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March 23, 2018 Radio Commentary

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H.B. 118 Offers Kids an Addiction

Radio Commentary, 90.7, 91.7 New Life FM, March 23, 2018 – By Sue Ella Deadwyler

Since next Tuesday and Thursday are the last two days of the session, several critical bills need your immediate attention. If the following four bills aren’t favorably reported out of the Rules Committee and onto the floor for a vote, they will die, along with many others.

H.B. 118, the Fantasy Contest Act of 2017 was carried into this session to create beginner gambling for kids. The bill requires “fantasy contest operators [to] develop fantasy contests that are limited to [18-year-old] beginners … and [prevent] non-beginner players from participating.” If this passes, and kids use their iPhones to gamble on Fantasy Sports, it would be almost impossible to deny access to kids under 18.

Two years ago, the Georgia Attorney General’s office notified the Lottery Commission that “fantasy sports constitutes illegal gambling and are not allowed under Georgia law.” Also, fantasy sports expert Arnie Wexler called daily Fantasy Sports online gambling, that can be as addictive as crack cocaine. The question is: How many legislators are willing to allow the lure of big bucks to expose teenagers to addictive behavior. H.B. 118 passed the House and is in the Senate Rules Committee. Continue reading →

March 16, 2018 Radio Commentary

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S.B. 373 Transformed Into Hate Crime Bill

Radio Commentary, 90.7, 91.7 New Life FM, March 16, 2018 – By Sue Ella Deadwyler

Several battles are raging at the State Capitol. One concerns Senator Tippins’ S.B. 373 that authorizes the governor to appoint one more judge to the ten-member Cobb County Circuit. The new judge would serve a two-year term, after which his successor would be elected in November 2020 for a four-year term that would begin in 2021.

That passed the Senate 39-0, but it was totally changed in the House Judiciary Committee. NOW S.B. 373 is a hate crimes bill that provides stiffer penalties for seven different crimes, if they, seemingly, are committed because of the victim’s gender or sexual orientation. Also, it provides civil rights status based on gender and sexual orientation that include behaviors that have always been illegal.

Call Rules Committee Chairman Representative Meadows at 404 656-5141 and ask him to stop S.B. 373 in his committee. Continue reading →

March 9, 2018 Radio Commentary

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Law Enforcement to Cooperate with ICE

Radio Commentary, 90.7, 91.7 New Life FM, March 9, 2018 – By Sue Ella Deadwyler

On February 21st, Senator Jesse Stone introduced S.B. 452 and it passed the Senate by a vote of 36-17 on February 26th. It requires several actions by law enforcement to strengthen state laws concerning the status of illegal aliens suspected of criminal offenses in Georgia.

Georgia law on the subject, currently, allows law enforcement to identify and verify the status of suspected criminals in the U.S. But, if S.B. 452 passes, various law enforcement officials would be required to notify and transfer all information collected in their investigation to the prosecuting attorney that has jurisdiction over the crime.

If the suspect is an illegal alien and is found guilty of a felony, misdemeanor, or ordinance, the sentencing court would be required to determine at the time of sentencing whether the United States Immigration and Customs Enforcement agency (ICE) has placed a detainer on the convicted illegal alien. If there is a detainer, several other levels of law enforcement must cooperate, including the Department of Corrections, the sheriff or local jailor, the State Board of Pardons and Paroles and the Department of Community Supervision.

Also, a convicted illegal alien could not be given probation if the court learns that the person would be legally subject to deportation during a probation period. The convicted illegal alien could not be issued bond, but would be detained, arrested, and transported as authorized by state and federal law. Continue reading →

March 2018 Newsletter

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10 Good Bills Worth Watching

Bill #1 – Prohibit “Safe Spaces” that Deny Freedom of Speech
S.B. 339 Free Speech Policy for University System, introduced by Senator William Ligon, passed the Senate 33-19 on February 26th. It would require the board of regents to develop and adopt a policy to prohibit practices and plans that curtail or restrain the freedom of speech or the press and include penalties for violations. After a year, the board would report annually to the public, governor, and General Assembly on September 1st. The report must list any barriers that curtailed or restricted free speech, along with the nature of controversies and difficulties that occurred. The report may include recommended changes to rectify related problems.

ACTION – Support. Call House Judiciary Committee Representatives Willard, Ch., 404 656-5125; Fleming, V-Ch., 656-0152; Kelley, Sec., 657-1803; Beskin, 656-0254; Caldwell, 656-0152; Golick, 656-5943; Hanson, 656-0325; Powell, 656-5103; Rutledge, 656-0254; Welch, 656-5912; Nix 656-5146 (Ex officio). (These are the 9 Republicans on the 16-member committee.)

  • To read about the other nine bills in PDF format, please click here.