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2010 Education Panel Discussion
How Education / Business Partnerships Improve Georgia Schools
March 19, 2010 - 7:30 AM to 9:45 AM
Sponsored By:
Georgia Pacific
GE Energy
North Highland
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Opening Day
Legislators settle into the session with minor rule changes and a looming deficit
by Walter Jones, Morris News Service
January 13, 2009
Legislators haven't passed any of the bills in recent years that would make it illegal to use cell
phones while driving, but Monday members of the House enacted a rule that prohibits each other from
using them while making laws.
That and other minor rule changes and a few new faces were among the developments when the
General Assembly opened for a session that will be marked by a deficit that could approach $2.5
billion and Gov. Sonny Perdue's stimulus plan nearly half that size.
In his first speech to senators, Lt. Gov. Casey Cagle made clear his approach to the deficit.
"Make no mistake, I will come down on the side of downsizing state government," he said.
While he opposes tax increases in general, Cagle wants to pass in this first week a plan to
give voters the option to raise sales taxes in their region for transportation funding.
Sen. Bill Jackson, R-Appling, is for it passing it quickly.
"I hope we will," he said. "That's the way we've got to go. That will take some pressure off
of counties (needing better transportation)."
Among the new faces in the Senate are Sen. Lester Jackson, D-Savannah, who was sworn in to
replace Sen. Regina Thomas, D-Savannah, after she retired to run unsuccessfully for Congress.
Jackson's wife, children, siblings and many friends drove from across the state to see his
induction.
He'll sit beside Sen. Eric Johnson, R-Savannah, just as Thomas had, but Johnson no longer has
the seat on the end of the row where he can quickly sprint up to Cagle's side. Johnson gave up that
prized seat when he decided to step down as president pro tem, the highest ranking senator.
Taking the new post is Sen. Tommie Williams, R-Lyons, who shares an apartment with Johnson
during legislative sessions. Williams told his colleagues that he'll make some drastic and radical
policy decisions.
"We need to find out who's doing it right, whatever it is, and copy it, whether it's in
education, transportation, trauma, taxes, jobs or solving our budget crisis," he said, warning his
colleagues not to wait for a period when elections aren't a distraction or all special-interest
groups are in agreement.
In the House, Speaker Glenn Richardson was elected unanimously when Democrats didn't nominate
anyone against him. But the harmony didn't last long when Democrats objected to the rules written
by the majority Republicans.
There were a few questions about how the cell-phone prohibition would be enforced, but the
major objections concerned a provision enacted two years ago that allows Republicans to send GOP
loyalists called "Hawks" to vote in any committee.
House Republican Leader Jerry Keen responded, "The reason the party I'm in is the majority
party is because the people didn't think you (Democrats) were playing with a full deck."
Richardson said Hawks were mainly used to ensure committee had a quorum, or minimum number of
members present to conduct business. Rep. Al Williams, D-Midway, who chairs the Black Legislative
Caucus, offered to help.
"I'd like to volunteer to be a Hawk to help you make those quorums," he quipped as Richardson
laughed.
The first day ended with members of the House singing "Happy Birthday" to Richardson.
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