The blog.

20
Mar

Adoptable (Official) Georgia Dogs for March 20, 2023

Eugene is a young male Miniature Pinscher mix puppy who is available for adoption from Animal Rescue Foundation in Milledgeville GA.

Meet our sweet Eugene! His sister Wednesday has already been adopted and he is ready to go to. He is about 14 weeks old and is a wiggly typical puppy. He’s ready to play full blast and fall asleep in your lap at the end of the day. We don’t expect him to be a big dog since his mother is a 25 pound min pin mix. We don’t know what his daddy was, but he was bigger than mom. Eugene is up to date on shots, neutered, and microchipped. If you are interested in meeting Eugene, please fill out the adoption application at the link below.

Rosie is a female Boxer and Labrador Retriever mix who is available for adoption from Animal Rescue Foundation in Milledgeville GA.

Meet Rosie! Rosie is about 3 years old and was previously adopted from us as a puppy. Unfortunately, due to a change in circumstances for her family, Rosie is looking for a new home. Rosie is high energy and affectionate. She’d love a home with a yard to play in. She loves playing in the water hose, and tries to bite the water as it comes out! Rosie is crate trained and housebroken. She loves friendly kitties and is fine with other dogs. Rosie is fully vetted, heartworm negative, and microchipped.

Remi is a male Pointer mix who is available for adoption from Animal Rescue Foundation in Milledgeville GA.

Meet Remi! This guy was brought back after 6 years with his owner, who unfortunately passed away. He lived with 3 other dogs, but is not good with our dogs in the shelter. This could be because of the shelter environment. He does have an old injury to his eye, but our vet says that it isn’t bothering him and doesn’t need treatment. He loves to play tag, chase and wrestle. He absolutely adores having his tailbone and sides scratched. This guy is nervous in the shelter, and needs a home asap. He is about 7 years old.
20
Mar

Georgia Politics, Campaigns, and Elections for March 20, 2023

March 20, 1854 saw a meeting in Ripon, Wisconsin that is generally considered the founding of the Republican Party.

[F]ormer members of the Whig Party meet to establish a new party to oppose the spread of slavery into the western territories. The Whig Party, which was formed in 1834 to oppose the “tyranny” of President Andrew Jackson, had shown itself incapable of coping with the national crisis over slavery.

The Civil War firmly identified the Republican Party as the party of the victorious North, and after the war the Republican-dominated Congress forced a “Radical Reconstruction” policy on the South, which saw the passage of the 13th, 14th, and 15th amendments to the Constitution and the granting of equal rights to all Southern citizens. By 1876, the Republican Party had lost control of the South, but it continued to dominate the presidency until the election of Franklin D. Roosevelt in 1933.

The Georgia State Capitol was completed on March 20, 1889. Ron Daniels, the Poet Laureate of GaPundit, has written an ode to the Gold Dome:

Well I guess it was back in eighteen eighty nine,
When a couple of boys in Dahlonega went down in a mine,
And found it was slap full of gold.
Then these folks in Atlanta wanted to keep growing,
So they told the legislature the Capitol had to be going,
And so those politicos said “Good Bye Milledgeville! Our attorneys will be in touch.”
Now the Capitol had been moved before,
Savannah, Louisville, and more,
They’d even moved it down to Macon on an overloaded poultry wagon.
Atlanta sure wanted to lend the State a hand,
Giving the legislature plenty of land,
Hammers started swingin’ and, boy howdy, they sure were buildin’.
The architect of this here building was feeling bold,
Covering the building’s dome all in beautiful gold,
Leaving the gold mine empty, and leaving someone with the shaft.
Well, Governor Gordon was slap full of delight,
When his eyes did recognize that impressive sight,
On March 20, 1889, a completed Capitol building.
He grabbed the keys and a few words he spoke,
The words he uttered were no joke,
“Boys when you’re hot, you’re hot! Now thanks a lot.”

On March 20, 1943, Governor Ellis Arnall signed legislation authorizing a referendum to amend the Georgia Constitution and make the Public Service Commission a Constitutional agency.

On March 20, 1965, President Lyndon Baines Johnson notified Alabama Governor George Wallace that Alabama National Guard troops would be called up to maintain order during a third march from Selma to Montgomery. Within five months, the Voting Rights Act would be passed by Congress.

On March 20, 1970, Governor Lester Maddox signed legislation designating the Brown Thrasher the official state bird, and the Bobwhite Quail the official state game bird.

Happy birthday to Georgia-born actress Holly Hunter (1958) and film director/actor Spike Lee (1957).

Georgia Politics, Campaigns, and Elections

Baldwin County Voters head to the polls tomorrow to decide on a Special Purpose Local Option Sales Tax (SPLOST), according to 13WMAZ.

“A one cent sales tax is already existing, so we’re asking our voters to extend it for another six years,” [County Manager Carlos] Tobar said.

Tobar says they use SPLOST funds to help improve the infrastructure.

“Water, sewer lines, road bases, resurfacing, airport improvements, public safety improvements, parks and recreation,” he said.

“In my opinion, it’s the fairest way to get the resources we need for public safety and to protect the community,” [Baldwin Fire Department’s Lt. Kevin Meek] says.

Election day will be held at the Baldwin County Government building from 7 a.m.- 7 p.m.

Voters in Twiggs and Jones counties are also voting Tuesday on extending their penny sales tax.

Jones County wants to raise $23 million over the next five years for schools.

Also headed to the polls are Clayton County voters, who will decide on a Special Purpose Local Option Sales Tax for Education (E-SPLOST) according to the AJC.

Clayton residents will vote on the SPLOST on Tuesday as part of a special election that will also choose a new sheriff and the county’s District 75 state House representative. If approved, the county’s 1-cent special purpose local option sales tax for education would be collected for five years.

Unlike past referendums, however, the school system is asking residents to approve the issuance of $435 million in district bonds to pay for the $350 million in projects. Ronick Joseph, the district’s chief capital improvement officer, said Clayton historically has been a “pay as you go district” and that seeking bonds would allow the school system to get funding quicker.

Like many districts, Clayton is seeking the new funding while the most recent SPLOST, which will expire on Dec. 31, 2024, is still in effect.

[Interim Clayton County Schools Superintendent Anthony] Smith said the district has about $30 million in its account balance from past SPLOSTs.

“This is how you pay for capital improvements in a school system,” he said during the town hall. “The federal government doesn’t come in and build all this stuff for you. The state has a minimum role. It’s the local taxpayers, the ones who really provide for the bulk of the funding for this stuff.”

On the Clayton County election for Sheriff, from the AJC:

Five current and former Clayton County law enforcement officials are competing to fill the remainder of former Clayton Sheriff Victor Hill’s four-year term in office.

Levon Allen, Clarence Cox, Terry Evans, Dwayne Fabian and Chris Storey have been crisscrossing the south metro Atlanta community for the past several months hoping to persuade voters that they can lead the Clayton sheriff’s office and jail, which has been embroiled in controversy for more than a decade because of Hill.

Voters will go to the polls Tuesday to select a new sheriff, a state house District 75 representative and the issuance of $435 million in bonds for the construction of new schools, school buses and early learning centers for pre-K students.

Mableton will have a chance to elect their first Mayor and City Council tomorrow, according to the AJC.

Turnout was low during the three-week early voting period in the new city of Mableton, where residents are electing their first mayor and council.

In total, 2,518 people voted early in person in the March special election and 112 returned absentee ballots so far, according to unofficial results from the elections department.

In comparison, over 18,500 people voted early in person at the two advanced voting locations in Mableton during the November election; turnout in general elections is typically much higher than in special elections.

The city’s first mayor and council will be responsible for establishing the municipal government, creating a budget and determining what services the city will provide. During the roughly two-year transition period, city leaders will work together with the county to establish service provision and other governing essentials.

While residents consider who those first leaders will be, one group of residents has been pushing state lawmakers to remove them from the city completely, citing concerns over how the cityhood movement was conducted.

At the same time, they are supporting a slate of candidates in six of the seven elected offices, meaning those backed by the de-annexation movement could potentially form a majority on the council.

The New York City Department of Health and Mental Hygiene is advertising in Georgia for its abortion services, according to the Augusta Chronicle via the Savannah Morning News.

New York City rolled out a new phone line, the Abortion Access Hub, in November. The hub would be confidential, and connect callers to abortion providers within the five boroughs. It would be funded with $1 million dollars and staffed 12 hours a day, six days a week, with bilingual staff.

In the coming months, the New York City Department of Health and Mental Hygiene began advertising the hub on multiple platforms and in multiple languages. But they also spent hundreds of thousands of dollars advertising the hub hundreds of miles away in three other states — Georgia, Florida and Texas.

“The Dobbs decision may have been the Supreme Court’s latest attack on human rights and health care, but New York City will continue to be a safe haven for anyone seeking to access a safe, legal abortion,” said New York City Mayor Eric Adams at the time.

“This is the biggest waste of government resources since Andrew Cuomo’s trip to Savannah to lecture us on Covid,” wrote Garrison Douglas, press secretary for Gov. Brian Kemp, in response to an inquiry about the program.

Internal records show the Health Department contracted for a 36-billboard campaign to run in January. Billboards were set up in Augusta, Martinez and Atlanta in Georgia, along with Miami, Ft. Lauderdale, Orlando, Houston, Dallas and San Antonio. A signed contract with Lamar for the billboards shows a total cost of $138,370 for the advertising.

At the same time, the department planned to spend $371,000 on Google and Snapchat adds to run from Jan. 3 to the end of June, bringing the total estimated cost of the out-of-state advertising more than $500,000.

The Department of Health spokesperson confirmed the advertisement buy through Snapchat in Florida, Georgia and Texas because those states have abortion restrictions. They also confirmed that they had not bought ads in surrounding states, including Alabama and Tennessee, where abortion has been completely banned. No further explanation was provided for why particular states were targeted.

Zombie Season has begun in the State Capitol, according to the AJC.

No bill is ever truly dead at the Georgia Capitol during a legislative session — not when it can rise like a zombie at any moment.

Without warning, a bill that would have honored a southeast Georgia soap box derby suddenly transformed last week into legislation to legalize sports betting across the state.

An elections bill abruptly gained several sections that had previously fallen short, requiring more audits and clarifying wording on absentee ballot applications, just before a final committee vote Wednesday.

It’s the time of the year when Georgia lawmakers cut and paste language from bills that previously failed into legislation that has survived, a practice that avoids public scrutiny, vetting and transparency in the rush to make laws before midnight on the final day of a session.

But these kinds of legislative machinations are allowed as long as the new bill fits into the same section of state code as the original.

It doesn’t matter whether a totally different bill passed one chamber. Leaders in the the other chamber can change it, without a requirement for public comment or debate. Both the House and Senate ultimately must vote on the same version of a bill for it to become law.

Replacing the language of a bill to include new ideas avoids the General Assembly’s internal deadline for measures to pass their first chamber, either the state House or Senate, by the 28th day of the 40-day legislative session.

During the last days of this year’s legislative session, any bill can rise from the grave.

All it takes is leaders in the state’s Republican majority to write it into a completely different bill, followed by approval in the House and Senate.

Under the Gold Dome Today – Legislative Day 36

TBD Senate Rules: Upon Adjournment – 450 CAP
8:00 AM HOUSE Education Policy Sub – 506 CLOB
8:00 AM HOUSE ENERGY, UTILITIES & TELECOM – 403 CAP
9:00 AM HOUSE RULES – 341 CAP
10:00 AM HOUSE FLOOR SESSION (LD 36) – House Chamber
10:00 AM Senate Floor Session (LD 36) – Senate Chamber
1:00 PM HOUSE PUBLIC HEALTH – 606 CLOB
1:00 PM HOUSE JUDICIARY NON-CIVIL – 132 CAP
1:00 PM Cancelled – Senate Agriculture & Consumer Aff – 450 CAP
1:00 PM Senate Transportation – Mezz 1 CAP
2:00 PM HOUSE TECHNOLOGY & INFRA – 406 CLOB
2:00 PM HOUSE HIGHER EDUCATION – 506 CLOB
2:00 PM Senate Gov’t Oversight – 307 CLOB
2:00 PM Senate Health & Human Services – 450 CAP
3:00 PM HOUSE JUVENILE JUSTICE – 606 CLOB
3:00 PM Senate Finance – Mezz 1 CAP
4:00 PM HOUSE WAYS & MEANS – 406 CLOB
4:00 PM Senate Judiciary – 307 CLOB
4:00 PM Senate Appropriations: Compensation Sub – 450 CAP

Governor Brian Kemp signed Executive Order #03.17.23.02, calling a Special Election to be held May 16, 2023 in State House District 68 to fill the vacancy created by the death of State Rep. Letitia “Tish” Naghise.Continue Reading..

17
Mar

Adoptable (Official) Georgia Dogs for March 17, 2023

Otto is a year-old, 15.6-pound male Long-Haired Dachshund mix who is available for adoption from the Gwinnett County Animal Shelter in Lawrenceville, GA.

Finn is a 3-year old, 13.2-pound male Long-Haired Dachshund mix who is available for adoption from the Gwinnett County Animal Shelter in Lawrenceville, GA.

Buttercup is a princess 11-month old female Terrier mix who is available for adoption from the Gwinnett County Animal Shelter in Lawrenceville, GA.

17
Mar

Georgia Politics, Campaigns, and Elections for March 17, 2023

On March 17, 1762, the first St. Patrick’s Day Parade was held in New York City by Irish serving in the British army; the date commemorates the death of St. Patrick in 461. The first St. Patrick’s Day parade in Savannah, Georgia was held in 1813.

On March 18, 1766, the British Parliament repealed the Stamp Act, which required American colonists to purchase a stamp for every legal or printed document they obtained.  Revenue would be used to support the British army in America.

The Stamp Act led Patrick Henry to denounce King George III, the British Monarch at the time of the passage of the Stamp Act and the ensuing Revolutionary War; Henry’s later “Give Me Liberty or Give Me Death” speech to the Virginia Assembly at St. John’s Church in Richmond, Virginia, listed by Time magazine as one of the top ten speeches of all time. Henry later opposed adoption of the Constitution, arguing it was incomplete without a Bill of Rights; after the Bill of Rights was adopted, Henry was satisfied.

On February 19, 1807, Aaron Burr was arrested in the Mississippi Territory, in what is now Alabama. Burr had served as Vice President during the first term of President Thomas Jefferson, leaving the administration after the 1804 election; later Jefferson issued a warrant accusing Burr of treason. Burr spent part of his time on the lam in Georgia.

On March 17, 1866, Governor Charles Jones Jenkins signed legislation granting African-Americans the same rights as whites for contracts, suits, inheritance, property, and punishments for violation of the law.

On March 19, 1916, the first American military air combat mission began in support of an incursion into Mexico under President Woodrow Wilson.

On March 17, 1933, Governor Eugene Talmadge signed a joint resolution of the state legislature to place a plaque on the wall of the Georgia Capitol commemorating the 200th Anniversary of the founding of Georgia.

On March 18, 1939, the State of Georgia ratified the Bill of Rights, which were proposed 150 years earlier in 1789. Georgia initially declined to ratify the Bill of Rights arguing that the first ten amendments to the United States Constitution were unnecessary. Governor E.D. Rivers signed the joint resolution six days later, but under federal court decisions the ratification is marked as of the date the second house of the state legislature adopts the legislation (assuming a bi-cameral state legislature).

On March 18, 1942, the United States government, under President Franklin D. Roosevelt, created the War Relocation Authority to “Take all people of Japanese descent into custody, surround them with troops, prevent them from buying land, and return them to their former homes at the close of the war.” More than 120,000 Japanese Americans, many of them citizens of the United States were moved from the west coast into concentration camps in the western United States.

The 442nd Regimental Combat Team, composed entirely of Japanese Americans, many of whose families were interned at the camps, became the most-decorated unit of World War II, with members being awarded 4,667 medals, awards, and citations, including 1 Medal of Honor, 52 Distinguished Service Crosses, and 560 Silver Stars; eventually 21 members of the 442nd would be awarded the Medal of Honor. The late United States Senator Daniel Inouye, a member of the 442nd from 1941 to 1947, was awarded the Medal of Honor by President Bill Clinton for actions during WWII. First elected to the United States Senate in 1962, Inouye became President Pro Tem in 2010.

On March 17, 1943, Governor Ellis Arnall signed legislation creating a commission to revise the 1877 Constitution of Georgia.

On March 18, 1947, Herman Talmadge surrendered the Governor’s office, ending the “Three Governors Affair.” Earlier this year, the General Assembly honored the late Governor Melvin Thompson, who was elected the first Lieutenant Governor of Georgia and became Governor at the conclusion of the Three Governors Affair.

A couple years ago I was walking my dogs and found those two documents above on the street left out for the trash. Between them, they bear the signatures of all three men who claimed the Governorship during the Three Governors controversy, and a bonus 4th Governor.

On March 18, 1955, the Georgia Educators Association endorsed “equal but separate” schools for the races.

On March 18, 1961, the United States Supreme Court decided the case of Gray v. Sanders, which arose from Georgia. Three politically-important results come from the case.

First, the Court held that state regulation of the Democratic Primary made the primary election a state action, not merely that of a private organization; thus, the Equal Protection Clause of the Fourteenth Amendment applies.

Second, the Equal Protection Clause requires that every vote be given equal weight in electing officials, often stated as the “one person, one vote” rule. In Georgia at that time, each County had between two and six “county unit votes”. As a result,

“One unit vote in Echols County represented 938 residents, whereas one unit vote in Fulton County represented 92,721 residents. Thus, one resident in Echols County had an influence in the nomination of candidates equivalent to 99 residents of Fulton County.”

Third, because the County Unit System gave the votes of some Georgians greater weight than that of others, it violated the Equal Protection Clause. The “one person, one vote” rule is one benchmark of redistricting.

On March 18, 1976, Governor George Busbee signed legislation recognizing the following official state symbols:

Staurolite – Official Mineral of Georgia
Shark’s Tooth – Official Fossil of Georgia
Clear Quartz – Official Gem of Georgia
Purple Quartz (Amethyst) – Official Gem of Georgia

On March 20, 1982, this song was #1 on the Billboard charts:

On March 19, 2003, President George W. Bush announced the start of Operation Iraqi Freedom in order to depose Iraqi dictator Saddam Hussein and eliminate the country’s ability to produce weapons of mass destruction.

March 19, 2014 was “Bo Callaway Day” in Georgia and flags flew at half-staff in honor of the late Georgia Congressman and former Secretary of the Army.

“Few individuals throughout our history can match the legacy that Bo Callaway left on Georgia politics,” Deal said. “Bo blazed a trail that led to the dramatic growth of the Georgia GOP, which went from virtually nonexistent when he ran for governor to holding every statewide elected office today. Bo stood up for what he believed in even when the odds and the political system were stacked against him. Georgians are all the better for it. Sandra and I send our deepest sympathies to the Callaway family.”

March 19, 2014 was also the first time I wrote about the lack of an “Official State Dog of Georgia.”

Georgia Politics, Campaigns, and Elections

The Georgia General Assembly will meet next in Savannah this weekend on Monday, March 20, 2023 for Legislative Day 36; Tuesday for LD 37, Wednesday is a Committee Work Day with no Session; and Friday for LB 38. Legislative Day 39 is scheduled for Monday, March 27 with a Committee Work Day following. Sine Die (LD 40) will be Wednesday, March 29, 2023.

From the AJC:Continue Reading..

16
Mar

Adoptable (Official) Georgia Dogs for March 16, 2023

Duncan is a 1.5-year old, medium-sized male Pointer mix who is available for adoption from Coastal Pet Rescue in Savannah, GA.

Duncan is a high energy, lovable, playful, intelligent Pointer mix. He is approximately 1 1/2yrs old. Wonderful personality, gets along with other dogs of all sizes. He loves people of every age. Duncan is working on walking politely on a leash. Will require a fenced yard.

Lucky is a 15-16-year old, male Hound mix who is available for adoption from Coastal Pet Rescue in Savannah, GA.

Lucky might be an older fella, but he’s still got plenty of pep in his step! This energetic old man loves to be outside! Snooping around, stopping to smell the roses (and all kinds of other stuff), and running and rolling around in the sunshine are a few of his favorite hobbies. We’re not sure if he’s hard of hearing (it happens to the best of us as we get older), or if he’s just ignoring us when we tell him it’s time to get back to his kennel.

Once he gets to know you – and he’s done with his snooping – Lucky is down for a cuddle and would love a soft place to curl up with you. This sweet old man is just a happy-go-Lucky kind of guy looking to luck into a new home. If you think that might be you, don’t wait to submit an application to meet him so we can get his new life started.

Few things in life are as precious as the love of a senior dog.

Abby is a 12-year old, female Shibu Inu and Husky mix who is available for adoption from Coastal Pet Rescue in Savannah, GA.

You would never guess that Abby could be considered a Golden Girl by the way she loves to play with toys – and kids too! She’s still got a lot of spunk in her, and while she does get along with people (and doesn’t seem to be bothered too much by cats), she doesn’t really like other dogs, and would prefer to be your one and only. And quite frankly; at her age, she deserves to be treated like a princess and have all of your attention.

Abby loves walks, treats, a good nap, and is house trained. She’s not really a barker, but does like to join in the conversation when you’re talking to her. She also loves looking out the window, so a chair or ottoman where she can keep an eye on the neighborhood would be perfect for her. One thing that Abby doesn’t like is a kennel; this senior prefers to lounge on the couch with you. Maybe because she’s loving and affectionate, and doesn’t mind a snuggle now and then.

16
Mar

Georgia Politics, Campaigns, and Elections for March 16, 2023

James Madison, drafter of the Constitution and fourth President of the United States, was born on March 16, 1751.

The United States Military Academy was established at West Point, New York on March 16, 1802.

On March 16, 1861, delegates in Savannah unanimously ratified the Confederate Constitution and voted to have a new state constitution drafted.

On March 16, 1976, former Georgia Governor Jimmy Carter won the Illinois Democratic Primary. His spiritual successor President Barack Obama, from Illinois, would visit Carter’s home state of Georgia on March 16, 2012.

Georgia Politics, Campaigns, and Elections

From the AJC Political Insider:

[O]n Wednesday, Lt. Gov. Burt Jones ended the day’s Senate floor session with a quip about the slow pace of work on the House side when it comes to passing bills that originated in and passed the Senate.

“We might need to work on our March Madness bracket tomorrow because the House isn’t doing anything with any of our bills,” Jones said. “So I think Mr. Pro Tem, if you’re alright with it, maybe we should just work on the brackets tomorrow, because they’re not taking up any of our stuff.”

Rules Committee Chairman Matt Brass went to the well to hammer the point with a handful of papers.

“In my hand I hold nine bills, nine Senate bills. That’s how many they have passed over there,” Brass said. “We are at 60 House bills we have passed. I tell you that to tell you the Rules Committee meeting will be very brief today.”

But who’s keeping score?

Under the Gold Dome Today – Legislative Day 35

Continue Reading..

15
Mar

Adoptable (Official) Georgia Dogs for March 15, 2023

Tadpole is a young male Rottweiler mix puppy who is available for adoption from the Macon-Bibb County Animal Shelter in Macon, GA.

Maxine is a young female mixed breed puppy who is available for adoption from the Macon-Bibb County Animal Shelter in Macon, GA.

Lola is a young female mixed breed puppy who is available for adoption from the Macon-Bibb County Animal Shelter in Macon, GA.

15
Mar

Georgia Politics, Campaigns, and Elections for March 15, 2023

On March 15, 44 BC, Julius Caesar was assassinated at a meeting of the Senate.

Hmmm, back-stabbing Senators. I’m so glad that’s not a thing anymore.

On March 15, 40 BC, Octavian executed 300 Senators and knights in vengeance for Caesar’s death.

On March 15, 1758, Georgia’s Royal Governor Henry Ellis signed legislation dividing the colony into eight parishes, primarily for religious administration, but with some parishes having secondary government functions.

On March 15, 1933, Governor Eugene Talmadge negotiated bank loans totalling $2 million dollars to keep the state’s public schools open.

On March 15, 1943, Sea Island was officially named as Governor Ellis Arnall signed legislation designating the island that had informally been given several different names.

On March 15, 1980, USS Carl Vinson, a nuclear-powered aircraft carrier, was launched at Newport News Shipbuilding in Virginia. Vinson was the first Navy ship named after a living American.

Howard “Bo’ Callaway, the father of the modern Georgia Republican Party, died on March 15, 2014.

Georgia Politics, Campaigns, and Elections

Under the Gold Dome Today – Ides of March

TBD Senate Rules Committee: Upon Adjournment – 450 CAP
8:00 AM HOUSE INSURANCE – 606 CLOB
8:00 AM HOUSE Gov’tal Affairs State & Local – 415 CLOB
8:00 AM HOUSE Ways & Means Sales Tax Sub – 403 CAP
8:00 AM Senate Natural Resources & Env’t – 450 CAP
8:15 AM HOUSE Ways & Means Public Fin & Policy Sub – 403 CAP
8:30 AM HOUSE EDUCATION – 515 CLOB
9:00 AM HOUSE RULES – 341 CAP
10:00 AM HOUSE FLOOR SESSION (LD 34) – House Chamber
10:00 AM Senate Floor Session (LD 34) – Senate Chamber
1:00 PM HOUSE HIGHER EDUCATION – 606 CLOB
1:00 PM HOUSE PUBLIC HEALTH – 515 CLOB
1:00 PM HOUSE Judiciary Non-Civil Hong Sub – 132 CAP
1:00 PM HOUSE PUBLIC SAFETY – 506 CLOB
1:00 PM Senate Agriculture & Consumer Aff – Mezz 1 CAP
1:30 PM Senate Public Safety – 450 CAP
2:00 PM HOUSE JUVENILE JUSTICE – 415 CLOB
2:00 PM HOUSE HUMAN RELATIONS & AGING – 406 CLOB
2:00 PM Senate Insurance & Labor – Mezz 1 CAP
2:00 PM Senate Higher Education – 307 CLOB
3:00 PM HOUSE GOV’TAL AFF – 606 CLOB
3:00 PM HOUSE HEALTH – 403 CAP
3:00 PM HOUSE INDUSTRY & LABOR – 506 CLOB
3:00 PM Senate Health & Human Svcs – 450 CAP
4:00 PM HOUSE SPECIAL RULES – 406 CLOB
4:00 PM Senate Finance – Mezz 1 CAP
5:00 PM Senate Ethics – 307 CLOB

Senate Bill 1 by Sen. Greg Dolezal (R-Forsyth County) would remove the sunset provision from the current prohibition on government requiring proof of vaccinations, according to the Center Square via the Albany Herald.Continue Reading..

14
Mar

Adoptable (Official) Georgia Dogs for March 14, 2023

Brookhaven residents are eligible to adopt animals from the Dekalb County Animal Shelter at no cost, according to a 2022 Press Release.

At its regular business meeting on Aug. 9, the Brookhaven City Council approved a memorandum of understanding with LifeLine Animal Project (LifeLine), which operates the DeKalb County Animal Shelter in one of Brookhaven’s suburbs.

The agreement is the first sponsorship of this magnitude with a municipality. In the agreement, LifeLine agrees to provide pets for adoption to Brookhaven residents at no charge, following LifeLine’s regular adoption application and contract requirements.  The City of Brookhaven agrees to sponsor LifeLine’s regular adoption fees for adopted pets in Brookhaven.

Presently, the regular adoption fee for dogs is $85 and cats is $65, which covers the pet’s spay/neuter, vaccinations, microchip and other screenings. The sponsorship agreement eliminates those fees and goes into effect following a kick off event at LifeLine’s location at 3280 Chamblee Dunwoody Road, on Aug. 18 at 11 a.m.  All Brookhaven residents are invited to attend.

“Brookhaven and LifeLine have a long history of collaboration to encourage and facilitate adoption of unwanted, stray, or abandoned animals,” said Mayor John Ernst. “We promote animal adoptions from LifeLine at the beginning of every single City Council meeting since I have been mayor.”

Glimmer is a 5-year old, 59-pound female mixed breed dog who is available for adoption from the Lifeline Dekalb County Animal Shelter in Chamblee GA.

Glimmer is a sun worshipper who loves a good roll in the grass or walk around the neighborhood, but she’s also content to be by her person’s side while hanging out on the deck, or inside on the couch binging a TV show on Netflix. She’s never met a treat she doesn’t like, and enjoys obedience training (she already knows Sit and Shake) as much as belly rubs.

Glimmer loves car rides and going to new places to have adventures or to just pick up supplies curbside at Petco. She’s totally housebroken, crate trained, and loves toys, especially those that squeak.

Glimmer is in a foster home, so please make arrangements to meet her via the shelter.

Church Pew is a 7-year old, 40-pound female mixed breed “low rider” dog who is available for adoption from the Lifeline Dekalb County Animal Shelter in Chamblee GA.

Church Pewpew is a unique looking dog that makes quite an impression. Crazy cute and funny looking with her “big head, sausage body and stumpy legs.” That’s how one of our volunteers described her. Church Pewpew takes time to get to know you but once she does she’s friendly and cute. She’s definitely one of a kind. Could she be your kind?

Miss Bee Haven is a 4-year old, 43-pound female mixed breed dog who is available for adoption from the Lifeline Dekalb County Animal Shelter in Chamblee GA.

Don’t let the name Miss Bee Haven fool you – she is a fun girl who isn’t looking for trouble, just a good time. This 4 y/o, 43 lb girl is an active lady on a leash, but an easy girl in a yard. Volunteers describe Miss Bee Haven her as playful, energetic and silly. There’s also perky and personable. She’s a cute little gray low rider, small in size but big in personality. She’s people friendly, gives kisses and enjoys belly rubs. Gotta love that smile! Come meet her and see what you think.
14
Mar

Georgia Politics, Campaigns, and Elections for March 14, 2023

Albert Einstein was born on March 14, 1879.

S. Truett Cathy, founder of Chick-fil-A, was born on March 14, 1921.

Mikhail Gorbachev was elected President of the Soviet Union on March 14, 1990.

The largest traffic accident in Georgia history occurred on March 14, 2001 on I-75 in Catoosa County, involving 125 cars, injuring 39 people and killing 5.

Georgia Politics, Campaigns, and Elections

Under the Gold Dome Today – Legislative Day 33

TBD Senate Rules Committee: Upon Adjournment – 450 CAP
7:00 AM Senate Transportation – 450 CAP
8:00 AM CANCELED HOUSE INSURANCE – 415 CLOB
8:00 AM HOUSE MOTOR VEHICLES – 606 CLOB
8:00 AM HOUSE AGRICULTURE & CONSUMER AFF – 506 CLOB
8:00 AM HOUSE JUDICIARY NON-CIVIL – 132 CAP
8:00 AM CANCELED HOUSE Ways & Means Income Tax Sub – 403 CAP
8:00 AM HOUSE Public Safety Greene Sub – 406 CLOB
8:00 AM Senate Veterans – 450 CAP
8:15 AM CANCELED HOUSE Ways & Means Ad Valorem Sub – 403 CAP
9:00 AM HOUSE RULES – 341 CAP
10:00 AM HOUSE FLOOR SESSION (LD 33) – House Chamber
10:00 AM Senate Floor Session (LD 33) – Senate Chamber
1:00 PM HOUSE PUBLIC HEALTH – 606 CLOB
1:00 PM HOUSE Gov’tal Affairs Elections Sub – 415 CLOB
1:00 PM HOUSE Public Safety 2-A Sub – 506 CLOB
1:00 PM Senate Banking & Financial Inst – 450 CAP
1:00 PM Senate Retirement – Mezz 1 CAP
1:30 PM HOUSE JUDICIARY (CIVIL) – 132 CAP
2:00 PM HOUSE RETIREMENT – 406 CLOB
2:00 PM HOUSE Natl Res Resource Mgmt Sub – 506 CLOB
2:00 PM HOUSE DEFENSE & VETERANS AFFAIRS – 515 CLOB
2:00 PM HOUSE Gov’tal Aff State & Local Govt Sub – 415 CLOB
2:30 PM Senate Joint Children & Families and Education & Youth – 450 CAP
3:00 PM HOUSE ENERGY, UTILITIES & TELECOM – 403 CAP
3:00 PM HOUSE JUVENILE JUSTICE – 515 CLOB
3:00 PM HOUSE REGULATED INDUSTRIES – 606 CLOB
3:00 PM HOUSE Special Committee on Healthcare – 341 CAP
4:00 PM Senate Regulated Industries & Util – 450 CAP
5:00 PM Senate Ethics – 307 CLOB
6:00 PM Senate Insurance & Labor: Life Health and Specialty Sub – 310 CLOB

The Georgia State House will pause to honor the late Speaker David Ralston on his birthday today, according to the AJC.Continue Reading..