Gold Dome Update: March 18 - 22

In the week before Sine Die, the Senate voted on a series of measures to enhance Georgia’s pro-business environment and ensure fiscal responsibility in our state.

On Friday, the FY2014 General Budget passed the Senate by a vote of 51 to 0. Georgia’s budget is just the same as our household budgets, with one very large difference. Most household budgets are funded by one or two individuals, but Georgia’s budget is funded by millions of taxpayers across the state. The people of Georgia expect the General Assembly to pass a budget that is pennywise without compromising the programs and services provided by the state.

The FY2014 General Budget allocates $19.8 billion to fund state infrastructure and operations. Every line item was carefully reviewed to ensure the state is appropriately allocating funds where they are needed the most, and as a result, the Senate made a few substitutions to the original House bill. HB 106 will now be appointed to a joint conference committee, where members of both chambers will discuss and amend the differences.

Also this week, the Senate passed a landmark juvenile justice reform bill that calls for substantial changes in the state’s juvenile court proceedings. Based on recommendations and years of work by the Governor’s Special Council on Justice Reform, the legislation calls for well-defined articles outlining a juvenile’s right to procedural due process, family preservation and proper representation based on the specific reason for juvenile court intervention. This legislation is a positive first step toward strengthening Georgia’s juvenile justice system after our efforts last year to overhaul the criminal justice system.

One of the most hotly debated topics on the Senate floor this week revolved around the passage of several bills that would create a more responsive government in North Fulton County. The first bill, House Bill 171, will add a county commissioner seat to the northern portion of Fulton County and eliminate one of two at-large seats. These districts represent hope for a more efficient and equitable county government. During the great depression when Campbell and Milton County were merged into Fulton County, it created a government that was just too large to serve the people. Unfortunately, this was an experiment that never worked the way it was originally intended and has been poorly managed since its inception.

House Bill 347 also passed the Senate to allow state legislators to select the county elections board chair instead of the county commission. Fulton County is the state’s largest in population and with unnaturally long boundaries, it requires a better selection process for something as important as selecting the elections board chair. The bottom line is simple; this will assist the county in re-focusing its energies to put government back on the side of the citizens it serves.

Another bill to receive favorable consideration was House Bill 442. This legislation will give control of the Superior and State Court budgets to the court administrators. Court Administrators better understand the needs of the courts, and that by undertaking this responsibility, it provides more time for judges to adjudicate rather than manage budgets.

Last but not least, House Bill 443 will bring Fulton County in line with the rest of Georgia since all other counties that have magistrate courts are appointed.  Under this legislation, the successor to the Chief Judge will be appointed by the Governor.

On Friday, the Senate passed a landmark ethics proposal that will change the culture of the State Capitol and build on the tremendous progress made under the ethics reform resolution passed on the first day of the 2013 legislative session. The committee substitute to House Bill 142 eliminates loopholes and ensures every elected official is under the strictest ethical standards ever to be enacted in Georgia.

Ethics reform has been a top priority for the Senate since Day 1 of the legislative session, and I am proud of the Senate’s efforts to offer a clearly defined plan that eliminates ambiguity.

Any time I cast a vote in the Senate Chamber, I keep District 56’s best interests at heart. I am always available to speak with constituents about legislation, whether it’s by phone, email or in person. It is an honor for me to serve you at the Gold Dome, and I encourage you to contact me with your questions or concerns.

For more information regarding a specific piece of legislation, you may access the Georgia General Assembly website at http://www.legis.ga.gov/.  

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 Sen. John Albers represents the 56^th Senate District, which includes portions of North Fulton and Cherokee Counties. He may be reached at his office at 404.463.8055 or by email at john.albers@senate.ga.gov