Legislative update: a briefing for faculty and staff of the University System of Georgia, No. 1 (Jan. 10, 2005)

LEGISLATIVE UPDATE
A Briefing for Faculty & Staff of the University System of Georgia No. 1, January 10, 2005
"Creating a More Educated Georgia"

Session's Opening Ceremonies, Including Election of New Speaker,

to be Followed by Governor's Address, Long Recess

Today, Jan. 10, is the first day of the Georgia General Assembly's 2005 legislative session. In addition to swearing in the 236 members of the House of Representatives and Senate, the schedule today included the election of Glenn Richardson of Dallas as the new Speaker of the House.
At 44, Richardson is one of the youngest

state House speakers in the nation. He is a twotime graduate of Georgia State University, having earned both his undergraduate degree and a law degree there during the 1980s.
In 1996, the lawyer became the first Republican from Paulding County to serve in the House of Representatives in modern times. Richardson served as floor leader under Gov.

Sonny Perdue in 2003 and, most recently, as the House minority leader.
Legislators also will convene at the State Capitol tomorrow, Jan. 11, and Wednesday, Jan. 12. The schedule for the first three days of the session will be filled largely with ceremonial and organizational tasks.
The Governor plans to deliver his combined

State of the State/ Budget Address at 8 p.m. on Jan. 12 in the House chamber. After that, the General Assembly will recess until Monday, Jan. 24. However, various committees of legislators will meet during the recess to begin work on their session duties.
Next Up:
Highlights of

Gov. Sonny

Senate, House Filled with Freshmen Members

The general election this past November produced 65 new state legislators, one of the largest groups of "freshmen" ever welcomed by the Senate and the House of Representatives.
In the 56-member Senate, there are 21 new members, including five who have moved from the House

to the Senate this year. The latter are: Curt Thompson of Norcross, Doug Stoner of Smyrna, John Douglas of Covington, Chip Rogers of Woodstock and Bill Heath of Bremen. Two of the new senators Charles Walker of Augusta and John Wiles of Kennesaw returned to the state legislature after having served it in the past.

The 180-member House welcomed 44 new members, including six former legislators who have been returned to office. The latter are: Chuck Scheid of Woodstock, Terry Johnson of Marietta, Harry Geisinger of Roswell, Dan Lakly of Peachtree City, Paul Jennings of Atlanta and Bobby Reese of Sugar Hill.

Perdue's combined State of the State/Budget Address (scheduled for 8 p.m., Wednesday, Jan. 12, in the House Chamber).
A complete listing of this year's freshmen legislators appears on p. 2 of this newsletter.

LEGISLATIVE UPDATE -- January 10, 2004, Issue No. 1

New to the Georgia House of Representatives This Year

Roberta Abdul-Salaam, Riverdale Tim Bearden, Villa Rica Tommy Benton, Jefferson Bob Bryant, Garden City Jon Burns, Newington Charlice Byrd, Woodstock Buddy Carter, Pooler Mike Cheokas, Americus Jim Cole, Forsyth Clay Cox, Lilburn Steve Davis, McDonough Tom Dickson, Cohutta Terry England, Auburn Allen Freeman, Macon Harry Geisinger*, Roswell Mark Hatfield, Waycross Doug Holt, Social Circle Billy Horne, Newnan Mike Jacobs, Atlanta Paul Jennings*, Atlanta Terry Johnson*, Marietta Shelia Jones, Atlanta

Mike Keown, Coolidge Jane Kidd, Athens David Knight, Griffin Dan Lakly*, Peachtree City Roger Lane, Darien Ed Lindsey, Atlanta Barry Loudermilk, Cassville Gene Maddox, Cairo Jeff May, Monroe John Meadows, Calhoun Phyllis Miller, Lawrenceville Robert Mumford, Conyers Jay Neal, LaFayette Bobby Reese*, Sugar Hill Chuck Scheid*, Woodstock Martin Scott, Rossville Ed Setzler, Kennesaw Freddie Sims, Albany Richard Smith, Columbus Willie Talton, Warner Robins Brian Thomas, Lilburn Steve Tumlin, Marietta

New to the Georgia Senate This Year

Joseph Carter, Tifton Ronnie Chance, Tyrone Jeff Chapman, Brunswick John Douglas,** Covington Greg Goggans, Douglas Johnny Grant, Milledgeville Bill Heath,** Bremen Judson Hill, Marietta Emanuel Jones, Ellenwood Steen Miles, Decatur Chip Pearson, Dawsonville J.B. Powell, Blythe Chip Rogers,** Woodstock Nancy Schaefer, Turnersville Cecil Staton, Macon Doug Stoner,** Smyrna Curt Thompson**, Norcross Charles Walker*, Augusta Dan Weber, Dunwoody Jim Whitehead, Evans John Wiles*, Kennesaw

* returning to service (members who've served previous terms) ** members who've moved from the House to the Senate this year

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