Chatham Dems

The 2008 session of the Georgia General Assembly came to an end at midnight April 4th. As on most last nights of the General Assembly the House and Senate passed a flurry of laws.

Both chambers passed the final version of the 2008 state budget. In it teachers and State employees were given a 2.5 percent raise in pay and $1 billion was appropriated for the construction of new education projects for K-12 and state colleges.

In an attempt to address the uninsured problem facing our state, House Bill 977 was passed, which will incentivize insurance companies to offer high deductible health savings accounts by giving them a break on the premium tax they pay on those policies.

Also passed on day 40, Senate Bill 1, which bans parolees that have been convicted of a sex crime, from living and working within 1,000 feet of a church, school, day-care center or other place where children are likely to be.

Other measures that were approved: SB 130 to allow citizens to freeze their credit reports; the freeze would cost $3 per credit agency; SB 350 would allow law enforcement to impound a car driven by someone who has not been issued a drivers license; House Bill 336 would make it a felony for a fourth DUI conviction.

There were many quality pieces of legislation that did not make it through both chambers on day 40 and died. I had hoped to see a compromise reached on a tax cut, but it could not be done in time to meet the midnight deadline for adjourning. We will also have to wait another year for comprehensive transportation reform, the final compromis e failed to get the needed votes for passage. Quality legislation does not always pass on its first try.

The 2008 session was very productive, with many needed reforms put forth and passed. It was an honor to represent the people of 162nd district. If you have any questions regarding the session, please call me at 404-656-0287.

(Representative Craig Gordon, (D-Savannah) represents Chatham County. He serves on the Economic Development and Tourism, Retirement, and State Planning and Community Affairs committees.).

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