New Year, New Leaders, New Appointments, New Bills
Radio Commentary, 90.7, 91.7 New Life FM, December 28, 2012 – By Sue Ella Deadwyler
Good morning, Jim. In Georgia, a brand new year means a new session of the General Assembly, new senators, new representatives, new caucus leaders and new Senate and House floor leaders to carry the governor’s legislation. In September, Governor Deal named District 14 Representative Coomer to be his new State House floor leader to replace Representative Collins who won Georgia’s new seat in Congress in November.
This month, Governor Deal appointed Senator Jeffares of Locust Grove and Senator Bethel of Dalton to join Senator Jackson of Appling as his Senate floor leaders in 2013.
Of the 180 members of the Georgia House of Representatives, 119 are Republicans, leaving them one vote shy of a two-thirds majority. Representative Kidd, who was elected as an Independent, could be the swing vote. The Republican Caucus has already elected Representative Ralston to continue as House Speaker and Representative Jan Jones as Speaker Pro Tem. They will, officially, resume their duties after they’re confirmed by the full House January 14th, the first day of the session. Continue reading