Official Press Releases
By President Pro Tempore Tommie Williams
February 13, 2009
This week in the Georgia Senate we began an aggressive new legislative schedule, continued to work to balance the budget, and also took up the controversial Georgia Power Nuclear Financing Act.
By: Sen. Ross Tolleson
Atlanta (February 13, 2009) – This week the State Senate has been adjusting to a few changes in the schedule. According to Georgia’s Constitution the General Assembly can only convene for a maximum of 40 days a year. This forces the General Assembly to do the people’s work in a timely matter. As I told you last week these are extremely tough budget times for our state, and as a result we are making a few changes to our schedule. In keeping with the laws set forth in the state Constitution, we will still only meet for 40 days. What we are doing though, is only having session on Tuesday, Wednesday, and Thursday and leaving Monday and Friday for budget hearings. This allows the Senators the ability to go through the budget and make the tough calls that need to be made. On day 35 the General Assembly will adjourn until June 22. This will allow us five days to make any changes, good or bad, to the budget at the end of June. The economy is so uncertain right now, no one is able to predict what is going to happen between now and June. The main reason for this is if the General Assembly were called into a Special Session it would be a lot more expensive and just plain irresponsible during these tough budget times. Just like your family, Georgia can not spend more money then it takes in.
ATLANTA (Feb. 12, 2009) – The Georgia State Senate today overwhelmingly passed the Taxpayer Protection Amendment (SR1), authored by Senate Majority Leader Chip Rogers (R-Woodstock). The measure received bi-partisan support and earned a Constitutional majority by a 43-9 vote.
Continue reading “Senate passes Rogers’ Taxpayer Protection Amendment”
ATLANTA (February 12, 2009) — As Georgia continues to suffer a record-breaking drought, Sen. Chip Pearson (R-Dawsonville) yesterday passed a resolution in the Senate urging Congress to facilitate the building of reservoirs in north Georgia to ensure the state has an adequate water supply.
ATLANTA (Feb. 12, 2009) – Governor Sonny Perdue, Lieutenant Governor Casey Cagle and Speaker of the House Glenn Richardson have appointed Sen. George Hooks(D-Americus) to the Regional Water Council. Hooks will work with fellow council members to create an effective water management plan for the region. The plan will focus on both water quantity and water quality issues, and will include forecasts of future water supply and wastewater treatment needs.
Continue reading “Senator Hooks Appointed to Regional Water Council”