Georgia Pundit

“Bullying” has become a hot topic – from federal studies highlighting its dangers, to TV shows and “special” news reports, we constantly are admonished not to bully one another, and to stop bullying in our schools.  Yet, there is a growing form of bullying that has escaped the attention of bureaucrats and media do-gooders: government bullying of food truck vendors.

Anyone who works near or drives by a large office or industrial complex, particularly in major cities, has at least seen, if not patronized, these “mobile restaurants.”  These eateries-on-wheels offer the same quality of food found at brick-and-mortar establishments without the need to drive to one.  For workers looking to make the most of a short lunch break, food trucks are a huge convenience; and the diversity of foodstuffs offered truly is amazing.

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The judges of Richmond County State Court contend a temporary restraining order aimed at alleged unfair and illegal acts by Sentinel Offender Services has thrown their court into chaos.

In an amicus brief filed in one of the civil cases pending against the private probation company, the State Court judges contend the order signed by Superior Court Judge Daniel J. Craig on April 9 “has completely disrupted the operations of the State Court and the judges’ ability to enforce the terms of a probated sentence and to collect fines duly ordered in lieu of incarceration.”

According to the brief, “The State Court is now in a quandary and cannot continue its normal operations.”

Attorney John Long has filed a dozen lawsuits against Sentinel, contending it is unconstitutional to allow a for-profit entity to provide a judicial service, and to jail someone just because he is poor.

via Judges say probation restraining order crippling their court | The Augusta Chronicle.

Speaking before the Atlanta Press Club in downtown Atlanta, Governor Nathan Deal discussed some of the major accomplishments of the past legislative session, including a bill aimed at reducing the influence of special interests at the Capitol.

“Even though that [the ethics bill] does not do everything that everybody wants, I think it is a significant step in the right direction.”

Gov. Deal said he wouldn’t be surprised if lawmakers revisited the issue next legislative session.

“I do believe that there will be at least a good debate about whether or not some of the provisions should be tweaked, but I will not attempt to dictate to the legislative body because the rules will apply to them – [they] won’t apply to me.”

via Gov. Deal Highlights Ethics, Juvenile Justice in Legislative Overview | WABE 90.1 FM.

A group of Democratic and Republican county officials from across metro Atlanta has asked Gov. Nathan Deal to veto a proposal that would prevent Fulton County from raising property taxes, saying the bill is “bad for the county and bad for the state.”

On Tuesday, Fulton County Commission Chairman John Eaves gave the governor a letter signed by nine elected officials opposed to House Bill 604, which would prohibit a Fulton tax increase for the next two years and require a supermajority of commissioners to raise taxes thereafter. They said in the letter that the legislation could open the door to more state-level interference in local government.

Democrats have decried the move as unnecessary and punitive. And Fitch Ratings recently cited HB 604 in downgrading Fulton County’s credit rating. Now local Republicans as well as Democrats have added their voices to the opposition.

It was signed by Eaves and fellow Democrats such as DeKalb County CEO Burrell Ellis, but also by Republicans such as Cobb County Chairman Tim Lee and Fayette County Chairman Steve Brown. Chairmen from Cherokee, Clayton, Douglas, Forsyth and Rockdale counties also signed. Gwinnett County Chairwoman Charlotte Nash, a Republican, is expected to express her concerns to Deal separately.

“[W]e believe HB 604 violates the letter and spirit of home rule,” the officials wrote to Deal. “Passage of this bill sets a dangerous precedent for legislative interference in other counties and the impact on Fulton County services will have a ripple effect throughout the region.”

via Local commissioners: Veto Fulton tax bill | www.myajc.com.