Upper Chamber Report
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TOP STORY 2009 Legislative Session Begins By Raegan Weber Cagle welcomed Pastor things that matter as we The 2009 Legislative Ses- Benny Tate, Senior Pastor make important policy de- sion began with the cere- of Rock Springs Church in cisions that affect the lives monial call to order by Lt. Milner to serve as the of Georgians,” Lt. Gover- Governor Casey Cagle, Chaplain of the Day for nor Casey Cagle said. the Pledge of Allegiance, the first day of session in the traditional Devotion the State Senate. Pastor Pastor Benny Tate is cur- given this year by Dr. Tate gave an inspirational rently the Senior Pastor of Benny Tate, and the Devotion and opened with Rock Springs Church, swearing in of new Senate his remarks for a “Fine which holds multiple wor- members. In addition, 2009.” He provided his ship services each Sunday State Senator Tommie guidance by encouraging and offers an extensive Williams was elected by our State leaders to “settle variety of ministries. Some unanimous vote of the on the past, set priorities, of the outreach ministries Senate to the leadership stop the pressure and se- include a prison ministry, a position of President Pro cure a purpose” in serving nursing home ministry and Tempore. a greater calling and the even a church sponsored people of Georgia. medical clinic for the unin- Inside this issue: sured. Pastor Tate is the “It was an honor to wel- host of the “Apples of come Pastor Tate to the Gold" radio program, cur- 2009 Session Begins 1-2 Senate today. His mes- rently broadcasting on nine sage both encouraged middle-Georgia radio sta- Sen. Tommie Williams 1-2 Elected Pro Tempore senators and inspired each tions delivering a simple of us to lead our state in yet profound message. New Senate Members 3 the right direction. The tradition of the Senate to Continued on Page 2 Daily News Clips 4-8 begin each day with a de- votional and prayer sets our mind and heart toward Sen. Tommie Williams Elected Senate President Pro Tempore By Kallarin Richards tempore, and I am humbled After serving 11 years in the Senate, Sen. Williams was State Sen. Tommie Wil- by their vote of confi- nominated for pro tem by liams (R-Lyons) was dence,” said Sen. Williams. “I have the greatest respect his peers during the Repub- JANUARY 13, 2009 — DAY 2 elected Senate president pro lican caucus elections in tempore today on the first for every member of the November. Sen. Williams day of the 2009 session of Senate, and am proud of the becomes the 67th president the Georgia General Assem- bipartisan spirit that our pro tem in the history of bly. chamber embodies. This year it will be crucial to put Georgia, the Senate’s sec- party politics aside and ond-highest ranking posi- Upper Chamber Report tion after the lieutenant gov- “My Senate colleagues have work together in the best Raegan Weber, Press Director shown me great support interest of all Georgians.” ernor. Kallarin Richards, Editor in Chief today by electing me to Continued on Page 2 serve as their president pro Judge McGarity has been a lifelong served as chairman of the Senate 2009 Session resident of McDonough. He gradu- Committee on Assignments and as (continued) ated from the University of Georgia vice chairman of the Senate Finance and Mercer Law School. While in Committee. He has served in the private practice, Judge McGarity Senate for 11 years. He is a graduate of Covington served as City Attorney for Theological Seminary in Fort Ogle- McDonough, Assistant County At- thorpe, Georgia, and has been an torney for Henry County and Judge Secretary of the Senate Bob Ewing active community leader in Milner. of the McDonough Recorders was unanimously elected to serve Court. McGarity was appointed another term as Secretary. He has Cagle welcomed the Honorable Superior Court Judge in the Flint held this post for nearly 30 years. Arch McGarity, Chief Judge of the Circuit by Governor Zell Miller in Henry County Superior Court, to 1996. He and his wife, Sandra, have the State Senate today to swear in three children and attend Wesley Senate Majority Leader Chip Georgia’s State Senators for the Way United Methodist Church. Rogers provided his thoughts and 2009 Legislative Session. guidance as he and his colleagues Senator Tommie Williams was dive into budget negotiations and unanimously elected as President balance Georgia’s budget. He re- “We were proud to choose Judge Pro Tempore of the Senate. Sen. minded the Chamber on-lookers McGarity to swear in our Senators Williams has served the Senate as and leaders to “recognize individual and participate in one of our most majority leader since 2005, working sovereignty” and “not advance our valued traditions. Judge McGarity with the former President Pro Tem- own political interests; rather re- is a man of integrity who has pore Eric Johnson and Lt. Governor member that we work for the indi- worked diligently for justice in the Cagle to develop successful policy vidual citizens and we are here to state of Georgia and is someone I decisions and serving as the pri- represent their best interests.” am honored to call a friend,” Lt. mary spokesperson for the majority Governor Casey Cagle said. party. Among his numerous com- Born in Henry County, Georgia, mittee assignments, Sen. Williams ate Committee on Assignments and Sen. Williams as vice chairman of the Senate Fi- Elected Pro Tem, nance Committee. (cont’d) During the 2008 session, Sen. Wil- liams passed two pieces of important legislation for Georgia. The first The president pro tem assumes re- made significant reforms to the sponsibilities in the absence of the state’s Certificate of Need (CON) lieutenant governor, and speaks on laws, giving patients a chance to behalf of the entire Senate and the maximize the full potential of health- state of Georgia. care providers, increasing competi- tion and innovation, as well as allow- ing for an innovative cancer treat- Sen. Williams has served the Senate ment center to come to Georgia. He as majority leader since 2005, work- also passed a measure to help failing ing with the president pro tem and colleges and universities across the lieutenant governor to develop suc- state regain accreditation status. as vice chairman, Appropriations, cessful policy decisions and serving Regulated Industries and Utilities, as the primary spokesperson for the Rules, Reapportionment and Redis- majority party. Among his numerous Sen. Williams was also named to tricting, Education and Youth, and committee assignments, Sen. Wil- several influential committees, in- State Institutions and Property. liams served as chairman of the Sen- cluding Finance, where he will serve Page 2 UPPER CHAMBER REPORT Senate Welcomes New Members By Ravae Graham The State Senate welcomed five new members today: Lester Jackson (D- Savannah), Freddie Powell Sims (D- Albany), John Crosby (R-Tifton), Gail Buckner (D-Morrow) and Jim Butterworth (R-Turnerville). Incom- ing senators took the Oath of Office and were officially sworn in as the Senate convened for the first day of the 2009 Legislative Session. “It was an honor to welcome each new senator today,” said Lieutenant Governor Casey Cagle. “We look forward to working together as we focus on the priorities set before us this session. With a looming budget shortfall, I’m confident the Senate the citizens of Albany through her chairman of the Habersham County will produce well constructed legisla- service in the House of Representa- Board of Commissioners. To further tion that will put the most important tives. In addition to her Legislative his goal in bringing local govern- needs of Georgians first.” Service, Sims’ community, civic and ments together and improving infra- professional involvement has been structure across Habersham County, extensive. Her involvement in or- Butterworth served as an executive Sen. Jackson was first elected to the ganizations such as Kiwanis Interna- board member of several local or- House of Representatives in 1998 tional, Fort Valley State University ganizations, including the Georgia where he served as vice chairman of Foundation Board and service as Mountains Regional Development the Health and Human Services Com- Deputy Registrar for Dougherty Center, the Georgia Department of mittee and Assistant Majority Whip. County has made her the recipient of Community Affairs All hazard Coun- Following his service in the House, several awards and certificates, in- cil and the Georgia DCA Regional Jackson was selected by the Georgia cluding the 2004 Outstanding Finan- Advisory Committee. Legislative Black Caucus as Legisla- cial Contributions to Capital Cam- tor of the Year because of his ongo- paign for Fort Valley State Univer- ing effort to improve access to health sity. “I want to welcome and congratulate care, support public schools and im- the new members of the Senate. It’s prove public safety. an honor to serve with them in the Sen. Buckner of Jonesboro is a 16 Senate and together we can accom- year veteran of the Georgia General plish great things for all Georgians,” Sen. Crosby is a Republican repre- Assembly, having served in the said Senate President Pro Tempore senting the 13th District. Prior to his House of Representatives from 1990 Tommie Williams (R-Lyons). election to the Senate, Crosby prac- to 2006 when she left office to run for ticed law from 1963 until he was Secretary of State. During her ser- elected to the Tift Superior Court vice in the House, Sen. Buckner Newly elected senators and their col- bench in 1980. Most recently, championed education issues to pro- leagues face many important issues Crosby continued to serve as a senior vide for safe schools and worked hard going into the 2009 session, including judge in various courtrooms around to improve the research, prevention the state budget, transportation, edu- the state until his election to the state and treatment of cancer available in cation and healthcare.