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“Working Together is Success”

By Sen. Jim Butterworth

Not one of Georgia’s 56 state senators or 180 representatives was elected for his or her ability to make deals or play politics. We were blessed with this opportunity because of our values and determination to do what is right. You elected me because I am committed to working with my colleagues in the Senate and the House of Representatives to create sustainable solutions to the critical issues facing our state.

We have less than ten legislative days left in this year’s legislative session, which means it’s crunch time. These last few weeks are packed with hurried changes to finalize legislation. It’s often during this crunch time under the Gold Dome that public servants start to play politics. They get caught up in the deal making and promises that are often an unfortunate part of the last few days of session. Sadly, these public servants lose sight of their true objective – to make Georgia a better place for the people they represent.

This is the perfect opportunity to remember that we must work together in a collaborative spirit to accomplish our top priorities. We must ensure that personal agendas don’t hamper the business of Georgia.

Our friends in the House are a vital resource that we can tap during these times. A good working relationship is the only way to accomplish what needs to get done. We must be able to compromise and make sure legislation we pass will improve on the status quo and is an efficient use of taxpayer dollars.

Henry Ford once said, “coming together is a beginning. Keeping together is progress. Working together is success.” We are in pursuit of success and nothing short of it. Henry Ford was one of the most remarkable American industrialists in our country’s history. His words still hold a message for all to adhere to and take to heart. As your Senator, I promise to work in concert with the House while maintaining the same moral fiber I ran for office with.
Please don’t hesitate to contact me if you have any questions or concerns regarding current legislation moving through the process or any other issues. As always, I’m honored to serve you, the 50th Senate District, this session and all year round.

Sen. Jim Butterworth serves as chairman of the Higher Education Committee. He represents the 50th Senate District which includes Towns, Rabun, Habersham, Stephens, Banks, Franklin, and Hart counties along with a portion of White County. He can be reached by phone at 404.651.7738 or by email at jim.butterworth@senate.ga.gov.

COLUMN
For Immediate Release:
March 25, 2011
For Information Contact:
Kallarin Richards, Deputy Director
Katie Wright, Communications Manager
Katie.Wright@senate.ga.gov
404.656.0028

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Hamrick Reports from the Capitol

By Bill Hamrick

We have less than ten legislative days left in this year’s session, which means it’s crunch time. All of the bills that will get a slot on the General Calendar must be passed out of committee by the end of next week. This means we are quickly but carefully vetting all the House bills to make sure they are perfect and ready for a vote by the full Senate.

We are especially busy in the Judiciary Committee, which I chair. One of the biggest bills that we hope to see passed this year is the re-write of Georgia’s laws regarding evidence used in court. We’ve been working since 2008 to modernize the code and bring it in line with 42 other states. Our current evidence code was created in 1863. We’ve made a few select changes in the past 146 years, but a true overhaul of the code is necessary. When the original code was written, the telephone hadn’t been invented yet. Needless to say, we had to take circumstances like advanced technology into account with this significant undertaking. These new laws will offer consistency, cost-savings and fairness.

Another major initiative in the General Assembly took a significant step this week when the Joint Special Committee on Tax Reform announced its long-awaited plans to reform Georgia’s tax code as a way to attract jobs and encourage investment in Georgia. The revenue-neutral proposal flattens the personal income tax rate from 6 percent to at least 4.5 percent while broadening consumption taxes. The bill does not levy taxes on groceries or common consumer services, but rather establishes an across the board 7 percent tax on telecommunications. It also eliminates the sales tax on energy while imposing a tax on auto repairs services and person-to-person sales of motor vehicles, boats, and planes. The Council developed the legislation based on recommendations prepared by the Special Council on Tax Reform and Fairness, a panel of business and economic leaders that studied Georgia’s tax system last year before recommending changes to the legislature. This legislation will go before the House for a vote before facing a floor debate in the Senate.

One of the top agenda items every legislative session is the budget, and this year is no exception. The amended FY 2011 budget was passed and signed by the governor. We have since turned our attention to the FY 2012 budget. The appropriations subcommittees have been meeting the last couple of weeks to detail funding for government agencies and special projects.  We expect the budget to be voted out of the full committee very soon and then it will head to the full Senate for a vote.

As always, it’s an honor to serve you, the 30th Senate District. If you have any questions on current legislation in the General Assembly, please don’t hesitate to contact me.

Sen. Bill Hamrick serves as Chairman of the Judiciary Committee. He represents the 30th Senate District which includes portions of Carroll, Douglas, and Paulding counties.  He may be reached at 404.656.0036 or via e-mail at bill.hamrick@senate.ga.gov.

COLUMN
For Immediate Release:
March 25, 2011
For Information Contact:
Kallarin Richards, Deputy Director
Katie Wright, Communications Manager
Katie.Wright@senate.ga.gov
404.656.0028

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Senate Approves MLK Advisory Council

ATLANTA (March 16, 2011) – The Georgia State Senate today voted in favor of Sen. Emanuel Jones’ (D-Decatur) bill to create a Martin Luther King, Jr. Advisory Council to coordinate activities in observance of the MLK holiday. Senate Bill 141 aims to promote awareness and appreciation of the Civil Rights movement and Dr. King’s legacy.

“Dr. Martin Luther King overcame seemingly insurmountable odds to bring peace and justice to his fellow man. Every year, we celebrate Dr. King’s noble work. The council will allow for better coordination at the state and local level to educate Georgians on his teachings,” said Jones. “The MLK holiday should represent more than just a break from our daily routine. His life and work is too important for only a moment’s pause of remembrance.”

The advisory council will be housed within the Department of Community Affairs and will be composed of nine members, including the commissioner of DCA, members of the Senate and House and six governor appointees, two of whom must be between the ages of 18 and 22 years old.

The bill now moves to the House of Representatives for consideration.

Sen. Emanuel Jones represents the 10th Senate District, which includes portions of DeKalb and Henry counties.  He may be reached at 404.656.0502 or via e-mail at emanuel.jones@senate.ga.gov.

PRESS RELEASE
For Immediate Release:
March 16, 2011
For Information Contact:
Natalie Strong, Director
Kallarin Richards, Deputy Director
Kallarin.Richards@senate.ga.gov
404.656.0028

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Senate Streamlines Compensation to Families of Emergency Workers Killed While on Duty

ATLANTA (March 16, 2011) – The Georgia State Senate today passed Sen. John Albers’ (R-Roswell) legislation to streamline compensation to families of public emergency workers who are killed in the line of duty.

“Georgia’s emergency personnel put their lives on the line every day for the safety and security of the people of this state,” said Albers. “The least we can do is to ensure that their families receive compensation in the tragic event that their loved one is killed while serving in the line of duty. This bill will bring consistency to the way payments are made to family members, ensuring that the process is structured and fair.”

Currently, if a law enforcement officer, firefighter, emergency medical technician, emergency management specialist, or prison guard is killed or suffers organic brain damage in the line of duty, payment from the Georgia Indemnification Fund will be made to the surviving family members. Senate Bill 155 outlines who the payments go to first, beginning with the deceased’s spouse, to the deceased’s dependent children in the event there is no surviving spouse, or in the event that there is no surviving spouse or dependent children, equally to the deceased’s surviving dependents, including dependent parents and siblings. In the case of organic brain damage, payment will be made to the legal guardian.

SB 155, also known as the “Jarrett Little Act”, is named in honor of a Walker County and Fort Oglethorpe firefighter who died in January 2009. Little was a single, 23-year-old volunteer firefighter who was killed when the fire truck he was driving overturned on the way to a fire.

Albers is a fourth-generation firefighter serving as a volunteer in Alpharetta. “I have a keen interest in public safety and protecting those who sacrifice their lives to protect their fellow citizens. Serving alongside these brave men and women has given me a unique perspective on how their families are impacted when they lose their loved one, and I believe it’s our responsibility as elected officials to ensure that the law works in their favor,” added Albers.

The bill now goes to the House of Representatives for consideration.

Sen. John Albers represents the 56th Senate District, which includes portions of North Fulton County. He may be reached at his office at 404.463.8055 or by email at john.albers@senate.ga.gov.

PRESS RELEASE
For Immediate Release:
March 16, 2011
For Information Contact:
Natalie Strong, Director
Kallarin Richards, Deputy Director
Kallarin.Richards@senate.ga.gov
404.656.0028