Six state lawmakers want a Fulton County judge to open the records in a whistleblower lawsuit against Grady Hospital. The six include Senate President Pro Tem Eric Johnson and Georgia Senate Majority leader, Tommie Williams, according to the online news site Insider Advantage. The case involved former Grady doctor James J. Murtagh, Jr. In 2000, Murtagh accused Emory University and Grady of giving him a bad review after he accused them of conspiring to misuse federal research funds. The case was settled and the files subsequently sealed. But lawmakers say citizens have the right to know if publicly-funded Grady Hospital paid Murtagh for his silence. In recent months, mounting debt in the tens of milions has threatened to shut the dorrs to the region's only level one trauma center.
Showing posts with label Tommie Williams. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Tommie Williams. Show all posts
Friday, October 5, 2007
Wednesday, July 25, 2007
Republican leaders exchange written threats
A letter has renewed the budget battle between top state lawmakers and Gov. Sonny Perdue.
Six of the state's most powerful legislators—all Republicans—have sent a memo to state agency heads warning them not to stray from the budget passed by the General Assembly back in April.
That bill contained lawmaker's instructions on how agencies should spend their money. But Perdue told agencies to disregard it. He says the state constitution does not give lawmakers the authority to issue spending instructions.
In this memo, Sens. Eric Johnson (R-Savannah), Tommie Williams (R-Lyons), and Jack Hill (R-Reidsville), and Reps. Mark Burkhalter (R-Duluth), Jerry Keen (R-St. Simon's Island) and Ben Harbin (R-Evans) remind agencies that the General Assembly hold their purse strings, and will not hesitate to tighten them in January, when the legislature revisits the state budget.
Here is an excerpt from the memo:
Confused agency directors called Perdue's office. The governor shot back at lawmakers with his own letter.
In other words, Perdue says that he is sticking to his guns. But his spokesman, Burt Brantley, strikes a conciliatory note.
"We want to work issues out with the legislature," he says. "We do not want agencies to have to choose between one or the other. That is a tough position to be in."
Brantley says lawmakers know the governor is willing to work with them. Perdue ends his letter by saying that his door remains open.
Six of the state's most powerful legislators—all Republicans—have sent a memo to state agency heads warning them not to stray from the budget passed by the General Assembly back in April.
That bill contained lawmaker's instructions on how agencies should spend their money. But Perdue told agencies to disregard it. He says the state constitution does not give lawmakers the authority to issue spending instructions.
In this memo, Sens. Eric Johnson (R-Savannah), Tommie Williams (R-Lyons), and Jack Hill (R-Reidsville), and Reps. Mark Burkhalter (R-Duluth), Jerry Keen (R-St. Simon's Island) and Ben Harbin (R-Evans) remind agencies that the General Assembly hold their purse strings, and will not hesitate to tighten them in January, when the legislature revisits the state budget.
Here is an excerpt from the memo:
You should be aware that any expenditure conflicting with the intent of the appropriation jeopardizes our confidence in your ability to act as a proper steward of public funds. In writing the 2008 Amended Budget, we reserve the option of reducing or eliminating funding for your agency by that amount.
Confused agency directors called Perdue's office. The governor shot back at lawmakers with his own letter.
An appropriation consists of (1) a recipient, (2) a purpose, and (3) an amount. Language beyond these three criteria is neither authorized by constitutional or statutory law, nor is it binding….In sum, it was within my authority to strike certain earmarks because the information language is not part of the appropriation.
In other words, Perdue says that he is sticking to his guns. But his spokesman, Burt Brantley, strikes a conciliatory note.
"We want to work issues out with the legislature," he says. "We do not want agencies to have to choose between one or the other. That is a tough position to be in."
Brantley says lawmakers know the governor is willing to work with them. Perdue ends his letter by saying that his door remains open.
Tuesday, June 12, 2007
GOP lawmakers angry with Perdue over budget
State lawmakers are still mad that Gov. Sonny Perdue vetoed some of their favorite budget projects last month. Some want to call a special session to override his vetoes.
House members were already seething over Perdue's veto of a property tax cut. Then, the governor nixed some local projects, or pork, depending on your viewpoint. Senate Majority Leader Tommie Williams (R-Lyons) says even his chamber is upset with what came next: Perdue told state agencies to ignore lawmakers' instructions on how to spend public funds.
"If we don't have that privilege, then we become insignificant in the budget process and, frankly, we don't want to be there," he said.
Williams says he will try to work with Perdue to iron out differences soon. They have scheduled a meeting.
On the other hand, Clelia Davis, the spokeswoman for House leaders, says the lower chamber is seriously considering calling themselves back to the Capitol for a historic special session. Davis says representatives will not go out on a limb to do that without Senate backing, however.
A footnote:
When Gov. Sonny Perdue vetoed a property tax cut last month, he said the state could not afford it, and pointed to declining revenue numbers for April. But Georgia has bounced back stronger than before, with a 28 percent increase in May tax collections compared over last year.
Revenue Commissioner Bart Graham says the late tax deadline of April 17 caused a delay.
"The two days, and people who owed money filing on the deadline, contributed to a big swing between April and May," he said.
Graham says the department did not manipulate the numbers to bolster Perdue's case for a veto.
House members were already seething over Perdue's veto of a property tax cut. Then, the governor nixed some local projects, or pork, depending on your viewpoint. Senate Majority Leader Tommie Williams (R-Lyons) says even his chamber is upset with what came next: Perdue told state agencies to ignore lawmakers' instructions on how to spend public funds.
"If we don't have that privilege, then we become insignificant in the budget process and, frankly, we don't want to be there," he said.
Williams says he will try to work with Perdue to iron out differences soon. They have scheduled a meeting.
On the other hand, Clelia Davis, the spokeswoman for House leaders, says the lower chamber is seriously considering calling themselves back to the Capitol for a historic special session. Davis says representatives will not go out on a limb to do that without Senate backing, however.
A footnote:
When Gov. Sonny Perdue vetoed a property tax cut last month, he said the state could not afford it, and pointed to declining revenue numbers for April. But Georgia has bounced back stronger than before, with a 28 percent increase in May tax collections compared over last year.
Revenue Commissioner Bart Graham says the late tax deadline of April 17 caused a delay.
"The two days, and people who owed money filing on the deadline, contributed to a big swing between April and May," he said.
Graham says the department did not manipulate the numbers to bolster Perdue's case for a veto.
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