State Lawmakers Furloughed

Georgia lawmakers are the latest group of state employees to be furloughed. The House and Senate lawmakers will take one furlough day each month. They will go on through the end of the year, when legislative leaders will decide whether they should continue. House Speaker Glenn Richardson said House lawmakers should not only control the state's spending but also "carry a part of the financial burden that we are asking of other state employees." Lawmakers are not in session, but they are still receiving an annual salary. It was not immediately clear how much money the move would save.

(Associated Press)

Latest Revenue Numbers Won't Prompt Special Session--Yet

Governor Sonny Perdue’s office says state lawmakers are "willing and able" to come back for a special session, should the economic downturn extend beyond what’s been projected.

Georgia revenue numbers released this week show collections in March fell more than 14-percent, or $167 million, compared to the same month a year ago.

But Perdue spokesman Bert Brantley says the key factor in determining whether a special session might be called is the current fiscal year statistic. For that, the state is down about 8-percent:

"For the 2009 and the 2010 budget, we passed them assuming tough times. So just the revenues dipping themselves, won’t require that(a special session)."

Brantley does say a prolonged downturn into the next fiscal year beginning July 1st, could prompt serious consideration of a special session.

State Capitol UPDATE (1:40pm)

**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- Public defender system--A proposal to give lawmakers more control over the public defender system was suddenly withdrawn from the House.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

State Capitol UPDATE

**Follow the final day of the General Assembly session moment-by-moment on Twitter (GPB News)**

Of the action from the Capitol this hour:

-House is now talking up Senate Bill 56. It deals with electronic records for over-the-counter drugs used to make methamphetamine.

-Senate PASSES House Bill 608--A Bill relating to general provisions relative to time-share projects and programs, so as to provide for definitions; to provide that a time-share estate shall include certain interests; to provide for certain actions when such interests are held in trust; to provide for certain fiduciary requirements to an owners' association; to provide for related matters; to repeal conflicting laws; and for other purposes.

-House PASSES SB 198--A Bill relating to the power of the Board of Natural Resources to regulate air quality in nonattainment areas in this state, so as to provide the costs to be covered by the fee charged by emission inspection stations shall include the activities of the director of the Environmental Protection Division necessary to achieve compliance with state and federal clean air laws; to provide for related matters; to provide for an effective date; to repeal conflicting laws; and for other purposes.

-Seatbelt amendment coming up on License Plate bill-HB639

-Word on the street - Senate might take up MARTA bill shortly.

- HB 639 is no longer a dolphin license plate... now for aquarium and Atlanta Falcons.

-Senate has taken-up SB 56--A Bill relating to the joint county and municipal sales and use tax, so as to revise and change procedures and requirements regarding the renegotiation of distribution certificates; to change certain provisions regarding failure to file a new certificate; to change certain provisions regarding discontinuation of the tax; to provide an effective date; to repeal conflicting laws; and for other purposes.

Lawmakers Ready for Long Final Day of Session

The state Capitol will be open for extended hours today, as it is Day-40, the final scheduled day of the 2009 General Assembly session. Required to get done is a stamp of approval for the state budget. The $18.6 billion spending plan was in front of committee Thursday, with an ultimate compromise still being worked-out.

Other pieces of legislation at the Capitol may, or may not make it out of this Day-40: Transportation has been hotly-debated, including the issue of governance over transportation, and how to fund future projects in Georgia--a statewide or regional approach to financing. Of other issues to watch today--will a proposed change to the homestead exemption make it through? ; what will happen by day’s end concerning the proposed replacement of the annual "birthday tax" on vehicles with a one-time title fee?

Stay with GPB for all the latest throughout the day on action from the Capitol, as our reporters will be at the Gold Dome until midnight. You can follow details with our Georgia News blog by logging on to gpb.org. Also follow us on Twitter where we are GPB news. Of course, a roundup of the latest on the GPB Radio network this afternoon during news in All Things Considered, and Georgia Gazette at 6pm, 7pm in Athens.

Final Stretch For State Lawmakers

It is down the stretch in the 2009 Georgia Legislative session--only three days remain, and it promises to be busy at the State Capitol this week.

Lawmakers must come to agreement on a new state budget topping $18 billion. The House already has passed its version, and the Senate as of now is scheduled to vote on it Wednesday. There's also a pair of transportation bills still on the table for House and Senate conference-committees to delve into.

To give a sense as to how busy these final days will be, the Senate has more than 30 bills up for consideration today, with the House somewhere over 20 to look at.

For all the latest on the General Assembly, be sure to check back with GPB Radio this afternoon during All Things Considered and Georgia Gazette. Also, for news anytime, you can access our Georgia News blog, by logging onto gpb.org.

Transportation, 'Super Speeders' Top Capitol Day-36

From the Gold Dome and Day-36 of the Georgia General Assembly-
There is a compromise transportation proposal being offered at the Capitol. The House Wednesday OK'd legislation to let Georgians decide at the polls how to fund transportation projects. Under the revised plan, voters next year would be asked if they would approve a one-percent statewide tax. If rejected, counties could then propose a local sales tax for their areas--this all essentially a merging of the competing chamber plans. Republican House Majority Leader Jerry Keen says this compromise strikes the best balance. However, this merging of two plans now appears headed for conference committee today.

Super-speeder legislation is on the way to Governor Sonny Perdue’s desk for his expected signature. Drivers busted for barreling down four-lane roads and interstates traveling 85 miles-per-hour or more would be hit with an additional $200 fine on top of regular fines by that locality. The same $200 levy would be in-place for speeders caught going 75 mph on two-lane roads. There’s also a new fee of $400 for some drivers to get licenses back. Supporters say nearly $23-million could be raised to help fund Georgia’s trauma-care network of hospitals.

Other Capitol notes from Wednesday--House lawmakers defeated a plan to double a tax break for homeowners. Meanwhile, Georgia-based businesses are big winners courtesy the Senate, which voted to gradually wipe-out corporate income tax for companies with its headquarters in Georgia.

State Senate Leaders Push DOT Overhaul

State Senate leaders Monday revealed a plan that would virtually gut Georgia's Department of Transportation. The proposal announced by Senate Majority Leader Chip Rogers strips all but oversight responsibility from the DOT Board and from DOT Commissioner Gena Evans. However, Rogers was quick to point out that the measure is not so much a slap in the face to the DOT. Instead he says, it's a recognition that the massive job at hand to solve Georgia's transportation issues may be too much for the department to handle:

"The transportation process in Georgia for delivering transportation projects is broken...Georgians deserve better. We spend billions of dollars on transportation, but we're not solving the problem. We're not laying all this at the feet of the DOT...that's not what this is all about."

In the proposal, the Georgia Regional Transportation Authority and State Road and Tollway Authority would fall into a newly-created entity--the State Transportation Authority.

Georgia DOT would retain inspection and maintenance responsibilities, but much of the road building could be awarded to private companies.

The Capitol Week Ahead

There will be a handful of committee meetings for House members today at the State Capitol. Tuesday, the full General Assembly reconvenes for another week of work.

Some of what’s ahead for the week--there will be committee meetings in the House and Senate on transportation funding. Subcommittees in the House will tackle Senate Bill 31. This legislation would allow Georgia Power to charge customers early for construction of a pair of new nuclear reactors for Plant Vogtle. Tomorrow, Georgia U.S. Senator Johnny Isakson will speak to the state Senate and launch his re-election campaign.

Transportation Gets Lawmakers' Focus

The issue of how to fund transportation is expected to take the center-lane for state lawmakers early this week. The General Assembly session continues today with the proposal to raise the state sales tax by one-percent to be unveiled by the House Transportation Chairman. A full Senate vote could come Tuesday. The alternative is expected to get a Senate vote tomorrow as well--the proposal to allow individual counties to vote on raising their local taxes for transportation projects.

Other legislation to look for this week at the Capitol—a voucher bill that would give parents a check they can use to pay tuition for their children to attend private schools.

You can get updates on the General Assembly session anytime on this web page. You can also get the latest on GPB Radio every morning and afternoon.

Lawmakers expect long final day of General Assembly

It is expected to be a long and busy day on this 40th and final day of the Georgia General Assembly session. Under the Gold Dome, lawmakers will try to push through as many of the 300-or-so bills as they can to Governor Sonny Perdue’s desk. The 21.2 billion dollar state budget for fiscal 2009 must get hammered-out. Perdue has already requested lawmakers cut out 245-million dollars in spending. A new challenge for the budget was the news from Thursday that state tax collections were down 1.6 percent, or 19-million dollars in March--from the same time last year.

Stay with GPB for all the latest from the Capitol on this final day. GPB Radio will have news updates this afternoon during All Things Considered at 4pm, and again at 6pm during Georgia Gazette. You can get Capitol updates anytime by clicking our website gpb.org, and going to the Georgia News page.

Crossover Day for state lawmakers

Today promises to be a long one for lawmakers at the State Capitol. This 30th day of the legislative session is known as Crossover Day, where bills must pass at least the one chamber to have a chance at becoming law. Not yet agreed upon between House and Senate members are mid-year revisions to the budget for the fiscal year. Bills to be debated include those for billboard regulations and extending foreclosure notices for homeowners in trouble. Among legislation that's been passed in the Session? The two chambers passed a statewide water plan and bills for charter schools.

House OK's charter school panel

State lawmakers have opened the door for more charter schools in Georgia. House members yesterday voted to create a seven-member state commission that could begin the sanctioning of new tuition-free schools as early as next year. The measure now goes to the Senate for consideration.

Supporters say this is another way for the schools to be established which are denied by some school boards. Critics argue this is a way to skirt the authority of local school boards, which would still have to help fund the schools.

Charter schools are funded by tax dollars--they often allow teachers and principals more flexibility because their operation comes from a charter drafted by a community.

Break in Legislative session allows for budget committees

Lawmakers this week will take a break from the Legislative session at the Capitol to go into committee hearings on the proposed state budget offered by Governor Sonny Perdue.

Last week's opening days of the Session included Perdue outlining his 21.4 billion dollar budget plan for the state. From the General Assembly, developments included the Senate adopting a watered-down bill to expand Georgians' rights as to where they can carry guns. In addition, Georgia's first-ever water plan was passed by the Legislature.

Still no special session date

There’s still no date for a special session. Governor Sonny Perdue’s press office says more than half of lawmakers have responded to yesterday’s e-mail asking for input on several upcoming dates. But there is no clear preference among lawmakers. Right now, the Governor’s office says Monday is most likely out of the question, but Mr. Perdue could schedule the special session to start on Monday the 14th or Monday the 21st. The special session is necessary because lawmakers can’t agree on a midyear budget. It’s expected to last five days.