ATLANTA — In a briefing for journalists Tuesday, experts from the Atlanta firm McKenna Long and Aldridge shared insights and predictions for the 2014 General Assembly session, which begins Jan. 13. “This session is going to be a fast and furious and that’s really because of the primaries being moved from July to May,” said Chuck McMullen, a manager director at McKenna Long and former chief of staff to Georgia’s first Republican Senate Majority leader.
From the vantage point of Georgia’s top lobbyists, fundraisers and political advisors, the upcoming legislative session will pass in the blink of an eye as state lawmakers race to prepare for re-election campaigns.
That’s because they can’t raise money while serving under the Gold Dome. And that means everyone from Governor Nathan Deal on down is looking for a quick exit to the 40-day session. They’ll also most likely be facing primary elections in May, giving some lawmakers a scant two months to fundraise and campaign.
Experts predict 2014
In a briefing for journalists Tuesday, experts from the Atlanta firm McKenna Long and Aldridge shared insights and predictions for the 2014 General Assembly session, which begins Jan. 13.
“This session is going to be a fast and furious and that’s really because of the primaries being moved from July to May,” said Chuck McMullen, a manager director at McKenna Long and former chief of staff to Georgia’s first Republican Senate Majority leader.
The primary election will be the subject of the first piece of legislation that’s likely to pass. Lawmakers need to move Georgia’s primaries to May to align them with the federal calendar. Leaving them in July would incur extra cost, a risk that’s not likely to sit well with the state’s GOP leadership.
After the primaries, McMullen said the focus will be on discussing and passing a balanced budget and dispensing that budget with any needed local legislation.
via Experts Predict ‘Fast And Furious’ Legislative Session Ahead.
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