27 Legislative Days Complete
(Editor’s Note: This column is submitted on Friday of each week for the following Thursday’s paper.)
With the completion of Legislative Day 27 this Thursday, the State Senate continues to make great progress on our way to Day 40, when the 2015 Legislative Session will conclude. The Georgia General Assembly has made great progress on a number of important issues, many of which will have lasting, positive effects right here in District 25.
This week, I supported Senate Bill 100 which will create new regulations for motor carriers, amend registration and fee requirements. SB 100, which passed overwhelmingly in the senate, will eliminate the previous law requiring a mandatory driver’s license suspension for non-moving violations.
Too often, our courts suspend licenses as punishment for offenses not relating to operating a vehicle. This unintended consequence affects our citizens ability to get to work and pay child support, among other essential responsibilities. This law simply corrects a loop hole so that the suspension of licenses only occurs when the offense occurs while driving a car.
It was a landmark week for education as the senate passed Gov. Deal’s “Opportunity School District” legislation. Upon ratification of a constitutional amendment at the November 2016 general election, SB 133 will establish a state-wide school district, known as the Opportunity School District (OSD), to intervene and improve failing schools in Georgia.
The bill defines “persistently failing schools” that would be targeted as those scoring below 60 for three years in a row on the College and Career Performance Index – Georgia’s current rating system for school performance.
The Governor will appoint a superintendent, subject to the Senate’s confirmation, to oversee the OSD in its work to improve failing schools. Four intervention models are contained in the legislation allowing the OSD to either directly manage the schools, close them, partner with local school districts to run them or convert them into charter schools.
We must do everything within our power to ensure every child in this state has access to outstanding education. This legislation enables our state to take the necessary steps to turn failing schools around so that each and every student gains the insight and knowledge needed to become a productive member of society.
I commend Gov. Deal as well as my colleagues in the Senate and House who supported this crucial measure to save troubled schools.
I proudly co-sponsored Senate Bill 129 to restore the standard for a government infringing on someone’s ability to freely exercise his or her religion back to the higher standard that was previously established through federal law. The Religious Freedom and Restoration Act of 1993 passed Congress with bipartisan support and was then signed into law by a Democrat President.
In meeting and working with a number of legal, religious and constitutional experts, SB 129 has been written to mirror that federal law as closely as possible. Thirty states, some liberal and some conservative, have the standard I’m proposing already in law either via state statue or judicial precedent in that state.
When people opposing this bill use some extreme language to attempt to distract from the fact that there is broad support for a bill like this, I refer them to states like Oregon that have not seen these spikes in discrimination or states like Texas that have continued to be prime economic destinations.
We passed also Senate Resolution 154 commending John Smoltz for his contributions to the state of Georgia and his recent induction to the Baseball Hall of Fame. John Smoltz has played 21 seasons in Major League Baseball, all but one with the Atlanta Braves. He was traded to our home team in 1987 and is the only pitcher in history to top both 200 wins and 150 saves.
This year, he will be formally inducted to the Baseball Hall of Fame in Cooperstown, New York in July. I spent many years watching “Smoltzie” and the Braves become a true powerhouse in major league baseball and it was an honor to recognize his many achievements on and off the field.
Last but certainly not least, it was a privilege to host Ivy English and Ann Marie Hilderbrant who represented District 25 as pages in the Senate Chamber. They played an essential part of the legislative process and I look forward to welcoming more students from Middle Georgia in the coming days and weeks.
My colleagues and I will return to the Gold Dome on Monday, March 9 for day 28 of the Legislative Session. I remain committed to supporting policies that promote business growth and get Georgians back to work. It remains a pleasure to serve you, the constituents of the 25th Senate District.
If you have any questions or concerns, please do not hesitate to contact my office at 404.656.0082 or via email at burt.jones@senate.ga.gov