GA Legislative Alert

HB 218 is a bill that would keep secret from the public “economic development” deals made by state and local agencies. This legislation is bad for property values, bad for communities, and bad for the environment. Every paper in the state has published editorials against this bill and many Republicans have expressed their opposition. The Governor supports this bill. To read the complete text of the bill, please go to http://www.legis.state.ga.us/legis/2005_06/fulltext/hb218.htm In addition to local and state agencies, 895 local development authorities would be exempt from providing any information about these deals (location, nature of business, environmental impact) until the deal was done, signed and sealed, and ready for the final permitting process--which very rarely derails a bad project. Rural areas of Georgia will be especially vulnerable to the abuse allowed by this legislation. This bill passed the House 118-52. TODAY, the entire Senate will consider HB 218. We need each of you to CALL the office of your Senator, give your name and address so they’ll know that you are a constituent and urge your Senator to vote AGAINST this bill. Please visit www.ajc.com to read an editorial in today’s paper from Attorney General Thurbert Baker which is relevant to this issue. To find out who your state Senator is: www.legis.state.ga.us Click on “Find Your Legislator”, then GA Officials and Agencies, then My Elected Official. Insert your address, press GO and the names of your state Senator and Rep. will appear. Or visit www.vote-smart.com. Please ask your friends and colleagues, especially those who may know Republican Senators, to contact them today--preferably this morning.

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