Upper chamber report 2010 January 27

TOP STORY
Legislative Day 6: Georgia State Senate Celebrates Tourism Day at the Capitol

JANUARY 27, 2010 . DAY6
Upper Chamber Report

Natalie Strong, Deputy Press Director Kallarin Richards, Editor in Chief
Page

By Jennifer Kitt

"When our citizens are at risk with

CHAMBER (Jan. 26, 2010) - The people with guns in the street we State Senate reconvened for the 6th don't say `let's have Washington

day of session and welcomed a vari- take care of it,' we take care of it.

ety of representatives from the tour- When a person is robbed with a pen

ism industry to the capitol for Tour- and paper the same rules apply," said

ism Day. Sen. Chip Pearson (R- Sen. Fort.

Dawsonville) presented a resolution

honoring retired Deputy Commis- Sen. Renee Unterman (R-Buford)

sioner for Tourism and Marketing has been a leader in the prevention of

Charlie Gatlin, and declaring Jan. 26 crimes against women and children.

as Tourism Day.

Most recently, she has been working

to stop child prostitution in the state

of Georgia.

Atlanta cur-

rently ranks in

the top 14 cities

with child pros-

titution.

Sen. Unterman

also recognized

the ARC of

Georgia, an or-

ganization that

develops pro-

grams, funding

Sen. Pearson announces Tourism Day at the Capitol

and public policy for people

"Tourism brings jobs to the state, and with developmental disabilities. Peter that's the bottom line after all," said Barns, the National Chief Executive Gatlin. Representatives from the Officer for ARC was also in attentourism industry visited the capitol dance.

and displayed their products in the

Senate Rotunda. Currently the tour- Sen. Jim Butterworth (R- Cornelia)

ism industry brings in $34 billion to and Sen. John Douglas (R-Social

the state and 240,000 jobs.

Circle) recognized members of the

Super Sabre Society (For more infor-

Sen. Vincent Fort (D-Atlanta) gave a mation, see page 2).

passionate statement about predatory

lending and foreclosures. The sena-

tor encouraged other members to

take responsibility for negative loans

and the foreclosure crisis.

Follow the State Senate on Twitter at GASenatePress

Sen. Butterworth Honors Super Sabre Society
By Katie Wright
CAPITOL (Jan. 26, 2010) Today, State Sen. Jim Butterworth (R-Clarkesville) and the entire Georgia Senate adopted Senate Resolution 853 to recognize and commend the Super Sabre Society, a group of United States Air force (USAF) pilots that flew the USAF F-100 fighter-bomber aircraft.
"We are among heroes," said Sen. Butterworth. "These brave, courageous men risked their lives for their country and we will always be grateful for and humbled by their sacrifice."
Sen. Jim Butterworth (R-Clarkesville) welcomes Super Sabre Society
The F-100 is nicknamed the "Hun." Manufactured in the early 1950s, it was the first United States Members of the society travelled from every corner fighter plane to achieve and sustain supersonic speed of Georgia to be recognized at the State Capitol. They in straight and level flight. These planes were instru- have flown in World War II, the Korean Conflict and mental in the Vietnam War and in preparing for the the Vietnam War. They were recognized for embodynuclear threat of that time. The plane was last offi- ing the spirit of service and willingness to find meancially flown with the Air National Guard in 1979. ing in something greater than themselves.

Trinity Broadcasting Network Records Messages of Hope For Haiti
By Meredith Rich
CAPITOL (Jan. 26, 2010) Approximately 30 Senators and Representatives participated in Trinity Broadcasting Network (TBN)'s recording of inspirational messages for the citizens affected by the earthquake in Haiti. Legislators gathered in the North Wing of the Capitol to give words of encouragement and optimism to the victims of Haiti. The recordings will air on the network, which is broadcast around the country.
TBN and its affiliates are traveling across the country to produce the messages. The recordings will air on the radio, online and on television. TBN took on this project to show Haitians that people are continuing to support and pray for their country.
TBN has been the world's largest religious network and America's most watched faith channel for 37 years. TBN offers 24 hours of commercial-free, inspirational programming that appeal to people in a wide variety of denominations.

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UPPER CHAMBER REPORT

Economic Development Panel explores what it will take to Grow Georgia's Job Climate

By Kallarin Richards

Roger Tutterow, professor of economics at Mercer

Capitol (Jan. 26, 2010) The Senate and House Eco- University, highlighted the effect that the downturn in

nomic Development committees gathered at the State construction has had on jobs. Georgia's heavy expo-

Capitol for their first joint meeting of the session to sure in the construction and real estate sector is a

hear from several economic experts on how to grow large part of why the state ranks among the top ten

jobs in Georgia. Co-chaired by state Sen. Chip Pear- states in job loss. Since the state's construction peak

son (R-Dawsonville) and Rep. Ron Stephens (R- in March 2007, Georgia has shed nearly 60,000 jobs,

Savannah), the committees were joined by the Special or about 26 percent of its employment in that indus-

Committee on Small Business Development and Job try. In order to move forward, Tutterow encouraged

Creation, a new standing House committee devoted to lawmakers to consider broad-based tax reform that is

examining proposals to promote

comprehensive, rather than fo-

small business and job creation.

cused on just one sector.

"Job creation is at the forefront

Because of the housing indus-

of repairing our local and na-

try's significant impact on Geor-

tional economy. Today's hearing

gia jobs, the committees got an

marks a crucial first-step to creat-

overall look at metro Atlanta's

ing an atmosphere that encour-

housing market from Eugene

ages job growth in Georgia," said

James, director of Metrostudy's

Sen. Pearson. "A recurring rec-

Atlanta region which is a leading

ommendation from all of our speakers was to reduce housing market intelligence firm. According to

regulation on businesses in order to jumpstart the em- James, housing starts are down 86 percent from

ployment sector. I firmly believe that taxation, litiga- 2007. Over the past three years, Georgia has virtually

tion and regulation are the three biggest killers of stopped building homes. This has helped absorb the

jobs."

vast inventory that pervaded the state when the hous-

ing market began to slump. However, the number of

The committees heard from experts on the economy, vacant lots continues to be a problem throughout the

housing, and Georgia's ports. Economist Robert Atlanta market, which will continue to put pressure

Pretcher, author of the 2002 book Conquer the Crash on banks, according to James. He also noted that in

that predicted the current debt crisis, noted that de- the best case scenario, the value of lots has declined

spite Congress passing the biggest spending bill in 50 percent across the metro area.

history last February, jobs continue to crumble. "This

is graphic evidence that the stimulus package is part Georgia's ports are another key area for job and eco-

of the problem," he said.

nomic growth. Michael Toma, professor of econom-

ics at Atlantic Armstrong State University, stressed

He warned that despite popular predictions of ex- the importance of deepening the Savannah harbor in

pected growth in the middle of the year, recovery will order to retain Georgia's competitive edge, as well as

be much slower, especially if stocks begin to decline transportation projects that allow cargo to move

again. Pretcher encouraged the committees to con- quickly and efficiently through the area. Losing that

sider removing impediments to job creation, such as market share could set the state back another five

repealing minimum wage laws, reducing business years.

regulations and encouraging Georgia congressmen to

introduce a bill that repeals the 16th Amendment, Throughout the Legislative Session, the Senate and

which allows Congress to levy an income tax without House Economic Development committees will con-

apportioning it among the states. While he admitted tinue discussing ways the legislature can encourage

this is an ambitious idea, Pretcher stressed the impor- growth in Georgia's job sector.

tance of ensuring that the money that is made in

Georgia stays in Georgia.

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UPPER CHAMBER REPORT

Legislative Process Dates
Important Dates in the Legislative Process
Introduction - Last day to file and/or 1st Read in Senate. 30 th day - last day to introduce General Senate bills and resolutions (even year). [Rule 3-1.2 (b)] 30 th day - last day to accept General House bills and resolutions. [Rule 3-1.2 (b)] 39th day - last day to introduce General Senate bills and resolutions (odd year). [Rule 3-1.2 (b)] *Note: Senate bills and resolutions must be filed with the Secretary before 4:00 p.m. to be 1st read on the next legislative day.
Deadlines for passage in current year
Committee Report Deadlines - Last day to read report. Report submitted to Secretary by convening. 28th day - General Senate bills and resolutions. 38th day - Local Senate bills and resolutions. 38th day - General House bills and resolutions. 40th day - Local House bills and resolutions. Calendar Management Calendar in numerical order after 2nd reading of legislation; days 1-5. [Rule 4-2.10 (a)] Rules Committee sets the calendar for days 6 - 40. [Rule 4-2.10 (b)] General Senate Bills and Resolutions 26th day - File with Secretary of the Senate. [Rule 3-1.2 (a)] 27th day - 1st Reading and referral to committee. [Rule 3-1.2 (b)] 28th day - Committee report read upon convening. (A recommitted bill already 2nd read - report day 29.) 29th day - 2nd Reading. [Rule 4-2.6] 30th day - Passage [Rule 4-2.10 (a)] and immediate transmittal to House. [Rule 4-2.14] Local Senate Bills and Resolutions 35th day - File with Secretary of the Senate. [3-1.2 (a)] 36th day - 1st Reading and referral to committee. (Cannot pass for 2 days.) [Rule 4-2.4 (c) ] 38th day - Favorable report by committee, passage and immediate transmittal to the House. [Rule 4-2.14] 39th day - 2nd Reading in House. 40th day - Favorable report and passage in House. General House Bills and Resolutions 30th day - Transmitted from House and received by Secretary. 31st day - 1st Reading and referral to committee. [Rule 3-1.2 (b)] 38th day - Favorable report upon convening and 2nd reading. (Applies to days 36 - 38) [Rule 4-2.6] 39th day - Passage. [Rule 4-2.10 (a)] 40th day - Passage of bills or resolutions tabled day 39; removed from the table on day 40. [Rule 4-2.10 (a)] Local House Bills and Resolutions 39th day - 1st Reading and referral to committee. 40th day - Favorable report by committee and passage. * Note: On the 30th day and on the last three days of session, bills and resolutions needing action from the House are automatically immediately transmitted. [Rule 4-2.14] 40th day - Passage of bills or resolutions tabled day 39; removed from the table on day 40. [Rule 4-2.10 (a)]

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UPPER CHAMBER REPORT
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