Your morning jolt: Putting Georgia in charge of its own health care?

Up in Washington, the only topic of conversation is today’s vote by the Senate Finance Committee on health care reform.

This morning’s New York Times notes that insurance companies aren’t the only ones balking at a tax aimed at more expensive, “Cadillac” policies:

Critics, including House members and labor unions, say the tax would quickly spiral out of control and hit middle-class workers, people more closely associated with minivans than Cadillacs.

The tax, a provision of the bill to be voted on Tuesday by the Senate Finance Committee, is one of the few remaining proposals under consideration by Congress that budget experts say could lead directly to a reduction in health care spending over the long term, by prompting employers and employees to buy cheaper insurance. Whether it remains in the bill is emerging as a test of the commitment by President Obama and his party to slowing the steep rise of medical expenses.

The Washington Post has this tidbit that should be of concern to anyone running for state insurance commissioner – or any voter casting a ballot in the contest:

One proposal attracting considerable attention originated with Sen. Thomas R. Carper (Del.) and would allow states to decide whether to create their own insurance plans or join forces to provide coverage in collaboration with neighboring states. Other Democrats want to take the state-based approach a step further, creating a national public plan that states could join. Carper, a moderate Democrat, said he is not sure he is prepared to go that far. “I’m just chewing on that one,” he said.

U.S. Rep. Nathan Deal isn’t the only candidate for governor showing up on YouTube these days. The site, in fact, has become a means – though sometimes slow – of tracking the day-to-day speeches made in out-of-the-way places.

Occasionally, you hear – and see – a candidate testing a line that may or may not become part of the general campaign.

YouTube is currently sporting this video of Republican Karen Handel at an August barbecue hosted by the Newton County GOP. She’s introduced as both Georgia’s Katherine Harris, and as pitbull with lipstick.

But this is the line that catches your ear: “We need new vision, new leadership and tenacious problem-solving in this state,” Handel said. It is not an endorsement of any of the three men now running things in the state Capitol.

On the Democratic side, Democrat David Poythress has decided to fight former Gov. Roy Barnes and House Democratic Leader DuBose Porter – but mostly Barnes – for the votes of teachers.

Here’s the link to a video of Poythress at a Macon forum on education last week, attempting to undercut Barnes’ rapprochement with teachers Says Poythress:

“Education is the defining issue in this campaign for governor. You, the educators of Georgia, are going to pick the Democratic nominee. And the Democratic nominee that you pick and you support in the general election, will be the next governor….

“I am for abolishing No Child Left Behind, scrapping No Child Left Behind. Governor Barnes favored No Child Left Behind. He co-chaired the national commission that’s promoting No Child Left Behind. I’m in favor of teacher fair-hearing procedures. Governor Barnes abolished teacher fair hearing procedures….”

Middle Georgia has entered soap opera territory. Late last month, Mayor Donald Walker of Warner Robins committed suicide with a gunshot to the head.

This morning, the Macon Telegraph has this:

City Clerk Stan Martin and another city employee are accused of attempting to gain access into the mayor’s office in City Hall after business hours Wednesday.

Houston County District Attorney Kelly Burke said Martin and Chris Armstrong, an information technology employee, were placed on administrative leave with pay while the incident is being investigated.

The employees were ordered to stay away from City Hall during the investigation, Burke said.

Reached Monday by phone, Martin said he and Armstrong had been placed on paid administrative leave pending the outcome of the district attorney’s investigation….

No criminal charges have been filed at this time and the investigation remains in progress, Burke said. At issue was whether the alleged attempt was a matter of curiosity as opposed to criminal conduct….

Martin and Armstrong are accused of attempting to gain access into the mayor’s office through the ceiling tiles from a connecting office at 5:20 p.m. Wednesday, Burke said. Entrance was not gained, Burke said.

The locks on the mayor’s office were changed after the Sept. 28 death of Mayor Donald Walker.

While you ponder that, consider these items found while perusing this morning’s ajc.com:

Leadership PACs let cash flow to congressmen from lobbyists, special interests.

Georgia DOT ends policy requiring roadside signs to be paid from stimulus money.

Women’s breath studied for cancer.

King siblings reach settlement.

Henry teachers may face more cuts.

Disabled advocates vacate state Capitol.

Atlanta mayoral candidates debate arts funding.

Cobb policy: Law enforcement or racial profiling?

NASCAR has nesting ground at CAU.

Some opinion:

Jay Bookman on empty homes and other signs of pain.

Make bank finances public so rest of us know what’s in the till.

Pro & Con: Should undocumented aliens be counted in the 2010 census?

And from beyond:

NYT: Is a virus the cause of fatigue syndrome?

Associated Press: Cuba won’t let blogger go to US to receive award.

WP: Clinton says no to another presidential bid.

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