May 10, 2003:

LONG, LONG SESSION FINALLY OVER -- GEORGIA NOT QUITE SURE HOW NEW DYNAMICS AT CAPITOL FIT WITH FORMER ONE-PARTY LEADERSHIP

The last time the General Assembly was in session in late April, the state was under the reconstruction banner of a post-civil war authority. With a new Republican governor and the Senate controlled by Republicans, state Democrats have a right to think that reconstruction has returned. The legislature finally concluded the regular 2003 session on April 25 and just barely did that. A hobbled budget was passed on the 39th day and there is serious talk that a special session will be needed to see the state through the upcoming fiscal year.

Despite all the politicking (what else would you expect at the State Capitol), the session saw some movement on issues: a new direction for a state flag, limited taxes on tobacco products, limited revisions to the newly enacted education reforms from the previous governor's tenure and severe changes in last year's lending laws, and more and more cuts in state services to reflect the downturn in the economy and the attendant reduction in tax revenues.

To get a more complete report on all the bills and resolutions introduced, debated, and passed during the course of this year's session, please go to http://www.legis.state.ga.us/ and browse through all the related sites connected with that address.