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Under the Gold Dome
February 8-12, 2010
Week 5 |
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League of Women Voters of Georgia
100 Edgewood Avenue, NE
Atlanta, Georgia 30303
404-522-4598 |
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Nonpartisan News From The Georgia Capitol
Published weekly by the League of Women Voters of Georgia Education Fund
Editor: Tracey-Ann Nelson
Know the Issues. Join the Conversation. Make a Difference. |
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Georgia Online Voter Registration
 This past Wednesday, Sen. Cecil Staton (Dist. 18) introduced SB 406, which would implement an online voter registration system in Georgia. The system would allow eligible applicants with a Georgia driver's license or state identification card to register to vote through a secure network on the Secretary of State's website. The Department of Drivers Services would also work with the electronic voter system to transmit and collect pertinent information.
Questions have been raised about the safety of online voter registration. The bill proposes software would be used to make sure the applicant is a U.S. citizen and that his/her address and other information are correct. Still, the bill fails to address possible accuracy issues with the DDS database.
Secretary of State Brian Kemp has already announced his support for this bill, saying it's a "common sense" measure that would increase access to elections, save tax money, and prevent voter fraud. Kemp also helped craft the bill, and several senators are joining Sen. Staton to sponsor this piece of legislation.
Georgia historically ranks last in percentage of citizens who are registered to vote, so a reform in the voter registration process is long due. However, several details of the bill should be revised or clarified before it is considered as possible legislation.
Georgia is not the only state looking for a secure solution for its constituents. Nine other states have or will be implementing online voter registration systems, and at least seven states have similar legislation pending.
If SB 406 passes the General Assembly, it will have to go the US Department of Justice for pre-clearance.
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House and Senate Calendar
The 18th day of the legislative session will be Tuesday, February 16th. |
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House Budget and Transparency
House passes FY 2010 Supplemental Budget
The Georgia House adopted an amended state budget Thursday that cuts approximately $1.2 billion for the current fiscal year. The cuts include changes in appropriations to Health and Human Services, such as $940,000 in Administrative Services. The FY 2010 Supplemental budget calls for furloughs of state personnel including teachers, caseworkers, and food stamp eligible workers. It also cuts funding for independent living programs, domestic violence shelters, and recruitment and screening of prospective adoptive parents.
It restores funding for the Alzheimer's Center, Harrison County Senior Citizen Center, DeKalb County's Meals on Wheels service. Additionally $274,000 was restored to the Autism Center. Funding for a new database was delayed. The House also rejected the Governor's plan to pay for certain scholarships with lottery reserves. Instead, it proposed funding those scholarships with general revenue funds. The FY 10 Amended Budget now moves to the Senate for consideration.
Transparency & Accountability
SB 206 Sen. Goggans (Dist. 7) would require a regular accounting of tax breaks to bring more transparency and accountability into tax decisions. The bill was passed by the Senate and the House Ways and Means Committee. It now sits in the House Rules Committee which must act to schedule it for a floor vote.
SB 304 Sen. Unterman (Dist. 45) Child Victims of Commercial Sexual Exploitation Legislation addresses the needs of child victims of commercial sexual exploitation (CSEC) has been a subject of discussion. A committee substitute is being drafted for SB 304. Instead of changing GA's prostitution criminal code section, the substitute would provide an alternative way to connect child victims of commercial sexual exploitation with needed services. The new proposal charts a clear path for CSEC victims as "unrulies" through juvenile court. It also recognizes the child's status as a victim of sexual exploitation. The revised language ensures child victims are admitted into the statewide system of care and preserves the child's eligibility for victim compensation funds. | |
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You are invited to
League Legislative Day
Tuesday, February 23, 2010
8:00am - 12:00pm
Loudermilk Center
40 Courtland Street SE
Atlanta, GA 30303
(404) 507-1690
Invited Guests:
Governor & Mrs. Perdue
Speaker Pro Tem,
Jan Jones
Secretary of State,
Brian Kemp Mayor of Atlanta,
Kasim Reed
Continental Breakfast Served
Parking Available
RSVP 404-522-4598 or
escott@lwvga.org |
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MARTA Funding
On Thursday, Governor Sonny Perdue announced his support for a plan that will give MARTA flexibility in how the agency spends its funds. Perdue says that a stave-off will result in a drastic reduction in services; the agency should gain access to money that can fund operational expenses. "We've given school systems great flexibility during our economic downturn; it only makes sense we do the same thing for MARTA, said Perdue. "They have promised to be good a steward of that flexibility."
Academic institutions have stated that the loss of MARTA and C-Tran would have an adverse effect on their school budgets and contribute to declining enrollment due to a lack of transportation. SB 120 proposed April 3, 2009 called for the "leash" on MARTA funds to be severed which would allow MARTA and C-TRAN to fund themselves. Governor Perdue's changed position may allow other legislators to lend their support to SB 120 and get MARTA and C-TRAN funding they need. Georgia is currently the only state that does not have an appropriation for public transportation. | |
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Legislation
ENVIRONMENT
HB 1094 - Rep. Smith (Dist. 70)
Georgia Water Stewardship Act. Requires Georgia Department of Natural Resources, including its Environmental Protection Division and related agencies, to examine and reorganize programs that encourage voluntary water conservation. Requires high-efficiency toilets, showerheads, faucets, and other water conservation practices in residential and mixed-use buildings. Status: House Second Readers
SB 401 - Sen. Seabaugh (Dist. 28)
Georgia Energy Freedom Act of 2010 Allows the Governor to delay implementation of a state or federally mandated cap and trade system, or any other program addressing carbon emissions or motor vehicle fuel economy, until a comprehensive assessment of such program shows that there is a significant benefit to Georgia citizens. If passed, this Act would become effective on July 1, 2010. Status: Senate Read and Referred
HB 1039 - Rep. Buckner (Dist. 130)
Proposes a statewide watering ban and creates a watering schedule for the entire state. Watering would be banned between the hours of 10am-6pm. Status: House Second Readers
HEALTHCARESR 794 and SB 317 - Sen. Hill (Dist. 32) Protects Georgia's citizens from being forced into government-run health care. Existing private and government programs would not be affected by this legislation. Prohibits punishing those that that do not participate in such a health plan, as well as protect health care providers from being forced to perform mandated medical procedures. Status: Senate Read Second Time
COMMERCE AND TRADESB 237 - Sen. Mullis (Dist. 53) Prohibits unfair pricing practices during a state of emergency or during an abnormal market disruption significantly effecting the production, distribution, supply, sale, or availability of oil, gasoline, or other petroleum products. Distributors may only increase prices to replenish existing daily stock, and the cost of such petroleum products must accurately reflect current market rates. Status: Senate Committee Favorably Reported
TAXESSB 346 - Sen. Rogers (Dist. 21) Allows for year-round property appeals, requires an annual assessment notice, establishes time limits for assessors to respond to appeals, and requires a unanimous vote by the Board of Equalization to increase assessed value. Status: Senate Read and Referred
HB 1138 - Rep. O'Neal (Dist. 146) Gives Georgia's Internal Revenue the ability to retrieve money owed to the state in back taxes. Estimates are from 100 Million to 1 Billion dollars in unrequited funds. Status: House Second Readers
TRANSPORTATIONHR 1358 - Rep. Setzler (Dist. 35) Proposes an amendment to the Constitution to provide for the allocation of 25% of revenue received by the state from sales tax and use tax be used for transportation purposes. Status: House Second Readers |
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KEY
HB- House Bill HR- House Resolution
SB- Senate Bill SR- Senate Resolution CA-Constitutional Amendment
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The League of Women Voters of Georgia, a nonpartisan political organization, encourages the informed and active participation of citizens in government, works to increase understanding of major policy issues and influences public policy.
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