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January 15, 2013
Greetings!        

The Georgia General Assembly's 2013 legislative session has started!  

We want to keep you updated on our issues as they are happening under the gold dome.  If you would like to receive our legislative updates each day during the session, please reply to this email.  Our first update is below. 
 
Want to help with our legislative efforts?  Please consider a donation today!

Sincerely,  

 

William Perry
Executive Director
Common Cause Georgia
 
CCGA Legislative Update, Day 1
 

The 2013 Georgia Legislative Session started off with a bang for Common Cause Georgia, the Georgia Alliance for Ethics Reform and State Senator Josh McKoon (R-Columbus).  The Senate adopted rules that include capping lobbyist gifts to legislators at $100.  Although the rule has some exceptions we are not happy with, this was a historic first step - for the first time in Georgia history, there is a limit on gifts lobbyists can give to some members of the legislature.  We look forward to working with members of the Senate to strengthen the rule and make it a law, and hope the House will soon follow the Senate's lead.

 

At a press conference held shortly after the Senate vote, William Perry, Executive Director of CCGA said "The Senate is showing that they are serious about limiting lobbyists gifts by instituting a rule on themselves. This is not a substitute for legislation, but it is something they can do to lead by example from day one. We recognize the significance of the step, but also know there's a lot of ground still left to cover."

 

This past July over 1.2 million Georgians told lawmakers very clearly that they wanted to change the way lobbyists interact with legislators.  87% of Republicans and 72% of Democrats voted "yes" on Question 2 of their respective ballots, calling to cap gifts a lobbyist can give a legislator. 

 

Before yesterday, we were one of only three states that had zero restrictions on lobbyist gift giving.  This step sends a message that ethics reform is real in 2013, and we are excited about taking the principles of the Senate Rules and working towards a comprehensive package that can make Georgia a leader of states with strong ethics laws.  

 

Read more from the AJC.

 
 
        Common Cause Georgia - 100 Edgewood Ave NE, Suite 1275, Atlanta, GA 30303 - 404-524-4598