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 – March 16, 2007 Democrats’ proposal helps state fill PeachCare gap By Rep. Quincy Murphy I was pleased this week to see the Governor and Republican Legislative Leaders join with the House Democratic Caucus by adopting the language of HB 236, introduced on January 31, which allows the state to do our part to solve the funding crisis experienced by the PeachCare for Kids program. I appreciate the bipartisan effort of Congress to guide the solution at the federal level. Georgia’s partnership in PeachCare has been a successful program that has provided basic coverage for thousands of children of Georgia’s working families. When the House of Representatives reconvenes on March 19, legislation will be introduced calling for the House to acknowledge, “with contrition,” the history of slavery and call for reconciliation on the part of all Georgians. The impetus of this resolution derived from the Georgia NAACP, which recently requested for Governor Perdue to issue an apology for the state’s role in slavery and Jim Crow segregation. While the resolution might be symbolic in nature, it speaks to the willingness of Georgia legislators to confront the existence of evil in our state’s history. Some lawmakers have argued against the resolution, stating they should not have to apologize for the “sins” of their ancestors. But the resolution does not call for personal apologies, just the acknowledgement and regret of any role the state of Georgia played in slavery and segregation. The House Judiciary (Non-Civil) Committee has favorably reported legislation that would change state law and give judges the authority to impose the death penalty even if a jury fails to reach a unanimous recommendation. House Bill 185 would end a rule demanding unanimous juries for death sentence, instead allowing judges to sentence someone to death if a jury submits an 11-1 vote in favor of the death penalty. Supporters say the bill would prevent a lone juror from sabotaging a death sentence in capital murder cases. As originally written, the legislation would have lowered the threshold to a 9-3 jury vote, but HB 185 was amended in committee to the 11-1 standard. The committee’s action moves the legislation a step closer to a vote by the full House of Representatives. Upon closer examination of SB 39, its passage could threaten the fair dismissal process for teachers in Georgia. Although the legislation would permit only five moderate size school systems to participate in the experiment, its success could possibly lead to additional systems converting to the charter model, thus abandoning existing state mandates. Members of the House Democratic Caucus look forward to working with Lt. Governor Casey Cagle, the bill’s author, to formulate policies that are in the best interest of teachers, students, and all Georgians. HB 283, which would require all Open Records requests to be submitted in written form, either in person, e-mail, or fax, was favorably reported, in a narrow 5-4 vote, by the House Civil Judiciary Committee. Proponents of the bill state it would protect government officials from prosecution from inadvertently failing to comply with the law. Opponents indicate it will deter average people from seeking public records and possibly lead to more lawsuits. HB 590, which would reduce fines imposed on motorists caught crossing the red light by cameras, was narrowly defeated in the House Transportation Committee by a 12-11 vote. Supporters of the bill contend local governments are using red light cameras as an additional revenue stream. Opponents of the bill claim such cameras assist with reducing accidents a maintaining public safety. Within the same committee, however, HB 77, would accomplish the same goal as HB 590 and provide the State a much needed benefit. HB 77 would allow local governments to continue fining motorists at $70, but the city or county would only keep 25 percent of the revenue. The remaining 75 percent would go to a proposed state fund to improve trauma care. The General Assembly will reconvene on March 19 at 1 p.m. for the 28th day of the 40-day session.
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