Cagle sworn in as first GOP Lt. Governor, vows bipartisanship Y ormer Senator Casey Cagle became Georgia's first Republican lieutenant governor on Monday when he was sworn into office at Phillips Arena in Atlanta. Vowing to "faithfully execute the office of Lt. Governor of the State of Georgia," he promised to "preserve, protect and defend the Constitution thereof and the Constitution of the United States." On Tuesday, the first day he presided over the Senate as President of the Upper Chamber, Lt. Gov. Cagle told his former colleagues: "You have really honored me by allowing me this opportunity to serve as your lieutenant governor the president of this body . . . I hope you will join me in working together to ensure that we put Georgia first and [political] party becomes irrelevant, because the issues before us are what is important. "I want to set a standard by which we bring the Senate back to a place that it once was where we respect one another and we respect the body. It is a great, great honor to serve in this Chamber and I want you to take the business of this Senate very seriously and I know you will. "Does this mean we are always going to agree? No. Does this mean that the minority is going to control the majority? Not necessarily. But having a seat at the table, having a bite of the apple is what is important and what makes this process beautiful as we work as a deliberative body. "Life is about service service to others. When we think about the impact of what we are doing in this body, and how it is going to impact future generations we realize what an awesome responsibility we have. This is a responsibility that we can be part of and I want you to look to the future. I know you will join me in creating something that we can be proud of at the end of the day. We can say we did our best, we gave it our all and we had Georgia's best interest at heart through every decision we made." g{| jxx~ ]tt DE? ECCJ ctzx D y DI Following Lt. Gov. Cagle's remarks, Senate Minority Leader Robert Brown of the 26th took the well and commended the new Senate President for his remarks and his promise of bipartisanship. "I want to applaud you and extend my hand to you as a working partner in trying to make this body work and function in a unified way," Sen. Brown said in a point of personal privilege. "I think your ideals are noble . . . there are times when we are going to have partisan differences, but we will always try to keep our discussion and our debate on a high, civil plane." SPO g{x fxtx xvx x xux The Senate welcomed six new members on Monday: Bill Cowsert of the 46th, Gail Davenport of the 44th, Lee Hawkins of the 49th, Jack Murphy of the 27th, Nan Orrock of the 36th and Ron Ramsey of the 43rd. SPO Johnson re-elected `the Senator's Senator' f enate President Pro Tempore Eric Johnson of the 1st was re-elected to his third consecutive term as Senate President Pro Tempore Monday shortly after the members of the Senate were sworn in on the first day of the 2007 Session of the Georgia General Assembly. "I love this Senate, this chamber and its tradition," Sen. Johnson told his colleagues in a speech shortly after his election. "With a unified cooperative Senate, we truly have become the Upper Chamber because we have conducted ourselves with integrity and we have legislated well." Sen. Johnson was first elected Senate President Pro Tem in 2003 commonly known as the Senator's Senator shortly after Republicans took control of the Senate following the 2002 election cycle. He is the 66th Senate President Pro Tem in the history of Georgia and only the third to serve more than two terms. Reflecting back on his years as president pro tem, Sen. Johnson said, "In 2003, we were witness to one of the great miracles of the American political system the peaceful transfer of power. After 130 years there was a new majority party in charge of the Governor's office and the Senate. Add to that a divided government with the House controlled by the opposition party and a recession. "We were going to have to work together to assure that Georgians were taken care of and the critical issues dealt with." With a Senate president a member of the minority party, the rules of the Senate were rewritten, and Sen. Johnson became the defacto president of the Senate deciding through g{| jxx~ ]tt DE? ECCJ ctzx E y DI a committee on assignments, committee appointments, staff hires, etc. This year, following the election of Republican Casey Cagle as lt. governor, many of the powers of the Senate will be restored to the new Senate president. "When I decided to run [for office] again last year, I was determined that I could help transfer the powers back to the lieutenant governor and return the Senate to its traditionally designed governance structure and provide a bridge between the legislative branch that sits in this chamber and the executive branch that presides over it. "I remain dedicated to those goals and appreciate the opportunity to serve this state and the Senate in some small way." Sen. Johnson has served in the Senate since 1995, and previously served as Senate Minority Leader. "The names on the desks change every two years. The titles you bear change. The person with the gavel changes. But our founding fathers blessed us with a system that assures continuity of service. So our brief experiment with a temporary transfer of powers has come to an end. "With God's blessings and the good will of his colleagues, Casey Cagle will continue the strong tradition of Senate leadership using a firm hand, a kind heart and a clear vision. "Because it is here under this gold dome that we go to work for Georgia. And it is here that we are tasked with preparing a better future for the next generation." Sen. Johnson will serve as Senate President Pro Tem for the next two years. SPO Ewing re-elected Secretary of the Senate, Wallace named sergeant-at-arms Robert F. "Bob" Ewing was re-elected Secretary of the Senate on Monday by the members of the Senate and long-time door-keeper Lorenzo Wallace was unanimously elected sergeant-at-arms on the first day of the 2007 Legislative Session. Wallace replaces Matthew "Coach" Hill who retired from his position at the end of the 2006 Session. SPO Zx x fxA Ux Sen. Gloria Butler of the 55th is ill. Please keep her in your thoughts and prayers until she recovers and is back with us. SPO g{| jxx~ ]tt DE? ECCJ ctzx F y DI Governor Perdue presents budget for "State of the Future" j ith the state on a firm foundation, Governor Sonny Perdue delivered his annual State of the State Address before a joint session of the Georgia General Assembly on Wednesday. The Governor submitted his amended FY07 and FY08 budget recommendations, which are focused on education, land conservation, economic development, tax relief for seniors and healthcare. "We have made great progress," said Governor Sonny Perdue. "We have laid the foundation and have begun moving Georgia from a good state to a great state, a state of the future." Education Building a state of the future means building on Georgia's education success from the Governor's first term. "I'm here to tell you again that my priorities have not changed," Governor Perdue said. "Education is the single most important factor in the future prosperity of our state." The Governor reiterated his plan for improving Georgia's graduation rate by adding graduation coaches to Georgia's middle schools. He noted that while Georgia's graduation rate has risen 7.5 percent over the last four years, there is still much work to do. The high school graduation coaches have identified 42,000 students who are not on track to graduate. In addition, there are 25,655 over-age 9th graders, and over 2,000 students who dropped out before they made it to 9th grade. At a cost of $21.3 million, middle school graduation coaches will help meet the needs of these students. The Governor's education requests also include: $152.5 million in funds for the QBE formula to recognize 2.65 percent enrollment growth; $32.7 million in additional Equalization Grant funding in FY 2008 to recognize the gap in wealth between school systems; $417 million in bonds for capital outlay construction in local school systems; The amended FY 2007 budget also includes $164 million to provide a mid-term adjustment for growth of 2.5 percent; Funding of $178 million to keep Georgia teachers the highest paid in the Southeast; the budget includes a 3 percent pay increase for teachers effective September 1, 2007; along with the 3 percent step increase at a cost of $89.5 million, almost half of Georgia teachers will receive a 6 percent raise; Funding of $750,000 to make online tutoring accessible to all students; Expanding TEG grants by $100 per student at a cost of $3.2 million; $2.5 million to pay for college entrance exams for students who undertake a series of preparatory steps; $3.5 million to expand students' access to Advanced Placement (AP) courses and the Preliminary Scholastic Assessment Test (PSAT) Continue giving $100 gift cards to classroom teachers; Extending the gift card program by giving one card to every school media center; $80 million to fully fund enrollment increases at Georgia colleges and universities; g{| jxx~ ]tt DE? ECCJ ctzx G y DI $228 million in bond for capital construction at higher education institutions; $10 million to fund life sciences research through the Georgia Research Alliance. Land Conservation Fiscal Year 2008 will build on Governor Perdue's Land Conversation Act by putting an additional $50 million toward purchasing undeveloped land for protection, such as Paulding Forest. The Governor's budget also will include a $19 million investment for Go Fish Georgia, which will create world-class resources for fishing and boating enthusiasts. It includes new ramps along a bass trail that will include 15 sites on Georgia's major rivers and reservoirs capable of hosting large bass tournaments. "Georgia has some of the most beautiful natural resources in the nation," Senate Natural Resources and the Environment Committee Chairman Ross Tolleson of the 20th said following Governor Perdue's State of the State speech at the State Capitol. "It is important that we preserve our natural beauty and enhance it, so that we can share it with the rest of the world. "Bringing fishing tournaments to our state is a great way to let the rest of the world see what Georgia has to offer and it also will be a great economic boon to our state. Some of these tournaments can bring as much as $20 million each to our state through Go Fish Georgia. We have the resources to compete with our neighboring states, and we need to do just that. "We have rivers, streams and reservoirs all over our state and bringing people here to fish in them will benefit all of our citizens those who fish in them and those who will reap the benefits from the dollars that will be spent by non-Georgians in our beautiful state. I say it's a win-win for everyone." The Governor's budget also includes funding to promote and protect the state's historical resources. The year 2011 will mark the 150th Anniversary of the Civil War and the Governor's budget will make sure that Georgia is ready for the influx of cultural tourists by recommending that the state invest $5 million to work with our surrounding states in developing a comprehensive tourism plan, and to revitalize and restore historic sites, such as the Resaca Battlefield Park in Gordon County. Economic Development Since 2002, Georgia has created over 250,000 new jobs and Governor Perdue's budget includes a plan to continue that success. "Our world is, indeed, getting flatter," Governor Perdue said. "The rapid expansion of globalization is a sterling opportunity for Georgia to gain new business." In the last year, Georgia made over 31 mission trips to 23 countries. The state currently has 10 international offices, and is opening a new office in China. The Governor's budget recommends that the state ramp up its investment in international marketing by 135 percent and invest an additional $5.1 million in opening Georgia's doors to the world. The Governor also recognizes that tax relief helps create economic opportunity. His proposal to eliminate the state income tax on retirement income for seniors will attract retirees to the g{| jxx~ ]tt DE? ECCJ ctzx H y DI state and allow them to better cover the cost of necessary expenses such as prescription drugs, or spend more time with their grandchildren. The Governor also proposed legislation to exempt material and equipment used to build bio-fuel facilities from state taxes to help Georgia become a national leader in alternative fuel development. The budget proposal funds the state's Kia commitment with $40.5 million for the West Point Development Authority to be used on expenses related to the company's new assembly plant in West Georgia. The Governor also recognizes the hard work of state employees in keeping our state prosperous by recommending a three-percent pay increase effective January 1, 2008. Healthcare Governor Perdue's budget also focuses on increased healthcare transparency, zeroing in on rural healthcare. The Governor introduced the Rural Health Access Project to promote health care as a strategic industry in rural Georgia. The Project is designed to "increase access to primary care, create stable networks and use technology to lower costs and improve outcomes." The Governor's budget recognizes the enormous toll that traffic accidents and trauma care exact on Georgia and its citizens. Traffic accidents not only cost billions of dollars every year, but also the lives of over 1,700 people just in Georgia. Last year, the Senate and House joined together to study Georgia's lack of sufficient trauma centers around the state. "Car accidents cause more trauma than any other source," said Governor Perdue. "Drivers who travel recklessly at high speeds will be held accountable in Georgia. We will make those drivers pay for a statewide trauma network. This will allow us to not only improve Georgia's trauma care system, but also to reduce the actions that cause pain for so many Georgia families." Sen. Cecil Staton of the 18th, who co-chaired the Comprehensive State Trauma Services Joint Study Committee said: "The bill to fully fund trauma centers for a state of our size is going to be between $80 and $85 million each year. Obviously, one viable option is to place the cost of these trauma centers on those who engage in reckless behavior including those who disobey the speed limit laws in this state and those who drive under the influence of drugs and alcohol on our interstates and highways. "Over the course of the next year, we will study ways to fund the necessary services to keep our citizens alive following a life-threatening accident, and Governor Perdue's idea to force those people who endanger the lives of our loved ones to pay should be at the top of the list. "We will continue to look at all of our options, which include a surcharge on cell phones and/or motor vehicle registrations." Medical access continues to be a concern for many Georgians and the cost of state-provided coverage is a growing component of the state budget. The Governor's budget includes $176 million to fund health insurance costs for state employees and includes $100 million to begin to meet the costs of Other Post Employment Benefits (OPEB) as required by new national accounting standards. g{| jxx~ ]tt DE? ECCJ ctzx I y DI The budget also keeps Georgia healthy by: Continuing to partner with the federal government on programs such as Medicaid and PeachCare; Providing $1 million to implement the Health Information Technology pilot program; Committing $1.5 million to increase access to primary healthcare facilities throughout the state; Funding $4.8 million to develop a real-time information system to improve cancer screening, diagnosis and treatment; making Georgia a national leader in cancer information technology; Funding almost $16 million to fully fund the purchase of antiviral medications to treat a pandemic flu; Funding $9 million to provide additional funds for the operating expenses of state hospitals. Law Enforcement The Governor continues to be committed to keeping Georgia safe. The budget includes more than $15 million for more than 1,200 new prison beds and over $24 million in bonds to construct new correctional facilities, adding over 1,000 beds in future years. Also included in the budget is $1.4 million to add 15 new GBI Meth Force agents, over $1 million for the Child Safety Initiative (anti-online predator program), and over $1 million for Georgia Secure ID. Governor Perdue presented the General Assembly with a disciplined budget focused on building an even better state for future generations of Georgians. "We can deliver them a state of the future," said Governor Perdue. "A state that leads in protecting its resources, in growing jobs, in educating its children and in providing for the health of its people." SPO An electronic version of the Governor's Amended FY07 and FY08 budgets are available at www.opb.state.ga.us. The link will be on the top right just under the Budget Links heading. g{| jxx~ ]tt DE? ECCJ ctzx J y DI fxtx V|xx Tz|vx tw Vx Tyyt| John Bulloch of the 11th Chairman Ralph Hudgens of the 47th Vice Chair Lee Hawkins of the 49th Secretary Greg Goggans of the 7th Nan Orrock of the 36th J. B. Powell of the 23rd Ed Tarver of the 22nd T|t| Jack Hill of the 4th Chairman Greg Goggans of the 7th Vice Chairman Tim Golden of the 8th Secretary Don Balfour of the 9th John Bulloch of the 11th Bill Cowsert of the 46th Vincent Fort of the 39th Johnny Grant of the 25th Bill Hamrick of the 30th Seth Harp of the 29th Bill Heath of the 31st Steven Henson of the 41st George Hooks of the 14th Eric Johnson of the 1st Michael Meyer von Bremen of the 12th Dan Moody of the 56th Jeff Mullis of the 53rd Jack Murphy of the 27th Chip Pearson of the 51st Nancy Schaefer of the 50th Mitch Seabaugh of the 28th Valencia Seay of the 34th Preston W. Smith of the 52nd Cecil Staton of the 18th Ex-Officio Horacena Tate of the 38th Don Thomas of the 54th Curt Thompson of the 5th Ross Tolleson of the 20th Renee S. Unterman of the 45th John J. Wiles of the 37th Ex-officio Tommie Williams of the 19th Ut~|z 9 Y|tv|t \|| Bill Hamrick of the 30th Chairman Ralph Hudgens of the 47th Vice Chair Ed Tarver of the 22nd Secretary John Bulloch of the 11th Ed Harbison of the 15th Jack Murphy of the 27th Chip Rogers of the 21st Nancy Schaefer of the 50th David Shafer of the 48th Steve Thompson of the 33rd Xv|v Wxxx Chip Pearson of the 51st Chairman Chip Rogers of the 21st Vice Chairman Joseph Carter of the 13th Secretary Robert Brown of the 26th Ronnie Chance of the 16th George Hooks of the 14th Jeff Mullis of the 53rd Jack Murphy of the 27th Nancy Schaefer of the 50th Ed Tarver of the 22nd Curt Thompson of the 5th Jim Whitehead Sr. of the 24th Xwvt| tw l{ Dan Weber of the 40th Chairman Joseph Carter of the 13th Vice Chair Don Thomas of the 54th Secretary Don Balfour of the 9th John Douglas of the 17th Vincent Fort of the 39th Dan Moody of the 56th Ronald B. Ramsey Sr. of the 43rd Horacena Tate of the 38th Regina D. Thomas of the 2nd X{|v Renee Unterman of the 45th Chairman George Hooks of the 14th Vice Chair Nancy Schaefer of the 50th Secretary Gloria S. Butler of the 55th Bill Hamrick of the 30th Jack Hill of the 4th Eric Johnson of the 1st Michael Meyer von Bremen of the 12th Jack Murphy of the 27th Kasim Reed of the 35th Doug Stoner of the 6th Don Thomas of the 54th Y|tvx Chip Rogers of the 21st Chairman Tommie Williams of the 19th V. Chair Ronnie Chance of the 16th Secretary Greg Goggins of the 7th Tim Golden of the 8th Bill Heath of the 31st Eric Johnson of the 1st Emanuel Jones of the 10th Mitch Seabaugh of the 28th David Shafer of the 48th Steve Thompson of the 33rd g{| jxx~ ]tt DE? ECCJ ctzx K y DI Zxx bx|z{ Ronnie Chance of the 16th Chairman Joseph Carter of the 13th Vice Chair Steve Henson of the 41st Secretary Greg Goggans of the 7th Tim Golden of the 8th Johnny Grant of the 25th Seth Harp of the 29th Bill Heath of the 31st Jeff Mullis of 53rd Ed Tarver of the 22nd [xt{ tw [t fx|vx Don Thomas of the 54th Chairman Renee Unterman of the 45th Vice Chair Greg Goggans of the 7th Secretary David Adelman of the 42nd Don Balfour of the 9th Gloria S. Butler of the 55th Johnny Grant of the 25th Lee Hawkins of the 49th Steve Henson of the 41st Judson Hill of the 32nd Preston W. Smith of the 52nd Horacena Tate of the 38th John J. Wiles of the 37th [|z{x Xwvt| Seth Harp of the 29th Chairman Bill Cowsert of the 46th Vice Chairman Cecil Staton of the 18th Secretary Ronnie Chance of the 16th Gail Davenport of the 44th Tim Golden of the 8th Nan Orrock of the 36th Curt Thompson of the 5th John J. Wiles of the 37th \tvx tw _tu Ralph Hudgens of the 47th Chairman David Shafer of the 48th Vice Chairman Dan Moody of the 56th Secretary Robert Brown of the 26th Jeff Chapman of the 3rd Tim Golden of the 8th Ed Harbison of the 15th Ronald B. Ramsey Sr. of the 43rd Chip Rogers of the 21st \xtx Vxt| Ed Harbison of the 15th Chairman Nan Orrock of the 36th Vice Chairman Emanuel Jones of the 10th - Secretary Gail Davenport of the 44th J.B. Powell of the 23rd ]w|v|t Preston Smith of the 52nd Chairman Seth Harp of the 29th Vice Chairman Bill Hamrick of the 30th Secretary David Adelman of the 42nd Robert Brown of the 26th Joseph Carter of the 13th Bill Cowsert of the 46th Vincent Fort of the 39th Judson Hill of the 32nd Michael Meyer von Bremen of the 12th Kasim Reed of the 35th Ex- Officio John J. Wiles of the 37th att exvx 9 X|x Ross Tolleson of the 20th Chairman John Bulloch of the 11th Vice Chairman Ralph T. Hudgens of the 47th Secretary Jeff Chapman of the 3rd Lee Hawkins of the 49th Steve Henson of the 41st Jack Hill of the 4th George Hooks of the 14th Michael Meyer von Bremen of the 12th J. B. Powell of the 23rd Dan Weber of the 40th Jim Whitehead Sr. of the 24th cu|v ftyx tw [xtw fxv| Jim Whitehead of the 24th Chairman Jeff Mullis of the 53rd Vice Chairman Jeff Chapman of the 3rd Secretary Gloria S. Butler of the 55th Joseph Carter of the 13th Gail Davenport of the 44th Emanuel Jones of the 10th Valencia Seay of the 34th ext|x tw exw||v|z Judson Hill of the 32nd Chairman Lee Hawkins of the 49th Vice Chairman Mitch Seabaugh of the 28th Secretary Robert Brown of the 26th Ronnie Chance of the 16th Bill Cowsert of the 46th Vincent Fort of the 39th Ed Harbison of the 15th Ralph T. Hudgens of the 47th Dan Moody of the 56th Chip Rogers of the 21st David Shafer of the 48th Preston W. Smith of the 52nd Regina D. Thomas of the 2nd Tommie Williams of the 19th g{| jxx~ ]tt DE? ECCJ ctzx L y DI exztxw \w|x tw h|||x David Shafer of the 48th Chairman Eric Johnson of the 1st Vice Chairman Ed Harbison of the 15th Secretary Gloria S. Butler of the 55th Steve Henson of the 41st Jack Hill of the 4th Mitch Seabaugh of the 28th Doug Stoner of the 6th Regina D. Thomas of the 2nd Ross Tolleson of the 20th - Ex-Officio Tommie Williams of the 19th ex|xx Bill Heath of the 31st Chairman David Shafer of the 48th Vice Chairman Preston Smith of the 52nd Secretary Gail Davenport of the 44th Jack Murphy of the 27th Nancy Schaefer of the 50th Doug Stoner of the 6th Horacena Tate of the 38th ex Don Balfour of the 9th Chairman Bill Hamrick of the 30th Vice Chairman Mitch Seabaugh of the 28th Secretary David Adelman of the 42nd Gloria S. Butler of the 55th Jack Hill of the 4th George Hooks of the 14th Eric Johnson of the 1st Dan Moody of the 56th Chip Pearson of the 51st Don Thomas of the 54th Ross Tolleson of the 20th Renee S. Unterman of the 45th Tommie Williams of the 19th fv|xvx tw gxv{z Cecil Staton of the 18th Chairman Bill Heath of the 31st Vice Chairman John Douglas of the 17th Secretary Nan Orrock of the 36th J. B. Powell of the 23rd fxv|t ]w|v|t Michael Meyer von Bremen of the 12th Chair David Adelman of the 42nd Vice Chair Judson Hill of the 32nd Secretary Bill Cowsert of the 46th Seth Harp of the 29th Ronald B. Ramsey Sr. of the 43rd Kasim Reed of the 35th Ed Tarver of the 22nd Dan Weber of the 40th ftx 9_vt ZA bxt| John Wiles of the 37th Chairman Johnny Grant of the 25th Vice Chair Dan Weber of the 40th Secretary Lee Hawkins of the 49th Emanuel Jones of the 10th Ronald B. Ramsey Sr. of the 43rd Kasim Reed of the 35th ftx \|| tw cx Johnny Grant of the 25th Chairman Regina Thomas of the 2nd Vice Chair Valencia Seay of the 34th Secretary Vincent Fort of the 39th J. B. Powell of the 23rd Doug Stoner of the 6th Curt Thompson of the 5th gtt| Jeff Mullis of the 53rd Chairman Jim Whitehead of the 24th Vice Chair Chip Pearson of the 51st Secretary Jeff Chapman of the 3rd John Douglas of the 17th Greg Goggans of the 7th Judson Hill of the 32nd Kasim Reed of the 35th Valencia Seay of the 34th Cecil Staton of the 18th Doug Stoner of the 6th Steve Thompson of the 33rd hut Tyyt| TBA ixxt tw `||t Tyyt| John Douglas of the 17th Chairman Cecil Staton of the 18th Vice Chairman Ross Tolleson of the 20th Secretary Robert Brown of the 26th Emanuel Jones of the 10th Curt Thompson of the 5th g{| jxx~ ]tt DE? ECCJ ctzx DC y DI \ V|xx Tv|< Agriculture and Consumer Affairs The Senate Agriculture and Consumer Affairs Committee did not meet this week. Appropriations The Senate Appropriations Committee did not meet this week. Banking and Financial Institutions The Senate Banking and Financial Institutions Committee did not meet this week. Economic Development The Senate Economic Development Committee did not meet this week. Education and Youth The Senate Education and Youth Committee did not meet this week. Ethics The Senate Ethics Committee did not meet this week. Finance The Senate Finance Committee did not meet this week. Health and Human Services The Senate Health and Human Services Committee did not meet this week. Higher Education The Senate Higher Education Committee did not meet this week. Insurance and Labor The Senate Insurance and Labor Committee did not meet this week. Interstate Cooperation The Senate Interstate Cooperation Committee did not meet this week. Judiciary On Tuesday, January 9, a joint meeting of the Senate and House Judiciary Committees was hosted by the State Bar of Georgia. The meeting included presentations from the Georgia Public Defender Standards Council and the State Bar of Georgia's Commission on Judicial Service. Director of the Georgia Public Defender Standards Council Michael Means gave an update on the indigent defense system in Georgia. He said funds appropriated by the legislature for the council are being used appropriately, and the system is running according the standards set by the legislature. The Council is looking for assistance from the Committees in several areas, including funding for the hiring of juvenile defenders in the juvenile division and additional public defenders whenever a new judgeship is created. Director Means also addressed the need for clarification in legislation regarding the authority of the standards council over circuit defenders. Chairman of the Commission on Judicial Service Larry Walker then testified in favor of legislation that proposes an increase in judicial salaries, the creation of a state commission setting judicial salaries and a travel allowance for appellate judges living outside the metro Atlanta area. g{| jxx~ ]tt DE? ECCJ ctzx DD y DI Natural Resources and Environment The Senate Natural Resources and Environment Committee did not meet this week. Public Safety and Homeland Security The Senate Public Safety and Homeland Security Committee did not meet this week. Reapportionment and Redistricting The Senate Reapportionment and Redistricting Committee did not meet this week. Regulated Industries and Utilities The Senate Regulated Industries and Utilities Committee did not meet this week. Retirement The Senate Retirement Committee did not meet this week. Rules The Senate Rules Committee did not meet this week. Science and Technology The Senate Science and Technology Committee did not meet this week. Special Judiciary The Senate Special Judiciary Committee did not meet this week. State and Local Governmental Operations The State and Local Governmental Operations Committee did not meet this week. State Institutions and Property The Senate State Institutions and Property Committee did not meet this week. Transportation The Senate Transportation Committee did not meet this week. Veterans and Military Affairs The Senate Veterans and Military Affairs Committee did not meet this week. g{| jxx~ ]tt DE? ECCJ ctzx DE y DI Zxz|t ftx fxtx Y| extwx (Monday, January 8 Wednesday January 10, 2007) fxtx ex| SR 1 Senate Convened; notify House of Representatives Sens. Eric Johnson (1st); Tommie Williams (19th) and Robert Brown (26th) Read and adopted 01/08/07 SR 2 General Assembly Convened; Notify Governor Sens. Eric Johnson (1st); Tommie Williams (19th) and Robert Brown (26th) Read and adopted 01/01/07 SR 3 Senate; Adopt Rules Sens. Eric Johnson (1st); Tommie Williams (19th) and Robert Brown (26th) Read and adopted 01/08/07 SR 6 State Children's Health Insurance Plan; urge U.S. Congress provide funding Sens. Greg Goggans (7th); Regina Thomas (2nd); Tommie Williams (19th); Eric Johnson (1st); Jack Hill (4th) and Lee Hawkins (49th) Read and adopted 01/10/07 SR 8 Senate Officials; Employees and Committees Sens. Eric Johnson (1st); Tommie Williams (19th) and Robert Brown (26th) Read and adopted 01/08/07 SR 9 Joint Session; inauguration of Governor and Lieutenant Governor Sens. Eric Johnson (1st); Tommie Williams (19th) and Robert Brown (26th) Read and adopted 01/08/07 SR 10 Tidwell, Josh; commend Sen. Mitch Seabaugh (28th) Read and adopted o1/09/07 SR 11 Doyle, Mr. Allen Michael; recognize Sen. Mitch Seabaugh (28th) Read and adopted 01/09/07 SR 12 Latimer, Annie Lee Boggs; commend Sen. David Shafer (48th) Read and adopted 01/09/07 SR 13 Pryor, Olivia Austin; celebrate birth Sen. David Shafer (48th) Read and adopted 01/09/07 SR 14 Pope, Elizabeth Karen; celebrate birth Sen. David Shafer (48th) Read and adopted 01/09/07 SR 15 McMullan, William Michael; celebrate birth Sen. David Shafer (48th) Read and adopted 01/09/07 g{| jxx~ ]tt DE? ECCJ ctzx DF y DI SR 16 SR 17 SR 18 SR 19 SR 20 SR 21 SR 22 SR 25 SR 26 McMullan, Madeline Marshall; celebrate birth Sen. David Shafer (48th) Read and adopted 01/09/07 Highsmith, Elizabeth Campbell; celebrate birth Sen. David Shafer (48th) Read and adopted 01/09/07 Hurst, Jackson Thomas; celebrate birth Sen. David Shafer (48th) Read and adopted 01/09/07 Herschend, Henry Butler; celebrate birth Sen. David Shafer (48th) Read and adopted 01/09/07 Taxation; provide limitations on state government tax and expenditures Sens. Chip Rogers (21st); Mitch Seabaugh (28th); Chip Pearson (51st); John Wiles (37th); Judson Hill (32nd) and Bill Heath (31st) Finance Committee 01/09/07 Taxation; limitations on grants of tax power Sens. Judson Hill (32nd); Chip Rogers (21st); Eric Johnson (1st); John Wiles (37th); Mitch Seabaugh (28th) and Chip Pearson (51st) Finance Committee 01/10/07 Hospital Health Care Standards Commission; create Sens. Judson Hill (32nd) and Don Thomas (54th) Health and Human Services Committee 01/10/07 State Properties Commission; authorizing and empowering Sens. Ed Tarver (22nd) and J.B. Powell (23rd) State Institutions and Properties Committee 01/10/07 State Properties Commission; authorizing and empowering Sens. Ed Tarver (22nd) and J.B. Powell (23rd) State Institutions and Properties Committee 01/10/07 fxtx U|M SB 3 Hunting; provide for veterans' lifetime sportsman's license; fees Sens. John Douglas (17th); Tommie Williams (19th); Jack Hill (4th); Cecil Staton (18th); Lee Hawkins (49th) and Ronnie Chance (16th) Natural Resources and the Environment Committee 01/10/07 SB 8 Property Tax Assessments; appeals; payment of interest; provisions Sens. Eric Johnson (1st) and Chip Rogers (21st) Finance Committee 01/10/07 SB 10 Georgia Special Needs Scholarship Act Sens. Eric Johnson (1st); Chip Rogers (21st); Dan Weber (40th); Nancy Schaefer (50th) and Judson Hill (32nd) Education and Youth Committee 01/10/07 SB 11 Superior/State Court Judges; military duty; eligible for reelection Sens. David Shafer (48th); John Douglas (17th); Seth Harp (29th); John Wiles (37th) and Kasim Reed (35th) Special Judiciary Committee 01/10/07 g{| jxx~ ]tt DE? ECCJ ctzx DG y DI SB 12 SB 14 SB 15 SB 16 SB 17 SB 18 SB 19 SB 20 SB 21 Budget Act; provide periodic application of zero-base budgeting Sens. David Shafer (48th); Chip Rogers (21st); Jack Hill (4th); Greg Goggans (7th) and Dan Moody (56th) Appropriations Committee 01/10/07 Superior Court Clerks; personal property filing fees; sunset dates Sens. Chip Rogers (21st); Jack Murphy (27th); Cecil Staton (18th) and John Douglas (17th) Judiciary Committee 01/10/07 Drivers' Licenses; suspended; change certain provisions Sens. John Wiles (37th); Chip Rogers (21st) and Jeff Mullis (53rd) Judiciary Committee 01/09/07 Animal Fighting Act; change certain provisions Sens. Chip Rogers (21st); Chip Pearson (51st); Greg Goggans (7th); Bill Heath (31st) and Joseph Carter (13th) Judiciary Committee 01/10/07 Optometrists; authorize to prescribe oral/topical pharmaceutical Sen. Seth Harp (29th); Renee Unterman (45th); George Hooks (14th); Jeff Mullis (53rd) and Ed Harbison (15th) Health and Human Services Committee 01/09/07 Court-Connected Alternative Dispute Resolution; add municipal courts Sens. Seth Harp (29th) and Ed Harbison (15th) Special Judiciary Committee 01/09/07 Transportation; Department of; pay costs of removal; certain utility facilities Sens. Jim Whitehead (24th); Tommie Williams (19th); Greg Goggans (7th); Ronnie Chance (16th) and Jack Hill (4th) Transportation Committee 01/09/07 Sexual Offenses; disabled person incapable of granting consent; unlawful Sens. Judson Hill (32nd) and Steve Thompson (33rd) Judiciary Committee 01/10/07 Crimes; murder against peace officer, corrections; official duties; punishment Sens. John Douglas(17th); Jim Whitehead (24th); Jack Murphy (27th); Greg Goggans (7th) and Cecil Staton (18th) Judiciary Committee 01/10/07 g{| jxx~ ]tt DE? ECCJ ctzx DH y DI fxtx cx byy|vx ftyy `x| `A Utx Director ]xx T|x{ Deputy Director V{| Ut|x Communications Specialist ^tt| e|v{tw Communications Specialist _tvx `v_tz{| Media Liaison Twxt Wx_x Session Aide ettx Zt{t Session Aide ^x|{ _t|z Session Aide ]{ gA f|{ Session Aide fxtx cx byy|vx 201 Paul D. Coverdell Legislative Office Building 18 Capitol Square Atlanta, Georgia 30334 404.656.0028 or outside the Atlanta area 800.282.5803 g{| jxx~ ]tt DE? ECCJ ctzx DI y DI