Columbus, Georgia

Governor Perdue called the anticipated special session of the Georgia

Legislature late on Friday afternoon, declaring that it will start on May 3rd.

The Governor will only call the Legislature back to consider the financing of

the State's Indigent Defense program which was not agreed upon on the last day

of the regular session and created a $57 million dollar hole in the FY2005

budget.

The Governor's call for a special session is to only last 5 days, however if

the Legislature is unable to reach a compromise on indigent defense Perdue

promises he will call the Legislature back for a second session beginning May

10th to possibly open up the entire State budget and perhaps other

legislation.

The Statement released by the Governor's office Friday says, "If the General

Assembly does not reach a compromise on the indigent defense bill within five

days, the minimum number of days to pass the bill, Governor Perdue will veto

the FY05 budget rendering the indigent defense debate moot. The General

Assembly would then be able to adjourn only to be called back into a second

special session the following Monday to address the entire budget and

potentially other important legislation."



Jonathan B. Pannell

Manager - State Affairs

Troutman Sanders Public Affairs Group LLC

Bank of America Plaza, Suite 5200

600 Peachtree Street, N.E.

Atlanta, Georgia 30308

(404) 879-6503