My father would be ashamed (By Martin Luther King III)
Extremist lawmakers in Georgia's legislature are pushing a bill designed to intimidate those who would engage in protest activities, such as picketing or sit-ins. This is an effort to silence protesters who are standing up for economic justice.
My father, Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr., died fighting for economic justice. Before his assassination in 1968, one of the ways he supported striking sanitation workers in Memphis was by joining them on the picket line.
It's shocking to me that 44 years after my father's death, extremist legislators are still trying to silence peaceful protesters. My father would not back down from opposing this bill, and we cannot either.
That's why I created a petition to the Georgia House and Senate and Governor Nathan Deal on SignOn.org, which says:
We urge all Georgia lawmakers to
oppose SB 469. This bill restricts the free speech rights of Georgians.
It burdens small businesses by forcing them to issue additional notices to their employees, and it puts extra strain on our already-stretched public safety forces. We need lawmakers to focus on real solutions to our jobs crisis, not push bills that take away our basic free speech rights. Again, please vote NO on SB 469.
ATLANTA 3-1-2012 - Latino activists, along with two members of the Georgia General Assembly, called for the defeat of HB 59 and SB 458, two similar bills that would require the University System to expel all students who cannot provide documentation that they are legal residents from the state's 35 public colleges.
"House Bill 59 and Senate Bill 458 are worse than any anti-immigration bill that has ever come before us," said Rep. Pedro Marin (D-Duluth), one of the first Latinos elected to the Legislature in 2002.
"It is unjust, immoral, and un-American," Marin said. He promised all undocumented students that "we will not punish you for the actions of your parents."
An undocumented high school senior from the Athens area who identified herself only as "Elizabeth" told the rally that the proposed measures "give me the worst feelings of rejection and discrimination I have ever felt."
"My opportunities for a good education and a good life have been getting slimmer and slimmer," said Elizabeth, who disclosed that she was brought to the United States by her parents at the age of five.
If SB 458 passes the Legislature, "it indicates we will never be good enough and we will always be second-rate," she said.
Sen. Nan Orrock (D-Atlanta) called the proposed legislation "an insanity that is indefensible."
"We must stop this law," Orrock said. "I cannot stand here silently while efforts are made to slam the doors on these students. It is not in the interests of this state, it is not in the interests of our economy to slam the door on these students."
SB 458 is sponsored by Senate Majority Leader Chip Rogers (R-Woodstock), an anti-immigrant legislator who sponsored the immigration control bill, SB 529, that was passed by the General Assembly in 2006.
SB 458 has been approved in committee but has not been voted upon yet by the full state Senate.
House majority approves 20-week restriction on abortions
A majority of the Georgia House of Representatives voted Wednesday to approve legislation that would prohibit most abortions after 20 weeks of pregnancy.
HB 954 would allow abortions after 20 weeks only when there is substantial medical risk to expectant mother but would also limit exceptions and require the procedure to be performed so that it "provides the best opportunity for the unborn child to survive." I voted against the measure, which passed by a margin of 102-65 and now goes to the Senate for its consideration.
Aviation Authority: The House approved SB 339, which would dismantle the Georgia Aviation Authority and transfer the aircraft previously owned and operated by the Department of Natural Resources and the Georgia Forestry Commission back to those agencies. The General Assembly passed a bill last year that returned ownership of other state aircraft to the Department of Public Safety. SB 339 now goes to the governor for his signature.
Other legislation approved by the House and sent to the Senate last week includes:
HB 456, which would establish a "sunset commission" of legislators who could recommend abolishing various agencies in the executive branch of state government. I voted against this legislation.
HB 520, which would increase the maximum amount of solar-generated electricity that Georgia Power buys back from its customers who co-generate their own power.
HB 641, which would revise Georgia's juvenile justice code.
HB 898, which would establish a new category of banking entity in the state for companies that validate credit card transactions.
Changes to Special Schools bill, HR 1162
Atlanta 2-17-2012. The Democratic Caucus is pleased that substantive changes have been made by the authors of HR 1162, the Special Schools bill.
"The changes reflect a recognition that this constitutional amendment will substantively alter public education in Georgia. We fought to protect local control, and these concessions are a step in the right direction," said Democratic Caucus Chairman Brian Thomas.
Democrats led opposition to HR 1162 because the bill allowed the state to create new special schools without limitation, including charter schools. More importantly, it permitted the state to reduce local funding to pay for those state-created schools.
"Democrats are proud to enforce limits on the state with regard to charter schools. The original legislation gave the state unrestrained powers. This puts sensible restrictions on how we operate," said Rep. Scott Holcomb, who authored the alternative bill from which much of the language was taken. "We also unequivocally require that if the state wants to create charter schools - they must pay for them. Under the changes, no local funding can be reduced."
The House Democratic Caucus has put a draft of the revised bill before their members for review.
"Members have been asked to check in with their constituents before we take a vote. We appreciate the strong support of citizens in demanding these critical concessions," said House Minority Leader Stacey Abrams.
Shared Responsabilities
House Democrats held a public hearing on Thursday to promote shared responsibility, highlighting their legislative plans to promote democracy and civic engagement, protect taxpayer investments and fix government so it works.
House Democrats were joined by advocates for better taxpayer investments here in Georgia and by families affected by foreclosure.
Caucus Chairman Brian Thomas, moderator of the public hearing, emphasized that the House Democratic Caucus understands the financial hardship of the downturn and that the caucus wants the government to take its share of responsibility for burden facing families this economic recession.
"The House Democratic Caucus understands that citizens expect more of their government than simply taxes and regulation," said Chairman Thomas. "We want government that works for the people and with the people. And we demand a government that understands its business: to spend our tax dollars wisely."
Representative Dar'shun Kendrick highlighted her targeted legislation towards foreclosure reform with the "Homeowner Fairness Act."
"Five years after the start of the Great Recession, Georgia is fifth in the nation in foreclosures, but we lag far behind in homeowner protection," said Rep. Kendrick. "That's why I have introduced the Foreclosure Reform: Homeowner Fairness Act to help level the playing field and bring Georgia back in line with other states that have placed into law common-sense consumer protections. By changing the judicial process for foreclosures, we will guarantee any homeowner the right to access the courts rather than just the auction block."
Along with aiming to place heavier emphasis in homeowner protection this legislative session, the House Democratic Caucus hopes to improve prompt pay on state contracts.
"Our 2012 legislative agenda began with a conversation about the kind of Georgia we want for our families," said Rep. Elena Parent, co-sponsor of the Georgia Fair Pay Act. "By starting with the basics of determining how government must help where it can and get out of the way when it should, I have introduced this bill to provide better economic security for Georgia companies. Under Georgia law, no contract can be executed without funding, so the state has no excuse for holding onto legitimate payments to its small business vendors who have done the work they were hired to do."
House Democrats held a press conference to introduce their 2012 legislative agenda, which is aimed at creating good jobs, promoting rural recovery, strengthening schools and protect the taxpayer's investment in Georgia.
The Rural Recovery Act of 2012 that would immediately repeal HB 87, the failed immigration law passed in 2011. Rep. Pedro Marin, author of the repeal, said, "Georgia farmers have been the victims of a failed experiment. We have watched crops die in the fields, and millions of dollars have been drained from our economy. The state must get out of the federal immigration business and return to the business of producing the nation's food supply." Added co-sponsor Rep. Lynmore James, "Agriculture is our top industry, but they've been abandoned by the Gold Dome. With repeal of HB 87, we can put our farms on the road to recovery."
During a public hearing Thursday, House Democrats were joined by advocates for farmers and others impacted by the fall-out of HB 87. "Georgia deserves better than a bill that costs millions of dollars in lost crops, lost revenue and lost opportunities," explained Representative Lynmore James. "I am a Georgia farmer. I know that our families cannot afford to have politicians playing with their food. If we want good jobs and a stronger economy, the first step is repealing HB 87."
House Minority Leader Stacey Abrams explained the devastating effects of HB 87 at the House Democrat's press conference on Tuesday.
"HB 87 is a failed attempt at immigration reform that has simply served to cripple the economy of Georgia," said Leader Abrams. "The most modest estimates place the price tag for six months of this bill at $75 million in lost crops alone. That's real money to the thousands of family farms, small grocers and shop owners who rely on Georgia's agriculture industry to survive."
Larry Pellegrini, Policy Analyst for the Georgia Latino Alliance for Human Rights, was in attendance at the public hearing on Thursday.
"The passage of HB 87 was a mistake. Families, the economy and Georgia's reputation have all been hurt," said Pellegrini. "We applaud the Caucus for making an effort to honestly reveal the consequences of the bill and to identify what is needed to correct the destructive fallout. We regret that all of the effort to pass an unworkable Georgia bill was not put into pressuring Congress to enact comprehensive immigration reform. Georgia should now retreat from the failed HB 87 and move forward with policies that respect and value all of it's residents."
To promote and expand Georgia's economic sector, House Democrats introduced a series of bills that will provide Georgians with a stronger economy, support rural communities reeling from HB 87 and help small businesses grow.
Key items include the Georgia Buy American Act by Representative Virgil Fludd and co-sponsored by Representative Sistie Hudson. The bill will reduce sales taxes on products produced in America, particularly Georgia. Representative Quincy Murphy and Representative Yasmin Neal have co-sponsored the Georgia Jobs Matter Act to require all procurement bids to include a Georgia jobs impact statement.
Representatives will also introduce the Rural Tourism Protection Act, legislation to require mandatory notice of park closures, which can devastate rural tourism. Author Rep. Debbie Buckner has already secured bi-partisan support for her legislation, which is co-sponsored by Rep. Sharon Beasley Teague and Rep. Bob Bryant.
Understanding that excess regulation can strangle small businesses, Representatives Glenn Baker and Mack Jackson will ask for a suspension of the E-verify requirement for small businesses with fewer than 50 employees. The Small Business Protection Act suspension would last until 2015.
"Our government must step in to provide proper oversight and regulation for the protection of our citizens, but that regulation cannot stop our small businesses from growing," explained Rep. Jackson.
For small companies doing business with the state, the Georgia Fair Pay Act will require prompt payment on all state contracts, as authored by Representative Al Williams and co-sponsored by Representative Elena Parent and Representative Mickey Stephens. "Democrats are committed to helping all Georgians by spurring job creation, and restoring fairness and opportunity to our economy. The state has already appropriated the funds. There is no excuse for not making good on our promises to small businesses that have done the work."
Small businesses facing rising health costs will find support in the Georgia Healthcare Relief Act, which requires the establishment of Small Business Healthcare Exchanges. Said author Representative Pat Gardner, "We know that small businesses need this flexibility. Healthcare is a vital state and national interest, and we must be proactive if we want to small businesses to continue to grow in our state." Rep. James Beverly, an optometrist, and Rep. Elly Dobbs will co-sponsor.
The House Democrats' legislative agenda also includes specific bills designed to continue Georgia's progress of empowering parents and fostering successful students. The Parent Protection Act, the Restore and Build HOPE Act, the Bright Futures Acts and Whistleblower Protections Act will all help secure stronger schools. "Democrats recognize that accountability and reform must go hand in hand, and the best education begins with investments in Pre-K," said Bright Futures author Representative Kathy Ashe.
"The House Democratic Caucus understands that citizens expect more of their government than taxes and regulation. We want government that works for the people and with the people. We expect a government that asks everyone to do his or her fair share and to play by the rules. And we demand a government that understands its business: to spend our tax dollars wisely," explained House Minority Whip Carolyn Hugley.
House Democrats offered a package of legislation that will meet those key objectives: to fix government so it works, to promote democracy and civic engagement and to protect taxpayer investments. HB 643 by Representative Sheila Jones, co-sponsored by Rep. Barbara Reece will require fingerprints for metal salvage. The Foreclosure Reform bills will create a judicial foreclosure process and guarantee homeowners a right to cure a delinquency. HB 707 will permit the use of college identification as qualified documents for voting. In concert with the Senate Democratic Caucus, the Tax Accountability Act will create an independent panel to review the cost-benefit analysis of tax subsidies. The Family Energy Credit will address Georgia's deregulated natural gas prices by offering an income tax credit for home energy costs, sponsored by Rep. Simone Bell.
House Democrats announced 20 legislative initiatives that will promote economic security, educational opportunity and shared responsibility. Some of this legislation has been heard in committee, but many critical ideas have received no action from the House committees of purview. To guarantee full consideration of their ideas, House Democrats announced plans to convene public hearings in the Capitol to review each item of legislation. Attendees will receive information about advocating for legislation they support and details about the oversight committees to demand action.
House Minority Caucus Chairman Brian Thomas explained the House Democrats' bold new approach. "Rather than wait for committee hearings that may never come, the House Democrats will hold public legislative hearings on all of our agenda items. For the next six Mondays and Thursdays in the Capitol, we are inviting citizens, advocates and the press to join us to learn about these bills and to provide feedback that will be taped and broadcast. We cannot afford politics as usual. Georgia can't wait to move forward."
Future public hearings will be held on Thursdays from 8:30 am until 10 am and from 9 am until 11 am on Mondays in room 230 in the Capitol. Public hearing dates are January 26, January 30, February 2, February 6, February 9 and February 15. All are invited to attend.
Tuition And Fee Increases Are Resulting in More College Dropouts
The hearings got under way amid news that Georgia's revenue collections in December 2011 totaled $1.54 billion, a decline of 1.2 percent from the same month a year ago. It was the first month for reduced revenues recorded in a year and a half. Much of the decline came in the categories of corporate income taxes, which were down by $26 million or 17.3 percent. For the first six months of fiscal year 2012, state revenues are up by 5.2 percent over the same period last year.
