Legislative Update Number 2007.09 -- March 16, 2007
Alert: HOUSE LEADERSHIP PROPOSES TO CUT BACK PEACHCARE IN HB 430.
HB 430, introduced by Speaker Glenn Richardson, cuts out those children in PeachCare who are above the 200% of the federal poverty level. Republicans in Congress are proposing to establish 200% of poverty as the national cap on eligibility forcing all the states to establish similar State Children’s Health Insurance Programs (SCHIP) instead of allowing each state to determine what is best for the children in that state. Georgia’s SCHIP or PeachCare has been proclaimed as one of the best in the nation for its low administrative costs, comprehensive services and ability to enroll a large number of eligible children. Please help me defeat this bill through your own advocacy networks.
Democrats’ proposal helps state fill PeachCare gap
By Rep. Pat Gardner
I was pleased this week to see the Governor and Republican Legislative Leaders join with the House Democratic Caucus by adopting the language of HB 236, introduced on January 31, which allows the state to do our part to solve the funding crisis experienced by the PeachCare for Kids program.
In addition, HB 620 and HB 635, which I have co-sponsored, would provide for shifting PeachCare children under 150 percent of poverty in Medicaid to appropriately use federal Medicaid funds as a bridge until federal State Child Health Insurance Program (SCHIP) funds again become available.
I appreciate the bipartisan effort of Congress to guide the solution at the federal level. Georgia’s partnership in PeachCare has been a successful program that has provided basic coverage for thousands of children of Georgia’s working families.
When the House of Representatives reconvenes on March 19, legislation will be introduced calling for the House to acknowledge, “with contrition,” the history of slavery and call for reconciliation on the part of all Georgians. The impetus of this resolution derived from the Georgia NAACP, which recently requested for Governor Perdue to issue an apology for the state’s role in slavery and Jim Crow segregation.
While the resolution might be symbolic in nature, it speaks to the willingness of Georgia legislators to confront the existence of evil in our state’s history. Some lawmakers have argued against the resolution, stating they should not have to apologize for the “sins” of their ancestors. But the resolution does not call for personal apologies, just the acknowledgement and regret of any role the state of Georgia played in slavery and segregation.
The House Judiciary (Non-Civil) Committee has favorably reported legislation that would change state law and give judges the authority to impose the death penalty even if a jury fails to reach a unanimous recommendation.
HB 185 would end a rule demanding unanimous juries for death sentence, instead allowing judges to sentence someone to death if a jury submits an 11-1 vote in favor of the death penalty. Supporters say the bill would prevent a lone juror from sabotaging a death sentence in capital murder cases.
As originally written, the legislation would have lowered the threshold to a 9-3 jury vote, but HB 185 was amended in committee to the 11-1 standard. The committee’s action moves the legislation a step closer to a vote by the full House of Representatives.
Upon closer examination of SB 39, its passage could threaten the fair dismissal process for teachers in Georgia. Although the legislation would permit only five moderate size school systems to participate in the experiment, its success could possibly lead to additional systems converting to the charter model, thus abandoning existing state mandates. Members of the House Democratic Caucus look forward to working with Lt. Governor Casey Cagle, the bill’s author, to formulate policies that are in the best interest of teachers, students, and all Georgians.
HB 283, which would require all Open Records requests to be submitted in written form, either in person, e-mail, or fax, was favorably reported, in a narrow 5-4 vote, by the House Civil Judiciary Committee. Proponents of the bill state it would protect government officials from prosecution from inadvertently failing to comply with the law. Opponents indicate it will deter average people from seeking public records and possibly lead to more lawsuits.
HB 590, which would reduce fines imposed on motorists caught crossing the red light by cameras, was narrowly defeated in the House Transportation Committee by a 12-11 vote. Supporters of the bill contend local governments are using red light cameras as an additional revenue stream. Opponents of the bill claim such cameras assist with reducing accidents a maintaining public safety.
Within the same committee, however, HB 77, would accomplish the same goal as HB 590 and provide the State a much needed benefit. HB 77 would allow local governments to continue fining motorists at $70, but the city or county would only keep 25 percent of the revenue. The remaining 75 percent would go to a proposed state fund to improve trauma care.
The House Ways & Means Committee has favorably reported HB 195, which would eliminate state income taxes on retirement earnings such as stocks, pensions and 401(k)s. Under the bill, seniors who continue to work would pay state income taxes on those earnings. A law passed in 2003 already will exempt the first $35,000 in retirement income per person when it is fully phased in next year. The new proposal, which now faces a vote on the House floor, would exempt retirement income above that level.
The Georgia Budget & Policy Institute reported on a study estimating that only seniors in the top 10 percent of income would benefit from HB 195. The study said 96 percent of the tax cut would go to seniors with annual incomes of $100,000 or more.
WHAT DO YOU THINK ABOUT THIS BILL?
- Rep. Pat Gardner (D-Atlanta) represents the 57th District (Atlanta and DeKalb County) in the Georgia House of Representatives. Contact her at 604 Coverdell Office Building, Atlanta, GA 30334; by phone at 404-656-0265 or by e-mail at pat@patgardner.org.
