WEEKLY LEGISLATIVE REPORT Return to Pressroom Return Home
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WEEKLY LEGISLATIVE REPORT Return to Pressroom Return Home |
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WEEKLY LEGISLATIVE REPORT – February 16, 2007 Legislative session passes halfway mark By Rep. Quincy Murphy Thursday, February 15, was the 21st legislative day of the 2007 session of the Georgia General Assembly, meaning we are now past the halfway point. Frankly, very little has been completed so far on the major issues, but I would expect the pace to pick up when we return to the Capitol on Tuesday, February 20. Still up in the air is the fate of the funding issue for PeachCare for Kids, which will have a significant impact on finalizing both the midyear adjustment to the fiscal year 2007 state budget and the annual budget for fiscal year 2008. Medical College of Georgia President Dan Rahn met with members of Augusta’s legislative delegation this week and addressed our concerns over MCG’s plans to expand its campus by establishing a satellite site in Athens. Rather than investing in the main campus in Augusta there is a $3.8 million budget request to create a “regional campus” 90 miles away. This funding could be better utilized in Augusta, for growth opportunities and available patients for clinical visits. We need to grow the MCG campus in Augusta. Dr. Rahn said the Athens campus is part of a plan that would involve future satellite sites in Savannah and Albany. He also answered my concern over the planned location of an expanded MCG dental school, saying specifically there are no plans for that to be anywhere but Augusta. This week, a majority in the House of Representatives voted to approve legislation that would allow motorists to conceal loaded firearms in their cars without a permit. State law now requires motorists who do not have concealed handgun permits to keep their loaded firearms “fully exposed to view” or in the glove box, console or similar compartment. House Bill 89 would allow people to hide guns under seats or wedge them between seat cushions and center consoles. I voted against this measure, which would circumvent the state’s concealed handgun background check requirements and endanger police making traffic stops. Hopefully, this legislation will be unsuccessful in the Senate. I am strongly supporting efforts to authorize the portraits of Coretta Scott King, Rosa Parks and other civil rights leaders to be displayed in the State Capitol There presently exists a lack of diversity of those who are memorialized under the Gold Dome. Of the 93 portraits now on display in the Capitol, only five depict African-Americans, including Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Some have said the Legislature no longer has the authority to hang portraits in the Capitol. That power, they said now rests with the state’s Capitol Arts Standards Commission, which oversees artwork in the building. Regardless, I will continue to work to see that this situation is addressed so that these heroes of the Civil Rights movement are memorialized properly in our State Capitol. Finally, state lawmakers paused this week to honor the life and service of Congressman Charlie Norwood. Our Augusta area neighbor, he represented the 10th District for 12 years before his death last Tuesday. Although we sometimes disagreed on the issues, Charlie was a strong voice for his constituents. He showed tremendous strength and courage during his battle with cancer, and his tenacity and enduring commitment to Georgia values will remain an inspiration to us all.HR 182 would urge the Jekyll Island Authority to exercise the greatest caution and restraint in its supervision of the redevelopment of resort and other facilities on the island, assuring that the property continues to meet the needs of all Georgia citizens, while imposing the least possible negative impact on the island’s existing natural environment.
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