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.
Friday, January 29, 2010
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.
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.
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.
Thursday, January 14, 2010
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.
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.
Friday, April 3, 2009
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.
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.
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.
Two Live Lawmakers Programs tonight!
Friday, April 3 marks the 40th and final day of the Georgia General Assembly's 2009 session and Georgia Public Broadcasting's Lawmakers program brings you two live broadcasts. 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.
All that and more tonight on Lawmakers at 7 PM and the Lawmakers Sine Die Special at 11 PM.
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.
All that and more tonight on Lawmakers at 7 PM and the Lawmakers Sine Die Special at 11 PM.
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.
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