Sen. Brown calls for repeal of HB 87

ATLANTA (June 2, 2011) – Sen. Robert Brown (D-Macon) says he is leery of the recent call for an investigation into possible farm labor shortages caused by House Bill 87, Georgia’s new immigration bill, primarily because lawmakers should already know this is a bad law that targets people of Hispanic descent.

"Georgia leaders should not attempt to satisfy Agribusiness interests by finding ways to selectively enforce what I am now calling the Brown Codes (HB 87), because of its similarity to the Black Codes passed in the 1800s," Brown said. "An investigation of farm labor shortages will not reveal anything that was not known prior to passing the Brown Codes. The Special Committee on Immigration and Georgia's Economy conducted hearings around the state prior to the passage of the anti-immigration statue. At each of these hearings business people and others repeatedly and emphatically spoke to the importance of not passing an Arizona-style law in Georgia."

The hearing in Gainesville, specifically, drew one of the largest numbers of attendees. There, months before HB 87 was passed, the president of a North Georgia poultry company said the anti-immigration climate in Georgia had already caused Latino workers to head to other states, Brown pointed out. 

"Selectively enforcing the law will only serve to strengthen the system of indentured servitude many farm laborers live under," Brown maintained. "The state will end up preying on the young, physically ill and unemployable, in order to give the appearance of fully enforcing the law. Employed workers will continue to suffer under sub-minimum wages and they will fear objecting to this treatment because they would be persecuted under the Brown Codes."

Brown maintained Georgia's best course of action is to repeal HB 87 during this summer's Special Session. 

For several years, the Senate Minority Leader has worked to increase Georgia's state minimum wage and reform 1099 requirements.

Deal creates Georgia Health Insurance Exchange Advisory Committee

Committee will study the establishment of a state-based health care exchange.

Gov. Nathan Deal today signed an executive order creating the Georgia Health Insurance Exchange Advisory Committee. The committee will determine if Georgia should establish a state-based health care exchange under the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act (PPACA). Georgia has joined 25 other states in a lawsuit declaring the individual mandate, a key component of PPACA, unconstitutional.

"I want Georgia to have time to thoroughly study this issue as we wait for the judicial process to play out," said Deal. "I want to engage Georgians about how we can expand access to health care insurance while lowering the burdensome costs on our state's families. Georgians don't want more federal 'solutions' and the best way to fight back right now is to manufacture a Georgia solution.
 
"It is my hope that this committee will construct the appropriate avenues for our state to implement our own exchange, based on delivering free market solutions for increasing the access and affordability of health insurance. This exchange should also focus heavily on improving the economic viability of creating and expanding small business in Georgia. I look forward to hearing the committee’s recommendations." 
 
Under PPACA, the states have until Jan. 1, 2014 to establish their own health care exchange. If Georgia does not create a state-run exchange by this time the federal government will establish and manage the exchange. The governor's executive order states that the advisory committee must report its final recommendations by Dec. 15, 2011.
 
As U.S. Congressman, Deal was the first member of the House to declare the PPACA unconstitutional. Free market health care reformer and former candidate for Georgia Insurance Commissioner, Gerry Purcell [pictured left] was appointed to Gov Deal's Health Insurance Exchange Advisory Committee. 

"I am honored to have been appointed by Gov Deal to serve on the Georgia Health Insurance Exchange Advisory Committee. While the federal government tries to force its will upon the states, Georgia will be looking for ways to construct our own free market solution to help small businesses afford health insurance. We can solve the challenges we face.  The Committee must issue its recommendations by December 15th.  We want to hear from Georgians, not the politburo in Washington."  

ROSWELL COPS FIND DEAD WOMAN IN HOTEL 

On Thursday, June 2, 2011, at around 11:11 a.m, the Roswell Police Department was dispatched to the IN TOWN SUITES EXTENDED STAY HOTEL located at 1175 HEMBREE ROAD, ROSWELL, on reports of a dead body found in a room. When officers arrived they where directed to room 138. Inside the officers found a deceased WHITE FEMALE lying on a bed, later identified at Debra Black, 48, of Canton, Ga. A cleaning lady found the body at around 10:40 to 10:50 a.m, when she went to clean the room. The room was in disarray and the body had some points of interest on it. The medical examiner was also called to the scene. This case is still under investigation, and a toxicology study is also underway. 

WHAT'S SARAH UP TO? 

Lead, follow or get out of the way. 

FULTON COUNTY COMMISSION BANS ELEPHANT BULL HOOKS 

Hausmann only dissenting vote.