The 2008 Legislative begins today

The General Assembly begins their work today in Atlanta with the first day of the 2008 legislative session. We will begin to blog from the Capitol so that you stay informed throughout the next few months. As always, we hope to focus on relevant information to disability issues. Often we will ask you to get involved with an email or a phone call to your legislators and others that are in a position to make a difference. Without your help, we will not be able to make our voice heard over the many issues being dealt with throughout the session.

A round up of articles from across the state that will help you get a flavor of some of the issues being address this year. The Atlanta Journal and Constitution does a good job with its Legislature 2008 Home page.

2008 GEORGIA LEGISLATIVE GUIDE: Can one citizen make a difference?
By Sonji Jacobs
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution

When Heidi Moore of Alpharetta first began talking to lawmakers in 2003 about ways in which the state could help middle-income families with special needs children, she had a network of about 150 other concerned parents. Now, Moore's advocacy network is comprised of more than 2,500 people.

Though her work in the legislature began after her son, Jacob, was born with Down syndrome, she says her commitment and passion extend beyond him.

2008 LEGISLATIVE PREVIEW: Power players at the Capitol
By James Salzer, The Atlanta Journal-Constitution

Gov. Sonny Perdue: Though a lame duck (in his second term), he still sets the agenda and the spending priorities. He's a careful decision-maker who files his budget proposals and bills but generally does not get heavily involved in the legislative process until the end of the session. Last year he was criticized for being particularly absent, so expect him to be more involved in 2008. He's not afraid to use the power of the governor's office. Even though he can't run for re-election, he has been raising a lot of campaign money, leading some to speculate he'll try to play a major role in the 2008 and 2010 legislative elections.

Water, taxes top 2008 agenda
DAVE WILLIAMS dave.williams@.at.albanyherald.com

ATLANTA — Conventional wisdom holds that it’s political suicide to raise taxes in an election year.
But during the General Assembly session that begins on today, Georgia lawmakers will be asked to find more money somewhere to meet a host of pressing needs that have converged at the same time.

Like it or not, they face a record-setting drought, ever-worsening traffic congestion in metro Atlanta and a financially struggling Grady Memorial Hospital looking to the state to help bail out Georgia’s largest public hospital.

Perdue's agenda sounds familiar
By Shannon McCaffrey, Associated Press, Story updated at 11:10 PM on Sunday, January 13, 2008

If Gov. Sonny Perdue's agenda for the new year sounds familiar it should.

He'll be pushing some of the same initiatives in 2008 that he tried - and failed - to get through in 2007.

Key among them is a tax break for wealthier retirees, which the governor had made the centerpiece of his successful 2006 re-election bid. His proposal to boost fines on so-called super speeders will be brought back to life as part of a compromise plan to bail out the state's network of trauma centers.

The details of Perdue's wish list will be revealed this week as the Georgia General Assembly returns for its 2008 session. The governor will take the wraps off his state budget proposal Wednesday, the same day he'll offer his annual State of the State address before a joint session of the House and Senate.

Check back here often and visit the links on the right banner of this blog to help keep you informed.