State Legislative Session Begins

Published Jan. 11, 2010 at 9:56 a.m.

(WSB Radio)  State lawmakers return to the State Capitol today.  Among the big issues they'll be dealing with this session include a $1.3 billion budget deficit, ethics reform in light of the Glen Richardson scandal, transportation funding after a two-year stalemate, and water fears growing out of the court ruling involving Lake Lanier.

State House members are expected to elect only their second Republican House Speaker since Reconstruction.  Rep. David Ralston (R-Blue Ridge) was elected to the position last month by the Republican caucus.

"The people of Georgia have a right to know that business as usual is not going to be tolerated here anymore.  We're going to make the changes necessary so that they know that lobbyists and special interests are not running this place...that we're serving the people's interest," he tells WSB's Sandra Parrish.

Rep. Jan Jones (R-Alpharetta) is expected to become the state's first female Speaker Pro Tem.  Both she and Ralson must first be confirmed by the entire House, among the first orders of business today.

Other issues lawmakers will tackle this session include a couple of gun bills dealing with where those who have concealed weapons permits are allowed to carry them. 

Senate Majority Leader Chip Rogers (R-Woodstock) is also pushing for more property tax reform.

"One of the things that we're looking at is requiring that every property owner receive a notice of assessment every year which preserves their right to appeal," he tells Parrish.

Rogers says job creation in Georgia will also be another of the Senate's priorities.

"One of the big problems we've been facing...is the number of entrepreneurial businesses that are created at a very young stage and then move elsewhere as they grow," he says.

 

 

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