It's getting close to what we call "crossover day." That is the 30th day of the 40 day session. If something is not passed out of one of the bodies (House or Senate) by crossover day, it won't pass. Last year, Lt. Gov. Casey Cagle announced a new tax policy well after that deadline. Today a flurry of press releases on accomplishments and upcoming came out to give us a road map for the rest of the session.
Also, there are rumblings that Sine Die (the last day) will be called on the 32nd day, so that the legislature will have 8 days left for a special session on the budget. The Governor would call a special session, but since the legislature adjourned early, it would incur any additional cost.
Yesterday, the Georgia House of Representatives passed House Bill 1093 by a vote of 160-2. Sponsored by Representative David Knight (R-Griffin), HB 1093 will ensure that businesses operating in Georgia are collecting and remitting sales tax as required by law.
"This legislation puts into place a common sense mechanism that matches state and local tax information to ensure businesses are complying with the law," said Rep. David Knight. "If everyone paid their fare share, we could all pay less."
HB 1093 allows local governments currently levying an occupation tax or regulatory fee through the use of business licenses to send the information gathered in the business license application to the Department of Revenue (DOR). The DOR will then cross reference this information with the information on file at the DOR to determine if the business is in compliance with state and local sales tax. You can find the text of the bill here: http://www.legis.ga.gov/legis/2009_10/sum/hb1093.htm
There will also be legislation introduced today at 12:30 pm on interbasin water transfers. The live stream can be watched here: http://mediam1.gpb.org/glnpress Finally, Tom Knox is introducing legislation to take control of 4-H from the Regents.
The big news today will be the press conference held by the Speaker and the Lt. Governor on Tax Reform. That will be held at 11:30 am est on Thursday.
COUNTING THE VOTES: PRESIDENT OBAMA GOES ON FOXNEWS
In a clear signal, the president doesn't have the votes, he goes on Fox News with Bret Baier. It was contentious. Here's the recap from Fox News: http://www.foxnews.com/politics/2010/03/17/obama-tells-fox-news-procedural-spat-health-vote-doesnt-worry/
I thought it was a good interview and Brett did a good job. But please, who asked him to ask the president about Tiger Woods?! Ridiculous! The president should have said, "Brett, I have more important things to worry about." Brett looked pained to ask the question. You go from nuclear Iran to Israel to Tiger, come 'on.
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