150th Georgia General Assembly

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150th Georgia General Assembly
←149th 151st→
Great Seal of the State of Georgia
Great Seal of the State of Georgia
Overview
Legislative bodyGeorgia General Assembly
Meeting placeGeorgia State Capitol
Senate
Members56 (34 R, 22 D*)
President of the SenateCasey Cagle (R)
Party controlRepublican Party
House of Representatives
Members180 (108 R, 71 D, 1 I)
Speaker of the HouseDavid Ralston (R)
Party controlRepublican Party
Terms of the Georgia General Assembly
  • v
  • t

Overview[]

The 150th General Assembly of the U.S. state of Georgia convened its first session on January 12, 2009, at the Georgia State Capitol in Atlanta, Georgia. The 150th Georgia General Assembly succeeded the 149th and will serve as the precedent for the 151st General Assembly in 2011.

The 150th General Assembly adjourned its first session on April 3, 2009. The second session of the 150th General Assembly convened January 11, 2010.

Officers[]

Senate[]

Presiding Officer[]

Position Name District Party
President Casey Cagle n/a Republican
President Pro Tempore Tommie Williams 19 Republican

Majority leadership[]

Position Name District
Senate Majority Leader Chip Rogers 21
Majority Caucus Chairman Dan Moody 56
Majority Whip John Wiles 37

Minority leadership[]

Position Name District
Senate Minority Leader Robert Brown 26
Minority Caucus Chairman Tim Golden 8
Minority Whip David Adelman 42

House of Representatives[]

Presiding Officer[]

Position Name District Party
Speaker of the House David Ralston 7 Republican
Speaker Pro Tempore Jan Jones 46 Republican

Glenn Richardson (R) served as Speaker of the House from January 2009 through Jan. 1, 2010. Mark Burkhalter (R) served as Speaker pro tempore during the same period, and was acting Speaker when the House reconvened on Jan. 11, 2010, at which time the House elected David Ralston and Jan Jones.[1][2]

Majority leadership[]

Position Name District
House Majority Leader 179
Majority Whip Edward Lindsey 54
Majority Caucus Chairman Donna Sheldon 105
Majority Caucus Vice Chairman 111
Majority Caucus Sec./Treas. Allen Peake 137

Minority leadership[]

Position Name District
House Minority Leader DuBose Porter 143
Minority Whip Carolyn Hugley 133
Minority Caucus Chairman Calvin Smyre 132
Minority Caucus Vice Chairman Nikki Randall 138
Minority Caucus Secretary Kathy Ashe 56
Minority Caucus Treasurer Don Wix 33

Members of the State Senate[]

District Senator Party First elected Residence
1 Earl “Buddy” Carter Republican 2009 Pooler
2[permanent dead link] Lester Jackson Democratic 2008 Savannah
3[permanent dead link] Jeff Chapman Republican 2004 Brunswick
4[permanent dead link] Jack Hill Republican 1990 Reidsville
5[permanent dead link] Curt Thompson Democratic 2004 Norcross
6[permanent dead link] Doug Stoner Democratic 2004 Smyrna
7[permanent dead link] Greg Goggans Republican 2004 Douglas
8[permanent dead link] Tim Golden Democratic 1998 Valdosta
9[permanent dead link] Don Balfour Republican 1992 Snellville
10[permanent dead link] Emanuel Jones Democratic 2004 Ellenwood
11[permanent dead link] John Bulloch Republican 2002 Ockhocknee
12[permanent dead link] Freddie Powell Sims Democratic 2008 Dawson
13[permanent dead link] John Crosby Republican 2008 Tifton
14[permanent dead link] George Hooks Democratic 1990 Americus
15[permanent dead link] Ed Harbison Democratic 1992 Columbus
16[permanent dead link] Ronnie Chance Republican 2004 Tyrone
17[permanent dead link] Republican 2004 Social Circle
18[permanent dead link] Cecil Staton Republican 2004 Macon
19[permanent dead link] Tommie Williams Republican 1998 Lyons
20[permanent dead link] Ross Tolleson Republican 2002 Perry
21[permanent dead link] Chip Rogers Republican 2004 Woodstock
22[permanent dead link] VACANT
23[permanent dead link] Democratic 2004 Blythe
24[permanent dead link] Bill Jackson Republican 2007 Appling
25[permanent dead link] Johnny Grant Republican 2004 Milledgeville
26[permanent dead link] Robert Brown Democratic 1991 Macon
27[permanent dead link] Jack Murphy Republican 2006 Cumming
28[permanent dead link] Mitch Seabaugh Republican 2000 Sharpsburg
29[permanent dead link] Seth Harp Republican 2000 Midland
30[permanent dead link] Bill Hamrick Republican 1999 Carrollton
31[permanent dead link] Bill Heath Republican 2004 Bremen
32[permanent dead link] Judson Hill Republican 2004 East Cobb
33[permanent dead link] Steve Thompson Democratic 1990 Marietta
34[permanent dead link] Valencia Seay Democratic 2003 Riverdale
35[permanent dead link] Donzella James Democratic 2009 College Park
36[permanent dead link] Nan Orrock Democratic 2006 Atlanta
37[permanent dead link] Republican 2004 Kennesaw
38[permanent dead link] Horacena Tate Democratic 1998 Atlanta
39[permanent dead link] Vincent Fort Democratic 1996 Atlanta
40[permanent dead link] Republican 2004 Dunwoody
41[permanent dead link] Steve Henson Democratic 2002 Tucker
42[permanent dead link] David Adelman Democratic 2002 Atlanta
43[permanent dead link] Democratic 2006 LIthonia
44[permanent dead link] Gail Buckner Democratic 2008 Jonesboro
45[permanent dead link] Renee Unterman Republican 2002 Buford
46[permanent dead link] Bill Cowsert Republican 2006 Athens
47[permanent dead link] Ralph Hudgens Republican 2002 Hull
48[permanent dead link] David Shafer Republican 2001 Duluth
49[permanent dead link] Lee Hawkins Republican 2006 Gainesville
50[permanent dead link] Jim Butterworth Republican 2008 Cornelia
51[permanent dead link] Chip Pearson Republican 2004 Dawsonville
52[permanent dead link] Preston Smith Republican 2002 Rome
53[permanent dead link] Jeff Mullis Republican 2000 Chickamauga
54[permanent dead link] Republican 1996 Dalton
55[permanent dead link] Gloria Butler Democratic 1999 Stone Mountain
56[permanent dead link] Dan Moody Republican 2002 Alpharetta

Changes in Membership from Previous Term[]

While no seat changed party control from the previous session, the beginning of the 150th Georgia General Assembly still saw five new state senators. Two of these new senators defeated the incumbent in the runoff for their parties' primaries. Two replaced incumbents who had run for other office. Another replaced a senator who had retired.

District Previous Subsequent Reason for change
2nd Regina Thomas (D) Lester Jackson (D) Ran for Congress
12th Michael Meyer von Bremen (D) Freddie Powell Sims (D) Ran for a seat on the Georgia Court of Appeals
13th (R) John Crosby (R) Retired
44th Gail Davenport (D) Gail Buckner (D) Defeated in primary runoff
50th Nancy Schaefer (R) Jim Butterworth (R) Defeated in primary runoff

Changes in Membership During Current Term[]

There have been three vacancies in the State Senate as of December 25, 2009. All three have been due to resignations. Two have since been filled, both by members of the same party as the former incumbent. Another vacancy is expected at some point during the term.

Date seat became vacant District Previous Reason for change Subsequent Date of successor's taking office
August 2009 35th Kasim Reed (D) Resigned to run for Mayor of Atlanta. A special election was held on November 3, 2009. Because no candidate gained a majority of the vote, a runoff was held December 1, 2009. Donzella James
(D)
September 15, 2009 1st Eric Johnson
(R) 		Resigned to run for Governor of Georgia. A special election was held on November 3, 2009. Buddy Carter
(R)
November 9, 2009 22nd Ed Tarver
(D) 		Resigned after being confirmed as U.S. Attorney for the Southern District of Georgia. A special election is to be held January 5, 2010 with a runoff, if necessary on February 2, 2010.[3] Hardie Davis
(D)
March 19, 2010 42nd David Adelman
(D) 		Nominated by President Barack Obama as United States Ambassador to Singapore.[4] If confirmed, Adelman will have to resign his State Senate seat, creating another vacancy. Jason Carter
(D)

Announced Retirements[]

As of December 25, 2009, six state senators have announced that they will not be running for re-election in 2010. One Senator, Dan Moody (56th) is retiring.[5] The other five are seeking higher office.

Jeff Chapman (3rd) is running for Governor.[6] Following State Insurance and Fire Commissioner John Oxendine's decision to run for Governor, Seth Harp (29th) and Ralph Hudgens (47th)[7] announced that they will seek the Republican nomination for the office. Lee Hawkins (49th) announced that he will run for the Congressional seat to be left open by incumbent Nathan Deal's campaign for Governor. Finally, Gail Buckner is running for state Secretary of State,[8] a position she also ran for in 2006.

Members of the House of Representatives[]

District Representative Party First elected Residence
1 Jay Neal Republican 2004 LaFayette
2 Martin Scott Republican 2004 Rossville
3 Republican 2008 Ringgold
4 Republican 2001 Ringgold
5 John D. Meadows, III Republican 2004 Calhoun
6 Tom Dickson Republican 2004 Cohutta
7 David Ralston Republican 2002 Blue Ridge
8 Stephen Allison Republican 2008 Blairsville
9 Amos Amerson Republican 2000 Dahlonega
10 Ben Bridges Republican 2008 Clarkesville
11 Barbara Massey Reece Democratic 1998 Menlo
12 Rick Jasperse Republican 2010 Jasper
13 Katie Dempsey Republican 2006 Rome
14 Barry Loudermilk Republican 2010 Cassville
15 Paul Battles Republican 2008 Cartersville
16 Democratic 2007 Cedartown
17 Howard R. Maxwell Republican 2002 Dallas
18 Mark Butler Republican 2010 Carrollton
19 Glenn Richardson Republican 2010 Hiram
20 Charlice H. Byrd Republican 2004 Woodstock
21 Republican 2002 Canton
22 Sean Jerguson Republican 2006 Holly Springs
23 Mark Hamilton Republican 2006 Cumming
24 Republican 2010 Suwanee
25 Republican 1992 Gainesville
26 Republican 1994 Gainesville
27 Doug Collins Republican 2006 Gainesville
28 Republican 2008 Toccoa
29 Alan Powell Democratic 1990 Hartwell
30 Tom McCall Republican 1994 Elberton
31 Tommy Benton Republican 2004 Jefferson
32 Judy Manning Republican 1996 Marietta
33 Don Wix Democratic 2010 Austell
34 Rich Golick Republican 1998 Smyrna
35 Ed Setzler Republican 2004 Acworth
36 Earl Ehrhart Republican 1988 Powder Springs
37 Terry Johnson Democratic 2004 Marietta
38 Pat Dooley Democratic 2010 Marietta
39 Alisha Thomas Morgan Democratic 2002 Austell
40 Democratic 2010 Atlanta
41 Sharon Cooper Republican 1996 Marietta
42 Don Parsons Republican 1994 Marietta
43 Bobby Franklin Republican 1996 Marietta
44 Sheila Jones Democratic 2004 Atlanta
45 Matt Dollar Republican 2002 Marietta
46 Jan Jones Republican 2003 Milton
47 Chuck Martin Republican 2002 Alpharetta
48 Harry Geisinger Republican 2004 Roswell
49 Wendell Willard Republican 2000 Sandy Springs
50 Mark Burkhalter Republican 2010 Johns Creek
51 Republican 1996 Norcross
52 Joe Wilkinson Republican 2000 Atlanta
53 Democratic 2008 Atlanta
54 Edward Lindsey Republican 2004 Atlanta
55 Rashad Taylor Democratic 2008 Atlanta
56 Kathy Ashe Democratic 1990 Atlanta
57 Pat Gardner Democratic 2001 Atlanta
58 Simone Bell Democratic 2009 Atlanta
59 Margaret D. Kaiser Democratic 2006 Atlanta
60 Georganna Sinkfield Democratic 2010 Atlanta
61 Democratic 2008 Atlanta
62 Democratic 1994 East Point
63 Tyrone L. Brooks, Sr. Democratic 1980 Atlanta
64 Roger B. Bruce Democratic 2002 Atlanta
65 Sharon Beasley-Teague Democratic 1992 Red Oak
66 Virgil Fludd Democratic 2002 Tyrone
67 Bill Hembree Republican 1998 Winston
68 Republican 2004 Villa Rica
69 Randy Nix Republican 2006 LaGrange
70 Lynn Ratigan Smith Republican 1996 Newnan
71 Billy Horne Republican 2004 Newnan
72 Matt Ramsey Republican 2006 Peachtree City
73 John P. Yates Republican 1988 Griffin
74 Democratic 2004 Riverdale
75 Democratic 2010 Jonesboro
76 Mike Glanton Democratic 2010 Jonesboro
77 Democratic 2000 Riverdale
78 Democratic 2008 Jonesboro
79 Fran Millar Republican 2010 Dunwoody
80 Mike Jacobs Republican 2004 Brookhaven
81 Republican 2000 Atlanta
82 Democratic 2004 Atlanta
83 Mary Margaret Oliver Democratic 2002 Decatur
84 Stacey Abrams Democratic 2006 Atlanta
85 Stephanie Stuckey Benfield Democratic 1998 Atlanta
86 Karla Drenner Democratic 2000 Avondale Estates
87 Michele D. Henson Democratic 1990 Stone Mountain
88 Billy Mitchell Democratic 2002 Stone Mountain
89 Earnest "Coach" Williams Democratic 2002 Avondale Estates
90 Howard Mosby Democratic 2002 Atlanta
91 Rahn Mayo Democratic 2008 Atlanta
92 Pam Stephenson Democratic 2002 Decatur
93 Dee Dawkins-Haigler Democratic 2008 Lithonia
94 Democratic 2010 Lithonia
95 Democratic 2010 Conyers
96 Pedro Rafael Marin Democratic 2002 Duluth
97 Brooks P. Coleman, Jr. Republican 1992 Duluth
98 Republican 2010 Buford
99 Hugh Floyd Democratic 2002 Norcross
100 Democratic 2004 Lilburn
101 Republican 2010 Lawrenceville
102 Clay Cox Republican 2004 Lilburn
103 David Casas Republican 2002 Lilburn
104 Republican 2004 Lawrenceville
105 Donna Sheldon Republican 2002 Dacula
106 Melvin Everson Republican 2006 Snellville
107 Republican 2004 Loganville
108 Terry Lamar England Republican 2004 Auburn
109 Republican 2004 McDonough
110 John Lunsford Republican 2004 McDonough
111 Republican 2004 Monroe
112 Republican 2004 Social Circle
113 Republican 2004 Watkinsville
114 Democratic 1992 Athens
115 Doug McKillip Democratic 2006 Athens
116 Mickey Channell Republican 2002 Greensboro
117 Lee Anderson Republican 2008 Grovetown
118 Republican 1994 Evans
119 Barbara Sims Republican 2006 Augusta
120 Quincy Murphy Democratic 2002 Augusta
121 Henry "Wayne" Howard Democratic 2006 Augusta
122 Democratic 2009 Augusta
123 Gloria Frazier Democratic 2006 Hephzibah
124 Democratic 1996 Sparta
125 Republican 2004 Monticello
126 David Knight Republican 2004 Griffin
127 Republican 2007 Zebulon
128 Democratic 1992 LaGrange
129 Kip Smith Republican 2009 Columbus
130 Debbie Buckner Democratic 2002 Junction City
131 Richard H. Smith Republican 2004 Columbus
132 Calvin Smyre Democratic 1974 Columbus
133 Carolyn Hugley Democratic 1992 Columbus
134 Mike Cheokas Democratic 2004 Americus
135 Lynmore James Democratic 1992 Montezuma
136 Robert Dickey Republican 2011 Musella
137 Allen Peake Republican 2006 Macon
138 Nikki Randall Democratic 1999 Macon
139 David E. Lucas, Sr. Democratic 1975 Macon
140 Bubber Epps Democratic 2008 Dry Branch
141 Rusty Kidd Independent 2009 Milledgeville
142 Mack Jackson Democratic 2008 Sandersville
143 DuBose Porter Democratic 1983 Dublin
144 Jimmy Pruett Republican 2006 Eastman
145 Willie Lee Talton Republican 2004 Warner Robins
146 Larry O'Neal Republican 2001 Bonaire
147 Buddy Harden Republican 2008 Cordele
148 Bob Hanner Republican 1975 Parrott
149 Gerald E. Greene Republican 1982 Cuthbert
150 Winfred J. Dukes Democratic 1996 Albany
151 Carol Fullerton Democratic 2008 Albany
152 Ed Rynders Republican 2002 Albany
153 Austin Scott Republican 2004 Tifton
154 Republican 2002 Ocilla
155 Greg Morris Republican 1998 Vidalia
156 Larry "Butch" Parrish Republican 1984 Swainsboro
157 Jon G. Burns Republican 2004 Newington
158 Bob Lane Republican 1983 Brooklet
159 Republican 2009 Rincon
160 Bob Bryant Democratic 2004 Garden City
161 Mickey Stephens Democratic 2008 Savannah
162 J. Craig Gordon Democratic 2006 Savannah
163 Burke Day Republican 2000 Savannah
164 Ron Stephens Republican 1996 Savannah
165 Al Williams Democratic 2002 Midway
166 Republican 2004 Glennville
167 Republican 2004 Darien
168 Republican 1978 Nicholls
169 Chuck Sims Republican 1996 Ambrose
170 Penny Houston Republican 1998 Nashville
171 Jay Powell Republican 2008 Camilla
172 Gene Maddox Republican 2004 Cairo
173 Mike Keown Republican 2004 Thomasville
174 Ellis Black Democratic 2002 Valdosta
175 Amy Carter Democratic 2006 Valdosta
176 Democratic 2004 Lakeland
177 Mark Hatfield Republican 2004 Waycross
178 Republican 2004 Jesup
179 Republican 2004 Brunswick
180 Republican 2004 Woodbine

Major issues[]

  • Severe budget cuts due to the 2009 recession.
  • Circumvention of the Georgia Public Service Commission, by allowing Georgia Power to charge power company customers (which includes most Georgians) for two new nuclear reactors at Plant Vogtle years before they are built. The bill exempts businesses, putting the entire burden on residential customers. This passed in both chambers and was signed by the governor, but has been challenged in court as having raised revenue without being originated in the lower house.
  • Proposed cuts in aid to counties, which reduce property taxes they must charge their residents. These were not cut, meaning that the state, rather than the counties, will have to cut over 400 million dollars from the fiscal 2010 (July 2009 to June 2010) budget.
  • The massive food recall caused by the Peanut Corporation of America in Blakely, Georgia, and the role that the Georgia Department of Agriculture and lax state laws may have played in allowing it to happen. Food-processing companies will now be required to notify the state within 24 hours of any test results indicating contamination, among other changes.
  • A bill to move MARTA oversight from MARTOC to GRTA, which did not pass.
  • A bill to permanently remove the mandatory 50/50 split on capital expenditures, so that MARTA can postpone these and maintain service (operational expenditures) during periods of low sales tax revenue. The failure of the legislature to pass this means crippling cuts in MARTA service because it cannot access its reserve account, and the MARTA board has requested a special session to correct the situation. The Atlanta Regional Commission has suggested giving MARTA enough money from the U.S. stimulus act to get it to the 2010 legislative session with minimal cutbacks to the already-limited public transit system.
  • Reinstatement of the sales tax on groceries, allegedly to target illegal immigrants. This failed.
  • Elimination of sales taxes and annual ad valorem taxes on new cars, to be replaced by a car title transfer tax of 7%, including transfers between family members, and possibly to or from charities. This would also take a significant amount of money (the 2-4% local portion of the sales tax) away from local government. The 2000-dollar cap on the tax also would make it a regressive tax. This did not pass.
  • Banning of all stem-cell research, passed by the Senate.
  • Gutting most of the Georgia Department of Transportation, merging all of its planning authority into a new State Transportation Authority along with the Georgia Regional Transportation Authority and the State Road and Tollway Authority. This failed, an instead other changes were made to put more power in the hands of state politicians.
  • Changing state law in order to accept money for the state unemployment insurance fund from the federal American Recovery and Reinvestment Act (the U.S. "stimulus act"). This became law, but no help will get to the unemployed until May 25.
  • Requiring pickup truck and other truck drivers to wear their seat belts like other motorists have been for years. This failed again as in years past.
  • Addition of a 200-dollar fine for excessive speeding, over 85 miles per hour (137 km/h) on expressways and over 75 miles per hour (121 km/h) on smaller roads. The money will go to trauma care in the state's hospitals.

References[]

  1. ^ AJC: Richardson out, Burkhalter will be speaker
  2. ^ AJC: Live blogging from the Legislature: David Ralston elected House speaker Archived 2010-01-14 at the Wayback Machine
  3. ^ "Archived copy". Archived from the original on 2010-04-04. Retrieved 2018-12-21.CS1 maint: archived copy as title (link)
  4. ^ "Archived copy". whitehouse.gov. Archived from the original on 2017-02-16. Retrieved 2018-12-21 – via National Archives.CS1 maint: archived copy as title (link)
  5. ^ http://senatepress.net/sen-dan-moody-will-not-run-for-state-senate-in-2010.html
  6. ^ http://chronicle.augusta.com/stories/latest/lat_701521.shtml?v=0601
  7. ^ "Archived copy". Archived from the original on 2010-01-16. Retrieved 2009-12-25.CS1 maint: archived copy as title (link)
  8. ^ http://www.gailbuckner.com

External links[]

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