Week 7 -- March 3 - 5, 2009
Most Georgians list transportation, education, and immigration as some of the biggest issues facing our great state. Last week the state House passed legislation addressing each of these important issues.
The Georgia 20/20 Statewide Transportation Act sponsored by Rep. Vance Smith offers a clear vision for the state’s transportation needs. This legislation allows Georgians to vote in November 2010 to approve a ten-year, one-percent statewide transportation sales tax that expires at the end of the year 2020. The 20/20 Act also puts accountability and transparency measures in place to ensure the money is used on an approved statewide transportation project. Georgia has faced an approximately $8 billion shortfall in transportation funding over the last 5 years. A new funding source is critical in moving Georgia forward in transportation and future economic development. This will generate sufficient funds to improve Georgia’s road, rail, bridge, and general aviation infrastructures. The legislation now goes to the Senate.
HB 280 -- From an educational standpoint, Georgia lacks science and math teachers at all grade levels. For example, our state colleges and universities produced only one physics teacher last year. This demonstrates the significant problem our state faces when trying to attract teachers in high-need areas. For this reason, Georgia has been forced to “import” teachers from other states. House Bill 280 seeks to fix this problem by increasing the salary of math and science teachers in Georgia.
HB 45 -- For the last several years, Georgia has passed some of the strictest immigration laws in the country. Despite this, a loophole in our elections laws allowed thousands of illegal immigrants to register to vote. As a result of this problem, we passed House Bill 45, which requires all people registering to vote to prove their citizenship. Birth certificates, driver’s licenses, passports, and U.S. naturalization documents are among the numerous types of proof that will be accepted.
Another bill of interest, HB 304, passed on March 5 with a vote of 144-0. The bill provides that a tax appraiser may not enter your property until he has given reasonable notice as to why he is entering your property.
Also, last week Governor Sonny Perdue reduced the revenue estimate for the upcoming fiscal year by $1.6 billion. This will mean additional cuts in state programs.
I continue to believe that Georgia’s future remains bright. I will continue to support legislation that cuts employer penalties and reduces taxes on small businesses. I believe these steps will create an environment for growth that can help those struggling with the economy.
Finally, last week the House and Senate amended our previously set schedule. This new schedule will result in the General Assembly concluding the 40th and final day of the legislative session for this year on April 3.
Rep. Amy A. Carter represents District 175 (Lowndes County) in the Georgia House of Representatives. Her contact information is amy.carter@house.ga.gov; PO Box 4930, Valdosta, GA 31604 or 18 Capitol Square, CLOB Suite 612, Atlanta, GA 30334; office (229) 245-2733 or (404) 656-0325; FAX (229) 245-8890 or (404) 657-4868.
Legislative News
March 16, 2009
Rep. Amy Carter's Weekly Legislative Report, March 2-6
- Legislative News
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- Rep. Jay Shaw's Final Legislative Report
- Rep. Jay Shaw weekly legislative report April 6-10
- Rep. Jay Shaw weekly legislative report March 30-April 3
- Rep. Ellis Black weekly legislative report March 30-April 3
- Rep. Amy Carter's Weekly Legislative Report, March 17-26
- Rep. Jay Shaw's Weekly Legislative Report, March 9-13
- Senator Tim Golden's Weekly Legislative Report, March 9-13
- Rep. Amy Carter's Weekly Legislative Report, March 9-13
- Rep. Amy Carter's Weekly Legislative Report, March 2-6
- Cells, taxes, teacher pay hikes make deadline
- More Legislative News Headlines
