By: Sen. Ross Tolleson (R- Perry)
Week 9 Column

It is that time of year again, the time of the year when Dublin is filled with visitors to celebrate St. Patrick’s Day and the end of the legislative session is near. The pace is continuing to move quickly as we completed the 38th day of the legislative session on Thursday, March 13th.  The 40th day, also referred to as Sine Die, will be on Thursday, March 20th, until then we will continue to pass legislation and work on the balanced budget late into the night.

Each Thursday, a Georgia Department of Labor representative joins 13WMAZ toshare several open jobs in the Central Georgia area.

You can watch this on 13WMAZ-TV on Thursday mornings and again at 5 p.m.

We started this week with the best of intentions of vetting bills and amending the budget, however, Mother Nature had other plans in mind.  As a result of the severe winter storm that hit portions of Georgia this week, the Georgia General Assembly did not convene as regularly scheduled. However, as required by state law, Lt. Governor Casey Cagle gaveled in at 10 a.m. on Wednesday and Thursday to complete days 12 and 13 of the session.

Throughout the hardships of this week, it was encouraging to see the outpouring of Southern hospitality and generosity demonstrated by Georgians across the state. Now that the snow has melted and things are getting back to normal here in Atlanta, the Georgia General Assembly resumed business on Friday, January 31 with the Senate gaveling in for Day 14 of the legislative session. The appropriations subcommittees will continue to meet in order to prepare the amended budget for a Senate floor vote next week.