Perdue signs Georgia Power Plant Vogtle bill
April 21, 2009 at 6:49 pm by Thomas Wheatley in News
Plant Vogtle
It’s quite common for journalists to “bury the lede” — that is, to downplay the real news and stick it in the far recesses of an article. Sometimes it’s on purpose, but usually it’s avoided.
To “bury the lede” on a press release? Kind of bizarre. But it happened today when Gov. Sonny Perdue announced he’d signed a bill that would mean more money for the state’s unemployed — and even up to 13 extra weeks of benefits to help them through hard times. It all comes from federal funds, so it wouldn’t mean a tax increase on Georgia businesses. Sounds good, right?
Perdue followed up that little bit of sunshine with a long list of legislation he also inked today with his Juan Hancock. Among them: Senate Bill 31. That’s the WTF legislation that allows Georgia Power to start charging customers for some costs of two proposed reactors at Plant Vogtle years before the white elephants are completed. It was widely maligned and derided by everyone from conservative bloggers to the AARP. Apparently the only people in favor of the plan were the free-market drumbeaters at the Georgia Public Policy Foundation and lawmakers coached in talking points by 70 lobbyists hired to peddle the bill.
Its signing into law wasn’t very surprising, really. (Perdue’s chief of staff is a former Georgia Power “vice president of governmental and regulatory affairs,” or, in English, “lobbyist”). But it’s just kind of funny that one of the hot-button bills of the session — one that would “create jobs” and “be good for Georgia” — didn’t merit its own press release. And the fact that a recent lawsuit filed by Atlanta attorney John Woodham and the Fulton County Taxpayers Foundation about the bill didn’t even make Perdue wince or explain the decision.
After the jump, the full announcement about the state unemployment legislation Perdue signed. But first, the full list of all the other bills Perdue signed today. Play along with us as we sort through the pile and see what they were! At the top of the screen, select whether it’s “HB” for “House Bill” or “SB” for “Senate Bill” and then enter the number in the field. It’s fun! Kind of.
Senate Bills
8
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31
47
76
79
110
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122
165
193
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House Bills
29
46
49
59
64
121
141
145
226
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308
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368
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464
Governor Perdue Signs Unemployment Legislation
ATLANTA – Today Governor Sonny Perdue announced that House Bill 581 has been signed into law. The legislation will allow Georgia to draw down $226 million in federal funds to shore up the state’s unemployment trust fund.
“Signing HB 581 will help prevent tax increases on Georgia businesses so they can grow and create jobs,” said Governor Perdue. “The changes in our unemployment rules and regulations are relatively minor, and I appreciate the General Assembly’s willingness to approve additional benefits for unemployed Georgians.”
Labor Commissioner Michael Thurmond and committee chairmen Rep. Mike Coan and Sen. Ralph Hudgens worked closely with the Governor’s Office to develop HB 581. To qualify for the federal funds, the state expanded unemployment benefits by allowing people seeking part-time work to qualify for unemployment. In addition, Georgians can receive unemployment while in a training program if they were laid off from a declining occupation and are training for a high-demand occupation. These changes will cost the state less than $1.2 million a year.
HB 581 also provides extended benefits for Georgians who have exhausted their 26 weeks of regular unemployment benefits. The provision allows for an extra 13 weeks of benefits, which will be funded entirely by federal funds for almost all Georgia employers. The provisions of the bill are effective immediately; however the Commissioner of Labor can delay the start date of the extended benefits provision until May 25, if he deems such a delay necessary.
(Photo by Christina Wedge)
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