Public Defenders Fully Funded - April 11, 2007

The Georgia State Senate and House of Representatives reached an important compromise late yesterday to fully fund the Georgia Public Defenders Standards Council in the amount of $9.6 million. This will allow the public defender's offices throughout the state to cover their operating expenses for the remainder of the fiscal year without staff layoffs or program cutbacks.
We want to express our thanks to the members of Central who addressed postcards after Worship Service early last month to their Senators asking that they support full funding for this issue. Thanks also to the participants of Presbytery Rally Day who also addressed cards explaining the need for full funding in order to allow for equal representation for the poor.
More information will be available in the May issue of the OAC newsletter.

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Payday Lending Bill Defeated - March 27, 2007

The Georgia House of Representatives just defeated a motion by Rep. Earl Erhart to reconsider the Payday Lending Bill (HB 163). This means the bill is dead for this legislative session.
Thank you for the many calls and emails that were sent to House Members. Working with a coalition of other groups, we helped to defeat a very powerful and wealthy lobby in our state.