Speaker's Office allowing employees to telecommute

Brent Cranfield telecommutes from his home in Marietta one day a week saving 30 or 40 miles on his car once a week. Their office uses videoconferencing, instant messaging and other communications technology, which as helped workers stay connected. (Stanley Leary / Associated Press)

Brent Cranfield can thank his boss for saving him money at the pump.

Because gas prices are so high, Georgia House Speaker Glenn Richardson is letting staffers telecommute one day a week this summer. For Cranfield, who works in the communications office, that means one less trip each week in his Ford Explorer from suburban Marietta to downtown Atlanta and back -- saving more than $25 a month on his 16- to 17-mile commute.

Cranfield plans to use the savings to help buy a more-fuel-efficient car:

"I'm actually waiting for the '09 Camrys to come out so I can try to grab an '08 and get some of that initial sticker price taken off of it."

Some employers are reconsidering the traditional five-days-in-the-office pattern as the national average price for a gallon of gas hovers around $4. The idea is to whittle down commuting costs for workers by allowing them to work from home or switch to four days of 10 hours each.

Telecommuting has gained traction year by year with advances in videoconferencing, instant messaging and other communications technologies. Employers typically adopt it as a way to save money, boost morale and retain workers.

But Chuck Wilsker of The Telework Coalition said it has grown faster since the post-Hurricane Katrina gas price spike of 2005. And he believes prices have climbed so high now that managers who must grant workers permission to telecommute -- are feeling the pinch, too.

"It's affecting people's disposable income," Wilsker said. "And all of the sudden they're saying 'I've got to do something about this!"

The coalition estimates that more than 26 million Americans now telecommute at least some days; that would be about 18 percent of people employed nationwide.

But employers have traditionally been leery of changes that could leave the office empty on Friday, and that is why the Georgia House employees must stagger their tele commuting days. Another fear is that employees will slack off -- either because they're at home or working long stretches.

Click here for more GPB News coverage of the issue of soaring gas prices, and its effect on transportation, commerce, and daily life statewide.

(The Associated Press)

Tax reform amendment passes House

Yesterday was Crossover Day at the state Captiol, and several bills did not make the cut for consideration this year. They include constitutional amendments to make English the official language of Georgia and to give a fetus the same rights as a person.

However, the state House did finally pass Speaker Glenn Richardson's tax reform amendment. The final version, which is dramatically different from Richardson's original proposal, passed with only five dissenting votes.

As it stands, the resolution would cut taxes on cars, eliminate the state portion of property taxes, and slow down property tax assessments. It does not cap millege rates, which had been a sticking point in debate of the measure last week. The amendment now goes to the Senate where it needs a two-thirds majority to be placed on the November ballot.

Grady supporters bring petitions to keep Grady public

A group of Grady Hospital supporters brought petitions to the Capitol today asking that the Atlanta hospital remain public. Meanwhile state leaders vowed to help the financially strapped hospital while also funding a state-wide trauma care system.

Grady Hospital is trying to stay open for business. There is fear that if it changes management, it will no longer serve Atlanta's poor. House Speaker Glenn Richardson told business leaders in Atlanta that he is willing to support state funding, but with conditions.

"Grady's got to help themselves first. When Grady helps itself, I'm willing to jump it. But we have to do something about trauma care statewide. We gotta get on the same page."

Governor Perdue is expected to outline help for Grady in his "State of the State" address. One idea is to charge speeders more money to fund hospitals. For GPB News, I'm Susanna Capelouto at the State Capitol.

Former Georgia House Speaker Tom Murphy dies

Tom Murphy. (Governor's Office)

Governor Sonny Perdue called him a "dominant figure in Georgia politics for more than a quarter-century"--words to describe Tom Murphy, who passed away last night at the age of 83. The longtime Georgia House Speaker had been in declining health for some time according to friends. He had suffered a stroke in 2004.

Murphy served nearly three decades as House Speaker, from 1974 to 2002. A native of Haralson County, the Democrat oversaw a time with five Democratic governors, right up until the time Republicans took control of both chambers and the office of the governor.

Details for state ceremonies to honor Murphy are still being worked out. All state buildings and grounds will have flags flying at half-staff, ordered by Governor Perdue.