Day 20 - 2/14/2007

2007 Session At Half Way Point

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Today marked the official half-way point of the legislative session, and the members of both Chambers had full schedules.  The House passed HB151 which establishes a form for a health care power of attorney that proponents said was written in clear language and would remove some of the confusion that individuals face when executing a health care power of attorney under current law.

The Senate debated SR 20, the so-called TABOR bill, which would place a constitutional amendment for a proposed tax cap before voters.  Proponents argued that the resolution would present an opportunity for “the people that pay the bills to allow their voices to be heard on this issue.”  They argued bill, by requiring that monies be placed in a shortfall revenue reserve, would save money for the true functions of government.  Opponents argued that the resolution could jeopardize Georgia’s AAA bond rating and take necessary funds away from education and healthcare.  The resolution required a 2/3 affirmative vote for passage.  Senators voted 34/21, so the bill failed to get the votes required for passage.  The resolution will be reconsidered on next Tuesday.