What Should The State Legislature Do In 2013?
The Georgia General Assembly will convene on Jan. 14, 2013, and Patch wants to know what you think lawmakers should discuss.
Lawmakers, lobbyists, activist groups, the media and concerned citizens are all set to converge on the state capitol on Jan. 14, when the Georgia General Assembly returns to downtown Atlanta.
Already, lawmakers have been meeting with their constituents at town halls and public forums throughout metro Atlanta, talking about the issues that may come before the state House and Senate.
Some issues have already started to surface. Some DeKalb lawmakers are advocating the formation of yet another city, this one carved out of the North Druid Hills and Briarcliff communities. There's also been talk of creating a new county composed just of Buckhead, with some lawmakers stressing the need to work within our current governments and not forming new ones.
The Atlanta Falcons are seeking approval for a new stadium, and the issue of completely overhauling MARTA or adding more government oversight may come up as well.
State Rep. Sheila Jones, who represents part of Cascade, has prefiled a bill requiring all public and private schools to install carbon monoxide detectors. This comes after 43 southwest Atlanta elementary students were hospitalized from carbon monoxide poisoning last month.
The topic of stricter gun control legislation could also be at the forefront of any legislative discussions. Four bills have been prefiled in the state House that would loosen restrictions on carrying firearms on school property, state parks and other public places.
DeKalb County's delegation to the Georgia House of Representatives has already held several hall meetings, and has scheduled two more before the session convenes.
Patch wants to know: what do you think will be the most important issue facing this year's General Assembly? What would you like to see your lawmakers address or take action on? Take our Patch poll and share your thoughts in the Comments section below.
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DeKalb Delegation Holds Town Hall Meeting
Local Legislators Announce Second Cityhood Meeting
Sen. Hill: More Cooperation With Governments In Place Is Needed
Rep. Jacobs Responds To Accusations As MARTA Oversight Chairman
APS Says Human Error Caused Carbon Monoxide Leak At Finch Elementary
L.Leach
8:33 am on Thursday, January 3, 2013
abolish the state income tax like our neighboring states Florida and Tennessee
jimmie
9:06 am on Thursday, January 3, 2013
Give more local control of schools to cities versus counties..namely Dunwoody, Sandy Springs and Brookhaven.
Shawn Keefe
9:43 am on Thursday, January 3, 2013
Education Reform in Georgia should be priority number 1. Bring control of schools in bigger counties (hint, DEKALB, et al) closer to the students, parents, taxpayers & shareholders who depend on them as the backbone of our communities. There is NO logical reason why a school system with 100,000+ students should be governed by a 9 person Board with grossly differing motivations and agendas. I understand that this would take an Amendment to our State Constitution, but we have fought this fight for the right to create our own Cities and now is the time to fight the bigger and better fight to take more local control of our schools and education system. Our children are our greatest assets and are the future of our State and Country. They deserve the best opportunities and the best education we can provide. It is time to act and improve the state of education in Georgia.
Pat Cordle
9:22 am on Thursday, January 3, 2013
Allow a controlled high class gambling casino to keep this revenue in the state of Georgia rather than sending the money to Cherokee and Biloxi, etc. Then there would be more money for HOPE and taxes could be reduced.
Urbanist
10:32 am on Friday, January 4, 2013
"high class gambling casino"....in Georgia....attracting those that would otherwise go to Cherokee or Biloxi....am I the only one that sees the irony in this?
Bruce J. Rose
9:26 am on Thursday, January 3, 2013
Amend the Georgia Smokefree Air Act of 2005 to prohibit smoking in all establishments that serve food, including bars that serve food.
Road Scholar
10:50 am on Thursday, January 3, 2013
Let's start with no gifts ethics legislation, adjust the gas tax to inflation (since they don't have the balls to do anything else), water, and MARTA .
jMichael
11:49 am on Thursday, January 3, 2013
Decriminalize pot, then tax it as per tobacco.
Legalize gambling casinos.
Ban all gifts to legislators, Executive, and Judicial.
Take Jesus off the public agenda... Substitute simple human decency.
...or, alternatively, represent Him as He would wish to be represented rather than as the nest of silly preachermen, papists, and old scroll worshippers make pretense to representing Him.
Hold parents accountable for crimes of their children.
Cut the crap, and the toys, out of school curricula. Read; write; compute by hand; history, history, and more history. Dress codes for all public schools. Expectations of courtesy and respect for teachers, and severe consequences for violations.
These.. Just the start.
Hank Quinn
12:11 pm on Thursday, January 3, 2013
They always start the session discussing more fun places to carry guns. If they introduce legislation to improve our schools and transportation I will be pleasantly surprised.
A Decatur Mom
12:19 pm on Thursday, January 3, 2013
Support our public schools. Truly support them. "Next in importance to freedom and justice is popular education, without which neither freedom nor justice can be permanently maintained."
(James A. Garfield (1831 - 1881), July 12, 1880). Support public schools with respect; support them with adequate funding to at least the national level, if not higher. Children spend more of their weekday awake hours in school than anywhere else. Fight our grownup political battles at the policy level, not at the level of books, pencils, teachers in children's classrooms.
jMichael
12:35 pm on Thursday, January 3, 2013
Yes!
Yes, yes, and yes again.
Eddie E.
1:52 pm on Thursday, January 3, 2013
That costs money (read taxes) which is considered inappropriate in Georgia.
jimmie
12:38 pm on Thursday, January 3, 2013
Post the Ten Commandments in all public places, including schools. Just follow them and most all the garbage will take care of itself!
jMichael
12:44 pm on Thursday, January 3, 2013
Sure thing, jimmie.
If you say so.
jimmie
2:17 pm on Thursday, January 3, 2013
Try it. You might like it
aposter
2:50 pm on Thursday, January 3, 2013
Shouldn't you be spending 2013 preparing for Armageddon or something?
jimmie
3:09 pm on Thursday, January 3, 2013
Preaching the truth is prepping for Armageddon. I'm ready!
Urbanist
10:35 am on Friday, January 4, 2013
So between the lady who proposed "high class gambling casinos" that would rival Biloxi and Cherokee, and your 10 commandment suggestion, it appears as if redneck monkeys have learned to use the internet.
"Jus get dem thur gud God preachin' rules, and we ain't be havin' no more problums den"
Eddie E.
1:51 pm on Thursday, January 3, 2013
Enact comprehensive water conservation legislation including maximum efficiency for all indoor fixtures and requirements for drought tolerant vegetation on all landscaping. Fund repair of infrastructure leaks and deterioration. Raise the 'full pool' level of Lake Lanier to 1073' to prevent the rush to build expensive and unnecessary additional reservoirs. Enhance enforcement structure for stream buffer encroachment and storm water contamination.
Unless somebody has an idea on how to get by without adequate water resources.
Laura
3:04 pm on Thursday, January 3, 2013
Ethics reform! Restore the Ethics Commission's name and funding, then end unlimited gifts from lobbyists to lawmakers.
"E Pluribus Unum"
10:39 pm on Thursday, January 3, 2013
jimmie, which version of the 10 Commandments? You realize there are multiple versions don't you. If you really believe this horse dookie than go with the Jewish Ten Commandments...been around much longer than the others. While we're at it, which version of the Bible? There's about 900 to pick from fella.
jimmie
10:48 pm on Thursday, January 3, 2013
the version given to Moses. The version that used to be in more court houses.. dont say you weren't warned. As to the Bible KJV is fine ...fella
"E Pluribus Unum"
9:13 am on Friday, January 4, 2013
jimmie, hopefully you get Raptured sooner than later...you need some relief.
jimmie
9:16 am on Friday, January 4, 2013
Thanks for your kind comments Unum stupidus, but I'd rather stay right here and fight till that last minute for what is right.
jMichael
9:49 am on Friday, January 4, 2013
Sadly, jimmie, your notions of "what is right" are but childish obeisance to ancient scrolls and FOX-fed DittoFeed. They reflect neither the maturity of a thoughtful Seeker, nor the wise counsel of History.
Maturity, even for a man of your considerable age, is not an impossible goal. But for so long as you substitute smug complacency for intellectual and emotional growth you shall mire yourself in false idols.
Please consider this a missive born of Christian Compassion.
Your friend, JamesMichael
jimmie
10:21 am on Friday, January 4, 2013
JamesMichaelRubbish...you are what is described as an overeducated liberal fool. As usual, anyone who disagrees with toilet paper degrees is ridiculed rather than allowed to voice their freedom of speech. God bless ya fella
"E Pluribus Unum"
9:32 am on Friday, January 4, 2013
jimmie...the notion of Ratpture is a myth. Sorry to burst your bubble. Oh, you said the version given the Moses. Was it the first set or second version? If the second (Jewish translation) the Commandments trying to get placed in public facilities are a different Christian translation. By saying you want the Jewish translations is a good thing IMHO. More authentic. So I take it you don't believe in the separation of church and state?
jimmie
10:18 am on Friday, January 4, 2013
So sad...Unum...and in hell, he lifted up his eyes...I've done my best..let your frauds deceive you. Cheers fella
"E Pluribus Unum"
11:27 am on Friday, January 4, 2013
jimmie, stay with your local education concepts. You've gotten side tracked with your clueless brand of hateful theology. BTW, I don't believe your Republican Party platform would fit the WWJD standard. I suggest you stay out of the judgement business.
"E Pluribus Unum"
11:33 am on Friday, January 4, 2013
JamesMichael, nicely stated. By the way, jimmie's "overeducated" reply was a very nice compliment. He just doesn't realize it was one IMHO. Happy New Year JM.
jMichael
11:53 am on Friday, January 4, 2013
Thanks, E.
David Brooks occasionally hits the mark. He did so in today's NYTimes:
"Suffering Fools Gladly"
http://www.nytimes.com/2013/01/04/opinion/brooks-suffering-fools-gladly.html?_r=0
To suffer fools gladly is not one of my stronger traits; but having read Brooks' piece prior to reading "jimmie's" dismal ravings, I tried to respond with Brooks' gentle admonishments in mind. Apparently, on "jimmie", such gestures of kind charity towards the intellectually and emotionally disadvantaged go unrecognized.
Perhaps Pastor BillyBob JoMamma can clear this up for him.
LOL
jimmie
1:13 pm on Friday, January 4, 2013
Education with no use = liberalism...and just think, I was valedictorian at a liberal college...but one who majored in life values, not in lunaticism. And as long as I have fingers to write, I will defend whats left against the absolute evil you bring to the table. Cheers fella.
jimmie
12:21 pm on Friday, January 4, 2013
A fools gathering place for other fools. Othewisr known as the new York satanic liberal times.
Jimmie is a fool
7:35 pm on Friday, January 4, 2013
He's back and dumber than ever..
Rob
2:57 pm on Friday, January 4, 2013
valedictorian??
The @dunwoodyduma**?
ROF-LOL
jimmie
3:41 pm on Friday, January 4, 2013
They rejected me long before they rejected you....roll back over and hug Tony, Rob..what a cute couple
jMichael
4:21 pm on Friday, January 4, 2013
To denigrate another's loving relationship is rather smarmy, jimmie.
You should be ashamed of yourself.
jimmie
8:11 pm on Friday, January 4, 2013
Love is praying for those who have lost their way by satans influence..which is why libs are mentioned every night. And, by the way, fella, you mock religion, I'll mock every perverted relationship these lunatics perceive as appropraite
Eddie E.
4:01 pm on Friday, January 4, 2013
jimmie,
If your view should accidentally hold sway, I fear our esteemed legislature will have the same lack of accomplishment they have demonstrated for the last DECADE.
"E Pluribus Unum"
5:39 pm on Friday, January 4, 2013
jimmie...practicing good old fashion Christian love are you? My, my, my. It appears you've lost your way behaviorally.
"E Pluribus Unum"
5:41 pm on Friday, January 4, 2013
JamesMichael, I also believe love transcends race, religion, sexual orientation, socio- economic barriers.
"E Pluribus Unum"
5:43 pm on Friday, January 4, 2013
Eddie E., you are again being logical.
jimmie
8:12 pm on Friday, January 4, 2013
Hey Unum...hope you enjoy your wedding to your mother..or any other perverted fantasy that unfortunately you are decieved enough to think is healthy to society
Bob Peppel
2:05 pm on Monday, January 7, 2013
Tax reform as recommended by special panel, fund the ethics office, eliminate gifts from lobbyists except $10 for lunch and $25 for dinner, mass transit
Joseph E Holliday
4:21 pm on Friday, January 18, 2013
The best thing they could do for the state is stay home and do nothing, Everything they do is for their benefit and not ours anyway, so we could probably save a lot of money if they were at home with their hands in their own pockets.
They of course have no concept of ethics and right and wrong. It is not : Is it legal? ,does everyone do it? or Will I likely get caught?
Crash
9:11 am on Tuesday, January 29, 2013
Y'all need to leave Jimmy alone.
jimmie
5:54 pm on Tuesday, January 29, 2013
Lunatic liberals have to bully online Crash...until their momma unlocks their bedroom door and tells them to drop their c---s and get a job!
jimmie
5:54 pm on Tuesday, January 29, 2013
Unless of course they have two mommies...