Georgia's state legislators are back in town - lock up the women and children, hide the booze and hang on to your wallet!

Last year, the General Assembly adjourned without passing any legislation dealing with transportation and trauma care, causing an anguished outcry from all quarters. During the session, there was much acrimony between House Speaker Glenn Richardson and Lt. Governor Casey Cagle.  Governor Sonny Perdue was conveniently away on a trade mission to China a week or so before adjournment. Some cynics suggested that the governor abdicated his leadership role with his absence.  However, others said he wasn't much of a leader anyway and that it didn't matter.

After the embarrassment of the 2008 gathering, this year the General Assembly's Republican leadership is promising to do a better job, with less acrimony, as they attempt to earn their 40 day per diem of $173.00.  Not to be outdone, Democrats have pledged to work in a spirit of bipartisanship and earn their keep too.  However, with the 2010 gubernatorial race looming and several members of both parties with their hats already in the ring, I have my doubts.

Let's look at some of the issues facing lawmakers as the legislature gets underway in its second week.  We'll revisit this from time to time during the session which began January 12.  Annual sessions run for 40 Legislative days and normally end in mid to late March, depending upon the number of recess days.

Taxes

The lawmakers are facing a budget shortfall of some $2 billion this fiscal year.  In his Annual State of the State address, Governor Perdue introduced a budget calling for closing the gap with cuts to state agencies - some at more than 10 percent - and other measures including new fees on hospitals and insurers to help fund Medicaid. There's also the possibility of a hike in property taxes.   The legislature will take the budget from there and the debate will likely result in a long, contentious session.

There are two "sin tax" proposals which deserve special mention - both of which I strongly oppose.  One would increase the tax on cigarettes - currently at 38 cents - to $1.00.  The other, a proposed "pole tax," would have strip club patrons pay an additional $5.00 at the door

Transportation

There was a firestorm of criticism last year after the legislature failed to pass any transportation bill.  A new group has been formed, Georgia Transportation Partners, to lobby the General Assembly for more transportation money.  The crux of their imitative is to add a penny sales tax to fund transportation projects in local communities.  MARTA is among the partners as is the Georgia Regional Transpiration Authority and the Georgia Department of Transpiration.  The prospects of asking for money via a sales tax increase in the middle of a recession may not be too thrilling for legislators. 

Guns

There probably won't be any significant gun bills passed this session, especially after the contentious debates on firearms the last two years.  However, there is one proposal which should be noted.

A bill has been introduced, SB 12, by Sen. Ronald Ramsey (D-Lithonia) which would require all handgun ammunition sold in Georgia to be coded for identification.  The bill would also "provide for a fee to fund the operation and maintenance of the tax data base..."    This is an egregious, back door assault on our Second Amendment right to bear arms.  The legislature should depose of it quickly. Don't Mess with the Second Amendment!

Electoral College

Another subversive attack on the Constitution is being proposed by Atlanta Democrats Sen. Nan Orrock and Rep. Stephanie Stuckey-Benfield.  It would have the nationwide popular vote in presidential elections - rather than the Electoral College procedure - determine who receives the state's electoral votes. Their legislation is intended to weaken the Electoral College through subversion, rather than through the amendment process as the Constitution prescribes.

As I've previously written here, "I trust that the Georgia General Assembly will see fit...to trash this assault on our Republic" ("Liberal Georgia Legislators Want to Weaken Electoral College," January 1).

Sunday Liquor Sales

Under a bill filed by Sen. Seth Harper (R-Midland), local governments could call elections to let voters decide if they want to allow Sunday sales of alcoholic beverages at grocery, convenience and liquor stores.  A teetotaling Governor Perdue fought similar legislation last year. It remains to be seen if he does so again.

Other Issues

Other issues facing the General Assembly include Criminal Justice (allowing juries to impose the death penalty when they cannot reach a unanimous verdict); Education (allowing more students, no just those with disabilities, to become eligible for taxpayer- funded scholarships  to attend private schools ); Health Care (addressing the projected $208 million Medicaid shortfall and funding a statewide trauma network); and the Housing Crisis (what can be one regarding the record number of foreclosures and evictions).

As mentioned, we'll keep a watchful eye on the 2009 session of the Georgia legislature and have additional commentary as warranted.  In the meantime, my doors are locked, the beer is safely stored away and my wallet - usually empty anyway - is chained to my waist.