House Committee Rejects Gov. Perdue's Transportation Plan

The House Transportation Committee today said "no" to a plan unveiled earlier this year by Governor Sonny Perdue for remaking transportation in Georgia.

When the Governor introduced Senate Bill 200, he said he wanted to dismantle the Georgia Department of Transportation, create a new state agency, realign transportation construction responsibilities and fold the DOT into the appropriations process.

The much leaner plan approved by the committee today does only the last. It ensures the DOT, like every other state agency, must face the General Assemby when budget time rolls around. But the bill, among other things, keeps the existing DOT in place as lead transportation construction agency and keeps GRTA and SERTA operating.

Republican Representative David Ralston describes the measure approved today as a balance between the two legislative bodies.

"I think what it does is allow us to reach a compromise on a bill we can get passed. And it still retains the ability for the General Assembly to appropriate funds."

In previous committee meetings, some House members expressed concern that the original bill stripped the General Assembly of its power to elect board members.

But amendments made today keep that procedure in place.

"There was some concern amongst some members about doing that, I think. And some people were a little reluctant to do that and create a new authority and create a board having that relationship," says Ralston.

The measure will make its way back to the Senate where members will likely disagree with the changes. That will force the bill into a conference committee, where lawmakers from both chambers will try to hash out their differences.

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Richardson re-elected to Speaker post

The Republican caucus of the state House today re-elected Glenn Richardson to his post of Speaker.

Representative David Ralson of Blue Ridge had challenged Richardson for the job--a bold move rarely seen against a sitting Speaker.

In his speech to the caucus before the vote, Ralston said if elected, he would put members first and lobbyists last. Ralston cautioned the GOP caucus to be mindful of the losses the national party endured in last week's election. Ralston added "the people did not give us a permanent lease on power."

Richardson in his pre-vote speech to the caucus said "I have made mistakes along the way, but I've also learned from my mistakes." He added "Leaders are picked to lead, and that's what I intend to do. I'd rather try to do something good and fail, then to do nothing and succeed."

Richardson has come under criticism for taking a tough stance, often clashing with Governor Sonny Perdue and Lieutenant Governor Casey Cagle.

In the end, the 105-members of the Republican caucus re-elected Richardson in a secret ballot. Because it's secret, results are not public.

GA House Speaker challenged

Georgia House Speaker Glenn Richardson is getting a run for his job. Representative David Ralston of Blue Ridge is challenging for the post through a letter to House members-saying under Richardson the House has been defined by its quote “heated rhetoric and infighting”.

Today, a House Republican caucus will vote on whether to replace Richardson. There is broad support for Richardson however, who is the first Republican speaker in the House since Reconstruction.