“Hoss” is a large bloodhound mix, approximately two years old, who is available for adoption through the Gwinnett County Sheriff’s “Jaildogs” program. Jaildogs matches dogs that would otherwise be euthanized with prisoners who are learning to work with dogs in order to have marketable skills when they are released.
Jaildogs operates at no expense to taxpayers through partnership with the Society of Humane Friends and through private donations. You may donate online here.
Governor Deal signs “Fetal Pain” Bill
Gov. Deal signed HB 954, which restricts the availability of elective abortions to the first twenty weeks of pregnancy, from twenty-six weeks, effective January 1, 2013.
“Today, we are reaffirming Georgia’s commitment to preserving the sanctity of all human life,” Deal said. “This legislation provides humane protection to innocents capable of feeling pain, while making an important exception for in the case of medically futile pregnancies.”
House Bill 954 includes exceptions for cases in which the pregnancy threatens the life of health of the mother, or those in which the baby is unlikely to survive after birth.
State Rep. Doug Collins (R-Gainesville), who was present at the signing, issued the following statement:
“ The Fetal Pain Bill means no longer in the State of Georgia will convenience abortions take place after 20 weeks. Fighting for the unborn has been a top priority for me throughout my personal and political lives.”
Deal also signed HB 1114, which makes assisting another person to commit suicide a felony.
At the Capitol today
Gov. Deal’s flacks issued a press advisory that “Gov. Nathan Deal will hold a news conference and sign one of the major pieces of legislation from the 2012 session” at 2 PM in the North Wing of the Capitol. Martha Dalton on WABE speculated that it will be criminal justice reform
Atlanta Tea Party Patriots sent out an email yesterday stating that the Senate Ethics Committee will meet a 1 PM today and that the Committee will hear complaints against a member of the Senate. There are a couple of possibilities for what will transpire.
This would be a good time to look at the rules that govern the Senate and the Ethics Committee.
First, the committee can only receive complaints alleging violations of Section One, Part Four of the Senate Rules. The relevant section will probably be
§1-4.1 Personal Financial Gain
(a) Senators and Senate staff shall refrain from using government positions to attain personal financial gain.
(b) Senators and staff shall not use public resources or personnel for the purpose of conducting personal or private business activity. []
(c) Senators shall not seek, accept, use, allocate, grant, or award public funds for any purpose other than as approved by law.
Second, a complaint to the Ethics Committee “may be brought only by any Senator or Senate staff, aides, interns and volunteers.” If the complaint is brought by an individual who does not meet those criteria, the Ethics Committee is not authorized or required to address the complaint unless the Committee votes to open an investigation on its own initiative. After doing so, a majority of the Committee must sign the complaint, and it must be served upon the Senator against whom the allegations are lodged.
Third, Senate rules (.pdf) require any complaints to be kept confidential by Senators and employees and complaints
shall remain confidential until the Committee has determined that substantial cause exists that a violation occurred. If the Committee determines that substantial cause does not exist that a violation occurred, the complaint shall remain confidential.
So it’s possible that the Committee has found substantial cause and will chart a course for hearing evidence and making a determination.
Under the Rules, the Committee may determine that the complaint should be dismissed or negotiate a settlement with the member in question. If a settlement is reached it becomes a matter of public record.
I don’t expect too much drama at today’s meeting unless they allow public comments.
Politics, Campaigns, and Elections
Barring further delays, Newt Gingrich will exit the presidential campaign tomorrow via press conference in Virginia, and is expected to endorse Mitt Romney in the coming weeks. Here’s an interesting review of Gingrich’s career via the Associated Press.
Teri Christoph and Suzanne Terrell of the conservative political action committee She-PAC will headline two events on May 16th for popular radio talk show host and leading conservative candidate for Congress Martha Zoller.
“I am thrilled to have Teri and Suzi join me this month to rally and inspire Georgia voters,” said Zoller. “Both women are leaders in the conservative movement and most notably responsible for the empowerment and growth of conservative women in politics. Their support will add to the undeniable momentum that my campaign has going into the July 31st Primary.”
The Judicial Nominating Commission is accepting nominations for appointment to an open seat on the Coweta Circuit Superior Court.
Majority Whip Ed Lindsey, Republican Caucus Chair Donna Sheldon, Treasurer Allen Peake and Vice Chair Matt Ramsey will attend a fundraiser in their honor at Six Feet Under, located at 685 11th Street, NW at the upstairs deck from 5:30 to 7 PM tonight. Contact Patti Peach via email to pattipeach [at] mindspring [dot] com for more information.
Whitfield County voters will have the opportunity to pass an E-SPLOST to fund education improvements on July 31. If passed the tax will raise approximately $105 million over five years to be divided between Whitfield County and Dalton City schools.
Editorials
Public Service Commissioners Doug Everett and Tim Echols write that natural gas is becoming more important in Georgia’s energy portfolio as prices fall, coal-fired plants are converted or taken offline, and CNG becomes more available for automotive use.
State Rep. Mike Jacobs (R-City of Brookhaven) writes that the requirement that MARTA use 50 percent of sales tax proceeds for capital expenditures and 50 percent for operations is likely to be suspended next session to allow MARTA greater flexibility in the economic downturn, but the 50-50 split retains its importance as an oversight measure.
MARTA Board Chair Frederick L. Daniels responds that “[l]ong-term success and sustainability will require legislative action in 2013 to remove the 50/50 requirement language.”
Ends & Pieces
Athens-Clarke County Commission approved an agreement with Oconee County related to the Caterpillar plant that will be built straddling the county line.
Brantley County Chairman Ron Ham will reimburse more than $1000 in travel expenses that resulted from his commuting to meetings from his new job in Dublin, Ga, 132 miles away, rather than his official home within five miles of the county seat.
Radio hosts Charles Richardson of the Macon Telegraph and Kenny Burgamy received the 2012 County Government Media Advocate of the Year Award from the Association of County Commissioners of Georgia for their work to inform voters about Bibb County’s 2011 SPLOST election.
“Charles and Kenny went above and beyond to assure that information about the SPLOST projects were clearly conveyed by elected officials and understood by citizens,” Bibb County Commission Chairman Sam Hart said in the statement. “They worked hard to learn the facts, asked intelligent questions and allowed citizens to gain further insights and voice concerns.”
Bibb County hired Len Hindsman to oversee projects under the $190 million SPLOST.
Columbia County commissioners expect to cut the property tax rate by one-quater mill tonight.
Tennessee’s legislature has adjourned for the year. Pro-tip: state government usually acts like its hungover for about three days after the session ends; it’s a perfect time to take back occupied Georgia.
The application process for 2013 Masters tickets has opened.
Macon native Gregg Allman will begin booking a tour after being released from the Mayo Clinic.
Rock City is celebrating its 80th anniversary.
US Secretary of Agriculture Tom Vilsack will deliver the keynote address to Albany State University graduates on Saturday.
Savannah is the top-ranked Georgia tourist destination according to a list from US News & World Reports, coming in at number 14, with Atlanta trailing closely in 17th place. More importantly, Savannah beat Charleston like a rented mule, with the SC port city ranking 24th.
Comments ( 0 )