Georgia Legislative Watch

"…and the clerk will unlock the machines"

Archive for the 'Legislation' Category

H.R.1864: The Blogger Day Resolution

Posted: Thursday, April 1st, 2010 @ 4:27 am in House, Lawmakers, Resolutions, Rules | No Comments »

During the live-blogging of Crossover Day last week, I tossed out an idea that I initially thought would get little traction; a resolution commending Georgia’s political bloggers and inviting them to the state House for “Blogger Day At The Capitol.”
State Representative Steve Davis participated in that Crossover Day live blog and agreed to introduce the [...]

Hospital tax will be heard tomorrow

Posted: Monday, March 22nd, 2010 @ 8:36 pm in Legislation | No Comments »

Gov. Sonny Perdue’s floor leaders will present legislation tomorrow to the House Appropriations Committee that would impose a 1.6% tax on hospitals.
This new tax will cost hospitals over $200 million and benefit of public facilities.

Legislative leaders announce plans to form tax reform committee

Posted: Thursday, March 18th, 2010 @ 4:47 pm in Leadership, News, Taxation | No Comments »

Legislative leaders, including Lt. Gov. Casey Cagle, Speaker David Ralston, House Majority Leader Jerry Keen and Senate Majority Leader Chip Rogers, announced plans to create the Special Council on Tax Reform and Fairness for Georgians (HB 1405), which could lead to a substantial overhaul of the state’s tax system.
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Stephens wants constitutional amendment for cigarette tax hike

Posted: Thursday, March 18th, 2010 @ 10:56 am in Constitutional Amendment, Taxation | No Comments »

The cigarette tax hike proposed by Rep. Ron Stephens (R-Savannah) is likely dead, but he is looking for a way around it by proposing a constitutional referendum (HR 1652) on the issue to voters:
It may not be completely dead. But the drive to pass an increase in Georgia’s cigarette tax is in serious trouble. The [...]

Debate On Online Voter Registration Hits Senate Today

Posted: Wednesday, March 17th, 2010 @ 7:56 am in Debate, Elections, Legislation, Voting | No Comments »

Senate Bill 406, a bill that would allow Georgians to register to vote securely online, is on the debate calendar today in the state Senate.
SB 406 is supported by Secretary of State Brian Kemp.
“This common sense, secure online voter registration initiative will utilize technology to increase citizen access to elections, save Georgia taxpayer dollars, and [...]

Georgia Senate Debates Health Care Freedom of Choice Amendment Today

Posted: Wednesday, March 17th, 2010 @ 7:44 am in Constitutional Amendment, Constitutional Amendments, Debate, Heathcare/Medicine, Legislation, Resolutions, Senate | No Comments »

A lot of attention is being directed towards the health care bill currently under consideration in Congress. Democrats in the U.S. House are busy scurrying around for the votes to pass a measure that they say would provide health insurance to more tha 30 million Americans.
If the bill becomes law, however, a proposed amendment to [...]

Property tax reform passes Senate

Posted: Saturday, March 13th, 2010 @ 12:47 pm in Legislation, Property, Taxation | No Comments »

Senate Majority Leader Chip Rogers sent out this press release after passage of SB 346, legislation that will reform the property tax system in the state:
The most sweeping overhaul of the Georgia property tax system in decades has won unanimous (54-0) approval in the Georgia Senate. Senate Majority Leader Chip Rogers’ (R-Woodstock) Property Tax [...]

Milton/Campbell County Bill Clears Committee

Posted: Thursday, March 11th, 2010 @ 12:49 pm in Constitutional Amendment, Constitutional Amendments, Legislation | No Comments »

After a hearing lasting more than an hour, and accusations of racism from state Rep. Joe Heckstall (D – East Point), the House State Planning & Community Affairs Committee approved House Resolution 21; the bill allowing for the re-creation of a previously existing county.
Before the vote, a motion to table the legislation was narrowly voted [...]