The weather forecast for Atlanta on Friday was stormy and cold. Nothing could have been forecast more appropriately as Legislators faced the 30th day of the session known as crossover day. This is the annual marathon of legislative action that determines if bills move on or die. Many bills will die in committee such as backyard gardens and the raising of chickens, rabbits and goats in city limits. The cigarette tax is still in ways and means and will not move, and horse racing was voted down in committee. The creation of a new county of Milton never made it to a vote on Friday. A bill dealing with the sunset of agencies failed to receive the magic number of 91 votes to pass.

But there were winners. The Hospital Tax or HB 307 which was the governor's plan to impose a tax on hospitals to fill a massive $600 million gap in Medicaid funding gained new life based on an agreement with hospitals. Personally, I held my nose and voted for it. A tobacco tax could have been a cure for helping to solve this problem, but it was not to be at this session. The health care debate moved to center stage in Georgia as Governor Perdue by-passed the Attorney General to represent Georgia in a suit over the Federal Health Care Act. The emotionally charged issue gripped the Legislature in debate on a constitutional amendment that failed to achieve the required votes for a constitutional amendment on the ballot in November.

Ten days remain in this Legislative session as members became exhausted and edgy from a long debate calendar. Members were faced with over 60 bills on Friday alone after going through a long day on Wednesday. Tempers flared as bills failed or were deemed to be taking away the rights of Georgians. Both Republicans and Democrats used the floor of the House to attack positions and cry foul on parliamentary procedures.

The fee bill generated a great deal of debate before it was voted out with enough votes to send it to the Senate. Ninety-Six million dollars would be generated by this measure. The measure was first brought to the Legislature by the Association of County Commissioners. The Association stated that so many of the fees had not been adjusted in 20 years. Members debated the issue trying to determine if this was a tax increase by Republicans being disguised as a fee increase. The need for revenue for the state cannot be denied, but other tax resources were not considered.

I cannot remember which days are my furlough days. But it would not matter about those seven days as work as a representative is all about serving the people. You do not tell a person in need you are not working that day as it is one of your off days. That just does not happen.

Calls come pouring in about voting for or against a measure. Many times I cannot take an immediate position as bills change so many times in their language as they go through the process. A long serving legislator once told me in my younger years always wait till the fat lady sings before taking a position. A prime example of that is going to be Senate Bill 308. This is the gun bill that is making its way through the Senate to the House for debate. Changes have been made to the bill and more will probably come before it passes.

The Legislature will have a quick week starting again on Tuesday and ending Thursday with a recess for the following week. Please contact Rep. Gerald Greene by calling him at 404-656- 0314 or leaving a message for a return call. You may email him at gerald.greene@ house.ga.gov