150th Georgia General Assembly
# 150th Georgia General Assembly

## Overview

The 150th General Assembly of the U.S. state of Georgia 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 will serve 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**

| Position | Position | Name | District | Party |
| - | - | - | - | - |
| | President | Casey Cagle | n/a | Republican |
| | President Pro Tempore | Tommie Williams | 19 | Republican |

**Majority leadership**

| Position | Name | District |
| - | - | - |
| Senate Majority Leader | Chip Rogers | 21 |
| Majority Caucus Chairman | Dan Moody | 56 |
| Majority Whip | John Wiles | 37 |

**Minority leadership**

| Position | Name | District |
| - | - | - |
| Senate Minority Leader | Robert Brown | 26 |
| Minority Caucus Chairman | Tim Golden | 8 |
| Minority Whip | David Adelman | 42 |

### House of Representatives

**Presiding officer**

| Position | Position | Name | District | Party |
| - | - | - | - | - |
| | Speaker of the House | David Ralston | 7 | Republican |
| | Speaker Pro Tempore | Jan Jones | 46 | Republican |

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**

| Position | Name | District |
| - | - | - |
| House Majority Leader | Jerry Keen | 179 |
| Majority Whip | Edward Lindsey | 54 |
| Majority Caucus Chairman | Donna Sheldon | 105 |
| Majority Caucus Vice Chairman | Jeff May | 111 |
| Majority Caucus Sec./Treas. | Allen Peake | 137 |

**Minority leadership**

| Position | Name | District |
| - | - | - |
| House Minority Leader | DuBose Porter | 143 |
| Minority Whip | Carolyn Hugley | 133 |
| Minority Caucus Chairman | Calvin Smyre | 132 |
| Minority Caucus Vice Chairman | Nikki Randall | 138 |
| Minority Caucus Secretary | Kathy Ashe | 56 |
| Minority Caucus Treasurer | Don Wix | 33 |

## Members of the state senate

| District | Senator | Party | First elected | Residence |
| - | - | - | - | - |
| 1 | Earl “Buddy” Carter | Republican | 2009 | Pooler |
| 2 | Lester Jackson | Democratic | 2008 | Savannah |
| 3 | Jeff Chapman | Republican | 2004 | Brunswick |
| 4 | Jack Hill | Republican | 1990 | Reidsville |
| 5 | Curt Thompson | Democratic | 2004 | Norcross |
| 6 | Doug Stoner | Democratic | 2004 | Smyrna |
| 7 | Greg Goggans | Republican | 2004 | Douglas |
| 8 | Tim Golden | Democratic | 1998 | Valdosta |
| 9 | Don Balfour | Republican | 1992 | Snellville |
| 10 | Emanuel Jones | Democratic | 2004 | Ellenwood |
| 11 | John Bulloch | Republican | 2002 | Ockhocknee |
| 12 | Freddie Powell Sims | Democratic | 2008 | Dawson |
| 13 | John Crosby | Republican | 2008 | Tifton |
| 14 | George Hooks | Democratic | 1990 | Americus |
| 15 | Ed Harbison | Democratic | 1992 | Columbus |
| 16 | Ronnie Chance | Republican | 2004 | Tyrone |
| 17 | John Douglas | Republican | 2004 | Social Circle |
| 18 | Cecil Staton | Republican | 2004 | Macon |
| 19 | Tommie Williams | Republican | 1998 | Lyons |
| 20 | Ross Tolleson | Republican | 2002 | Perry |
| 21 | Chip Rogers | Republican | 2004 | Woodstock |
| 22 | VACANT | | | |
| 23 | J.B. Powell | Democratic | 2004 | Blythe |
| 24 | Bill Jackson | Republican | 2007 | Appling |
| 25 | Johnny Grant | Republican | 2004 | Milledgeville |
| 26 | Robert Brown | Democratic | 1991 | Macon |
| 27 | Jack Murphy | Republican | 2006 | Cumming |
| 28 | Mitch Seabaugh | Republican | 2000 | Sharpsburg |
| 29 | Seth Harp | Republican | 2000 | Midland |
| 30 | Bill Hamrick | Republican | 1999 | Carrollton |
| 31 | Bill Heath | Republican | 2004 | Bremen |
| 32 | Judson Hill | Republican | 2004 | East Cobb |
| 33 | Steve Thompson | Democratic | 1990 | Marietta |
| 34 | Valencia Seay | Democratic | 2003 | Riverdale |
| 35 | Donzella James | Democratic | 2009 | College Park |
| 36 | Nan Orrock | Democratic | 2006 | Atlanta |
| 37 | John Wiles | Republican | 2004 | Kennesaw |
| 38 | Horacena Tate | Democratic | 1998 | Atlanta |
| 39 | Vincent Fort | Democratic | 1996 | Atlanta |
| 40 | Dan Weber | Republican | 2004 | Dunwoody |
| 41 | Steve Henson | Democratic | 2002 | Tucker |
| 42 | David Adelman | Democratic | 2002 | Atlanta |
| 43 | Ronald Ramsey, Jr. | Democratic | 2006 | Lithonia |
| 44 | Gail Buckner | Democratic | 2008 | Jonesboro |
| 45 | Renee Unterman | Republican | 2002 | Buford |
| 46 | Bill Cowsert | Republican | 2006 | Athens |
| 47 | Ralph Hudgens | Republican | 2002 | Hull |
| 48 | David Shafer | Republican | 2001 | Duluth |
| 49 | Lee Hawkins | Republican | 2006 | Gainesville |
| 50 | Jim Butterworth | Republican | 2008 | Cornelia |
| 51 | Chip Pearson | Republican | 2004 | Dawsonville |
| 52 | Preston Smith | Republican | 2002 | Rome |
| 53 | Jeff Mullis | Republican | 2000 | Chickamauga |
| 54 | Don Thomas | Republican | 1996 | Dalton |
| 55 | Gloria Butler | Democratic | 1999 | Stone Mountain |
| 56 | Dan Moody | Republican | 2002 | Alpharetta |

### 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.

| District | Previous | Subsequent | Reason for change |
| - | - | - | - |
| 2nd | Regina Thomas (D) | Lester Jackson (D) | Ran for Congress |
| 12th | Michael Meyer von Bremen (D) | Freddie Powell Sims (D) | Ran for a seat on the Georgia Court of Appeals |
| 13th | Joseph Carter (R) | John Crosby (R) | Retired |
| 44th | Gail Davenport (D) | Gail Buckner (D) | Defeated in primary runoff |
| 50th | Nancy 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.

| Date seat became vacant | District | Previous | Reason for change | Subsequent |
| - | - | - | - | - |
| August 2009 | 35th | Kasim 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, 2009 | 1st | Eric Johnson (R) | Resigned to run for Governor of Georgia. A special election was held on November 3, 2009. | Buddy Carter (R) |
| November 9, 2009 | 22nd | Ed 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, 2010 | 42nd | David 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

| District | Representative | Party | First elected | Residence |
| - | - | - | - | - |
| 1 | Jay Neal | Republican | 2004 | LaFayette |
| 2 | Martin Scott | Republican | 2004 | Rossville |
| 3 | Tom Weldon | Republican | 2008 | Ringgold |
| 4 | Roger Williams | Republican | 2001 | Ringgold |
| 5 | John D. Meadows, III | Republican | 2004 | Calhoun |
| 6 | Tom Dickson | Republican | 2004 | Cohutta |
| 7 | David Ralston | Republican | 2002 | Blue Ridge |
| 8 | Stephen Allison | Republican | 2008 | Blairsville |
| 9 | Amos Amerson | Republican | 2000 | Dahlonega |
| 10 | Ben Bridges | Republican | 2008 | Clarkesville |
| 11 | Barbara Massey Reece | Democratic | 1998 | Menlo |
| 12 | Rick Jasperse | Republican | 2010 | Jasper |
| 13 | Katie Dempsey | Republican | 2006 | Rome |
| 14 | Barry Loudermilk | Republican | 2010 | Cassville |
| 15 | Paul Battles | Republican | 2008 | Cartersville |
| 16 | Rick Crawford | Democratic | 2007 | Cedartown |
| 17 | Howard R. Maxwell | Republican | 2002 | Dallas |
| 18 | Mark Butler | Republican | 2010 | Carrollton |
| 19 | Glenn Richardson | Republican | 2010 | Hiram |
| 20 | Charlice H. Byrd | Republican | 2004 | Woodstock |
| 21 | Calvin Hill | Republican | 2002 | Canton |
| 22 | Sean Jerguson | Republican | 2006 | Holly Springs |
| 23 | Mark Hamilton | Republican | 2006 | Cumming |
| 24 | Tom Knox | Republican | 2010 | Suwanee |
| 25 | James Mills | Republican | 1992 | Gainesville |
| 26 | Carl Rogers | Republican | 1994 | Gainesville |
| 27 | Doug Collins | Republican | 2006 | Gainesville |
| 28 | Michael Harden | Republican | 2008 | Toccoa |
| 29 | Alan Powell | Democratic | 1990 | Hartwell |
| 30 | Tom McCall | Republican | 1994 | Elberton |
| 31 | Tommy Benton | Republican | 2004 | Jefferson |
| 32 | Judy Manning | Republican | 1996 | Marietta |
| 33 | Don Wix | Democratic | 2010 | Austell |
| 34 | Rich Golick | Republican | 1998 | Smyrna |
| 35 | Ed Setzler | Republican | 2004 | Acworth |
| 36 | Earl Ehrhart | Republican | 1988 | Powder Springs |
| 37 | Terry Johnson | Democratic | 2004 | Marietta |
| 38 | Pat Dooley | Democratic | 2010 | Marietta |
| 39 | Alisha Thomas Morgan | Democratic | 2002 | Austell |
| 40 | Stacey Adams | Democratic | 2010 | Atlanta |
| 41 | Sharon Cooper | Republican | 1996 | Marietta |
| 42 | Don Parsons | Republican | 1994 | Marietta |
| 43 | Bobby Franklin | Republican | 1996 | Marietta |
| 44 | Sheila Jones | Democratic | 2004 | Atlanta |
| 45 | Matt Dollar | Republican | 2002 | Marietta |
| 46 | Jan Jones | Republican | 2003 | Milton |
| 47 | Chuck Martin | Republican | 2002 | Alpharetta |
| 48 | Harry Geisinger | Republican | 2004 | Roswell |
| 49 | Wendell Willard | Republican | 2000 | Sandy Springs |
| 50 | Mark Burkhalter | Republican | 2010 | Johns Creek |
| 51 | Tom Rice | Republican | 1996 | Norcross |
| 52 | Joe Wilkinson | Republican | 2000 | Atlanta |
| 53 | Elly Dobbs | Democratic | 2008 | Atlanta |
| 54 | Edward Lindsey | Republican | 2004 | Atlanta |
| 55 | Rashad Taylor | Democratic | 2008 | Atlanta |
| 56 | Kathy Ashe | Democratic | 1990 | Atlanta |
| 57 | Pat Gardner | Democratic | 2001 | Atlanta |
| 58 | Simone Bell | Democratic | 2009 | Atlanta |
| 59 | Margaret D. Kaiser | Democratic | 2006 | Atlanta |
| 60 | Georganna Sinkfield | Democratic | 2010 | Atlanta |
| 61 | Ralph Long | Democratic | 2008 | Atlanta |
| 62 | Joe Heckstall | Democratic | 1994 | East Point |
| 63 | Tyrone L. Brooks, Sr. | Democratic | 1980 | Atlanta |
| 64 | Roger B. Bruce | Democratic | 2002 | Atlanta |
| 65 | Sharon Beasley-Teague | Democratic | 1992 | Red Oak |
| 66 | Virgil Fludd | Democratic | 2002 | Tyrone |
| 67 | Bill Hembree | Republican | 1998 | Winston |
| 68 | Tim Bearden | Republican | 2004 | Villa Rica |
| 69 | Randy Nix | Republican | 2006 | LaGrange |
| 70 | Lynn Ratigan Smith | Republican | 1996 | Newnan |
| 71 | Billy Horne | Republican | 2004 | Newnan |
| 72 | Matt Ramsey | Republican | 2006 | Peachtree City |
| 73 | John P. Yates | Republican | 1988 | Griffin |
| 74 | Roberta Abdul-Salaam | Democratic | 2004 | Riverdale |
| 75 | Ron Dodson | Democratic | 2010 | Jonesboro |
| 76 | Mike Glanton | Democratic | 2010 | Jonesboro |
| 77 | Darryl Jordan | Democratic | 2000 | Riverdale |
| 78 | Wade Starr | Democratic | 2008 | Jonesboro |
| 79 | Fran Millar | Republican | 2010 | Dunwoody |
| 80 | Mike Jacobs | Republican | 2004 | Brookhaven |
| 81 | Jill Chambers | Republican | 2000 | Atlanta |
| 82 | Kevin Levitas | Democratic | 2004 | Atlanta |
| 83 | Mary Margaret Oliver | Democratic | 2002 | Decatur |
| 84 | Stacey Abrams | Democratic | 2006 | Atlanta |
| 85 | Stephanie Stuckey Benfield | Democratic | 1998 | Atlanta |
| 86 | Karla Drenner | Democratic | 2000 | Avondale Estates |
| 87 | Michele D. Henson | Democratic | 1990 | Stone Mountain |
| 88 | Billy Mitchell | Democratic | 2002 | Stone Mountain |
| 89 | Earnest "Coach" Williams | Democratic | 2002 | Avondale Estates |
| 90 | Howard Mosby | Democratic | 2002 | Atlanta |
| 91 | Rahn Mayo | Democratic | 2008 | Atlanta |
| 92 | Pam Stephenson | Democratic | 2002 | Decatur |
| 93 | Dee Dawkins-Haigler | Democratic | 2008 | Lithonia |
| 94 | Randal Mangham | Democratic | 2010 | Lithonia |
| 95 | Toney Collins | Democratic | 2010 | Conyers |
| 96 | Pedro Rafael Marin | Democratic | 2002 | Duluth |
| 97 | Brooks P. Coleman, Jr. | Republican | 1992 | Duluth |
| 98 | Bobby C. Reese | Republican | 2010 | Buford |
| 99 | Hugh Floyd | Democratic | 2002 | Norcross |
| 100 | Brian W. Thomas | Democratic | 2004 | Lilburn |
| 101 | Mike Coan | Republican | 2010 | Lawrenceville |
| 102 | Clay Cox | Republican | 2004 | Lilburn |
| 103 | David Casas | Republican | 2002 | Lilburn |
| 104 | John Heard | Republican | 2004 | Lawrenceville |
| 105 | Donna Sheldon | Republican | 2002 | Dacula |
| 106 | Melvin Everson | Republican | 2006 | Snellville |
| 107 | Len Walker | Republican | 2004 | Loganville |
| 108 | Terry Lamar England | Republican | 2004 | Auburn |
| 109 | Steve Davis | Republican | 2004 | McDonough |
| 110 | John Lunsford | Republican | 2004 | McDonough |
| 111 | Jeff May | Republican | 2004 | Monroe |
| 112 | Doug Holt | Republican | 2004 | Social Circle |
| 113 | Bob Smith | Republican | 2004 | Watkinsville |
| 114 | Keith Heard | Democratic | 1992 | Athens |
| 115 | Doug McKillip | Democratic | 2006 | Athens |
| 116 | Mickey Channell | Republican | 2002 | Greensboro |
| 117 | Lee Anderson | Republican | 2008 | Grovetown |
| 118 | Ben L. Harbin | Republican | 1994 | Evans |
| 119 | Barbara Sims | Republican | 2006 | Augusta |
| 120 | Quincy Murphy | Democratic | 2002 | Augusta |
| 121 | Henry "Wayne" Howard | Democratic | 2006 | Augusta |
| 122 | Earnest Smith | Democratic | 2009 | Augusta |
| 123 | Gloria Frazier | Democratic | 2006 | Hephzibah |
| 124 | Sistie Hudson | Democratic | 1996 | Sparta |
| 125 | Jim Cole | Republican | 2004 | Monticello |
| 126 | David Knight | Republican | 2004 | Griffin |
| 127 | Billy Maddox | Republican | 2007 | Zebulon |
| 128 | Carl Von Epps | Democratic | 1992 | LaGrange |
| 129 | Kip Smith | Republican | 2009 | Columbus |
| 130 | Debbie Buckner | Democratic | 2002 | Junction City |
| 131 | Richard H. Smith | Republican | 2004 | Columbus |
| 132 | Calvin Smyre | Democratic | 1974 | Columbus |
| 133 | Carolyn Hugley | Democratic | 1992 | Columbus |
| 134 | Mike Cheokas | Democratic | 2004 | Americus |
| 135 | Lynmore James | Democratic | 1992 | Montezuma |
| 136 | Robert Dickey | Republican | 2011 | Musella |
| 137 | Allen Peake | Republican | 2006 | Macon |
| 138 | Nikki Randall | Democratic | 1999 | Macon |
| 139 | David E. Lucas, Sr. | Democratic | 1975 | Macon |
| 140 | Bubber Epps | Democratic | 2008 | Dry Branch |
| 141 | Rusty Kidd | Independent | 2009 | Milledgeville |
| 142 | Mack Jackson | Democratic | 2008 | Sandersville |
| 143 | DuBose Porter | Democratic | 1983 | Dublin |
| 144 | Jimmy Pruett | Republican | 2006 | Eastman |
| 145 | Willie Lee Talton | Republican | 2004 | Warner Robins |
| 146 | Larry O'Neal | Republican | 2001 | Bonaire |
| 147 | Buddy Harden | Republican | 2008 | Cordele |
| 148 | Bob Hanner | Republican | 1975 | Parrott |
| 149 | Gerald E. Greene | Republican | 1982 | Cuthbert |
| 150 | Winfred J. Dukes | Democratic | 1996 | Albany |
| 151 | Carol Fullerton | Democratic | 2008 | Albany |
| 152 | Ed Rynders | Republican | 2002 | Albany |
| 153 | Austin Scott | Republican | 2004 | Tifton |
| 154 | Jay Roberts | Republican | 2002 | Ocilla |
| 155 | Greg Morris | Republican | 1998 | Vidalia |
| 156 | Larry "Butch" Parrish | Republican | 1984 | Swainsboro |
| 157 | Jon G. Burns | Republican | 2004 | Newington |
| 158 | Bob Lane | Republican | 1983 | Brooklet |
| 159 | Ann Purcell | Republican | 2009 | Rincon |
| 160 | Bob Bryant | Democratic | 2004 | Garden City |
| 161 | Mickey Stephens | Democratic | 2008 | Savannah |
| 162 | J. Craig Gordon | Democratic | 2006 | Savannah |
| 163 | Burke Day | Republican | 2000 | Savannah |
| 164 | Ron Stephens | Republican | 1996 | Savannah |
| 165 | Al Williams | Democratic | 2002 | Midway |
| 166 | Terry Barnard | Republican | 2004 | Glennville |
| 167 | Roger Bert Lane | Republican | 2004 | Darien |
| 168 | Tommy Smith | Republican | 1978 | Nicholls |
| 169 | Chuck Sims | Republican | 1996 | Ambrose |
| 170 | Penny Houston | Republican | 1998 | Nashville |
| 171 | Jay Powell | Republican | 2008 | Camilla |
| 172 | Gene Maddox | Republican | 2004 | Cairo |
| 173 | Mike Keown | Republican | 2004 | Thomasville |
| 174 | Ellis Black | Democratic | 2002 | Valdosta |
| 175 | Amy Carter | Democratic | 2006 | Valdosta |
| 176 | Jay Shaw | Democratic | 2004 | Lakeland |
| 177 | Mark Hatfield | Republican | 2004 | Waycross |
| 178 | Mark Williams | Republican | 2004 | Jesup |
| 179 | Jerry Keen | Republican | 2004 | Brunswick |
| 180 | Cecily Hill | Republican | 2004 | Woodbine |

## Major issues

* Severe budget cuts due to the 2009 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 miles per hour (137 km/h) on expressways and over 75 miles per hour (121 km/h) on smaller roads. The money will go to trauma care in the state's hospitals.
