Campaign  Georgia
A  Political  Journal

The Publisher’s Page

 The legislature has less than ten official days left before mandatory adjournment.  At this point, a great deal of work appears behind schedule.  The Budget  may be the biggest item yet to be settled.  I say “may be” because its been routine for many years to actually agree on the appropriations  bill the last couple days of the session.   It’s a power thing, the way the leadership of both bodies keep ordinary legislators in line, and  it gives the Governor, Lieutenant Governor (or in this case the Republican leaders of the Senate), and Speaker  of the House maximum bargaining power with each other.  Typically, fairly small differences are settled behind closed doors, the final vote is taken, and the legislature adjourns sine die.

 The  end scenario may be typical  this year.  It’s election year, and members of the House and Senate  want to get out of Atlanta and go home to campaign.  They don’t want to give the public the impression they were unable to get  the  state’s  business taken care of on time.  But if  the fortieth day comes without final agreement on the budget and other issues deemed really important, the Governor could call a special session the day  after  adjournment to finish the job.

 Whether or not the final days of the legislative session prove harmonious, this will be a difficult year for incumbent Senators and Representatives with viable opponents this summer and autumn.  Reapportionment, depending on how drastically it changes current district lines, may prove to be the undoing of numerous legislative careers.  Even without this unexpected circumstance, there are numerous issues which enterprising candidates can use to chase incumbents out of office this summer.  We talk about  some of them in this issue.

 Beginning last fall, it appeared the HOPE scholarship program faced serious examination by the legislature.  We decided to do some articles on the matter.  We continue our report this issue, with part II of our investigation.

 The March 2, Presidential Preferential Primary also included our state’s first flag referendum.  Our take on the results is somewhat different than unanimous media,  republican,  and democratic  interpretations of the results.  While those in power congratulate themselves on the outcome, the facts should give pause to their celebrations. 

The Marriage Amendment may partly be republican exploitation of a cultural wedge issue for political reasons, but it’s a real issue just the same.  It will be a factor in more than a few legislative campaigns this summer. The issue will enliven the General Election this fall, too.  

 Don’t miss the review of Zell Miller’s latest book, which will give a different take on the bestseller.  But then, it’s our goal to present views and info you won’t find elsewhere.

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