General Assembly Completes 15th Legislative Day. Last Friday marked the end of Day 15 of the forty-day session of the Georgia General Assembly. As I explained in my previous newsletter, Week 1 was devoted to organizational matters. Although the legislature is off to a rather slow start, more substantive issues have begun to be addressed.

In each issue, I will provide a summary of new bills that have been introduced and provide updates on legislation of note that is progressing through the House. In addition to the budget, I expect the General Assembly to take up transportation and taxation as the other major issues of the session.

State Revenues Continue to Decline. Unfortunately, the news regarding the statewide budget shortfall is not good. New revenue figures from Governor Sonny Perdue suggest that the current budget shortfall could exceed $3 billion, which is approximately one-seventh of the last year's state budget. Substantial reductions in state spending will have to be made. While generally cutting state spending is a laudable goal, many worthy programs will have to reduced, and some eliminated altogether.

As the budget-cutting process moves forward, I will continue to work with my colleagues to preserve funding for vital programs such as education, which has suffered too much over the years from so- called "austerity cuts."

Ultimately, the seriousness of the state budget shortfall will be determined by the amount of relief that Georgia receives from the stimulus package being hammered out by Congress and President Obama. Because we may not know for some time how many federal dollars our state will receive, it is possible that the General Assembly may adjourn in March and then reconvene as late as the end of June. I will continue to keep you posted on the status of the budget situation.

Tranportation
"The Georgia 2020 Transportation Act." Introduced by House Transportation Committee Chairman Vance Smith, House Bill 277 (known as "The Georgia 2020 Transportation Act") proposes a statewide 1% sales tax that would raise billions of dollars over ten years, dedicated for specific transportation projects. The bill has been assigned to the House Transportation Committee and will be considered by the Special Transportation Funding Subcommittee on which I serve.

Before the tax could be implemented, voters across the state would have to approve it. A senate transportation bill would provide for a regional tax, instead of a statewide one.

Taxes
Property Taxes. Sometime in the next few legislative days, the House will consider either House Resolution 1 or House Bill 233, both of which are sponsored by Rep. Edward Lindsey and have the backing of House leadership. The purpose of both pieces of legislation is to rein in property taxes by freezing valuations at their current assessment levels and allowing a three-percent increase on residential property and a four-percent increase in non- residential property.

Although I prefer my own BEST Plan to the plan proposed by Rep. Lindsey, I have been a longstanding supporter of reforming property taxes in our state and hope that HR 1, my own HR 2 or some other measure will pass to provide much-needed relief to taxpayers.

I have provided below brief descriptions of a few new bills that I have sponsored. To read the full text of these bills as well as others that I have introduced or co-sponsored, click here: http://www.legis.ga.gov/legis/2009_ 10/mbrs/levitaskevin82nd.htm. You can view legislation filed by all House and Senate members by clicking here: http://www.legis.st ate.ga.us/

New Legislation I Have Sponsored.

"Blue Pencil" Legislation. House Bill 173 authorizes courts to "blue pencil" employment agreements to remove unreasonable provisions of the agreement. This legislation resulted from a study committee that I chaired on this issue last fall. During the hearings, the business community testified about the need for such a bill. The measure has been assigned to the the Judiciary Committee and will be heard either this week or next.

Seat Belts. House Bill 256 would allow state, county and local governments to recover the costs incurred by taxpayers that are directly related to the failure of a driver or passenger to wear a seat belt.

Making Property Tax Appeals Fairer. House Resolution 179 would eliminate the current property tax appeals process, which is weighted heavily against taxpayers (including the potential of having to file suit in superior court), and replace it with a system of competing fair-market appraisals.

Other Bills and Items to Watch.

School Nurses. Many of you have contacted me regarding your concern about the exclusion of funding for school nurses in the Governor's proposed budget. Because of the many crucial activities performed by these nurses, I support reinstating these funds and am working with my colleagues to preserve the money.

School Vouchers. Sen. Eric Johnson has introduced Senate Bill 90, his long-anticipated school voucher bill, which would allow parents to use public education funds toward private school tuition.

Cell Phones. House Bill 23 would outlaw cell phone use by drivers under age 18.

Nonpartisan Elections. Several bills and resolutions, (all of which I either sponsored or co- sponsored) deal with making the election of several local offices nonpartisan.

Sunday Alcohol Sales. Senate Bill 16 and House Bill 104 would allow localities to decide whether to allow Sunday alcohol sales. I will continue to keep you updated on the activities of the General Assembly during the session. As always, if you have any questions, comments or concerns, please contact me.

I will continue to keep you updated on the activities of the General Assembly during the session. As always, if you have any questions, comments or concerns, please contact me.

Tomorrow, Tuesday, February 10, in the school cafeteria, I will present Lakeside High School with a Resolution adopted by the Georgia General Assembly, recognizing and commending Lakeside for receiving the Georgia Single Statewide Accountability System's Silver Award for 2008. Please join us to recognize this outstanding academic achievement.

E-Scrap Recycling
According to a press release, Best Buy Co., Inc. will bring its electronics recycling program to all of its stores this February 15. Be sure to call ahead to make sure the store near you is participating.

Consumers will be able to recycle up to two units per day (per household). The company will accept most consumer electronics, including televisions and monitors up to 32", computer CPUs and notebooks, small electronics, VCR and DVD players, and phones, as well as accessories such as keyboards, mice, and remotes.

A $10 recycling fee per unit will be charged for items with screens, such as televisions, laptop computers, and monitors. However, consumers will instantly receive a $10 Best Buy gift card in exchange for the recycling fee.

The following items will not be accepted:

* Televisions or monitor screens greater than 32"

* Console televisions

* Items containing Freon, including air conditioners, dehumidifiers, and mini-refrigerators (consumers are encouraged to contact their state/county solid waste departments for recycling options)

* Microwaves

* Appliances (customers are invited instead to use the company's appliance haul-away and pick-up programs)

Tucker Civic Association

The Tucker Civic Association (TCA) will hold its annual membership meeting on Tuesday, February 24, at 7:00 p.m., in the Fellowship Hall at St. Andrews Presbyterian Church (4898 Lavista Road, Tucker 30084). This meeting is for TCA members only.

If you are interested in more detail about what happens at the General Assembly this session, then please feel free to call or write me or visit the General Assembly website: www.legis.ga.gov. The website provides direct access to the text of legislation and vote tallies as well as schedules and live coverage of committee meetings.

(Another resource is offered when the General Assembly is in session by Georgia Public Broadcasting through a television program called "Lawmakers," which airs daily at 7 p.m. and rebroadcasts at 5:30 a.m. the following morning. The program covers each day's events at the Capitol.)

If you know of others who might like to receive this Newsletter, then please use the link at the bottom of this email to forward the Newsletter and encourage them to add their email addresses to the "Join Our Email List" box on this page.