Republican Party Ninth District David Ralston

The 2008 session of the Georgia General Assembly convened this week and began tackling a number of challenging issues.

Over the course of a 40-day session, state lawmakers will take up property tax reform, a proposed statewide water plan, urgent transportation needs, problems in the state's public defender system and a host of other issues.

I will be serving again this session as Chairman of the House Judiciary (Non-Civil) Committee. This is the fourth year I have been honored to serve in this position. I also serve on the Appropriations, Transportation and Rules Committees in the House of Representatives.

The first order of business for our committee this week has been to reinstate residency restrictions into Georgia's sexual offender law. In 2005, Georgia passed one of the nation's toughest laws to increase the penalties on persons convicted of sexual crimes against children and to restrict their ability to be near schools, playgrounds, daycare facilities and other locations at which children congregate. Two months ago, the Georgia Supreme Court ruled that there was a problem with the law and struck down the residency restrictions. I have already filed a bill to reinstate the restrictions while addressing the concerns of the court. It is important that we move on this quickly so that Georgia does not become a "safe haven" for convicted sexual predators.

The committee will also address problems in our public defender system. Georgians have rightfully become outraged over the exorbitant amount of public funds being spent on the Brian Nichols case in Fulton County - almost $2 million and no trial in sight! Asystem that was designed to serve all indigent defendants in the state is on the brink of bankruptcy because of one case.

I have co-chaired a joint Senate-House Study Committee on the future of this system. This panel's recommendations will lead to more accountability and common sense.

The most controversial issue confronting the state legislature will almost certainly be the reform of property taxes in Georgia. Speaker of the House Glenn Richardson has authored a proposal aimed at getting rid of property taxes for school finance. The money difference, under this proposal, would be made up by expanding the state sales tax to include a list of services currently not taxed. Many questions remain to be answered and the proposal may be further changed before it is voted on.

The Republican majorities in both the State House and Senate are committed to cutting state government spending and to ease the tax burden on Georgians.

Early this session, we will be voting on a proposed statewide water plan. This is another issue that has been talked about for more than 30 years. There is no doubt that conservation and proper planning are essential on this issue, as the recent drought has demonstrated. However, I want to be sure that local communities do no lose out to state control in terms of water allocation. In addition, I think any such plan must consider our disputes with Alabama and Florida or it will be futile.

I am hopeful that we will be able to put aside differences this session, show some leadership and work together on these and other issues. For many of these issues, the time to act can't wait any longer.

David Ralston, Blue Ridge, serves District 7 in the Georgia House of Representatives. He earned his Bachelor's Degree from North Georgia College and State University and his Law Degree from the University of Georgia School of Law.