Under the Gold Dome: Georgia Capitol Notes for Days 1-5

HEADLINES

Gov. Sonny Perdue proposed a $21.4 billion budget plan that would trim taxes for Georgians who own cars or property, place more state troopers on the highways and devote money to bolstering the drought-stricken state's water supply. The proposed budget also includes money for a 2.5 percent pay raise for Georgia's teachers and state employees, $30 million for land conservation, and $53 million for the state's struggling trauma care network. The spending plan was outlined in Perdue's annual State of the State address to a joint session of the Georgia Legislature, in which he painted an optimistic portrait of a state brimming with possibility. He made no mention, however, of the economic downturn that has caused the state's revenues to sag and prompted talk of a possible recession.

ODDS ENDS

State Sen. David Shafer, R-Duluth, introduced legislation creating an oversight committee for beleaguered Grady Memorial Hospital Grady. Shafer also filed a bill that would impose conflict-of-interest requirements on directors of public hospitals. Meanwhile, state Sen. Vincent Fort, D-Atlanta, led a march on the state Capitol protesting changes at Grady, a public hospital that serves many indigent and uninsured patients.

Republican state Rep. Ron Forster threatened to bring impeachment charges against Lt. Gov. Casey Cagle if the Senate refuses to consider a dozen veto overrides the House passed on the first day of the legislative session. Cagle, meanwhile, said he had no problem putting the brakes on the House effort, adding: ``The veto override is not my highest priority of the session.''

Proposals to impose strict residency requirements on sex offenders and charge people who host dog fights or train their canines for dogfighting moved forward in House committees. So did a measure that would allow Georgia residents to freeze their credit information to thwart identity thieves.

The Senate adopted a watered-down version of a proposal that would expand the rights of Georgians to carry concealed weapons by allowing those with concealed weapons permits to carry their weapon in a state park or historic site. But a contentious provision sought by the National Rifle Association that would have allowed employees to leave a firearm in their locked car at work was watered down following a furious lobbying campaign.

QUOTE OF THE WEEK

``This may be a camel. But if it gets us where we want to go, it doesn't matter if it's ugly.'' Senate President Pro Tem Eric Johnson on Georgia's statewide water plan

DAYS IN SESSION

35 days remain in the 40-day session.

LOOK AHEAD

The Legislature begins hearings on the proposed state budget. Gov. Sonny Perdue will address the joint House and Senate Appropriations committees on Monday.

Republican presidential candidate Mike Huckabee attends a Georgia Right to Life rally at the state Capitol on Tuesday.

The Senate Rules Committee may begin to consider veto overrides approved in the House.