BACK TO WORK

After a two week break, we reconvene today, Monday, March 19. At this time, the Rules Calendar does not list any of the controversial bills that people have been e-mailing me about, but it is expected that there will be a supplemental calendar, which may include some matters of interest. As I know many residents of the 115th check the blog, and then e-mail me thoughts privately, please bring my attention to any bill you are following and provide me your position. We only have three more legislative days before crossover day, and then we will only be considering the bills the Senate has passed. Thanks for all your involvement, and I look dorward to hearing from you! Doug.

HB 10 - Earned Income Tax Credit

ATLANTA - Rep. McKillip presented House Bill 10 before the Ways and Means Committee today. HB 10 was assigned to the Income Tax Subcommittee.

HB 10 would provide for a Earned Income Tax Credit at 5% of the Federal Earned Income Tax Credit and thus provide much needed tax relief for those working Georgians who can least afford taxes. Historically, the EITC has enjoyed bipartisan support including President Ronald Reagan, who described the EITC as the "best anti-poverty, the best pro-family, the best job creation program to come out of Congress."

Excellence in Recycling Awards

ATLANTA - Rep. McKillip attended the Weyerhaeuser Excellence in Recycling Awards 2006 which featured Athens' own Cedar Shoals High School as an award recipient.

Mental Health Press Conference

ATLANTA - Rep. McKillip attended a mental health press conference on the steps of the Capitol today. The conference focused on the recent controversy that the Atlanta Journal Constitution highlighted during their recent investigative reports.

Natural Resources Committee Meeting

ATLANTA - On Monday, Rep. McKillip attended the Natural Resources and Environment Committee. The committee introduced new members and voted on the new rules. The Natural Resources Committee is chaired by Lynn Smith.

Capitol Update Appears in AJC

Appearing in today's AJC:

New state Rep. Doug McKillip (D-Athens), 37, started his blog before he took office, building on a campaign season in which he used the social-networking Facebook.com to get information out to University of Georgia students.

McKillip said he had never blogged before his campaign last year. The past few postings have been about his committee assignments and appointments as an assistant whip in the House Democratic Caucus, pretty standard stuff for Web sites.

The AJC has the complete story here:
www.ajc.com/search/content/metro/legis07/stories/2007/01/13/0114legblog.html

Committee Assignments

Atlanta – Committee assignments for the Georgia House of Representatives were announced yesterday. State Representative Doug McKillip (D-Athens) asked for and received an appointment to the Natural Resources and the Environment committee of the House of Representatives. Rep. McKillip was also appointed to the Intergovernmental Coordination Committee and to the Industrial Relations Committee.

“It is especially rewarding to be on natural resources because environmental issues are so important to me and to so many constituents in Athens. I look forward to using my placement on this key committee to help protect Georgia’s environment and promote responsible use of our natural resources.” said McKillip.