Yesterday was the 30th day of the legislation session--the final day for lawmakers to pass bills in one of the chambers.
In the House, Speaker Glenn Richardson got an altered tax reform plan approved with the help of Democrats--a vote of 166-5. The revised version would do away with the car tag tax and limit property tax assessments. Democrats jumped on board when a provision was dropped that would have restricted local spending of tax money.
Other measures out of the House yesterday--approved by a 164-7 vote was legislation to help fortify Georgia's struggling trauma system by adding a 10-dollar vehicle registration fee. Winning approval was a measure to deliver tougher penalties against students who falsely accuse teachers and school employees of inappropriate behavior.
A measure concerning billboard regulation was twice voted down however. It would have compensated billboad owners when they have to move their signs.
From the Senate, there was unanimous passage of legislation to give scholarships to students who have a parent killed or wounded in military combat. The program would cost the state up to 1.3 million dollars. A Governor Sonny Perdue-backed bill won passage that allows voters to oust school board members if that district loses accreditation. This came in the wake of Clayton County's troubles.
The sports of ultimate fighting and mixed martial arts would be regulated by the same panel that covers boxing. The Senate bill however doesn't put the money-making wrestling industry in Georgia under the same oversight.
In the House, Speaker Glenn Richardson got an altered tax reform plan approved with the help of Democrats--a vote of 166-5. The revised version would do away with the car tag tax and limit property tax assessments. Democrats jumped on board when a provision was dropped that would have restricted local spending of tax money.
Other measures out of the House yesterday--approved by a 164-7 vote was legislation to help fortify Georgia's struggling trauma system by adding a 10-dollar vehicle registration fee. Winning approval was a measure to deliver tougher penalties against students who falsely accuse teachers and school employees of inappropriate behavior.
A measure concerning billboard regulation was twice voted down however. It would have compensated billboad owners when they have to move their signs.
From the Senate, there was unanimous passage of legislation to give scholarships to students who have a parent killed or wounded in military combat. The program would cost the state up to 1.3 million dollars. A Governor Sonny Perdue-backed bill won passage that allows voters to oust school board members if that district loses accreditation. This came in the wake of Clayton County's troubles.
The sports of ultimate fighting and mixed martial arts would be regulated by the same panel that covers boxing. The Senate bill however doesn't put the money-making wrestling industry in Georgia under the same oversight.
