2016 Georgia General Assembly Archives

Ga. bill allows student athletes to express personal religious beliefs during sporting events

May 24, 2016 Express Telegraph

Georgia Gov. Nathan Deal earlier this month signed into law a measure that allows student athletes to express their personal religious beliefs during sporting events.

State lawmakers agree to MARTA expansion bill

March 25, 2016 Express Telegraph

On the final day of the 2016 Georgia General Assembly, state lawmakers approved a bill that allows the city of Atlanta to propose a ballot referendum for a special purpose sales tax to fund MARTA projects or expansion.

Georgia House passes Pastor Protection Act

February 12, 2016 Express Telegraph

The state House of Representatives has passed the Pastor Protection Act, a measure that assures clergy that they will not be required to perform any marriage, such as gay marriage, which violates their faith, proponents say.

Waites: Campus Carry is Expensive and Dangerous

February 12, 2016 Keisha Waites

As a member of the Public Safety and Homeland Security Committee, I found it difficult to watch supporters of House Bill 859 speak with such insensitivity and disrespect before the Bishop family, who are the parents of one of the victims from the 2007 Virginia Tech shooting.

Cantrell: Roll the Dice or off to the Races? Don’t Bet on Either to Restore HOPE or Benefit Georgia

February 4, 2016 Wes Cantrell

House Bill 677, a 127 page bill to legalize casino gambling in Georgia was introduced at the end of the 2015 legislative session. A similar bill, SB 264, to legalize pari-mutuel betting on horse racing, passed out of a Senate committee last week. What makes them similar? Both would lead to casino gambling and both are bad for our state. Georgians should oppose these bills for many reasons.

Commentary

How Should We Use Casino Gaming Funds?

February 3, 2016 Special to Express Telegraph

If you were given control of one billion dollars per year in state funding, how would you spend it? Casino revenues are projected to net one billion dollars per year, and legislation for casino gaming is currently before your General Assembly. However, the debate as to where the funds should go is still on-going.

Benton backs away from legislation following remarks

February 2, 2016 Express Telegraph

A state lawmaker has withdrawn his sponsorship of a trio of bills aimed at honoring Confederate heritage following controversial remarks about the KKK.

Buckner: Georgia Needs a New EPD Buffer Provision

February 2, 2016 Special to Express Telegraph

A law is only as good as it is understood and enforced. These laws, like the buffer provision in the Erosion and Sedimentation Act, are poorly written, not uniformly enforced, and are costly and frustrating for the taxpayer and property owners of Georgia.

Georgia legislator files religious freedom legislation

January 27, 2016 Express Telegraph

State Representative Ed Setzler, R-Acworth, has filed a bill he says mirrors federal legislation under the Religious Freedom Restoration Act.

Georgia lawmaker sponsors First Amendment Defense Act of Georgia

January 21, 2016 Express Telegraph

A state senator from South Georgia is sponsoring a bill designed to protect Georgians from discrimination for believing in the traditional definition of marriage.