Surf Wiki
Save to docs
politics

From Surf Wiki (app.surf) — the open knowledge base

150th Georgia General Assembly

Term of state legislature in US state of Georgia

Term of state legislature in US state of Georgia

FieldValue
name150th Georgia General Assembly
imageFile:Seal of Georgia.svg
image_size125px
altGreat Seal of the State of Georgia
captionGreat Seal of the State of Georgia
bodyGeorgia General Assembly
meeting_placeGeorgia State Capitol
before149th
after151st
chamber1Senate
membership156 (34 R, 22 D*)
control1Republican Party
chamber1_leader1_typePresident of the Senate
chamber1_leader1Casey Cagle (R)
chamber2House of Representatives
membership2180 (108 R, 71 D, 1 I)
control2Republican Party
chamber2_leader1_typeSpeaker of the House
chamber2_leader1David Ralston (R)
session1_start
session1_end
session2_start
session2_end

Overview

The 150th Georgia General Assembly. 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 served 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

PositionNameDistrictParty
PresidentCasey Caglen/a
President Pro TemporeTommie Williams19

Majority leadership

PositionNameDistrict
Senate Majority LeaderChip Rogers
Majority Caucus ChairmanDan Moody
Majority Vice leaderJohn Wiles

Minority leadership

PositionNameDistrict
Senate Minority LeaderRobert Brown
Minority Caucus ChairmanTim Golden
Minority Vice leaderDavid Adelman

House of Representatives

Presiding officer

PositionNameDistrictParty
Speaker of the HouseDavid Ralston7
Speaker Pro TemporeJan Jones46

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.

Majority leadership

PositionNameDistrict
House of Representatives Majority LeaderJerry Keen
House of Representatives Majority Vice leaderEdward Lindsey
Majority Caucus ChairmanDonna Sheldon
Majority Caucus Vice ChairmanJeff May
Majority Caucus Sec./Treas.Allen Peake

Minority leadership

PositionNameDistrict
House of Representatives Minority LeaderDuBose Porter
House of Representatives Minority Vice leaderCarolyn Hugley
House of Representatives Minority Caucus ChairmanCalvin Smyre
House of Representatives Minority Caucus Vice ChairmanNikki Randall
Minority Caucus SecretaryKathy Ashe
Minority Caucus TreasurerDon Wix

Members of the state senate

DistrictDistrictSenatorPartyFirst electedResidence1234567891011121314151617181920212223242526272829303132333435363738394041424344454647484950515253545556
1Earl “Buddy” CarterRepublican2009Pooler
2Lester JacksonDemocratic2008Savannah
3Jeff ChapmanRepublican2004Brunswick
4Jack HillRepublican1990Reidsville
5Curt ThompsonDemocratic2004Norcross
6Doug StonerDemocratic2004Smyrna
7Greg GoggansRepublican2004Douglas
8Tim GoldenDemocratic1998Valdosta
9Don BalfourRepublican1992Snellville
10Emanuel JonesDemocratic2004Ellenwood
11John BullochRepublican2002Ockhocknee
12Freddie Powell SimsDemocratic2008Dawson
13John CrosbyRepublican2008Tifton
14George HooksDemocratic1990Americus
15Ed HarbisonDemocratic1992Columbus
16Ronnie ChanceRepublican2004Tyrone
17John DouglasRepublican2004Social Circle
18Cecil StatonRepublican2004Macon
19Tommie WilliamsRepublican1998Lyons
20Ross TollesonRepublican2002Perry
21Chip RogersRepublican2004Woodstock
22VACANT
23J.B. PowellDemocratic2004Blythe
24Bill JacksonRepublican2007Appling
25Johnny GrantRepublican2004Milledgeville
26Robert BrownDemocratic1991Macon
27Jack MurphyRepublican2006Cumming
28Mitch SeabaughRepublican2000Sharpsburg
29Seth HarpRepublican2000Midland
30Bill HamrickRepublican1999Carrollton
31Bill HeathRepublican2004Bremen
32Judson HillRepublican2004East Cobb
33Steve ThompsonDemocratic1990Marietta
34Valencia SeayDemocratic2003Riverdale
35Donzella JamesDemocratic2009College Park
36Nan OrrockDemocratic2006Atlanta
37John WilesRepublican2004Kennesaw
38Horacena TateDemocratic1998Atlanta
39Vincent FortDemocratic1996Atlanta
40Dan WeberRepublican2004Dunwoody
41Steve HensonDemocratic2002Tucker
42David AdelmanDemocratic2002Atlanta
43Ronald Ramsey, Jr.Democratic2006Lithonia
44Gail BucknerDemocratic2008Jonesboro
45Renee UntermanRepublican2002Buford
46Bill CowsertRepublican2006Athens
47Ralph HudgensRepublican2002Hull
48David ShaferRepublican2001Duluth
49Lee HawkinsRepublican2006Gainesville
50Jim ButterworthRepublican2008Cornelia
51Chip PearsonRepublican2004Dawsonville
52Preston SmithRepublican2002Rome
53Jeff MullisRepublican2000Chickamauga
54Don ThomasRepublican1996Dalton
55Gloria ButlerDemocratic1999Stone Mountain
56Dan MoodyRepublican2002Alpharetta

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.

DistrictPreviousSubsequentReason for change
2ndRegina Thomas (D)Lester Jackson (D)Ran for Congress
12thMichael Meyer von Bremen (D)Freddie Powell Sims (D)Ran for a seat on the Georgia Court of Appeals
13thJoseph Carter (R)John Crosby (R)Retired
44thGail Davenport (D)Gail Buckner (D)Defeated in primary runoff
50thNancy 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.

Sorted Chronologically by date of vacancy

--

Date seat became vacantDistrictPreviousReason for changeSubsequentDate of successor's taking office
August 200935thKasim 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, 20091stEric Johnson
(R)Resigned to run for Governor of Georgia. A special election was held on November 3, 2009.Buddy Carter
(R)
November 9, 200922ndEd 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.Hardie Davis
(D)
March 19, 201042ndDavid Adelman
(D)Nominated by President Barack Obama as United States Ambassador to Singapore. 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. The other five are seeking higher office.

Jeff Chapman (3rd) is running for governor. Following State Insurance and Fire Commissioner John Oxendine's decision to run for governor, Seth Harp (29th) and Ralph Hudgens (47th) 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, a position she also ran for in 2006.

Members of the House of Representatives

DistrictRepresentativePartyFirst electedResidence123456789101112131415161718192021222324252627282930313233343536373839404142434445464748495051525354555657585960616263646566676869707172737475767778798081828384858687888990919293949596979899100101102103104105106107108109110111112113114115116117118119120121122123124125126127128129130131132133134135136137138139140141142143144145146147148149150151152153154155156157158159160161162163164165166167168169170171172173174175176177178179180
Jay NealRepublican2004LaFayette
Martin ScottRepublican2004Rossville
Tom WeldonRepublican2008Ringgold
Roger WilliamsRepublican2001Ringgold
John D. Meadows, IIIRepublican2004Calhoun
Tom DicksonRepublican2004Cohutta
David RalstonRepublican2002Blue Ridge
Stephen AllisonRepublican2008Blairsville
Amos AmersonRepublican2000Dahlonega
Ben BridgesRepublican2008Clarkesville
Barbara Massey ReeceDemocratic1998Menlo
Rick JasperseRepublican2010Jasper
Katie DempseyRepublican2006Rome
Barry LoudermilkRepublican2010Cassville
Paul BattlesRepublican2008Cartersville
Rick CrawfordDemocratic2007Cedartown
Howard R. MaxwellRepublican2002Dallas
Mark ButlerRepublican2010Carrollton
Glenn RichardsonRepublican2010Hiram
Charlice H. ByrdRepublican2004Woodstock
Calvin HillRepublican2002Canton
Sean JergusonRepublican2006Holly Springs
Mark HamiltonRepublican2006Cumming
Tom KnoxRepublican2010Suwanee
James MillsRepublican1992Gainesville
Carl RogersRepublican1994Gainesville
Doug CollinsRepublican2006Gainesville
Michael HardenRepublican2008Toccoa
Alan PowellDemocratic1990Hartwell
Tom McCallRepublican1994Elberton
Tommy BentonRepublican2004Jefferson
Judy ManningRepublican1996Marietta
Don WixDemocratic2010Austell
Rich GolickRepublican1998Smyrna
Ed SetzlerRepublican2004Acworth
Earl EhrhartRepublican1988Powder Springs
Terry JohnsonDemocratic2004Marietta
Pat DooleyDemocratic2010Marietta
Alisha Thomas MorganDemocratic2002Austell
Stacey AdamsDemocratic2010Atlanta
Sharon CooperRepublican1996Marietta
Don ParsonsRepublican1994Marietta
Bobby FranklinRepublican1996Marietta
Sheila JonesDemocratic2004Atlanta
Matt DollarRepublican2002Marietta
Jan JonesRepublican2003Milton
Chuck MartinRepublican2002Alpharetta
Harry GeisingerRepublican2004Roswell
Wendell WillardRepublican2000Sandy Springs
Mark BurkhalterRepublican2010Johns Creek
Tom RiceRepublican1996Norcross
Joe WilkinsonRepublican2000Atlanta
Elly DobbsDemocratic2008Atlanta
Edward LindseyRepublican2004Atlanta
Rashad TaylorDemocratic2008Atlanta
Kathy AsheDemocratic1990Atlanta
Pat GardnerDemocratic2001Atlanta
Simone BellDemocratic2009Atlanta
Margaret D. KaiserDemocratic2006Atlanta
Georganna SinkfieldDemocratic2010Atlanta
Ralph LongDemocratic2008Atlanta
Joe HeckstallDemocratic1994East Point
Tyrone L. Brooks, Sr.Democratic1980Atlanta
Roger B. BruceDemocratic2002Atlanta
Sharon Beasley-TeagueDemocratic1992Red Oak
Virgil FluddDemocratic2002Tyrone
Bill HembreeRepublican1998Winston
Tim BeardenRepublican2004Villa Rica
Randy NixRepublican2006LaGrange
Lynn Ratigan SmithRepublican1996Newnan
Billy HorneRepublican2004Newnan
Matt RamseyRepublican2006Peachtree City
John P. YatesRepublican1988Griffin
Roberta Abdul-SalaamDemocratic2004Riverdale
Ron DodsonDemocratic2010Jonesboro
Mike GlantonDemocratic2010Jonesboro
Darryl JordanDemocratic2000Riverdale
Wade StarrDemocratic2008Jonesboro
Fran MillarRepublican2010Dunwoody
Mike JacobsRepublican2004Brookhaven
Jill ChambersRepublican2000Atlanta
Kevin LevitasDemocratic2004Atlanta
Mary Margaret OliverDemocratic2002Decatur
Stacey AbramsDemocratic2006Atlanta
Stephanie Stuckey BenfieldDemocratic1998Atlanta
Karla DrennerDemocratic2000Avondale Estates
Michele D. HensonDemocratic1990Stone Mountain
Billy MitchellDemocratic2002Stone Mountain
Earnest "Coach" WilliamsDemocratic2002Avondale Estates
Howard MosbyDemocratic2002Atlanta
Rahn MayoDemocratic2008Atlanta
Pam StephensonDemocratic2002Decatur
Dee Dawkins-HaiglerDemocratic2008Lithonia
Randal ManghamDemocratic2010Lithonia
Toney CollinsDemocratic2010Conyers
Pedro Rafael MarinDemocratic2002Duluth
Brooks P. Coleman, Jr.Republican1992Duluth
Bobby C. ReeseRepublican2010Buford
Hugh FloydDemocratic2002Norcross
Brian W. ThomasDemocratic2004Lilburn
Mike CoanRepublican2010Lawrenceville
Clay CoxRepublican2004Lilburn
David CasasRepublican2002Lilburn
John HeardRepublican2004Lawrenceville
Donna SheldonRepublican2002Dacula
Melvin EversonRepublican2006Snellville
Len WalkerRepublican2004Loganville
Terry Lamar EnglandRepublican2004Auburn
Steve DavisRepublican2004McDonough
John LunsfordRepublican2004McDonough
Jeff MayRepublican2004Monroe
Doug HoltRepublican2004Social Circle
Bob SmithRepublican2004Watkinsville
Keith HeardDemocratic1992Athens
Doug McKillipDemocratic2006Athens
Mickey ChannellRepublican2002Greensboro
Lee AndersonRepublican2008Grovetown
Ben L. HarbinRepublican1994Evans
Barbara SimsRepublican2006Augusta
Quincy MurphyDemocratic2002Augusta
Henry "Wayne" HowardDemocratic2006Augusta
Earnest SmithDemocratic2009Augusta
Gloria FrazierDemocratic2006Hephzibah
Sistie HudsonDemocratic1996Sparta
Jim ColeRepublican2004Monticello
David KnightRepublican2004Griffin
Billy MaddoxRepublican2007Zebulon
Carl Von EppsDemocratic1992LaGrange
Kip SmithRepublican2009Columbus
Debbie BucknerDemocratic2002Junction City
Richard H. SmithRepublican2004Columbus
Calvin SmyreDemocratic1974Columbus
Carolyn HugleyDemocratic1992Columbus
Mike CheokasDemocratic2004Americus
Lynmore JamesDemocratic1992Montezuma
Robert DickeyRepublican2011Musella
Allen PeakeRepublican2006Macon
Nikki RandallDemocratic1999Macon
David E. Lucas, Sr.Democratic1975Macon
Bubber EppsDemocratic2008Dry Branch
Rusty KiddIndependent2009Milledgeville
Mack JacksonDemocratic2008Sandersville
DuBose PorterDemocratic1983Dublin
Jimmy PruettRepublican2006Eastman
Willie Lee TaltonRepublican2004Warner Robins
Larry O'NealRepublican2001Bonaire
Buddy HardenRepublican2008Cordele
Bob HannerRepublican1975Parrott
Gerald E. GreeneRepublican1982Cuthbert
Winfred J. DukesDemocratic1996Albany
Carol FullertonDemocratic2008Albany
Ed RyndersRepublican2002Albany
Austin ScottRepublican2004Tifton
Jay RobertsRepublican2002Ocilla
Greg MorrisRepublican1998Vidalia
Larry "Butch" ParrishRepublican1984Swainsboro
Jon G. BurnsRepublican2004Newington
Bob LaneRepublican1983Brooklet
Ann PurcellRepublican2009Rincon
Bob BryantDemocratic2004Garden City
Mickey StephensDemocratic2008Savannah
J. Craig GordonDemocratic2006Savannah
Burke DayRepublican2000Savannah
Ron StephensRepublican1996Savannah
Al WilliamsDemocratic2002Midway
Terry BarnardRepublican2004Glennville
Roger Bert LaneRepublican2004Darien
Tommy SmithRepublican1978Nicholls
Chuck SimsRepublican1996Ambrose
Penny HoustonRepublican1998Nashville
Jay PowellRepublican2008Camilla
Gene MaddoxRepublican2004Cairo
Mike KeownRepublican2004Thomasville
Ellis BlackDemocratic2002Valdosta
Amy CarterDemocratic2006Valdosta
Jay ShawDemocratic2004Lakeland
Mark HatfieldRepublican2004Waycross
Mark WilliamsRepublican2004Jesup
Jerry KeenRepublican2004Brunswick
Cecily HillRepublican2004Woodbine

Major issues

  • Severe budget cuts due to the Great 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 mph on expressways and over 75 mph on smaller roads. The money will go to trauma care in the state's hospitals.

References

References

  1. [http://www.ajc.com/news/georgia-politics-elections/richardson-out-burkhalter-will-225231.html AJC: Richardson out, Burkhalter will be speaker]
  2. [http://blogs.ajc.com/political-insider-jim-galloway/2010/01/11/the-new-house-speaker-and-the-race-for-governor/ AJC: Live blogging from the Legislature: David Ralston elected House speaker] {{webarchive. link. (2010-01-14)
  3. "Candidate Qualifying".
  4. (19 November 2009). "President Obama Announces More Key Administration Posts, 11/19/09". [[whitehouse.gov]].
  5. "Sen. Dan Moody Will Not Run for State Senate in 2010 – Georgia Senate Press Office".
  6. "Brunswick Republican running for governor 090409 - the Augusta Chronicle".
  7. "Hudgens to run for state insurance commissioner | Athens Banner-Herald".
  8. "Home".
Info: Wikipedia Source

This article was imported from Wikipedia and is available under the Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike 4.0 License. Content has been adapted to SurfDoc format. Original contributors can be found on the article history page.

georgia-(u.s.-state)-legislative-sessions 2009-in-american-politics 2010-in-american-politics 2009-in-georgia-(u.s.-state) 2010-in-georgia-(u.s.-state) 2009-u.s.-legislative-sessions 2010-u.s.-legislative-sessions
Want to explore this topic further?

Ask Mako anything about 150th Georgia General Assembly — get instant answers, deeper analysis, and related topics.

Research with Mako

Free with your Surf account

Content sourced from Wikipedia, available under CC BY-SA 4.0.

This content may have been generated or modified by AI. CloudSurf Software LLC is not responsible for the accuracy, completeness, or reliability of AI-generated content. Always verify important information from primary sources.

Report