**The General Assembly's final day continues at the state Capitol in Atlanta. You can follow the action moment-by-moment from our reporters via Twitter (GPB News)**
Here's a recap of some of what's transpired from the Capitol as of early afternoon:
- Transportation--a committee meeting is set to begin this hour over the issue of transportaion funding.
- Public defender system--A proposal to give lawmakers more control over the public defender system was suddenly withdrawn from the House. The Senate already has voted to strip the public defender council of its authority, which would give politicians more control of the cash-strapped system. But state Rep. Rich Golick, the proposal's sponsor, pulled it today just as it was set to be considered. It could still return later today. The measure is partly a response to the spiraling costs of the trial of Atlanta courthouse gunman Brian Nichols, whose state-funded defense topped $2 million and spared him from the death penalty. But it's also a backlash against the council's threats to sue the state for more funds.
- Lawmakers' fail to pay taxes measure--State lawmakers who fail to pay taxes could soon face sanctions from a legislative committee. The House and Senate both passed measures today that would allow the House or Senate Ethics committees to investigate and sanction legislators who fail to pay their taxes. The House passed its version 164-1 today, and it could be sent to Governor Sonny Perdue after the Senate agrees to minor changes. The vote comes after the state Department of Revenue revealed 22 state lawmakers--about 10 percent of the General Assembly--are delinquent on their taxes. Only three of those lawmakers'names have been made public.
- Sales tax holiday bills--State lawmakers have approved two state sales tax holidays for school supplies and energy efficient products. The Senate gave final approval to a bill to set the school supplies and clothing holiday for July 30-Aug. 2. The holiday for energy efficient products which cost $1,500 or less would be Oct. 1-4. If Gov. Sonny Perdue signs off on the bill, consumers won't pay state sales taxes on the items on those dates.
- Provision to preside over weddings stripped--The Georgia Legislature today stripped a provision that would give the governor, lieutenant governor, speaker of the House
and constitutional officers the power to preside at weddings. House Speaker Glenn Richardson had advocated for the measure. But when it passed the House by a 164-1 vote, it only included a separate proposal designed to urge couples to get tested for sickle cell disease before marrying.
Associated Press contributed to the stories
Here's a recap of some of what's transpired from the Capitol as of early afternoon:
- Transportation--a committee meeting is set to begin this hour over the issue of transportaion funding.
- Public defender system--A proposal to give lawmakers more control over the public defender system was suddenly withdrawn from the House. The Senate already has voted to strip the public defender council of its authority, which would give politicians more control of the cash-strapped system. But state Rep. Rich Golick, the proposal's sponsor, pulled it today just as it was set to be considered. It could still return later today. The measure is partly a response to the spiraling costs of the trial of Atlanta courthouse gunman Brian Nichols, whose state-funded defense topped $2 million and spared him from the death penalty. But it's also a backlash against the council's threats to sue the state for more funds.
- Lawmakers' fail to pay taxes measure--State lawmakers who fail to pay taxes could soon face sanctions from a legislative committee. The House and Senate both passed measures today that would allow the House or Senate Ethics committees to investigate and sanction legislators who fail to pay their taxes. The House passed its version 164-1 today, and it could be sent to Governor Sonny Perdue after the Senate agrees to minor changes. The vote comes after the state Department of Revenue revealed 22 state lawmakers--about 10 percent of the General Assembly--are delinquent on their taxes. Only three of those lawmakers'names have been made public.
- Sales tax holiday bills--State lawmakers have approved two state sales tax holidays for school supplies and energy efficient products. The Senate gave final approval to a bill to set the school supplies and clothing holiday for July 30-Aug. 2. The holiday for energy efficient products which cost $1,500 or less would be Oct. 1-4. If Gov. Sonny Perdue signs off on the bill, consumers won't pay state sales taxes on the items on those dates.
- Provision to preside over weddings stripped--The Georgia Legislature today stripped a provision that would give the governor, lieutenant governor, speaker of the House
and constitutional officers the power to preside at weddings. House Speaker Glenn Richardson had advocated for the measure. But when it passed the House by a 164-1 vote, it only included a separate proposal designed to urge couples to get tested for sickle cell disease before marrying.
Associated Press contributed to the stories
