The busy attorney general across the street
Something was different about the night the Legislature shut down, and it wasn’t the hovering protesters or shoving matches among lobbyists outside the chamber.
Nor was it the sneaky, last-minute amendment, or the bottles of oak-aged stimulant tucked inside this cloakroom or that.
Georgia Attorney General Sam Olens
No, the most unusual sight on that Thursday evening was Attorney General Sam Olens on the House floor, attempting to push through the last of his four bills.
The measure, intended to stop the spread of “pain pill mills” in the state, didn’t make it. But it was Olens’ only disappointment of the week, which began quite prominently in a pew before nine U.S. Supreme Court justices.
For three days, Olens shuttled between the health care arguments in D.C. and his legislative package in Atlanta. On the far end, simply by witnessing the high-court sessions, Olens established himself as the lead Republican voice – at least, in Georgia, one of the suing states — on the what’s sure to become the hottest political topic of the summer.
In Atlanta, the attorney general successfully pushed through a rewrite of the state “sunshine” laws that give the public access to government documents and meetings.
All in all, the week was evidence that Georgia’s first Republican attorney general styles himself an activist — something the state hasn’t seen in a while. ”I think it’s a fair statement that the AG’s office is more engaged in the Legislature now,” Olens said in a Friday interview.
But first, Olens’ notes from three days of Supreme Court watching:
“The lesson of the first day was that no justice had the appetite to bar the case and not proceed on the merits,” said Olens. He noted that many of the justices, unusually, had given seats to family members – a signal that they, too, expected some history to unfold.
Tuesday was given over to arguments over the new law’s requirement that everyone should buy health insurance. Many viewed that as the most important portion of the argument. “But I’m not sure that’s correct,” Olens said.
Because Wednesday was devoted to another mandate — that states open their Medicaid programs to more poor people, or face a massive loss in Medicaid funding. “Some of the justices that were more reserved on the issue of the individual mandate, were less reserved on their concern about coercion,” the attorney general said. “That’s where you saw the biggest ideological divide.”
This is where, depending on the breadth of any decision overturning the health care overhaul, this lawsuit could have an impact well beyond health insurance. Strings on federal money have become commonplace — for instance, the passage of seat belt laws and legal drinking ages set at 21.
“It could have a huge effect. One of the things we tried to hit home with on this [lawsuit] is that the principle of federalism is on trial here,” Olens said. “This appeal is not about health care. This appeal is on the limits of federal government.”
Closer to home, Olens said he realizes that he’ll have to be careful about how many times he walks from his office across the street to the state Capitol. “While there are some legislators that appreciate us having an agenda, there are others that are not so sure,” he said. “So we need to be respectful of the process.”
His rewrite of the state’s sunshine laws increases fines for violations and allows the state to pursue offending government officials with civil suits rather than criminal prosecution. Both make pursuit of malefactors more palatable. Under the current code, Olens said, “If I went to bring a charge in Chatham County, it cost me more in gas money than the fine.”
In that same legislation, Olens also brokered an end to a longstanding feud between Georgia governors and the state’s newspaper publishers over whether attempts to to lure new industry to Georgia should be kept secret. Gov. Sonny Perdue wanted a lid on such efforts, but was rebuffed. Gov. Nathan Deal had made one a campaign promise.
The governors said they feared competing states would gain real-time access to incentives Georgia offered to companies. Newspapers feared that the costs of those incentives would be hidden from the view of taxpayers.
“The prior proposed bills were so overly broad, that the press correctly, vehemently disagreed with the proposals,” Olens said. And he pointed out that the state’s newspaper concerns had signed off on the new provisions.
Documents relating to economic recruitment projects worth $25 million or more, or involving 50 workers or more, will now be state secrets – until the deals are consummated or abandoned. At which time, the state will be obliged to put all related documents online, without anyone asking.
But Olens, the former chairman of the Cobb County Commission, said he had no intention of supporting an extension of that secrecy to industry recruitment by local governments.
- By Jim Galloway, Political Insider
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97 comments Add your comment
td
March 31st, 2012
3:18 pm
Hot Dog
March 31st, 2012
2:44 pm
I believe it is you and the multiple names you have used on this blog that has been hi-jacking my screen name. Are you jealous my little padawan. Why do you not name a time and a place to meet me face to face so you can make these personal accusations? What is wrong are you scared? I am just a weak old man.
The busy attorney general across the street – Atlanta Journal Constitution (blog) | Nashville Christian Radio
March 31st, 2012
3:18 pm
[...] Article from http://blogs.ajc.com/political-insider-jim-galloway/2012/03/31/the-busy-attorney-general-across-the-…The busy attorney general across the street – Atlanta Journal Constitution [...]
honested
March 31st, 2012
3:20 pm
Under the leadership of zell miller?
Leadership and zell miller in the same sentence?
The man who wants to clear the mountains and move sick and sad retirees to those mountains in order to provide jobs for the long term inbred inhabitants?
You made me laugh so hard I almost peed myself!!
td
March 31st, 2012
3:23 pm
“The National Association for Legal Gun Defense wants to contribute $10,000 toward George Zimmerman’s legal expenses, a member said today.
The group represents gun owners involved in self-defense shooting cases, said attorney Blue Rannefeld of Fort Worth, Texas.”
http://articles.orlandosentinel.com/2012-03-30/news/os-george-zimmerman-lawyers-offer-10000-20120330_1_shooting-death-legal-expenses-legal-defense
It is about time someone comes forward to offer a defense against all the race baiters that want to use this incident to strip my gun rights away from me.
double
March 31st, 2012
3:38 pm
Time & date..Could suggest Rogers and Graves motel.
double
March 31st, 2012
3:41 pm
When was he leading?During the Zig or Zag?
Hot Dog
March 31st, 2012
3:58 pm
Hey Bennie… ( Another Loser) I agree however, CLINTON WAS PRESIDENT AND NEWT IS A WANNABE.. GET THE PICTURE! WHY DON’T YOU CONTINUE ON WITH YOUR TEAPUBLICANS AND THEIR FAMILY VALUES. YOU KNOW, THE SIX PACK AND THE BLEACHED BLOND TRASH WITH TATTOOS…YOU KNOW, THE ONE YOU CALL YOUR WIFE…
Hey TD, You are such a LOSER! WHAT YOU BELIEVE IS IRRELEVANT! YOU ARE JUST A WEAK OLD MAN WITH A LOSER’S TOUCH. BY THE WAY, YOU CAN MEET ME AT THE POLICE PRECINCT. SO WHEN YOU GO STUPID ON ME I, CAN HAVE YOU ARRESTED FOR THE LOSER YOU ARE! NOW HOW ABOUT THAT….. LOSER!
Watkins
March 31st, 2012
4:33 pm
Must not be anything happening in the sports blogs. Rude smack and dimness. But to ignore:
He’s the AG and I suspect must follow the will of the state’s leadership, but do not be too sure the SCOTUS will strike down the mandate. See A Hamilton above. The a clear and unpolitical examination of the law shows a strong case for constitutionality. Now, just because it’s constitutional doesn’t mean it is the best or proper solution. It just means the legislative branch must resolve the issue rather than the courts.
td
March 31st, 2012
5:49 pm
Hot Dog
March 31st, 2012
3:58 pm
Just as I thought. Not only are you the punk a$$ moron that has been hi jacking may screen name but you are also a scared little boy. Call out a coward and they scream like the little girl they really are.
Hot Dog
March 31st, 2012
9:49 pm
Hey TD, Let me repeat…YOU ARE A LOSER WITH A SECRET. YOU ARE AFRAID TO TELL YOUR FAMILY AND FRIENDS. Don’t blame me for YOU being a LOSER! NOBODY LIKE COWARDS…NOT EVEN YOUR STEFORD WIFE. DON’T BE SURPRISED IF YOU WAKE UP ONE DAY AND FIND HER OFF INTO THE SUNSET WITH A REAL MAN! NOW GO FLY A KITE, LOSER!
td
March 31st, 2012
11:02 pm
Hot Dog
March 31st, 2012
9:49 pm
Scream like a girl. My drop dead gorgeous wife will be with me as long as your wife (Rosey) will be with you. It takes a real man to keep a beautiful woman happy and screaming like a little girl will only make Rosey your permanent wife. It also would help to get a real wife if you actually could get a job and get out of your parents basement.
td
March 31st, 2012
11:29 pm
My sincere apologies to the rest of the readers of this blog. Sometimes when punks like Hot Dog (and his many other handles) get so nasty and the moderator refuses to take action then one must stand up for ones self. I am sorry for anyone else that had to endure this behavior on my part.
td
March 31st, 2012
11:39 pm
td
March 31st, 2012
11:29 pm
The fake td just does not understand the importance of the situation! He continues to hijack my screen name! I will not let him take my superlative…”Atlanta’s Most Nasty!” Td is known for his sick and disturbing views.
Burrito Tim a.k.a Chipotle employee
March 31st, 2012
11:42 pm
Td, you are simply not a decent human being judging by what you say on these blogs. You claim you are a conservative, but you are not. Your views are directly in sync with Bush era politics. We all know the destructiveness he brought into the world.
td
March 31st, 2012
11:43 pm
Burrito Tim a.k.a Chipotle employee
March 31st, 2012
11:42 pm
Changing names again Hot Dog? Very nice.
honested
April 1st, 2012
12:29 am
Burrito Tim…..
Being a ‘true conservative’ is an impossibility since time moves forward and any attempt to hold tightly to the past is doomed to fail.
Just stating the facts.
Hot Dog
April 1st, 2012
7:18 am
Hey Burrito Tim a.k.a Chipotle employee …I agree with you! TD is a LOSER and he knows it. After reading this blog, it appears that everyone else knows it as well. He’s just like all of the other TEAPUBLICANS…when all else fails in your life…BLAME EVERYONE BUT YOURSELF. JUST ASK NEWT, THE LIAR AND SERIAL ADULTERER.
TD HAS A SECRET AND I KNOW WHAT IT IS. It’s really sad that after all these years, he’s afraid to tell his STEPFORD WIFE, CHILDREN AND HIS OTHER FAMILY MEMBERS. He’s afraid that if they all found out, they would DIS-OWN HIM! TD, YOU ARE STILL A LOSER AND A COWARD AS WELL!
jw
April 1st, 2012
9:23 am
A REAL federalist wouldn’t have been up in Washington with his nose up the Sepreme Court’s collective azz.
.
A REAL federalist understands the concept of Nullification…and isn’t scared of putting it to practice.
.
Olens is only your typical Repulocrat Lawyer/Legislator..aka..parasite.
td
April 1st, 2012
10:02 am
“But what about all the other young black murder victims? Nationally, nearly half of all murder victims are black. And the overwhelming majority of those black people are killed by other black people. Where is the march for them?
“Where is the march against the drug dealers who prey on young black people? Where is the march against bad schools, with their 50% dropout rate for black teenaged boys? Those failed schools are certainly guilty of creating the shameful 40% unemployment rate for black teens.”
“This year 22% of blacks live below the poverty line and a shocking 72% of black babies are born to unwed mothers. The national unemployment rate for black people increased last month to over 13%, nearly five points above the average for all Americans”
Amen Juan Williams.
http://online.wsj.com/article/SB10001424052702303404704577307613183789698.html
A Hamilton
April 1st, 2012
10:24 am
a post said, “The tax payers save more money by hiring lawyers for a few years right out of law school at lower pay to take on these functions at a lower rate of pay”
May I suggest you examine the budget for outside counsel? The AG payroll could be better and the net result to the taxpayers would be better.
honested
April 1st, 2012
10:40 am
Since those on the wrong wing won’t step back and be even the tiniest bit reflective, let’s take a moment to review the nutty notion of stand your ground laws.
There is potentially merit in such laws. Nothing makes me more nervous or feel more threatened than to have religious nuts come to my door for any reason. I just stand there, fearful that they may pull a gun at any moment as they have me trapped on my own property. If I am ‘empowered’ with a stand your ground statute, I can solve the problem right there at the door and prevent the threat from moving on to any of my neighbors.
Then there is the case of real estate speculators driving through my neighborhood waiting to purchase and mow down any quaint home to replace it with some new, garish mcmansion and all the resource wastes of fuel and water that comes with it. Now that is a threat to my neighborhood and all of my neighbors at once. Are we not ‘empowered’ to protect the balance of our neighborhood?
Let’s not forget, snake-oil salesmen and carpetbaggers have been considered threats around these parts for a very long time, there just never was a declared open season on them before.
honested
April 1st, 2012
10:42 am
A Hamilton,
Unfortunately, few among us have any idea what the budget for any state provided services are nor have any idea what usual and reasonable costs are for outside counsel.
For 8 years too many just ‘trusted sonny’ to do the right thing. Continuing that sort of error is now second nature.
double
April 1st, 2012
11:19 am
It ain’t none of your business what the budget or services,or counsel cost.Just like it’s none of your business the cost or obligations for any new economic developement project..
DannyX
April 1st, 2012
11:39 am
I have to admit it. td is making sense. I decided to have an open mind and really think about what td is writing. His posts last night on the Bookman blog confirmed it, the left cannot respond to him without inventing a false reality. He really has changed my whole outlook on politics. No, I’m not going to support Newt Gingrich for president, but I am going to support Mitt Romney. Obama has been a failure, we need someone with fresh ideas. We need someone who is going to say NO to the culture of handouts. Someone who will say NO to the murder of babies. NO to the illegal aliens that are draining our resources.
Centrist also gets some credit from me. My pig headed ways never allowed me to see how right he is. I know in my heart that the media is liberal, for him to counter that culture is to be applauded, not mocked. Centrist and I share many political opinions, I am not going to deny that.
Anyway td, keep giving ‘em hell, I sure like being on the right side. The looney left destroyed the Democrats, I actually hope there are others that see it, maybe the party can be saved. A strong 2 party system is best, but you just can’t abandon your base, until then see ya.
Romney 2012
honested
April 1st, 2012
11:44 am
Now who has hijacked DannyX?
Romney? Noots?
We have already seen how candidates with those ‘plans’ failed America (for more information, see 2001-2008 and reference the ’shrub depression). That disaster was hardly a ‘false reality’, it was a downright melt down of everything in the economy that hard working Americans depend upon.
Hot Dog
April 1st, 2012
11:56 am
Now you know that post was from TD hiding behind Danny X. TD is out of CONTROL. TD is a LOSER and a COWARD AS WELL! NO WOMAN IN THEIR RIGHT MIND, NOT EVEN A STEPFORD WIFE, WANT A MAN AS A COWARD!
td
April 1st, 2012
11:56 am
honested
April 1st, 2012
11:44 am
Jim needs to put a stop to people hi jacking others screen names. It makes the blog look stupid. You and I disagree almost on every issue but I really want to know it is you and not some hi jacker when I turn you from the dark side:-)
double
April 1st, 2012
11:58 am
Danny good to see you have found the error of your ways.Good to see you have joined the thinking of the two above mentioned.Now you support Romney,join the LDS.When your time comes you will be gracefully rewarded.
td
April 1st, 2012
12:00 pm
Hot Dog
April 1st, 2012
11:56 am
I see you are back and just supplying more evidence that you hi jacked Danny X this morning. Jim knows my real name and email address and I give him permission to post both if it was me that hi-jacked Danny X. Will you publicly do the same?
Hot Dog
April 1st, 2012
12:05 pm
Hey TD, What a WHINER you are! STOP BEING A W@@@@E… You are STILL ATTACHED TO YOUR MOMMIE AND HER SKIRT! WHY DON’T YOU GO SOMEWHERE AND GROW UP SO YOU CAN LEARN HOW TO BE A MAN. LOSER!
Hot Dog
April 1st, 2012
12:07 pm
Hey TD the LOSER! ABSOLUTELY! NOW STOP BEING A W@@@@E!
td
April 1st, 2012
12:14 pm
Hot Dog
April 1st, 2012
12:05 pm
That hit dog is hollering now. You have been busted so bad that everyone on this blog now knows what second rate scum you are. I guess you go away and come back as another creation in a couple of days. Do not worry because your unintellectual writing style is obvious and I will find you and call you out again and again.
td
April 1st, 2012
12:20 pm
Hot Dog
April 1st, 2012
12:07 pm
Come on and just go ahead and admit it that you can not hang with people that do not live in their parents basement and still are married to their first wife Rosey. You really should go and get an education and some real life experience before coming to an arena where are obviously outclassed.
Hot Dog
April 1st, 2012
12:21 pm
You are such a LOSER! Now EVERYONE can SEE you for the LOSER you really ARE! Whine, Whine and more Whine! Go somewhere, GROW UP AND BE A MAN! COWARD!
Hot Dog
April 1st, 2012
12:26 pm
TD…OUT CLASSED…You have got to be kidding! YOU ARE NOTHING BUT TEAPUBLICAN TRASH! THAT IS WHY YOU ARE INTELLECTUALLY BANKRUPT and CHALLENGED! COWARD!
td
April 1st, 2012
12:26 pm
Hot Dog
April 1st, 2012
12:21 pm
The blog is still waiting if you will allow Jim to post your real name and email address when he determines you hi jack screen names? It was funny as h3ll a couple months ago when Kyle called you butt out for posting under multiple screen names.
td
April 1st, 2012
12:35 pm
Hot Dog
April 1st, 2012
12:26 pm
“COWARD!”
Time and place? Oh that is right you wimped out on that one yesterday as well. LMFAO.
td
April 1st, 2012
12:38 pm
Hot Dog
April 1st, 2012
12:26 pm
BTW: When your parents get tired of you sponging off of them let me know and I will hire you because I have some bathrooms that need to be cleaned.
td
April 1st, 2012
12:40 pm
To all my Democratic friends:
Which of the below 12 reasons best describes your voting for a Dem? I know you may have several that fits but please only chose one.
1. I voted Democrat because I believe oil companies’ profits of 4% on a gallon of gas are obscene, but the government taxing the same gallon of gas at 15% isn’t.
2. I voted Democrat because I believe the government will do a better job of spending the money I earn than I would.
3. I voted Democrat because Freedom of Speech is fine as long as nobody is offended by it.
4. I voted Democrat because I’m way too irresponsible to own a gun, and I know that my local police are all I need to protect me from murderers and thieves.
5. I voted Democrat because I believe that people who can’t tell us if it will rain on Friday can tell us that the polar ice caps will melt away in ten years if I don’t start driving a Prius.
6. I voted Democrat because I’m not concerned about millions of babies
being aborted so long as we keep all death row inmates alive.
7. I voted Democrat because I think illegal aliens have a right to free health care, education, and Social Security benefits, and we should take away the social security from those who paid into it.
8. I voted Democrat because I believe that business should not be allowed to make profits for themselves. They need to break even and give the rest away to the government for redistribution as the Democrats see fit.
9. I voted Democrat because I believe liberal judges need to rewrite the Constitution every few days to suit some fringe kooks who would never get their agendas past the voters.
10.. I voted Democrat because I think that it’s better to pay billions to people who hate us for their oil, but not drill our own because it might upset some endangered beetle, gopher or fish.
11. I voted Democrat because while we live in the greatest, most wonderful country in the world, I was promised “HOPE AND CHANGE”.
12. I voted Democrat because my head is so firmly planted up my ass, it’s unlikely that I’ll ever have another point of view.
liberalefty
April 1st, 2012
12:50 pm
I VOTED DEMOCRAT because the republican president couldnt keep this country safe on 9/11…
Hot Dog
April 1st, 2012
12:50 pm
TD, YOU ARE SUCH AN IDIOT! Your continued attacks against ME shows the sick tissues of rotten mind and body where the two radiate filth. YOU show your low level, and ugliness. I HAVE NO TIME FOR YOUR FOOLISHNESS! IMPERSONATING SCREEN NAMES IS YOUR STYLE. I HAVE NO TIME FOR COWARDS AND LOSERS LIKE YOU! BE GONE SO I CAN READ AND ENJOY VIEW POINTS FROM INTELLIGENT PEOPLE. CONTINUE ON BEING THE MENTAL MIDGET YOU ARE! LOSER!
liberalefty
April 1st, 2012
12:51 pm
i voted democrat becausei believe 2 people of the same sex should have the right to marry
liberalefty
April 1st, 2012
12:52 pm
i voted democrat because i believe a woman and not the guvment have the final say so on her reproductive decisions
liberalefty
April 1st, 2012
12:53 pm
i voted democrat because i dont want religion shoved down my throat by 2 bit racists hiding behind god and the flag
td
April 1st, 2012
12:56 pm
td
April 1st, 2012
12:40 pm
Let me tell everybody here something! The constitution is not a Perfect document. It has many flaws. If we begin to accept this as the truth, then maybe society will prosper once again. One of the biggest flaws is that it allows the republican party to take away from “We the People.” It also makes it impossible for the majority to participate in the laws that govern them. My husband, Larry, can greatly attest to the fact the republican party is proud of the fact that they are able to keep the majority of people out of the decision making process!
DannyX
April 1st, 2012
12:58 pm
“.I see you are back and just supplying more evidence that you hi jacked Danny X this morning. Jim knows my real name and email address and I give him permission to post both if it was me that hi-jacked Danny X. Will you publicly do the same?”
td, that “DannyX” was not an imposter, I too give Jim Galloway permission to verify that my 11:39 post came from the same ip address. In fact I have never used a different name on this blog, Jim can verify that also.
Burrito Tim a.k.a Chipotle employee
April 1st, 2012
1:00 pm
Hey liberallefty, we must try to get homosexuality out of our politics. The democratic party has unfortunately had the task of being the gay/lesbian rights party. That needs to change if we are going to preserve our conservative history. There are simply certain topics that we must keep out of our conservative democratic party of Georgia. .