Georgia’s 2015 Legislative Session is underway at the Capitol, with transportation, medical marijuana, immigration and a reintroduction of a controversial “religious freedom” bill all on the agenda.
A state study committee reported that “Georgia is faced with a growing crisis with regard to funding the construction, repair and maintenance of its transportation infrastructure.” The report says the state must come up with $1 billion to $1.5 billion a year simply to maintain its roads and bridges.
Addressing critical needs would require another $2.1 billion to $2.9 billion, consultants told the committee. At the same time, some state officials are beginning to talk about including mass transit in the transportation mix. Where the money will come from is still uncertain. Options on the table include raising the motor fuel tax; converting the sales tax on motor fuels to an excise tax; adding another penny to the state sales tax; setting road-use fees for electric cars and hybrids; and increasing the role of transit
A bill to legalize marijuana for medical use failed in the final day of last year’s session, but there is new support in 2015 and even Gov. Nathan Deal (who will be sworn in today) is on board after reading a new bill drafted by State Rep. Alan Peake.
Following the President’s decision to change the legal status of about 100,000 immigrants in Georgia, Senator Josh McKoon of Columbus said he will introduce a bill to draw the line.
“This bill would make it clear that only people who are lawfully present in Georgia, can obtain a Georgia driver’s license,” McKoon said.
McKoon has also said he will reintroduce the “religious freedom” bill that died last year after big companies like Coca-Cola, Delta Air Lines and Home Depot – as well as civil rights groups, chamber of commerce and the LGBT community – said the legislation discriminated and against gays and minorities. In essence, the bill would allow business owners to deny service to anyone they felt violated their religious beliefs.
However, the bill might not make it far after Georgia House Speaker David Ralston was quoted in the Atlanta Business Chronicle as whether a broadened definition of religious freedom was actually necessary.
Our media affiliates Reporter Newspapers and CBS46 contributed to this report.
