Multiple Issues Pack Session
By WALTER C. JONES
ATLANTA — Usually one or two major issues define a session for Georgia’s General Assembly, but so many weighty topics are on the agenda this year that either a massive logjam or a stunningly effective session will be the legacy.
Here’s a rundown of the biggest topics:
WATER
A near-record drought focused attention on a proposed statewide water plan that first was scheduled years ago when rain was plentiful. A recent poll has identified water as the top concern for Georgians, so there’s new incentive to accomplish something.
The State Water Council has drafted a plan that creates regional panels, calls for $30 million in research on water needs, and empowers the director of the Environmental Protection Division to control who major users will be. Environmentalists originally called for the plan, but they want to halt approval of the current draft while business leaders favor it. Separately, funding is expected for a network of reservoirs.
TAXES
House Speaker Glenn Richardson, R-Hiram, is proposing what he calls the GREAT Plan to increase the state sales tax in exchange for eliminating property taxes for schools. He has met loud opposition, but as the House leader, he is expected at least to get his measure to the floor for a vote.
His plan calls for a constitutional amendment, so it would require approval of two-thirds of the House and Senate before it can get on November’s ballot. That means he’ll need some Democrats, because there aren’t enough Republicans to pass it by themselves.
Senate leaders also want to restructure taxes, but by capping property assessments, something Democrats have hinted they might support. Plus, Gov. Sonny Perdue will keep lobbying for his 2006 campaign promise to eliminate income taxes for senior citizens, a measure legislators repeatedly have ignored.
TRANSPORTATION
The state’s cities and business groups are pushing a proposal to allow multiple local governments to raise a sales tax for regional transportation funding. Meanwhile, some legislative leaders, trucking groups and road contractors want a statewide sales tax for additional road building. A third coalition made up of environmentalists and real-estate developers wants funding from the state’s treasury for passenger rail service.
EDUCATION
A gubernatorial task force is expected to present a plan for revising how the state allocates funds to local school systems. The aim is to deflect a lawsuit by 50 small school systems seeking greater funding statewide, but task force Chairman Dean Alford has said the recommendations will be more along the lines of rewarding systems with high student performance by relaxing spending requirements.
SUNDAY SALES
Convenience stores are arrayed against package stores and some churches for a second year in attempting to allow the sale of alcoholic beverages on Sunday. A similar proposal stalled last year.
HEALTH CARE
Perdue and Lt. Gov. Casey Cagle have separate, complementary proposals that have stirred little controversy. Perdue’s would take money projected to be saved by Medicaid’s switch to managed care and use those funds to subsidize the premiums to private insurers paid by small businesses. Cagle’s plan would fund additional local health clinics, create a Web site for comparing private insurance policies and seek to stimulate more contractual services by private clinics and physicians.
GRADY HOSPITAL
Though primarily serving only two Atlanta counties, Grady is the state’s largest single recipient of Georgia’s Medicaid funds and other state aid. A large financial bailout is expected to pass now that the hospital’s board has reorganized its governance.
NICHOLS TRIAL
House Majority Whip Barry Fleming, R-Harlem, chairs a special committee investigating Judge Hilton Fuller, who is presiding over the murder trial of accused courthouse killer Brian Nichols. Fleming is questioning the escalating cost to taxpayers for Nichols’ defense, and impeachment is a possible outcome.
SEXUAL PREDATORS
House Majority Leader Jerry Keen, R-St. Simons Island, intends to restore some restrictions on where those convicted of sex crimes can live to correct constitutional flaws the Supreme Court recently cited in invalidating the original restrictions.
OTHER ISSUES
Other noteworthy issues returning from last year include an apology for slavery, legislation to force employers to allow workers to keep guns in cars on company lots, relaxation of “certificate of need” rules on expansion of medical facilities, and funding for the state’s trauma-care network through increased traffic fines or cell- phone taxes.
All of this comes in a year when lawmakers would like to adjourn early so they can campaign for re-election. Plus, the session will have a presidential primary smack in the middle of it.walter.jones@morris.com, (404) 589-8424
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