Georgia Political News for April 17, 2012

“Muffin” is a 32-pound, 2-year old mixed breed who is said to be about the size of a Jack Russell terrier. She has no known owner, but knows how to sit on command and shake. She’s very well-behaved and is available today from Walton Animal Control Services.

Adoption cost $40, which is quite a bargain considering that she comes vetted, vaccinated and dewormed. She is not spayed, but comes with a discount from a local vet and a bag of food.

Governor Deal signs legislation

Gov. Deal signed House Bill 861, which requires drug testing for eligibility to receive TANF (Temporary Assistance for Needy Families).

“This program is intended as a safety net, and this requirement guarantees that the benefits are used for their intended purposes—to care for children and assist with job preparation,” Deal said in a press release.

Children whose parents fail the drug testing can still receive assistance if another payee is designates.

The Southern Center for Civil Rights has said it will sue, arguing that the testing violates the Fourth Amendment to the US Constitution’s prohibition of unreasonable searches.

“We are disappointed the governor signed the bill, given an almost identical law in Florida has been declared unconstitutional,” said Gerry Weber, an SCHR attorney.

The bill was authored by Rep. Michael Harden (R-Toccoa) and sponsored in the Senate by Sen. John Albers (R-Roswell).

Deal also signed House Bill 872, to combat metal theft, which has been on the rise the last several years. Sellers of nonferrous metal must provide photo ID and proof that the metal is not stolen when selling it to a recycler, and buyers may not pay cash. The bill was authored by Rep. Jason Shaw (R-Lakeland) and sponsored in the Senate by Sen. Renee Unterman (R-Buford).

Governor Deal signed House Bill 636 by Reps. Mike Jacobs (R-Brookhaven) and Tom Taylor (R-Dunwoody), which was sponsored by Sen. Fran Millar (pronounced “Miller” R-Dunwoody), and places the incorporation of the City of Brookhaven on the ballot for the July 31st Primary election.

The Governor signed legislation tweaking state Senate districts in the Augusta area that will likely add a GOP member to the local legislative delegation.

An up-to-date list of bills signed by the Governor is available here.

Governor Deal threw out the first pitch at a game between Norcross High School and Duluth. High and outside. State Rep. Brooks Coleman (R-Duluth) and Tom Rice (R-Peachtree Corners) joined Deal.

Don’t Mess with McKoon – He’s got a cannon

Senator Josh McKoon may be in the sights of some of his colleagues, but they’d best be warned — McKoon fired the cannon at the National Civil War Naval Museum as part of the festivities for RiverBlast.

Campaigns and Elections

Want to be treated like a boss at the Romney Inaugural in January 2013? A $50,000 bill gets you access to a “Presidential Inaugural Retreat.” Smaller amounts get you invited to these events in Georgia:

Governor Romney will be returning to Atlanta on June 11th to participate in two Romney Victory fundraising events.

The first event will be a reception which will be 1K per person/2K per couple to attend and 10K per couple to get a photo with Governor Romney. 10K represents a maxed out couple, giving $2500 each to both the primary and general election. Please keep in mind that while we are now accepting general election funds, we are still raising primary dollars. Contributions made to Romney Victory will first go toward the primary election account and then once an individual has reached their $2500 limit, the general election account. We are forming a host committee for this event, asking each host to raise 25K. There will be a private reception for the host committee with the Governor prior to the event.

The second event on the 11th will be a private dinner at a home in Buckhead that is being co-chaired by Tom Bell, Fred Cooper, Bernie Marcus and Jeffrey Sprecher. This dinner will be for “Founding Members” of Romney Victory who contribute 50K.

On April 27th, Spencer Zwick, Governor Romney’s national finance chairman, will be in Atlanta to participate in a lunch with the host committee and co-chairs for the June 11th events.

You might also want to refrain from messing with Atlanta Young Republicans’ monthly meeting at Taco Mac Lindbergh tonight beginning at 7 PM, as Jerry Henry from Georgia Carry will be addressing a packing packed crowd.

State Rep. Doug Collins (R-Gainesville) leads fundraising in the campaign for the New Ninth Congressional District with more than $140,000 cash on hand. “It’s a lot of comments taken out of context,” she said. “With what I do for a living, you can make me look any way you want to,” Zoller told Blake Aued of the Athens Banner-Herald.

Jackson County Chairman Hunter Bicknell, also in the race for the Ninth, emphasized his record in office and the more than 3000 new jobs attracted to Jackson County during his tenure.

Martha Zoller claims that a handout distributed by the Collins campaign at the Ninth District Convention attacking things she has said on her radio show demonstrates that she is the frontrunner.

Maria Sheffield, a Dublin Republican, reported over $100,000 cash on hand in the GOP Primary seeking to unseat John Barrow (D-Savannah Augusta).

The candidates debated in a forum sponsored by the White County Republican Party.

Senator Buddy Carter (R-Pooler) will kickoff his reelection campaign Thursday night from 5 to 7 PM at The Mulberry Inn at 601 East Bay Street, Savannah, GA 31401. Suggested contribution is $250.

Bibb County Probate Judge Bill Self will not seek reelection.

Macon and Bibb County residents will vote July 31st whether to consolidate the local governments. With Macon involved, squabbling over implementation is almost guaranteed.

Candidates seeking appointment to an open seat on the Rome Commission will participate in a forum with sitting commissioners and the public on Wednesday beginning at 6:30 PM at the Rome Civic Center.

Lumpkin County Commission Chairman Dr. John Raber is running for Chief Magistrate Judge of Lumpkin County.

Harold “Hal” Bennett and Mary Beth Pais will seek the Republican nomination for Forsyth County Coroner to succeed Lauren McDonald, who is running for Sheriff.

Forsyth County Commission District Four has five candidates running incumbent Patrick Bell and challengers Tim Hubbard, Charles Meagher, Cindy J. Mills, and Bill Mulrooney Forsyth Commission District Two has incumbent Brian Tam against challenger Dennis Brown and District Five pits incumbent Jim Boff against challenger John Derucki.

Former Forsyth Commissioner A.J. Pritchett has filed a complaint with the Georgia Ethics Campaign Finance Commission alleging that the Forsyth County Tea Party’s failure to register and report with the commission violates the Ethics in Government Act.

“Basically what it comes down to is it doesn’t appear as if the Forsyth County Tea Party is or has applied to be a political action committee nor a campaign committee. But it looks like, based on evidence I have, they’ve been advocating [against] some public referendums, namely the SPLOST vote last fall.

Steve Voshall, chairman of the local tea party, said he was not aware of Pritchett’s complaint, nor had he seen it, but denied any wrongdoing.

“We haven’t endorsed anyone and we don’t collect any money and have not written any checks for any campaigns,” Voshall said. “We never raised money to oppose SPLOST. We did oppose SPLOST, but we never raised money to oppose SPLOST.”

On Friday night, Robert Highsmith will again perform the greatest hits from the 70s, 80s and 90s at Westside Bar and Cafe, located at 2341 Marietta Boulevard, Atlanta, GA 30318. I’m told his version of “Afternoon Delight” always brings the house down; you should go and ask him to play it.

Dems doing their thing this weekend

Georgia Democrats will elect delegates to the Democratic National Convention in district caucuses this weekend.

Random Tidbits

Master Sgt. Kevin Foutz and Sgt. 1st Class Thomas Payne won the David E. Grange Jr. Best Ranger Competition, held at Fort Benning.

Congressman Tom Graves (R-Ranger) presented nine overdue medals to WW2 veteran Johnson W. Brown of Cumming, who served during the Normandy invasion. Brown’s son was also decorated for his service in Vietnam.

Reactor Unit One at Plant Vogtle went offline due to a pump problem Saturday but has returned to production. A malfunctioning part has been replaced and no failure occurred. The Nuclear Regulatory Commission is investigating:

“At this point, this looks like an uncomplicated reactor trip with no enforcement consequences,” [NRC staff] said. “However, the residents, as always, will follow up to make sure there are no safety implications.”

In Washington, the NRC rejected a call by environmentalists to halt construction at Vogtle reactors three and four while the groups appeal the license granted for construction.

Some residents of Monroe County have expressed concerns about whether coal ash pond regulation adjacent to Georgia Power’s Plant Scherer is regulated sufficiently to ensure safety of the local water supply.

Sons of Confederate Veterans, United Daughters of the Confederacy and local Boy Scouts observed Confederate Memorial Day on Sunday in a peaceful and respectful ceremony. The correct date for Confederate Memorial Day is April 26, but the groups chose to celebrate early this year.

On Saturday, April 21, an historic Confederate battle flag will be unveiled on its debut at Fort McAllister after being returned by the ancestor of a Union soldier.

A Gainesville parent opposes weigh-ins for students.

“A letter should have been sent home informing parents of the program and what was going to happen and if a family did not want to participate they could opt out of the weigh-in situation. We were not provided with that information,” Jones said. “I’m horrified that the government would get involved with whether my child was overweight, underweight, in shape or not in shape.”

All five captains of the Starship Enterpise (NCC-1701) will appear together in a London convention in October.