End of General Assembly session

The General Assembly has come to an end for another session. The lawmakers were able to agree on a twenty-one (21) plus billion-dollar state operations budget. Many long-time observers of the workings under the Gold Dome came away this year somewhat disappointed that more of what was promised did not make it through both chambers.

Hope for long-term solutions

There had been much discussion about tax relief and long-term solutions to the water issue. Many registered concern that not enough was really done to bring about a long-term solution to either issue.

Life amendment blocked

The Human Life Amendment, which we supported with our friends at Georgia Right To Life, did not make it out of committee for a vote. Other attempts were made by legislators to attach portions of the bill to other pieces of legislation, but that failed. There seemed to be reluctance on the part of legislators to allow the voters in Georgia the opportunity to vote on the issue of personhood that was a major part of the Human Life Amendment. I am sure this Human Life Amendment will be brought back in the next session.

Sunday alcohol sales

Several liquor bills came before the General Assembly. One bill makes it possible to order wine over the Internet for the first time in our state. There is a continuing push to make available the sale of beer, wine, and distilled spirits in convenience stores and grocery stores across Georgia on Sunday. The supporters of this encroachment into the Lord’s Day tried to make this more acceptable to the citizens by saying they will allow each local area to vote on this issue. This matter will continue to linger and will be brought back again before the General Assembly. For the first time it will be legal for a limousine driver to sell alcoholic beverages to the passengers in their vehicles.

One of the most troubling bills allows for bypassing the local community when it comes to the area of selling alcoholic beverages. In Georgia we have Regional Economic-Development Assistance Projects, known as REAP. Should a region indicate that the selling of alcohol be for the common good of the economic development of a region because of a certain project then the local community can be bypassed and a state liquor license be granted for the alcohol to be consumed on the premises.

As this article goes to print there is much discussion as to whether the bill allowing the selling of beer, wine, and distilled spirits in auditoriums, coliseums, or stadiums will stand up under legal analysis. This bill came about because of the new minor league baseball stadium that is being built in Gwinnett County for the Atlanta Braves. The new stadium is being built adjacent to a church in Gwinnett County, but that did not deter the promoters of this legislation from their desire to have alcohol available for the people in the stands on Sunday.

I wish there could be more positive news coming from this session of the General Assembly. We will continue to pray for our elected officials and continue to stand for moral right and righteousness.