Best Value Government Task Force
Discusses Effective Government Service
ATLANTA (August 19, 2008) – State Sen. Mitch Seabaugh (R-Sharpsburg), Senate majority whip, today led the first meeting of the Senate Government Best Value Task Force for an in-depth discussion and review of the Pew Center’s Government Performance Project and Georgia’s report card. |
Property tax reform passes Senate
ATLANTA – Today the Senate moved forward with its work on tax reform when it passed two Constitutional Amendments that will freeze property taxes at the 2008 rates until the property is sold. In partnership with Speaker Richardson's efforts to reform the state’s tax code, the Senate, with broad bi-partisan support, voted to send both Constitutional Amendments to the House for consideration. |
Sen. Shafer introduces Telecommunications Competition Act
ATLANTA – Sen. David Shafer (R- Duluth) today introduced the Telecommunications Competition Act to expand consumer choices for local telephone service. “Last year we increased competition for the cable television industry by making it easier for telecommunications companies like AT&T to enter the video market,” Sen. Shafer said. |
Cobb Senators look to keep swimming
pools open during drought
ATLANTA – Three state senators have introduced legislation to prevent the state’s Environmental Protection Division from indiscriminately closing swimming pools this spring because of Georgia’s severe drought conditions. Senate Bill 368, authored by Sen. Chip Rogers (R-Woodstock), Sen. Judson Hill (R-Marietta) and Sen. John Wiles (R-Kennesaw), will remove the power from the EPD director to make such a decision. |
Statement from Sen. Eric Johnson on the Senate’s override of Governor’s veto
“Today, the Senate decided to override one of Governor Perdue’s vetoes. We proceeded cautiously and deliberatively. After hearing from the Senate presenter of the bill and the Governor, the Rules Committee released HB 529 for consideration by the full Senate. The full Senate voted 47 to 7 to override the veto. |
Sen. Carter proposes strengthening “move over” law
ATLANTA– State Senator Joseph Carter (R-Tifton) introduced Senate Bill 354 today, legislation designed to strengthen Georgia’s Move Over Law to classify as a felony the violation of the move over law if that violation results in the death of another. The current law, OCGA 40-6-16, mandates that drivers move over for emergency vehicles stopped on the side of the highway, and the fine for ignoring the law is $500. |
Sen. Shafer introduces two Grady reform bills
Grady Oversight Committee and Public Hospital Integrity Act proposed
ATLANTA -Together with over 30 bipartisan cosponsors, Sen. David Shafer (R-Duluth)
today introduced legislation creating a Grady Oversight Committee and imposing conflict-of-interest
requirements on directors of public hospitals. State Sen. David Shafer (R-Duluth) today announced plans to introduce legislation in the next session of the General Assembly that will require the Fulton-DeKalb Hospital Authority to turn over day-to-day operations of the Grady Health System to a non-profit hospital management corporation. |
Senate announces video history project
ATLANTA –Over the years, the Georgia Senate has had its share of characters . . . and then some. In recent years, we have lost many of the people who helped to shape the state of Georgia and make it what it is today – one of the best states to live, work and raise a family. While many are gone, some of their colleagues remain to tell the stories of yore. The Senate’s history is a long and interesting one and only the men and women who served in the Capitol’s Upper Chamber can reflect on those days gone by. The Senate Video History Project will interview those former members and allow them to tell their stories |
Senate names new budget director
ATLANTA – Senate President Pro Tempore Eric Johnson (R-Savannah) announced today that Dr. Carolyn Bourdeaux, an assistant professor at Georgia State University, has been named the new director of the Senate Budget and Evaluation Office. Dr. Bourdeaux replaces Kevin Fillion, who resigned earlier this year after announcing his retirement from state government. |
Sen. Balfour elected NCSL Vice President
BOSTON, MASSACHUSETTS - State Sen. Don Balfour (R-Snellville) was elected vice president of the National Council for State Legislators (NCSL) by more than 8,600 of his colleagues from across the nation, at their annual meeting today in Boston, Massachusetts. |
Sen. Shafer to file Public Hospital Accountability Act
Will change Grady's day-to-day management
ATLANTA - State Sen. David Shafer (R-Duluth) today announced plans to introduce legislation in the next session of the General Assembly that will require the Fulton-DeKalb Hospital Authority to turn over day-to-day operations of the Grady Health System to a non-profit hospital management corporation. |
Sen Chip Rogers: Vick Case highlights need for tougher dog-fighting laws in Georgia
ATLANTA – State Senator Chip Rogers (R-Woodstock) says the current dog-fighting case involving Atlanta Falcons quarterback, Michael Vick, hopefully will bring enough political pressure to pass Senate Bill 16 next year. The measure, authored by Sen. Rogers, essentially will outlaw the dog-fighting industry in Georgia. |
 Senate Passes 2008 Budget
The State Senate passed its version of the $20.2 billion Fiscal Year 2008 budget today 53 to 1 – funding PeachCare for Kids at its present level and fully funding the state’s education budget, returning nearly $50 million in previous austerity cuts to local systems.
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 Senators introduce Deaf Child's Bill of Rights Act
State Sen. Preston Smith (R-Rome) and Sen. Gloria Butler (D-Stone Mountain) filed legislation today to enact the Deaf Child’s Bill of Rights Act, to require local school systems to take into account the specific communications needs of hearing impaired students and to guarantee that deaf students are instructed in whatever communication mode or language is deemed necessary – such as sign language, oral, aural or with visual signs or clues. |
 Sen. Shafer introduces Saving the Cure Act
Together with 29 cosponsors, State Sen. David Shafer (R-Duluth) today introduced legislation that encourages "nondestructive stem cell research" involving stem cells from the umbilical cord, placental tissue and amniotic fluid.
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 Sen. Smith files legislation to allow “life in prison without parole”
State Sen. Preston Smith (R-Rome) filed legislation Saturday to allow district attorneys to seek a “life without parole” sentence without first prosecuting a murder charge as a death penalty case. |
 Governor's Floor Leaders introduce Hope Chest Amendment
State Senators Joseph Carter (R-Tifton), Ronnie Chance (R-Tyrone) and Bill Heath (R-Bremen) have introduced legislation on behalf of Governor Sonny Perdue, which aims to protect Georgia’s HOPE Scholarship for future generations. |
Senate Passes Special Needs Scholarships Bill
Senate Bill 10, legislation that will allow the parents of special needs children to use scholarships to educate their children either in a public or private school passed the Senate today by a vote of 31 to 23. The bill, sponsored by Senate President Pro Tempore Eric Johnson (R-Savannah) (1-31-07) |
Senator Staton introduces trauma bill
State Sen. Cecil Staton (R-Macon) filed legislation today to create the Georgia Trauma Care Network Commission, the group that will oversee the Georgia Trauma Care Fund. Sen. Staton co-chaired the Comprehensive State Trauma Services Joint Study Committee last year, and the recommendations included the creation of the Commission. All 56 state senators signed the bipartisan legislation. (1-25-07)
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Senate begins 2007 Session
The Georgia State Senate opened the 2007 session in Atlanta under the gold dome.
Senator Eric Johnson was elected by the body to serve once again as the President Pro Tem.
The
session is historic, as it marks the first under Republican Lt. Governor Casey Cagle.
(1-9-07) |
