Under the Gold Dome
State Representative
March 21, 2008
We have completed 34 of the no more than forty days of the 2008 Georgia General Assembly. As allowed by the state’s constitution, the only item we must complete is enacting a balanced budget for the operations of the state. We completed that this week and now the Senate will consider it. (Just a quick civics lesson, all tax and budget legislation must begin in the House of Representatives.)
The budget is a $21.2 billion budget for the new 2009 fiscal year beginning July 1. It includes 2.5 percent pay raises for state teachers and employees, $50 million for reservoirs and related water management projects aimed at
We also passed the FY 2008 Supplemental Appropriations bill by a margin of 167-2. This is the bill that redirects funding mainly to education and Medicaid shortfalls that are mandated by the federal government. This is the Conference report and we have transmitted the bill for the Governor to sign or veto. He has six days to decide.
In other legislative action this past week, we passed Senate
We passed S.B. 359, a bill that would require the Georgia Department of Economic Development to create and implement a “Made in
We passed a fairly comprehensive bill that determines how the Georgia Bureau of Investigation can use DNA samples for evidence and how that information obtained from evidence is exchanged. The bill, S.B.430 passed 130-40. Another bill dealing with the GBI would allow them to investigate identity fraud cases and grant them subpoena powers. This bill, S.B. 388, passed unanimously.
As the 2008 General Assembly session winds down, the schedule for the last six days of the session will be somewhat hectic. As usual, the most difficult issues are undergoing negotiations to determine what members of the House and Senate, as well as, the Governor can agree upon. This includes the 2009 budget, tax reform, Certificate of Need issues dealing with the medical community, and a host of other important legislative initiatives.
I will keep you informed through weekly updates. Your opinions and concerns are important to me and I consider it an honor to serve you at the state capitol and in our district. If you would like to reach me, please call me at (404) 656-7573 or write me at: State Rep.
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