Georgia News(Week 10) - Immigration Reform

A recent article speaks of new immigration legislation proposed by Sen. Tim Golden (D-Valdosta) and Sen. Sam Zamarripa (D-Atlanta) that would " would grant the state's Board of Regents exclusive authority to set admissions and residency requirements for Georgia's public university system." The pair also suggested that the federal government implement immigration reform. The two senators cite their desire to "give motivated students — regardless of their legal status — the opportunity to pursue higher education." The article mentions two previous illegal immigration bills by Sen. Chip Rogers, one of which "sought to bar illegal immigrants from enrolling in state universities." Rogers says this bill is no longer "on the table," but, according to the article, Rogers is currently supporting "Senate Bill 170, a measure that would require persons to prove they are legal residents of Georgia to receive state services, such as in-state tuition benefits." Rogers cites a previous statute from the Clinton era preventing illegal immigrants from receiving "postsecondary education benefit[s]." This is an interesting case, as there seems to be a line drawn in the sand between Golden and Zamarripa and Rogers, as each feels differently about illegal immigrants and their rights. This situation, as the article mentions, should "be one of the biggest fights of the 2006 General Assembly."

Link: http://www.ajc.com/metro/content/metro/1205/02metimmigrant.html

Georgia News(Week 10) - New CARE President

According to a recent article, Dr. Helene Gayle, "a former top official at the Center for Disease Control and Prevention in Atlanta," will take over CARE USA, an "Atlanta-based humanitarian agency." The article also mentions that Gayle is the first female and African-American to head the agency, one with "poverty-fighting programs in more than 70 countries." Gayle has experience in various areas, spending 17 years at the CDC and directing "an HIV, TB and Reproductive Health Program at the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation in Seattle." Gayle, according to the article, plans to take her position at CARE in the spring, replacing former CARE president Peter D. Bell. Bell seems confident in his replacement, stating that "'[he] will be leaving CARE in excellent hands.'" Gayle, according to the article, is a "leading AIDS expert," best known for changing the common stereotype of the past that AIDS was a disease strictly affecting gay white men. With all of her credentials, Gayle seems like an adequately qualified replacement for Bell. Her knowledge should help improve the quality of CARE's offerings, especially offerings/aid to countries afflicted with AIDS.

Link: http://www.ajc.com/metro/content/metro/1205/02care.html

Georgia News(Week 10) - New City Cracks Down

Members of the city council of newly formed Sandy Springs "wasted no time" making changes, immediately approving an ordinance "transferring most Fulton laws to the new city," as well as imposing a 30-day moratorium before "adult-orientated" businesses could be opened. This same moratorium was also applied to "building permits, zoning decisions and other construction-related permits." The council hopes that the moratoriums will give [them] time to consider changes." These changes came out of an "emergency meeting" held immediately after Sandy Springs' charter officially took effect, at 12:01 thursday morning. This is just one of many milestones for the new city, according to the article, as the charter's finalization "culminated a year of...milestones: state legislative approval last winter, a cityhood referendum in the summer and city elections this fall." Eva Galambos, the city's first mayor, stated that "[Sandy Springs] is an opportunity to do it right, to avoid mistakes made by other governments in the past." The final two members of the young city's council will be determined in a runoff election on December 6. Sandy Springs' officials hope to correct the errors of the previous Fulton county government. "Sandy Springs police and fire departments are expected to be formed gradually over the next six months as Fulton police and fire protection continue," according to the article. This is interesting to me, as I have never read about the process that new cities go through. Although there will no doubt be some bumps in the road, given the measures that they have already taken, I think this new city should so fine.

Link: http://www.ajc.com/news/content/metro/sandysprings/1105/01metsandyopens.html

Georgia News(Week 9) - End of Paid Hotels for Evacuees

In two weeks, according to a recent article, FEMA will stop paying the hotel bills of Hurricane Katrina evacuees. The 12,000 exacuees living in Georgia hotels "received word Tuesday that the Federal Emergency Management Agency would stop paying hotel bills Dec. 1." The article also mentions that, in order to continue receiving aid, evacuees must call a 1-800 number, "find a new place, sign a lease, and move." Many of those against this measure are worried that stopping aid to evacuees will send many into the streets or homeless shelters. Religious leaders in Atlanta recently called a meeting to discuss methods of helping the evacuees. Various charities and non-profit organzations also want to help evacuees, but "wonder how they can do it with their funding and staff." Those in favor of the stoppage in aid cite a fear that many evacuees may be taking advantage of the aid. President pro tempore of the state Senate, Eric Johnson, echoes this sentiment, stating that "if [the evacuees] are working-bodied citizens, they need to be down at the Department of Labor looking for a job, not at a hotel." This is interesting, as FEMA should still try its best to provide aid to evacuees, as the article mentions that FEMA will try to do. FEMA and the government's suspicions do contain some valid reasoning, as it is wise on their part to try to prevent improper use of government funds and aid.

Link: http://www.ajc.com/news/content/metro/1105/17metevacuee.html

Georgia News(Week 9) - "Gas gougers cited"

15 gas stations are being cited for abusing comsumer's rights following Hurricane Katrina, according to a recent article. Many gas station owners settled on fines up to and including $10,000. Gov. Sonny Purdue, according to the article, "signed an executive order Aug. 31 promising to punish retailers who capitalized on fears of a hurricane-related gas shortage." After Katrina, many consumers complained about the rise in gas prices, with some prices going as high as even $5 or $6 a gallon. 12 of the 15 gas stations in question, according to the article, are located in "Atlanta or its close-in suburbs." The aforementioned executive order, once signed, prevented gas stations from charging more than a wholesale price for their fuel. Many however, as the article mentions, feel the blame should be placed on higher powers, as quoted: "ask the governor to take it a step further and look at the oil companies." Gas station managers, on the other hand, find the fines unfair as many owners, like Akber Lassi, only raised gas prices to "maintain [their] profit margin." Customers who saved their receipts as proof of overcharging will also be reimbursed, according to the article. If gas station owners did raise gas prices out of sheer greed, then I find the fines to be just and fair. If the price hike came from a higher source, however, I think the state should look to the oil companies, instead of those simply following orders.

Link: http://www.ajc.com/metro/content/metro/1105/15gouge.html

Georgia News(Week 9) - "Holy Scripture" Law Challenged

According to a recent article, a retired librarian and a bookshop owner are challenging a Georgia state law which "grants a sales tax exemption for purchases of the Bible and other books pertaining to 'Holy Scripture.'" The lawsuit concerns not the exemption itself, but rather the fact that the tax exemption is in effect only for "better-known religions such as Christianity and Judaism." The "decades-old" law, according to the article, exempts all "religious paper," but does not define this term. A spokesperson for Gov. Sonny Perdue stated that "it appears that the question lies in the definition of Holy Scripture.'" This is an interesting case, as the law is being considered unconstitutional, as it, according to the article, "has 'the primary effect of endorsing religion in general and Judaism and Christianity in particular.'" This is new to me, as I have not previously heard of religiously-specific tax exemptions. The plaintiffs seems to have a respectable case here, however, as their arguments seem very strong and well-reasoned. If all goes as I think it will, the tax exemption will be expanded to all religious texts, including those outside of Judaism and Christianity.

Link: http://www.ajc.com/metro/content/metro/1105/15metholy.html

Georgia News(Week 8) - Senoia Pastor Speaks Out

A recent article describes a Senoia pastor's fight to prevent a motion to allow liquor by the drink on Sundays. Pastor Ted Padgett cited many past experiences during his recent sermon, including a story about his father's drinking, and a story relating the pain of a father whose daughter was killed in a drunk driving crash involving her father's own liquor. If voters approve, according to the article, "Senoia would be the first Coweta County city to allow Sunday liquor by the drink." Neither the town's current mayor, Robert Hannah, nor Robert Belisle, Hannah's opponent, as the article mentions, will not state their standings on this controversial issue. Many feel that allowing Sunday liquor by the drink would improve business for a town that the article describes as "[one] on the cusp of big growth." Padgett, in his sermon, also voiced concerns that "drinking on the Lord's day dishonors God." This is an interesting issue, as there is an obvious religious interest in this issue, as Sunday is widely considered God's day. The final vote and the public and clergy's response to the outcome will prove to be an interesting and possibly suprising event.

Link: http://www.ajc.com/news/content/metro/fayette/1105/07senoia.html?cxntnid=amn110705e

Georgia News(Week 8) - Bright Future for Beltline

The Beltline, a proposal to transform dangerous Atlanta neighborhoods into "pleasant places to walk, shop and live," made a step in the positive direction Monday after the Atlanta City Council "overwhelmingly approved" the plan. The Atlanta City Council's vote created a "special tax district" to raise around $2 billion to pay for many of the developments that would come out of the Beltline plan. Once the plan is approved by the city school board and Fulton county, things will be set in motion. The Beltline proposal, according to the article, is expected to come before both of these groups before the end of the year. There are two sides to the Beltline debate, as the proposal's supporters feel that "the changes that are to unfold over the next 25 years could be...significant in Atlanta's history." Those against the proposal, according to the article, argue that the Beltline plan "leaves out low-income families and focuses too much on development." Another upside to the Beltline plan is the predicted $95 million that the Atlanta school board would receive "to build and maintain schools." This seems like a very positive proposal, as both the community and schools would benefit from the Beltline plan. If all goes well, as it already is, Atlanta should soon be well on its way to a brighter future.

Link: http://www.ajc.com/metro/content/metro/atlanta/1105/08beltline.html?cxntnid=amn110805e

Georgia News(Week 8) - Fate of Former Federal Lands in Question

According to a recent article, the land remaining after the closure of four Georgia military installations may be taken over by federal agencies. The article notes that Georgia should not have that difficult a time finding takers for the empty land, as "three of the state's condemned bases are in the Atlanta area." Federal agencies have first dibs on the land, and have up to a month to show interest in purchasing the land from the Pentagon. The Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) has also expressed interest in the land, according to the article. FEMA would "acquire storage space at Gillem and develop a regional headquarters at McPherson," one of the areas remaining after the closure of the bases. This mass closure of bases stems from the BRAC, a massive governmental reorganization affecting many apsects of the government, such as employment and military bases. In addition to federal agencies, the article also mentions various community groups that are "developing community reuse plans,"many of which are real estate and commercial in nature. The article estimates that the fate of the land should be known by January. It will be interesting to see what, if anything, the federal agencies decide to do with the land, as it can be an obviously profitable venture for them. The community groups' interests are also important, as they no doubt will want a share in the profit from these lands.

Link: http://www.ajc.com/metro/content/metro/1105/08brac.html?cxntnid=amn110805e