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JANUARY 12, 2004
They are BACK! Yes, the General Assembly has returned to the Gold Dome
for its Regular Session. Today, Legislators were buzzing through the halls with
jovial attitudes. Lobbyists were also out in force trying to see what the issues
of the Session will be.
Two groups made statements early today on their issues. Middle Georgia turned
out in force with a coalition of hospital workers and citizens to speak out for
Tort Reform. The Group, lead by Sen. Ross Tolleson, spoke out for the need for
tort reform in an effort to attract physicians to their area as well as to help
lower costs of medical malpractice insurance premiums which their health care
providers are experiencing. Sen. Tolleson had the group "fired up" to talk about
a number of issues such as ethics, taxes, etc. with the basic message that "we
the people" are in charge of State government. Governor Perdue met these folks
and seemed to agree with their plea.
Another group, which has been harkening the halls since last year and was out in
force today, was the "flaggers" The Southern Party of Georgia's Southern
Heritage Political Action Committee was seen on the second floor of the Capitol,
complete with its "Deck of Shame," depicting lawmakers who did not vote to
restore the State's flag to the "stars and bars." Thus, the negotiated change,
passed last Session, was not enough.
Issues are taking shape. We expect to see legislation on the: budget; flag; tort
reform; water permits; ethics reform; use of the Ten Commandments;
redistricting; sewer assistance for Atlanta; child endangerment; indigent
defense; HOPE scholarship revamping; etc.
In the House today, Rev. Russ Elkins from Eastman lead the House in its opening
prayer and devotion.
Legislators also agreed today to a tentative schedule for the next few weeks.
Legislators will work through this week and adjourn the week of the Martin
Luther King Jr. Holiday in an effort to work on the Supplemental FY 2004 Budget.
Legislators will reconvene at 1:00 o'clock p.m. on Monday, January 26, 2004 for
day six of the Session. It will then take off Wednesdays, using those days for
Committee work or for folks to return to their Districts and then reconvene on
Thursdays and Fridays. At this rate with a four-day work week, the prediction is
that Legislators could possibly conclude their work by the end of March. This
would allow politicians to return to their homes to begin raising money and work
on their campaigns for the July and November elections.
It is rumored that Governor Perdue will hold his State of the State Address on
Wednesday evening, January 14, 2003, at 8:45 p.m.
Tonight, Legislators will wine and dine at the Annual Georgia Chamber of
Commerce's Dinner at the World Congress Center. Sen. Zell Miller will be the
keynote speaker for this year's event.
If you have any questions concerning this Report, please contact Stanley S.
Jones, Jr.; Jeffrey C. Baxter; or Helen Sloat.
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