This Week Under the Gold Dome: Week Three
Another week under the Gold Dome has passed, and the Georgia General Assembly is beginning the 13th day of the legislative session this morning. During week three in Atlanta, Rep. Frye fought for many issues that will have direct and significant effects back home in the 118th district.
Carry On Campus Debate Reappears
A session of the Georgia General Assembly can never seem to pass without the dated and disputed discussion over a carry on campus bill. House Bill 859 would allow carry license holders to carry on the property of public technical schools, vocational schools or college, universities. The bill stipulates that this would not apply during sporting events on these campuses or in student housing facilities. These locations were not limited in previous legislation. Just as in years past, officials at the University of Georgia oppose the measure, and Rep. Frye does as well. During a session in which he is trying to accomplish real progress for Georgians, he does not see this as a measure that will promote the safety of students on campus in any meaningful way. “I’m here to solve problems, and I don’t think this solves any problems,” Rep. Frye said. Read more about the bill and Rep. Frye’s perspective here:
Let My Brewery Go
Regulators and Georgia breweries reached a compromise in the ongoing conflict that has garnered much discussion over the past through months. Although much work was done in the 2015 Georgia General Assembly to allow craft breweries the ability to include “gifts” in the sale price of tour packages, the Georgia Department of Revenue clarified in July this was not the case. Though measures were taken this session to introduce legislation to solve this issue and several others involving social media use and tour requirements, a deal between the Georgia Beer Wholesalers Association, the Georgia Craft Brewers Guild and the Department of Revenue have made such measures unnecessary. Brewers will now be allowed to sell food on site and alert the public of events at the breweries on social media. However, craft brewery supporters promised to stop advocating for direct sales for another year meaning there is a possibility that Georgia will be the last state without direct sales from breweries to consumers.
A Bump in the Road
Last week, the Georgia Department of Transportation passed out its plans to allocate the funds generated by the new transportation tax, which was a highly debated topic last session. A recent study by the GDOT lists that $164 million dollars is needed to improve the notorious Georgia 316 corridor. Rep. Frye and friends proposed a plan to improve conditions along the highway last week before the House and Senate Transportation hearings occurred to approve the GDOT’s proposed budget. Rep. Frye’s collaborative proposal cited a higher crash and fatality rates on SR 316 than comparative roadways in the state as well as economic development opportunities as reasons to begin improving the road not-less-traveled from Atlanta to Athens.
Make sure to stay informed about what is happening to your district under the Gold Dome by following Rep. Frye’s efforts to help your causes this session.