Monday, Jan. 12, 2009

Georgia General Assembly session begins

ATLANTA – The Georgia General Assembly is officially in session.

The House and Senate were ordered into session shortly after 10 a.m. Monday. The main order of business is today is to swear in new members.

The Columbus delegation has not changed in four years. The House members are Calvin Smyre (D), Vance Smith (R), Carolyn Hugley (D), Debbie Buckner (D) and Richard Smith (R). The local senators are Seth Harp (R) and Ed Harbison (D).

The main topic will be the state’s growing financial crisis. The state’s $21.5 billion budget is expecting a shortfall that could exceed $2 billion.

“It’s all about the B-U-D-G-E-T,” said Richard Smith. “We are talking about transportation and trauma bills, but all of those issues cost money. The budget is going to drive everything.”