State moving fast to resume executions

Georgia, which became the nation's first to hold an execution after the Supreme Court upheld lethal injections, is now attempting its third in just a month.

Meanwhile, only two other states - Mississippi and Virginia - have put inmates to death.

The moves come after a seven-month nationwide halt on executions while the court considered the constitutionality of the method.

That's about to change. Texas, which has led the nation in executions since the 1970s, has 14 scheduled into the fall. And eight other states have set execution dates before the summer's end, according to Capital Defense Weekly, a Web site for death penalty lawyers.

Why was Georgia so quick out of the box?

Experts say Georgia has a shorter waiting period - a maximum of just 29 days - than some other states to move forward with an execution once a death warrant is signed. Once the U.S. Supreme Court ruled in April that the three-drug lethal injection method used by most states was constitutional, Georgia was able to move with almost no delay.

And there were already several cases in the pipeline when the high court took up the lethal
injection challenge. The backlog was created in part because Georgia held only one execution between 2006 and 2007.

"In some ways, it's the luck of the draw," said Georgia Department of Corrections spokesman Paul Czachowski.

William Earl Lynd's execution on May 6 was the first in the nation after the April Supreme Court ruling. He was convicted of killing his live-in girlfriend in Berrien County two decades ago.

Samuel David Crowe was scheduled to die on May 22 but had his sentence commuted to life in prison without parole just hours before he was to be put to death.

The state is set to move forward with its third execution on Wednesday for Curtis Osborne, for killing a Spalding County couple in 1990.

Bill Hoffmann, an attorney representing Osborne, said he can't fault the state for its aggressive strategy.

"We had a stay awaiting the decision, and now it's been lifted," he said. "The state's gotta do what the state's got to do."

Still, Sara Totonchi of the Southern Center for Human Rights, said she's been surprised by the fast early pace Georgia has set.

"Why the rush?" she asked. "Is this really an area where Georgia wants to be leading the nation?"

Prosecutors dispute that the state is moving quickly at all, noting that Lynd, Crowe and Osborne have each been on death row for almost two decades.

"What rush? Just look at how old these cases are," said Rick Malone, executive director of the Prosecuting Attorneys Council of Georgia.

There's no denying that politics also plays a role in the scheduling of death penalty cases, said Richard Dieter, executive director of the Washington D.C.-based Death Penalty Information Center, which opposes capital punishment.

He said "informal slowdowns" take place in states where politicians are less enthusiastic about capital punishment, while cases move more quickly in states where influential leaders are in favor of the death penalty.

"I would say the political shifts in Georgia favor executions and so you are seeing that," he said.

Even if more executions are scheduled in Georgia this year it's unlikely the state will surpass the record of 23 conducted in 1935, when the Georgia's death row was using the electric chair.

Four executions were performed in both 2001 and 2002. That's the highest number since the state adopted lethal injection as its method of execution in October 2001.

Click here for more GPB News coverage of the issue of capital punishment.

(The Associated Press)

Oxendine To Return Questioned Contributions

Republican gubernatorial candidate John Oxendine says he is returning more than $100,000 in campaign contributions brought into question by a recent investigative report by the Atlanta Journal-Constitution. The report claims two insurance companies in the state headed by the same person directed $120,000 to Oxendine’s campaign. The paper says money was received from the insurance companies through 10 political action committees set up by an Alabama board member of both firms. Oxendine is Georgia’s Insurance and fire safety commissioner, and was the first Republican to announce his entry into the 2010 governor’s race.

Below is Oxendine's statement released Monday on his website:

"I appreciate all those who have expressed their support these past few days as our campaign has addressed an issue related to contributions made to our campaign.

As it appeared to us, these were not checks from an insurance company we regulate. Additionally, it appeared that these checks were from different entities, not controlled by the same person or people. Under those facts, as we understood them, accepting these contributions was perfectly legal. Based on facts that have recently come to light, previously unknown to us, we have concerns whether our understanding of the facts were complete. Last week, before these facts fully came to light, we filed an advisory opinion request with the Georgia State Ethics Commission.

Out of an abundance of caution, I decided to return the funds pending advice from the State Ethics Commission. Let me be transparent and direct with the taxpayers of Georgia. I have promised to transform Georgia government. Although my staff and legal counsel, Stefan Passantino of McKenna, Long and Aldridge, advise that we have done nothing illegal, based on the facts as we know them, I am concerned Georgia voters might see this as politics as usual. Therefore, last week, immediately after my initial awareness of this matter, I ordered the process be set in motion to return every single contribution in question and to seek advice as to our rights and obligations to the State Ethics Commission.

I have criticized this as a hit piece and the facts are thus: Mr. Passantino communicated via email with the AJC reporter last Friday that they were to speak today. It is unfortunate that the AJC elected to move forward with this piece before having spoken with Mr. Passantino to get our side of the story. Had this occurred, the story would not have been an issue because the AJC would have had the opportunity to report that the money had already been returned and that we had previously initiated a request for guidance and clarification from the State Ethics Commission.

The critics have questioned my personal integrity. I respect each of you as voters. I realize that many Georgians support our campaign and some oppose it. However, I am determined that those who do oppose my campaign, do so based on honorable disagreements on the issues and not based on a question of my integrity as it relates to campaign contributions.

I will run a non-traditional campaign and be a different type of Governor. I hope that today I have taken steps to demonstrate my sincerity to Georgia. It is my desire to have a campaign that is a positive, issue-oriented campaign based on traditional Reagan conservative values.

When reporters cover issues such as campaign contributions as opposed to covering the important issues before Georgia of transportation, education, water, health care, jobs, agriculture, and the Fair Tax, nothing is done to improve the lives of working families in Georgia.

I am pleased this matter is behind us and welcome the opportunity to listen to Georgians about those issues important to them and to talk about my Contract with Georgia."

War of words continues over dueling tax reform plans

Governor Sonny Perdue had harsh words for leaders of both legislative chambers today, after Tuesday's announcement from the Senate of a proposal to reduced state income tax.  And,  although both Senate and House leaders have expressed their willingness to work together on tax reform, each seemed to hint the other isn't cooperating.  

Lt. Governor Casey Cagle appeared to challenge House leaders who weren't willing to reduce state spending to bring about a tax cut. 

"If the House is serious about reigning in state spending, then the best way to do is through revenue reduction and the best way to do that is through tax cuts." 

In response, House Majority Leader Jerry Keene shot back, questioning the late hour of Cagle's proposal. 

"The Senate has come to the table on day 32, late in day 32, with a tax reform plan that candidly comes no where near the amount of relief that we're proposing for Georgians."  

All this back and forth has Governor Sonny Perdue comparing the tax reform debate to a card game. 

"Sadly, all of the tax plans are more about politics than policy.  The sad thing is the fiscal health, the financial health of Georgia going forward is what's being played with.  And, its unfortunate when people on both side here feel like they have to trump one another in this." 

 

The Governor also wasted no time assigning responsibility for the current impasse.

"The action of the house beginning this policy was dangerous. And then, in political life, you have others feel like they have to put a higher trump card down. This is what you get. The sad fact is ... it's playing with the fiscal health of Georgia's future. And, it's sad to watch."

The Senate tax proposal calls for cutting state income tax ten percent, in a five year phased in plan, keeping about 260 millions in the pockets of working Georgians, in the first year alone. And, late week the House passed its own plan to reduce taxes about 760 million a year by eliminating the car tag tax along with the state's quarter mill homeowners property tax. 

The problem with those plans, says Perdue, is that less taxes means less revenue for the state to pay for things education, transportation and health care.

Finally, the Governor says he's puzzled why Georgia lawmakers would talk about tax cuts as if the state were run like the federal government.

Because  while the federal government may run a budget deficit, Georgia's Constitution requires that lawmakers pass a balanced budget each year. 

With Georgia's economy mirroring that of national trends, Governor Perdue has asked lawmakers to find a way to trim 245 million dollars from next year's budget.  But that may not be enough.  Perdue says he expects the state may be forced to tap into its reserve fund this year and possibly next.

HOUSE LEADERSHIP RESPONDS TO TONGUE LASHING

In a press release late Wednesday afternoon, Majority Leader Jerry Keen responded to the Governor's comments saying, the since the Governor does like the reform plan of either chamber, the Senate should sign on the the House plan to eliminate the car tag tax.

“Our proposal is a resolution, which means the governor cannot veto it.  The proposition goes straight to the ballot for the people of Georgia to decide.  The Senate’s proposal is a bill, which means it must go to the governor, giving him the opportunity to veto it, as he implied today he will do.  The only way to give the people of Georgia tax relief is for the Senate to follow the House’s lead and vote to axe the birthday tax.”

GOP leader: Chambliss in 'fight of his life'

Republican Senator Saxby Chambliss, talking with reporters about his election prospects and his Wall Street bailout vote at a press conference at Atlanta's Hartsfield-Jackson International Airport, Oct 2, 2008. (file/Dave Bender)

This central-Georgia military town outside Robins Air Force Base should be a cakewalk on Election Day for Republican Sen. Saxby Chambliss. But ask people here if they support him and one finds surprising ambivalence, even hostility.

The mood has changed so much in recent weeks that Georgia Republican Party Chairwoman Sue Everhart says Chambliss is in "the fight of his life."

"I think he will win," Everhart said prior to Georgia's GOP Victory Dinner in Atlanta last Tuesday. "But not by the large margin we expected early on."

Once considered a safe bet for re-election to a second term, Chambliss suddenly appears vulnerable amid a wave of anti-incumbent frustration and economic turmoil.

"I think everybody is just so totally dissatisfied with what's going on in Washington now that we feel like you probably can't get much worse, so you might as well try somebody new," said Jean Hammock, a longtime Republican who listens daily to conservative radio host Rush Limbaugh.

His newly troubled candidacy is giving Democrats visions of approaching a 60-vote, filibuster-proof majority in next month's election, instead of just the four or five seats they had expected to take from Republicans. Democrats control the Senate 51-49.

Chambliss' "yes" vote for the $700 billion financial package earlier this month is the latest in a series of positions that haven't sat well with the conservatives who make up his base. He also faces a potential surge of newly registered Democratic voters excited about Barack Obama's presidential campaign, and a general anti-Republican sentiment after eight years of the Bush administration.

Without question, Georgia remains a GOP stronghold, and Chambliss is still favored over Democrat Jim Martin. The state supported President Bush with 58 percent of the vote four years ago. Martin would need impressive turnout — and perhaps a strong assist from Libertarian candidate Allen Buckley — to win.

But recent polls show Chambliss with a modest lead, but the race tightening. And Democrats relish the possibility of revenge against the man who, in a 2002 campaign ad, criticized Democratic Sen. Max Cleland's commitment to national security even though Cleland lost three limbs in the Vietnam War. Chambliss defeated Cleland with 53 percent of the vote.

Sen. Charles Schumer of New York, head of the Democrats' Senate campaign committee, said Martin and Chambliss are virtually tied, even in polls that Schumer believes don't fully capture Obama's effect on African-American and young voters.

"We're doing extremely well in places we didn't expect to do well," said Schumer. "Georgia was a surprise to us."

The Democratic committee, however, still doesn't list the state as a battleground, and so far hasn't put much money into the race. Schumer declined to say whether it will run ads in Georgia as it has in other competitive races. Georgia is "a state we're taking a very close look at," he said.

Martin has been running television ads throughout the state but trails Chambliss in fundraising. The Democrat has stepped up his attacks in recent days, criticizing Chambliss for his bailout vote and loyalty to Bush.

Chambliss said he always predicted the race would be tight. He knew he had not endeared himself to conservatives by supporting a compromise immigration package that drew him boos at a state GOP function last year and, more recently, championing a bipartisan energy measure criticized by Limbaugh and other conservative commentators.

He also was well aware of the political risks of supporting the bailout package. But he said Congress had little choice but to respond and try to contain economic losses. He's hoping sharp market declines in recent days will strengthen his case that action was urgently needed.

The senator downplayed suggestions that the bailout vote would make or break him.

"I've cast hundreds and hundreds of votes over the last 14 years," Chambliss, a former House member, told reporters before the GOP Victory dinner in Atlanta. "To say any one is going to cost me the election, that's just not the case."

At least one self-described lifelong Republican thinks otherwise. Ron Davis of Dallas, Ga., said he was so infuriated by Chambliss' bailout vote that he set up a Web site http://www.FireSaxby.com

"I never really followed politics closely. This was a wake-up call to me," the 31-year-old information technology administrator said.

Davis said he'll vote for Buckley in November, adding that GOP friends in his neighborhood are also disillusioned with Chambliss.

"I think he should be worried," Davis said.

(The Associated Press)

Click here for more GPB News political coverage.

Carter political strategist dies

Hamilton Jordan, 1944-2008. Jordan answers questions at a news conference in Dallas on June 4, 1992. (AP Photo/Pat Sullivan, File)

Hamilton Jordan, a political strategist from south Georgia who helped propel Jimmy Carter to the White House and served as his chief of staff, died Tuesday. He was 63.

Jordan died at his home in Atlanta after a long battle with cancer, said Gerald Rafshoon, a former Carter spokesman.

Jordan graduated from the University of Georgia with a political science degree in 1967 and became a key adviser to Carter during the 1976 presidential campaign. After Carter was defeated by Ronald Reagan in 1980, Jordan ran in the Democratic primary for U.S. Senate in 1986. He lost to Wyche Fowler, who won the general election.

Jordan worked for H. Ross Perot's presidential bid in 1992.

Later he worked with Unity08, an independent political group founded by independent Angus King, the former governor of Maine, along with Rafshoon and Doug Bailey, a former staffer on President Ford's 1976 campaign.

Jordan's family is planning a memorial service at the Carter Center on Friday, according to a report.

For more GPB News coverage about Georgia politics, click here. For more about Carter, click here.

(The Associated Press)

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.

GA Supreme Court hears Wilson case

The Georgia Supreme Court heard the case of Genarlow Wilson today. Wilson was 17 years old when he was sentenced to a mandatory ten years in prison for engaging in consensual oral sex with a younger girl.

A lower court reduced the crime to a misdemeanor earlier this year. The primary issue today was whether that ruling is valid. Since Wilson was convicted, Georgia law re-classified consensual oral sex between minors from a felony to a misdemeanor.

From the bench, the justices questioned whether courts should criminalize teenage behavior.

Presiding Justice Carol Hunstein said, "Not that this kind of conduct should be encouraged, but teenagers make mistakes. Where is the justice in a ten year sentence being on the sex offender registry for the rest of one's life?"

Meanwhile, Genarlow Wilson remains in prison, having refused a plea deal offered by prosecutors.

Post-hearing statements

Following the hearing, defense attorneys met with reporters. The head of Wilson's defense team, BJ Bernstein said, "There's been so much discussion about what the legislature should do and what others should do, and the politics involved but in the end and in this case, it's been to change the laws to protect children and to let justice be served."

Attorneys for the state and from Douglas County District Attorney's office were unavailable for comment.

In a written statement released to the press, Attorney General Thurbert Baker said his job is to equally enforce Georgia law irrespective of his personal opinion.

D.A.under fire

In recent weeks, the district attorney who handled the case has come under fire for distributing copies of the Wilson sex tape to state legislators and to the media.

On the federal level, the U.S. Attorney for northern Georgia has issued a statement saying that handing out copies of the tape amounts to distribution of child pornography, a crime punishable under federal law. Attorneys for the D.A. disagreed saying it was covered under Georgia's open records act.

Columbus man running for state rep slot

Zephaniah Baker (Courtesy)

Columbus native 31-year-old Zephaniah Baker, plans to run for District 132 as an independent on the November 4 ballot.

Running what he calls a “people over politics” campaign, Baker says he's calling for better educational opportunities, especially in the district's middle and high schools. He says he wants to create a more welcoming business climate for industry, that would bring, in his words, “high paying jobs,” to the area.

Baker says he started canvassing the district in January, and has received a requisite 990 verified signatures to be added to the ballot as an independent candidate.

Baker tells the Columbus Ledger-Enquirer newspaper that he's running, in his words, "for the post," and not against the current Democratic representative, Calvin Smyre.

Smyre is a 30-year veteran of Georgia politics and serves as House Minority Whip.

Click here for more GPB political news coverage.

Unity Begins the 2009 Legislative Session

Democrats in the Georgia State Legislature opened the first day of the 2009 session with a sign of unity. With Republicans holding a majority of seats in the House, Republican Speaker Glenn Richardson was re-elected – but not with the usual “yeas” or “nays.” He was elected by process of acclamation, where no formal vote was held.
Minority Leader Dubose Porter says Democrats in Georgia are taking a page from President-elect Barack Obama.

"We, at this important crossroads in Georgia's history, want to show just as our president-elect in Washington is putting the country's welfare ahead of partisan politics, we too, the Democratic caucus in Georgia, put aside the partisan rancor and ask that we move forward with the work of this state."

The gesture did not go unnoticed by Republicans. Majority Leader Jerry Keen says that both sides of the House need to work together as the Democratic-controlled government will soon begin helping the states' ailing budgets.

PRESIDENTIAL HOPEFULS VISIT THE SOUTH

By Valarie Edwards

Although Election Day 2008 is still 1 year, 7 months and 23 days away, the race for the White House is going strong.

And all of the nearly dozen or so contenders are making the south a top priority.

This week, former North Carolina Senator John Edwards makes stops in Atlanta and in his own home state. New York's Senator Hilary Clinton was in South Carolina last week. And, later this month, Illinois Senator Barack Obama makes his own campaign stop here in Atlanta.

The reason for the south's popularity? Well, says Charles Bullock with UGA's Political Science Department, some it may be the allure of money.

“What the candidates are doing right now is they're coming and meeting leaders. In conjunction with their visits, there are fundraising events being held. So they're passing the hat in Georgia.”

Bullock says money raised here in Georgia is headed to campaigning efforts in those early and critical primary states. States like New Hampshire, Iowa and South Carolina.

If the Georgia legislature gets its way, Georgia could join a handful of other states that’ve moved up their primary dates, giving Georgian’s a bigger say in national politics.

GA House Committee says 'yes' to English only

Georgia's House Judiciary committee passed a resolution (10-4) to amend the state's constitution and declare English, Georgia's official language. Even though the law already says English is the state's official language, some agencies offer accommodations, for non-native English speakers.

The proposed constitutional amendment would take that law one step further and require that all state business be conducted in English. That includes the driver's license test, now offered in more than a dozen languages.

Supporters of the amendment say safety is their primary concern. However, opponents call the measure another attempt at immigrant bashing.

Jerry Gonzales is Executive Director of the Georgia Association of Latino Elected Officials.

"Let's call this for what it is. It is an election year ploy. It's pure politics to try to attract voters to try to come out to the polls. Immigrant bashing is not working in this election cycle. This legislation is just that, its a mechanism for Georgia to immigrant bash."

The measure now goes to the House Rules Committee for consideration. If the Rules Committee approves the amendment, it goes on to the full House for a vote where it requires a two thirds majority to pass.

Judge says Democrat can serve office

A Fulton County judge has ruled that Democrat Jim Powell's name can stay on the ballot in November. Judge Wendy Shoob's ruling Thursday reversed the decision by Georgia's top elections official to disqualify Powell from the election.

Secretary of State Karen Handel's office said it "strongly disagreed" with the decision and that it may appeal. Powell was disqualified from the race for a seat on Georgia's Public Service Commission days before the July primary on grounds that he doesn't meet residency requirements. A judge later ruled Powell's name could remain on the ballot. He earned more than 330,000 votes and easily defeated opponent Bob Indech.

Handel's office dismissed accusations that politics were involved in the decision. Powell has called it "dirty politics at its worst."

(Associate Press)

State Supreme Court Hears Arguments in Voter ID Law

By Valarie Edwards

The Georgia Supreme Court heard testimony today on whether to strike down that part of state law requiring voters to show a picture ID when they go to the polls.

The original law was passed in 2005, and has been in both federal and state court ever since.

At issue is whether or not showing a photo places an undue burden on the poor and the elderly.

Former Democratic Governor Roy Barnes now represents the plaintiffs.

He says the law is unconstitutional.

“The right of franchise, to vote, is the most basic right we have in a democracy. Anytime playing politics with it, then i’m upset.”

Republicans in Georgia have amended the law to make photo voter id-s available to the poor for free.

They argue that with Georgia’s growing immigrant population, tighter voter controls are needed.

Rural schools drop lawsuit against state

The Consortium for Adequate School Funding in Georgia is dropping it's lawsuit against the state because the group doesn't approve of a new judget. The lawsuit contends that education is not funded adequately in the State as is required by the Georgia constitution. The case had been in Fulton County Superior court for several years and was scheduled to go to trial next month.

Consortium officials say the new judge Craig L. Schwall who is now handling the case was appointed to the bench by Governor Sonny Perdue and used to be chaiman of the Fulton County Republican Party. In a statement Jeffery Welch, President of the Consortium says "The issues in this case are so vital to the future of our state that they must be insulated from even the appearance of partisan politics."

The consotium says it will now take other actions, including the filing of a new lawsuit in another court in Georgia.

On vetoes, overrides, tax cuts and egos at the State Capitol

Georgia lawmakers are stuck in a logjam over the midyear budget, but they're trying to reach a deal before going into a costly special session.

As of a few days ago, House Speaker Glenn Richardson (R-Hiram) was vowing to override Gov. Sonny Perdue's veto of the 2007 midyear budget "again and again and again" when lawmakers return to Atlanta.

But Lt. Gov. Casey Cagle dismissed Thursday the override as a "non-starter."

He says he’s conferred with both Richardson and Perdue. The feud, he says, is not really about policy.

"I wish you could take the politics out of the equation that we're in," Cagle says. "Unfortunately, that doesn’t exist. It's time for us to rise up and be statesmen."

When the governor vetoed the midyear budget, he singled out a $142 million property tax break. Although Cagle was one of the tax break's architects, he now says, "The deal that was presented that night was not the actual deal that has manifested. First it was a $100 check that was going to be given to every property owner in the state of Georgia and we were sure that due diligence had been done and, in effect, that has not transpired."

Local governments warned that it would be costly and difficult to send checks to homeowners, and that the value of each check would vary between $106 and $23, depending on the county.

Cagle now says he prefers Perdue's idea of expanding the existing retirees' tax cut. House leaders, however, say that would benefit only wealthy retirees. Nonetheless, the tax plan is expected to be on the table, along with the midyear budget, when lawmakers go into a special session.

In a written statement, House Majority Leader Jerry Keen says "The House fully supports and stands behind the $142 million tax refund to homeowners that we and the Senate unanimously voted for just 13 days ago. This is simply a policy dispute over what to do with excess revenue, and it is time to stand up for our conservative principles and do the fiscally conservative thing for Georgia. The House will not accept an '07 Amended Budget that does not include a tax break for Georgians."

Lawmakers expect the session to begin in a couple of weeks and last at least five days—at a cost of more than $240,000 dollars.

Georgia National Fair to host candidates

The Georgia National Fair in Perry has the rides, fair food, and concerts on its menu. For today, it’ll have politics on the schedule. The first face-to-face meeting for Saxby Chambliss and Jim Martin is set as time is ticking down toward next month’s election, when voters decide the Georgia U.S. Senate race. Republican incumbent Chambliss, along with Democratic challenger Martin, will be joined by Libertarian Allen Buckley in the candidates forum.

GOP convention comes to Columbus

Georgia's Republican Party convention meets this weekend in Columbus. Some 5,000 GOP faithful from across the state are expected to pack the Columbus Civic Center.

They'll pick half the state's delegates to the national convention, to be held this fall in St. Paul, Minnesota. And, convention-goers will choose two representatives to the Republican National committee.

Josh McKoon, who chairs the party's Muscogee County branch expects over 1,100 delegates to attend. And, he says, factional politics could provide some surprises:

"I think there will certainly be a move by those that support Ron Paul to get some of their supporters on the delegate list representing Georgia. I know that's happened on the local level at earlier stages of this process, so that potentially could be something that could cause a little bit of a stir."

But McKoon predicts a straightforward event, rallying behind presumptive Republican presidential nominee, Arizona Senator John McCain.

There is one stumbling block however.

McKoon says the elected delegates are pledged to former Arkansas governor and former presidential candidate Mike Huckabee:

"...and unless he releases them from that, when they go to the convention, they'll be bound to vote for Huckabee on the first two ballots. Huckabee will have the lion's share of delegates coming out of Georgia..."

This is the second time in four years the event has been held in Columbus, and is expected to boost the local economy.

Click here for more GPB News coverage of the presidential elections.

Former Georgia Congressman Flynt dies

Former Georgia Congressman John "Jack" Flynt-Jr has died at the age of 92. He passed away early Sunday at his home in Griffin.

Flynt was a 12-term Congressman and served as chairman of the House ethics committee. He defeated political newcomer Newt Gingrich in 1974 and '76. When he retired, Gingrich took his seat. Flynt was a member of the Democratic establishment when the party dominated Southern politics.

Flynt's background includes service as a calvary officer, prosecutor, and bank founder. In 2001, a 17-mile section of Georgia-16 was named after Flynt.

Legislative Day 38 ... from the Senate

TRANSPORTATION FUNDING
Dueling legislations have created one of this session’s most contention issues, as lawmakers try to find a middle ground on funding local transportation projects. On the House side, lawmakers suggest allowing local communities to come up with a list of priority projects for the DOT. From the Senate, the proposal calls for either a county or regional voter referendum so residents can decide if a t-splost is needed for a specific project. Republican Jeff Mullis chairs the Senate Transportation Committee. He says it appears House leaders brushed aside the Senate’s concerns. “We feel the House hasn’t taken us seriously at this moment, because they put their entire language back on to our offer. Well, they’ve got to move to middle before we can agree on anything.” If the two sides can come to an agreement, Georgians will vote this fall whether or not to amend the state’s Constitution for a one cent tax to vote to fund local transportation projects.

CONTROVERSARY OVER GRADY HOSPITAL
A bill that would have prohibited vendors or competitors from serving on Grady Hospital’s governing board passed in the senate on Tuesday. It does not apply to the current board of directors, but would to any future board members. The measure also strips away any oversight committee provision, for the financially trouble hospital. Democratic Senator Vincent Fort co-chairs the Grady Coalition. Fort accused other senate leaders of backing away from earlier commitments calling for an oversight committee. “Senator Shafer had made a commitment back in January when Grady was controlled by a predominantly African American board to create an oversight committee for Grady. Unfortunately, he’s backed away from that now that the board is dominated by wealthy, white businessman.” The measure also provoked heated discussion as a last minute floor amendment was added, prohibiting Grady from performing abortions on any paying patients.

LIMITED SUNDAY LIQUOR SALES
Lawmakers voted to boost local economic development by allowing some businesses sell alcohol on Sundays. One immediate beneficiary of the measure ... the proposed Triple-A Braves stadium in Gwinnett County set to open in summer 2009. Senator Renee Unterman represents part of the county. Her floor amendment – which the Senate adopted -- allows alcohol to be sold at the stadium on Sunday. However, Unterman stopped short of endorsing a repeal of the state’s blue laws. “My bill was in no connection to Sunday sales. Unfortunately, in the House, they connected the two. And, that was against my wishes. I said that mine was single issue and I wanted it to stay a single issue.” Under the bill, operators of approved regional economic assistance projects, or REAPS will be permitted to sell alcohol for consumption on site. Projects like golf courses and conference centers. The measure does not however circumvent the power of local governments to prohibit such sales.

WATER WARS, PART DUEX
Competition at the capitol on Tuesday over who should control local water resources in light of Georgia’s on-going drought. One bill proposed by the House would prohibit local governments from imposing tighter water restrictions than those called for by the state. The other --- a Senate bill -- would give local governments the power to impose or lessen additional restrictions over state regulations if a compelling reason exists. Republican John Bulloch chairs the Senate Agriculture and Consumer Affairs Committee. He says water restrictions fail to take local differences into account. “In a lot of cases, EPD has had a one size fit all for a large area. We have a lot of counties and water authorities that have adequate water and that’s not being considered.” The bill also requires the state’s Department of Natural Resources adopt regulations relating to drought management, which must be updated every five years.

TAX MEASURE PING-PONGS
(from the Associated Press)
House Republican leaders say they've found a way to settle the debate between two dueling tax plans: Adopt them both. House Speaker Glenn Richardson unveiled new versions of the two competing plans today, saying the state could afford the 2 billion dollars that the combined cuts would slash from the state budget. Richardson's plan to eliminate the car tag tax and freeze property taxes remains largely unchanged, although the newrevisions allow only Georgia residents to enjoy the tax breaks. It also removes a tax break sought by Governor Perdue that would have eliminated the state portion of property taxes, worth about 30 dollars a household. But House leaders for the first time signed onto a separate tax break pushed by Senate leaders that reduces the state income tax over five years. Under the new version, the cuts would not start until 2011. And the tax break could not be enacted unless the bill to eliminate the car tag tax is adopted. The two cuts would cost the state 2 billion dollars when they are fully implemented in 2015. There was no immediate comment from Senate leaders and the governor, who is on a weeklong trade mission in China. But Perdue has said the cash-strapped state can't afford either one of the plans. He's pushing for more than 300 million dollars in budget cuts to keep Georgia afloat as state tax collections slow to a trickle. He's accused his fellow Republicans of playing politics with the state's fiscal health.

Bailout: political hot button issue

The war of words between the candidates for the hotly contested 8th Congressional District seat heats us as the proposed Wall Street bailout package is shaping up to be this election season's political hot potato.

Two days after democrat Jim Marshall said he's willing to lose his seat over his "yes" vote in favor of the $700 billion dollar plan, here's how his Republican rival Rick Goddard responded.

"This is politics. This is pure politics. And, I’m not playing into that game."

Marshall is a self-described conservative democrat, a label Goddard dismisses. What both candidates can agree upon is that something must be done about the current credit crisis.

However, Goddard warns a rush to judgment is perilous.

"This bailout has not been properly vetted in the Congress. It has not gone before committee. Nobody has testified as to the pros and cons. It is a quick knee jerk reaction to the crisis and we don't even know if this will fix the problem."

Jim Marshall is one of just two Georgia House members to support the bailout. The other is Democrat Sanford Bishop of Albany.