transportation needs- the Senate with a transportation special local option sales tax or T-SPLOST and the House with a statewide 1% sales tax. Then Governor Sonny Perdue announced his plans to reorganize the State’s transportation agencies. Lawmakers’ Valarie Edwards has the latest on transportation initiatives.

TAXES
Always an important issue, tax proposals have gained an even higher profile during these troubled economic times. We’ll have updates on some of the tax-related legislation that is making its way through the legislative process. Senate Bill 83 would have doubled the homestead exemption from $2,000 to $4,000, but failed to pass the House. House Bill 143 preserves the Homeowners Tax Relief Grant, or HTRG, in years when the State experiences a surplus. That legislation has already been signed by Governor Perdue. House Bill 481 would exempt business inventory from ad valorem taxes. That legislation is currently in Senate committee.

TRAUMA
Everyone seems to agree that Georgia needs a statewide trauma network but no one seems to agree on exactly how to fund such an undertaking. A $10 car tag fee has been proposed, as well as House Bill 160, known as the “Super Speeder” legislation. That bill would add about $200 to a speeding ticket with the violator is driving in excess of 85 MPH on a highway or 75 MPH on a two lane road.

TEACHERS
Almost two-thirds of Georgia’s state budget goes to fund education, so, it’s no surprise that educators are the subject of a great many proposals before the General Assembly. Our review will include Senate Bill 93, a proposal backed by Governor Perdue that would have provided $10,000 bonuses to principals in high performing schools; House Bill 243, which repeals the salary increase for National Board Certified teachers; House Bill 280 which provides for additional compensation for highly qualified math and science teachers and information about budget cuts that would eliminate the school nurse program.

Lawmakers’ Nwandi Lawson takes a look at some of the legislation that failed to pass out of the chamber of its origination by legislative day 30, crossover day. From measures that would have placed a $1 per pack tax on cigarettes or brought back the sales tax on groceries to generate revenue to a bill that would have required the use of safety belts in pickup trucks.

Last week marked the end of eighth legislative week under the gold dome, a perfect time to check in with Tom Crawford, National Editor of CapitolImpact.com. Nwandi talks with Tom about bills that passed on crossover day, including a measure that would eliminate the birthday tax on cars.

The Public Service Commission gave Georgia Power the go-ahead for two new nuclear power plants today. These power plants have been a hot topic in the General Assembly with the passage of the Georgia Nuclear Financing Act. Lawmakers’ Brittany Evans has the details.

JUST Georgia, an organization seeking justice for children and youth, held workshops today to educate members on how to contact their legislators about proposed revisions to Georgia’s juvenile justice code. Lawmakers’ Minoo Hosseini attended a workshop and 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.

Day 27- March 5, 2009

Tonight on Lawmakers, the Senate approves the amended FY 2009 state budget, crediting federal stimulus funds with cushioning the blow of declining revenues; the Governor Perdue-backed plan to overhaul the State’s transportation agencies clears its first legislative hurdle; House Speaker Glenn Richardson amends marriage license legislation to allow Georgia’s Constitutional officers to conduct wedding ceremonies; controversy over allegations that 22 state legislators are delinquent on their State income taxes touches off debate on the Senate floor; and we’ll talk with Tom Crawford of CapitolImpact.com for his thoughts on this week of the session.

The Senate has passed its version of the midyear budget. House Bill 118, the Supplemental Appropriations legislation for fiscal year 2009, is an $18.9 billion spending plan that uses hundred of millions of dollars of federal stimulus money to soften the blow of deep spending cuts. Declining tax revenues have forced the Appropriations committees in both the House and Senate to cut almost $2 billion in state spending to avoid a deficit situation. Senate changes to the bill send it back to the House, a Conference Committee will likely work out the final version.

The Senate today also approved the Governor Perdue-backed plan to overhaul the State’s transportation agencies. Senate Bill 200, The Transforming Transportation Investment Act, would abolish the State Road and Tollway Authority, establish a new State Transportation Authority and restructure the funding and powers of the Department of Transportation. Lawmakers’ Valarie Edwards reports.

In a rare appearance in the well of the House, Speaker Glenn Richardson amended marriage license legislation to allow Georgia’s constitutional officers to conduct wedding ceremonies. House Bill 184 is legislation that would require information about the importance of being tested for sickle cell disease be made available in an electronic format to all persons applying for a marriage license. The legislation passed with Speaker Richardson’s amendment and now heads to the Senate.

The Senate today failed to pass legislation that could have removed a Senator from office for failure to pay income taxes 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.

Patrons of strip clubs in Georgia could soon find themselves paying a surcharge. Senate Bill 91, sponsored by Senator Jack Murphy, proposes to impose a “sin tax” on visitors to adult entertainment clubs in the form of a $5 fee to enter such a venue. The additional revenue would not go towards the State’s general budget; rather, it would go towards the rehabilitation of victims of sexual exploitation. The legislation received a do pass recommendation from the Senate Finance Committee. Lawmakers’ Minoo Hosseini reports.

It’s the end of the seventh legislative week under the gold dome, a perfect time to check in with Tom Crawford, National Editor of CapitolImpact.com. Nwandi talks with Tom about the FY 2010 state budget, legislation requiring proof of citizenship to register to vote, the fate of Sunday sales and pass the buck legislation, and the failure of the House yesterday to increase statewide homestead exemption from $2000 to $4000.

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.

Day 21- February 19, 2009

Tonight on Lawmakers, after considerable debate, the Senate passes legislation to overhaul the State’s financially troubled indigent defense system; the Governor, Lt. Governor and House Speaker join forces to change the structure of Georgia’s infrastructure agencies; Governor Sonny Perdue’s school board governance legislation passes out of committee; a move to close a veterans hospital in Milledgeville spurs impassioned speeches in the Senate; and we’ll talk with Tom Crawford of CapitolImpact.com for his thoughts on this week of the session.

The Senate today voted to extensively revise the Public Defender Standards Council. This independent agency within the executive branch of the state government provides constitutionally guaranteed legal representation to those who cannot afford it. The Council administers the indigent defense system. Senate Bill 42, sponsored by Senator Preston Smith, would restructure the financially troubled agency. Senate Democrats were vocal in their opposition to the measure. We’ll have the highlights of that debate.

Governor Sonny Perdue, Lt. Governor Casey Cagle and House Speaker Glenn Richardson joined forces today to announce a new structure to Georgia’s infrastructure agencies. Funding from the state’s motor fuel tax will be redirected to a new State Transportation Authority. Although the measure, which is being introduced in both the House and Senate, does not do away with The Georgia Department of Transportation, the power of the agency will be diminished. Lawmakers’ Valarie Edwards reports.

The Senate Education and Youth Committee gave a do pass recommendation this morning to legislation backed by Governor Sonny Perdue that would change school board governance in Georgia. Senate Bill 84 does contain one measure that has caused some controversy. That provision would allow the Governor or another school board member to remove a school board member from office.

The Senate Economic Development Committee today heard testimony on another piece of Governor Perdue’s legislation. Senate Bill 101 would bar any citizen from bringing a products liability claim against any pharmaceutical corporation with 200 or more employees in the state or who are headquartered in Georgia. Bill sponsor Senator Bill Cowsert, the Governor’s Floor Leader says the goal of the legislation is to entice more bio-companies to relocate to Georgia. However, opponents say that the bill basically creates a “get out of jail free card” for these corporations.

The House today passed House Bill 251 which would allow a parent or guardian to enroll their student in a public school within the district that is not assigned by the local board of education. The legislation which is sponsored by Representative Alisha Thomas Morgan is designed to give parents more "school choice" when possible.

Representative David Lucas has introduced legislation that would bring back the sales tax on food. During these difficult economic times, he says that the measure would create as $1 billion in much needed revenue and could help the State avoid furloughs and layoffs. He spoke about his legislation in a morning order.

Senator Horacena Tate took a point of personal privilege this morning to express her opinion that federal stimulus monies coming to Georgia should go towards programs and capital investment needs for higher education.

After Senate passage yesterday, Senate Bill 80 is now headed to the House. That bill will require food manufacturers to tell state officials when they find tainted food. The bill would be a big change in how food processors operate, and it comes after the recent salmonella outbreak in peanut products made at the Peanut Corporation of America's Blakely plant. GPB Radio's Rome Bureau Chief John Sepulvado has that story.

It’s the end of the fifth legislative week under the gold dome, a perfect time to check in with Tom Crawford, National Editor of CapitolImpact.com. Nwandi talks with Tom about federal stimulus funds headed to Georgia, legislation introduced yesterday by Representative Tom Graves that aims to create jobs and an initiative to de-emphasize the role of the Department of Transportation.

"It's the right thing to do," prosecution–based victim advocates said today about their work and two pieces of legislation that would expand the victim impact statement, the time when victims can address the court prior to sentencing. Lawmakers' Emily Banks reports.

The fifth annual Children's Policy Watch at the Capitol took place this morning, featuring a keynote by Congressman Sanford Bishop, who discussed how the state can use funds from the federal economic stimulus package to help Georgia's children. Lawmaker's Alan Friedman has more.

The economic situation has, of course, left no age group unaffected. Those who are on the brink of joining the workforce brought their concerns to the Capitol steps today. Lawmakers' Brittany Evans 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.