Columbus, Georgia

Columbus Consolidated Government



2004 Suggested Legislative Agenda





1. Health Department Funding:



Oppose state cuts to the Health Department?s funding, which

could impact the amount of funding that the Consolidated

Government must provide them on an annual basis.



2. Charge for State Inmates Usage:



Oppose the proposal to charge local governments for use of

state prison inmates as outlined in the Department of

Corrections proposed budget.



3. Jail Overcrowding:



Introduce/Support legislation that will expedite transfer of

state inmates to the state prison from city/county jail.



4. Rutledge State Prison



Oppose closing Rutledge State Prison.



5. LOST:



Enact LOST enabling legislation for consolidated governments

as proposed in the 2003 session.



6. Tax - Destination Marketing:



Reform the Georgia Hotel/Motel Tax Code (OCGA 48-51) to

insure significant percentage of funds are used for the original

intended purpose of the Tax ?Destination Marketing.



7. Trade Center Funding:



Urge funding previously committed to renovate/expand the

Trade Center in the amount of $22,000,000.



8. National Child Crime Search:



Introduce/Support legislation that would permit us to

fingerprint and do a national child crime search on all

employees who have or wish to have one on one contact with

children. This would be consistent with the Federal Child

Abuse Prevention Act. We have an ordinance mandating

such a search, however, since Georgia has not opted in to this

Act, such checks are not currently available.



9. Alcohol Sales on Sunday (Off Premise):



Introduce/Support legislation that will allow Sunday off premise

alcohol sales.



10. Pay Raise for Elected Officials:



Oppose legislation which increases salaries of local elected

officials without a resolution of support from the local governing

authority.



11. State Funding for Oxbow Marina:



Support funding for Oxbow Marina.