The 2016 legislative session is within the last ten legislative days.
Monday, February 29 was the 30th legislative day, better known as Crossover Day. Day 30 is the last day a bill can pass from one chamber to the other (the House and Senate) to remain eligible for consideration that session. Technically, a bill that does not pass by crossover day is considered failed for the year; however, I want you to be aware that any measure can reappear in the form of an amendment, a substitute, or language added to a conference committee report. An amendment would change a bill by adding the language of another bill to it, a substitute is very similar to an amendment, and language added to a conference committee report would be decided in a committee of House and Senate members negotiating changes made to a bill, with an example being the hotel/motel tax added to the transportation bill last year. This part of the legislature is a most dangerous time of the session as last minute deals and maneuvers can cause bad legislation to pass and good legislation to fail.
HR 807/HB 677 – Casino Gambling: In a stunning turn of events, the House postponed a vote on the measures to change the state constitution to allow casino gambling in Georgia. This effectively ends the chances of the issue moving forward this year. Last weekend those of us in House leadership were instructed by House Speaker David Ralston (R-Blue Ridge) that it was an “all hands on deck weekend.” Much like emergency personnel before a storm, we were to be on call to let the Speaker know what we were hearing from our constituents back home on the issue. In their communications to me, my constituents were 10-1 opposed to a vote on casino gambling. I let the Speaker know this, and I did point out that there were proponents of the measure who I deeply respect within my district. Late Sunday evening, I gave my final input which I will now share with you. I told the group that in my opinion, casino gambling would be a net negative for Georgia. This is my personal opinion. I also expressed my belief that the constitution belongs to the people of Georgia, not the Legislature, and the citizens of Georgia should be allowed to choose for themselves whether or not it should be changed. However, this debate on casino gambling has been predicated on the assumption that the success of the HOPE Scholarship depended on its passage. The truth is that HOPE can be saved by two simple, yet politically difficult, moves: stopping the runaway tuition increases instituted by the Board of Regents, and forcing the Lottery Corporation to follow the law, by lawsuit if necessary, to follow its charter in regards to the money awarded in prizes and money allocated to HOPE and Pre-K. At any rate, based on what the Speaker heard, he made the decision not to move forward with a vote on casino gambling this year. I commend Speaker Ralston for listening to the will of the people of Georgia through their elected representatives. I am willing to debate casino gambling, but the people should decide the issue after hearing from their elected representatives in an honest and open debate. I will take the well of the House and explain my opposition, while proponents do the same in support. People should make a decision based on the truth, not profits, for what is best for the future of our beloved state.
As we come to the final days of the 2016 legislative session, I encourage you to call or text me at 912-293-0725 for input on issues of importance, as the action will be fast, sometimes minute by minute. Often by the time I read an email in the office, the opportunity to address your concerns may have passed. I will continue to work diligently in these final days, and hope that you will reach out to me with any questions or concerns about the legislation we will be considering in the House.
Representative Greg Morris represents the citizens of District 156, which includes portions of Appling, Jeff Davis, Montgomery, and Toombs counties. He was elected into the House of Representatives in 1998, and currently serves as the Chairman of the Banks & Banking Committee. He also serves on the Appropriations Subcommittee on Human Resources and the Code Revision, Natural Resources & Environment, and Rules committees.