SENATE REPORT
Senate passes groundbreaking legislation on final day
By STATE SEN. CHIP PEARSON

Chip Pearson

The General Assembly adjourned Sine Die last week, as the gavel came down to close the 2007 session. In previous columns, I have expressed to my constituents the goals of the Republican-led Senate. We have continuously stated that we are here to improve education in Georgia, promote smaller government at every level and ensure the well-being of our families. When you consider the passage of several key pieces of legislation this year, I think it is clear that we have achieved many of these goals.

Throughout the 2007 session, we looked at each piece of legislation that was introduced in both the Senate and House, and if we thought the legislation will make Georgia a better place to live, work and raise a family, it continued through the process - if not, we de-prioritized the measure. We focused on those kitchen table issues that the people across Georgia focus on everyday - education, healthcare, protecting Georgians from predators and money. In this week's column, I'd like to quickly review some of the major bills that passed during the '07 session. In some of my upcoming columns, we will examine the new policies much closer, and gauge how they will affect the lives of Georgia citizens, as Governor Perdue prepares to sign these bills into law.

Education

Charter System Act - An innovative approach to education, allowing entire school systems to become Charter Systems, removing them from various state mandates. (Senate Bill 39)

Special Needs Scholarship Program - Allows students with Individualized Education Plans (IEPs) to obtain vouchers for public or private schools. (SB 10)

HOPE Chest Constitutional Amendment - Mandates that Georgia Lottery money is only spent on the HOPE Scholarship and Pre-kindergarten programs. (Senate Resolution 125; on the ballot in November 2008)

Middle School Graduation Coaches to keep students in school - Funds counselors in Middle Schools to keep students on track for graduation. (2008 budget)

Career Academies Act of 2007 - Designed to increase graduation rates and potential job and educational opportunities for students. (SB 68)

Grade Integrity Act - Provides that classroom teachers will not be required, coerced, intimidated or disciplined in any manner by the local board of education, superintendent or any local school administrator to change the grade of a student. (SB 9)

Healthcare

PeachCare for Kids - Funded PeachCare at $81 million and shifted additional Medicaid dollars to preserve healthcare access for the neediest children in Georgia. (2008 budget)

Saving the Cure Act - Promotes ethical adult stem cell research without harming embryos. (SB 148)

Establish a Trauma Care Commission - The Commission will develop a plan to ensure that every Georgian has access to trauma care as needed. Adequate trauma centers could save more than 150 lives per year in Georgia. (SB 60)

Protecting Georgians

False Identification Documents - Makes it a felony to manufacture and distribute false identification cards and other documents. (SB 100)

Defeated legislation to allow convicted sex offenders back on the street - A bill that could have reduced the sentence of numerous sex offenders currently in prison was defeated. (SB 37)

Tougher penalties for driving without a license - SB 15 makes a third offense of driving without a license in Georgia a felony. This does not apply to those forget a wallet or purse.

License plate requirements - Requires license plate applicants to have a valid driver's license or other governmentissued identification card. (SB 38)

Economic Development

Supported Delta's efforts to remain a stand-alone carrier - Senate leaders signed and mailed a letter to U.S. Attorney General Alberto Gonzales, urging him to carefully review U.S. Airways' hostile attempt to take over Delta Air Lines. Days later, U.S. Air withdrew their takeover bid. (SR 49)

Bio-fuel tax credit - Allows for sales tax credit on production facilities of alternative energy sources. (HB 186)

Cable Choice Act - Provides competition within the cable industry for the first time in Georgia. (HB 227)

Ethanol-85 - Provided grants to encourage retailers to provide alternative ethanol fuel to consumers. (SB 157)

This year, we swore in the first Republican lieutenant governor ever, Lt. Gov. Casey Cagle. He has brought with him a desire for a more bipartisan atmosphere than we've seen in recent years. He has encouraged debate, and we've changed the tone of the state Senate. I am encouraged by what the Senate has done this year, and I believe we have passed meaningful legislation that meets the needs of all Georgians - not just a few, but everyone who has chosen to make our state their home.

Please feel free to contact Sen. Chip Pearson at his office in Atlanta at 404.656.9221 or by email atchip@team51.org.