Governor Sonny Perdue's Hope Chest amendment failed to pass in the House today. House Resolution 1045, which would allow the people of Georgia to vote on how lottery funds
are distributed, received 102 votes in the House. Since this measure
would be a constitutional amendment, it needed a two/thirds vote of 120
to pass.

A measure allowing pharmacists to refuse to fill prescriptions for drugs they believe could terminate pregnancies stalled in the House today. Representative James Mills explained that House Bill 1445
extends the same protections to pharmacists currently provided to other
health professionals. Opponents countered that the measure could limit
women's access to contraception.

The House today voted to allow physicians assistants to practice outside their licenses during certain widespread emergencies. Representative Sharon Cooper, who is a nurse, explained how House Bill 873 could be used during the 48-hour period following a natural disaster, state of emergency or large-scale medical emergency.

The Senate today voted to create a Newborn Umbilical Cord Blood Commission. Senator David Shafer said stems cells from umbilical chords were already saving lives. Senator David Adelman had proposed a similar bill that would have included stem cells from embryos.

The House today passed a bill that would make it easier to prosecute gang activity
as a felony. The bill does away with the current requirement of showing
a pattern of behavior. Opponents said that move opens the door for
profiling. Two amendments that were offered by Representitive Gail Buckner were adopted on to the bill.

The organization Georgia Born and Georgia Artists
displayed artwork at the Capitol today. Everyone who entered the gold
dome enjoyed the artwork, which features various artists throughout the
state. Senators Bill Stephens and Nancy Schaefer, along with Lieutenant Governor Mark Taylor own some of the art from Georgia Born and Georgia Artists.