In this first week of the legislative session, members are circling their wagons and moving forward on the pieces of legislation they deem important enough to push during a legislative session and election year. During election year sessions members are more cautious and thoughtful not to push legislation that will induce an opponent to jump in the race. Conversely, they drop legislation that will get them enough press to keep an opponent out of the race.
Many people do not know that most legislation is passed with a bipartisan majority. Unfortunately, the public is usually only made aware of the intense issues that result in partisan blood bath of words. This session Scot Turner (R-Canton) and Scott Holcomb (D-Atlanta) have spent months trying to make bipartisan changes to our voting machines. Secretary of State Brian Kemp continues to accuse democrats of making a mountain out of a molehill. The bipartisan effort helps to point out that this claim is just Kemp’s way of avoiding doing what the Secretary of State is elected to do – protect our elections.
In this time where we are discussing the integrity of our voting systems, Russian hackers, and iphones that work better than our voting machines, this bipartisan effort is a welcomed change. Rep. Turner posted about his excitement about legislation the duo plans to drop today on the issue. I look forward to seeing who in each party support or ignore an issue that effects all Georgians in the same way.
Representative Turner was so excited about it he could not sleep.
See the duos letter sent to Governor Nathan Deal last year about adding money to the budget for the security of our elections. Scott and Scot letter to Governor Deal