Today at the Capitol: Immigration 2.0

In a strange turn of events the Senate Judiciary Committee voted on House Bill 87 today. Most committees post the bills they will discuss the day before, so the public will know what is being discussed. Ultimately it is up to the Chairman of each committee to set the agenda so they are permitted to bring up bills without notice. HB 87 was voted on today, unannounced to the public. The bill passed with a vote of 5 to 4. Political drama will most likely ensue. SB 40, the Senate's illegal immigration bill, was sent to House Rules Committee two days ago after being stripped of all of the Senate's language and replaced with HB 87. Some speculate that the State Senate moved on HB 87 today to get control over the debate. They might amend it when it gets to Senate Rules. A compromise between the two houses is most likely.

On a much lighter political note, the State House passed Senate Resolution 312yesterday. This Senate Resolution calls on help from the federal government and other state agencies to help with the deepening of Savannah's harbor. The plan has a large price tag, 551 million, but proponents argue the amount of jobs and revenues created from the deepening would outweigh the cost.

Today at the Capitol: Immigration

Senate Bill 40  was heard today in the House Judiciary Non Civil Committee. This bill is similar to House Bill 87, it targets illegal immigrants and employers who hire them. Instead of debating the Senate version of the bill, the house amended the bill and simply replaced the whole bill with HB 87. So currently SB 40 is the exact same bill as HB 87. We will have to wait and see what the Senate thinks of this.

Currently Immigration is a hot button issue in Georgia. I pulled the following passage from the Georgia Encyclopedia to give a historical perspective on immigration.

"During the Trusteeship (1732-52), the overwhelming majority of Georgia immigrants—more than 3,000 in number—arrived from Europe. Around two-thirds of these pioneers were funded by the Trustees, who offered them a passage across the Atlantic, provisions for one year, tools, and a tract of land in return for their labor. Initially the settlers tended to congregate according to their ethnic origins. Highland Scots settled a Celtic outpost at Darien on the southern frontier. Lutheran Salzburgers swiftly organized a productive and dutiful township at Ebenezer to the north. English folk, many of them Londoners, dominated Savannah and its surrounding villages, along with a large number of Rhineland Germans and a few Lowland Scots. In and around these regional settlements were smaller enclaves of immigrants, including Spanish-speaking Sephardic Jews, French-speaking Swiss, pious Moravians, Irish convicts, and a handful of Piedmont Italians and Russians."

Historical Georgian: Lachlan McIntosh

Lachlan McIntosh has one of the most interesting stories, of early Georgians. Lachlan was born in Scotland in 1725 but moved to the colony of Georgia at a young age. He grew up in Savannah Georgia and Charleston South Carolina. During the Revolutionary War he became an ardent Patriot and was promoted to Brigadier General after a successful battle outside Savannah Georgia. Political drama developed between a fellow Georgian, Button Gwinnett, one of the signers of the Declaration of Independence. After insults were traded Gwinnett challenged McIntosh to a duel which McIntosh accepted. During the duel both men were shot however, Gwinnett's wounds proved to be the only fatal one. He died three days later.

 McIntosh was charged with murder but later was acquitted at his trail. He went on to lead troops in Pennsylvania and was later captured by British troops in Georgia. He was freed towards the end of the war and returned to Georgia. Truly a great Georgian and a great story.

Today at the Capitol: Sunday Sales is Back

Today in the last Senate Rules Committee before cross over day, 50 bills were added to the Senate Calender for tomorrow. One of these bills , Senate Bill 10, allows for a county by county referendum for Sunday Sales of alcohol. This bill had previously died in the senate because it lacked enough votes for passage. Feelings might have changed. We will find out tommorow... Georgia is one of three states that doesn't allow the sales of alcohol on Sundays.

Local History: Royalty in the Capitol

I came across this great photo on the 4th floor of the Capitol. March 1977 Prince Charles visited the Georgia House of Representatives. It was the first time British Royalty visited the state government of their former 13th colony.

Legislative Update: Hope

Yesterday the changes to the Hope Scholarship passed the Senate, with 35 yeas and 20 nays. The vote was extremely partisan splitting on party lines. A few changes were added to the bill so it has to go back to the House for approval. Nobody is predicting any hang ups in the House and expect it to be on the Governor's desk soon . The Capitol was filled with protesters and student groups hoping to be heard one last time before the vote. Some were even arrested in the Senate Chamber.

Local History: The Paper Mill on Soap Creek

The Paper Mill ruins, on Soap Creek, are another example of impressive local history that is easy to access. The ruins are remnants of a paper mill and other industrial buildings developed on the creek in 1852. Similiar to the Roswell Mill, the mill was burned by Union troops in 1864. The Paper Mill was later rebuilt. The ruins are now part of the Chattahooche River National Recreation Area.

To access the Paper Mill simply drive down Paper Mill Rd SE in Marietta. Once you pass the ruins you will see a parking lot for the recreational area.

Also the ruins are right next to some impressive rapids. After a rain white water kayakers are a common sight. If you're a paddler check out the mill after a good rain on your boat.

Soutern Style

The South has always had a distinct traditional style. I tend to go along with it and don't mind wearing a coat and tie everyday to work. On the weekend ,however, some tend to look for something a little more laid back to wear. I am came across this great Georgia Belt that a company, called Volunteer Traditions, makes.

They sell a number of great products representing most states below the Mason Dixon Line (they are still developing their Virginia Line). Check them out!

Today at the Capitol: Hope Scholarship

A surprise occurred today at the State Capitol. House Bill 326, the Revisions to the Hope Scholarship, was brought out of the Rules Committee and put on the House floor for a vote. The Rules Committee usually chooses bills a day prior to be placed on the House floor so members have a chance to prepare for the procedings. The bill passed with 152 yeas and only 22 nays. The hope Scholarship was first introduced by the 79th Governor of Georgia, Zell Miller.

  This bill changes a lot from the original Hope Program. The changes include a requirement for a 3.7 GPA for 100% tuition payment or a 3.3 GPA for 90% tuition payment. The new program will no longer pay for books or other fees and reduces the amount of tuition payed to private colleges. The bill now moves on to the Senate.