2015 Capitol Update Week 11 - Two days remain

Two days remain in the 2015 Session

Tuesday and Thursday this week are the final voting days of the 2015 Session of the Georgia General Assembly. Before mentioning what remains, please find a brief update on several items voted this past week.

On the way to the Governor these bills received final passage:

SR 287 and SB 133 proposed by Governor Nathan Deal provide via voter referendum a Constitutional Amendment to create an Opportunity School District to address chronically failing schools. I voted YES and in November 2016 you will have the opportunity to vote on this measure as well.

On Thursday the House and Senate Insurance Committees reached an agreement to provide Autism coverage for children age 6 and under. (Has not received final passage yet, however, should be on the way to the Governor next week.)

HB 1 passed the Senate and Governor Deal signed the bill into law on Friday beginning the process of providing medical cannabis oil for treatment of several debilitating conditions including cancer, multiple sclerosis, seizure disorders, amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS), Crohn’s disease, Parkinson’s disease, mitochondrial disease, and sickle cell disease.

HB 57 the Solar Power Free Market Financing Act making it easier and more affordable for homeowners to generate solar power for their homes.

SB 63 the Beer Jobs Bill permits visitors to breweries and distilleries to leave with ‘souvenirs’ that may include up to 72 oz of beer or 750 ml of spirits. Brewpubs may choose to offer cans and bottles as well.

Remaining issues that may or may not make it to the finish line this year:

SB 129 the Georgia Religious Freedom Restoration Act will be heard again Monday at 10 a.m. in the House Judiciary Committee.

HB 535 the Brunch Bill providing local governments the ability to expand Sunday sales hours for restaurants, brewpubs, and hotels.

Hey Dad, look who I met this week!

Former Atlanta Falcon greats Tommy Nobis (Mr. Falcon) and Jeff Van Note.

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As always, I remain appreciative that you allow me to serve as your state Representative. I encourage you to contact me with any comments or questions you have about the legislation being considered at the state Capitol.  You can reach me at my Capitol office at 404-656-0254 or on my cell at 404-966-5804 or via email at brett.harrell@house.ga.gov.Thank you,

Brett Harrell

Welcome home Mr. Speaker

Have you heard the news? Newt just Poped!

According to most reports, Newt became increasingly attracted to the universal church while attending mass with his wife, Callista, a member of the choir at the Basilica of the National Shrine of the Immaculate Conception in Washington, D.C. [We have the coolest names don't we!]

Reports suggest the former Speaker will join in full communion with the Roman Catholic Church during this year's Lenten Season.

This calls for a toast! Welcome home Mr. Speaker!

I was a bleacher bum at Yankee Stadium

Sunday, April 20 was the final day of a perfect trip and Mike and I attended morning mass seated on the front row at St. Patrick's Cathedral and afternoon mass in the bleachers at Yankee Stadium. Both services as well as the Seder supper the evening before were wonderfully enjoyable faith building events.

A few photos from New York:

Banners welcoming Pope Benedict XVI
were everywhere in New York and D.C.

Mass at St. Patrick's Cathedral in New York

Archdiocese of New York banner at Yankee Stadium

New York Priests, clergy, police, and firefighters were well
represented in the bleachers to keep us rowdies in line.

The altar at Yankee Stadium.
Mr. Steinbrenner had but one request - "stay off the grass".

The Holy Father arrives via Mercedes popemobile and takes a lap
around the track at Yankee Stadium prior to beginning the mass.

Viva il Papa!

Pope Benedict XVI in route to St. Patrick's Cathedral to celebrate mass for clergy and religious. Both sides of 5th Avenue were lined from 71st Street to the Cathedral for the morning motorcade. The mass just concluded and the pope will depart St. Patrick's after lunch in the popemobile providing a better opportunity to see him as he returns to St. Joseph Seminary.

After cannolli at Ferrara's Italian bakery on Grant Street in Little Italy, Mike and I are now headed to the Shubert Theatre for Spamalot.

This evening we'll take the train to Rockaway Island and participate in an Orthodox Jewish Passover Seder supper.

Thursday evening in D.C., Friday in NYC

Thursday evening Mike and I enjoyed a great meal on the Potomac waterfront in Georgetown then visited with friends who were kind enough to take us by the Apostolic Nunciature in route back to our hotel in Chinatown. The Nunciature is the D.C. residence on Embassy Row of the Papal Nuncio, the Vatican's diplomat to the U.S., where the Holy Father spent the night. The residence is directly across the street from Vice President Cheney's residence at the Naval Observatory on Massachusetts Avenue.

Mike was quoted in an AJC article on the papal visit on Thursday, April 18th titled "Major-league Mass" by Bob Dart.

Pope Benedict left Washington from Andrews AFB about 8:30 a.m. Friday morning and arrived at RFK in New York just after 10:00 a.m. The pope addressed the United Nations General Assembly at about 11:00 a.m.

Mike and I departed D.C. about 12:30 p.m. and were met in New York at LaGuardia by Mike's father Tom. After a short visit at his home in Queens, we attended a family gathering in Suffolk County on Long Island. Tom then treated us to a fantastic Italian meal at Pasquele's on Arthur Avenue in the Bronx.

Saturday morning, the Holy Father will travel down 5th Avenue in the popemobile very near our hotel in route to St. Patrick's Cathedral where he will celebrate mass with clergy from around the country.

A few pics from CUA and the National Shrine:

He's here

Photo credit: American Papist

The Holy Father, Pope Benedict XVI, landed at Andrews AFB at about 4 p.m. on Tuesday afternoon and was greeted by the President and First Lady. The event marks the first time a U.S. President has left the White House to meet a visiting head of state upon arrival. The Vatican is the smallest nation-state and the Pope's visit is an "official" state visit.

This morning the Pope will celebrate his 81st birthday with a visit to the White House and a meeting with President Bush and others. This evening, the President is hosting a formal White House dinner in honor of the Pope's visit, however, the Holy Father will not be in attendance as he will be meeting with U.S. bishops at the Basilica of the National Shrine of the Immaculate Conception.

This afternoon, Mike Byrne and I depart about 1 p.m. for D.C.. Thursday morning, Mike, a Catholic Deacon, will participate in the mass officiated by Pope Benedict at Washington Nationals Stadium. Thursday afternoon, the Holy Father meets with educators and students at The Catholic University of America and then inter-religious leaders at the Pope John Paul II Cultural Center.

Friday, after a quick tour of the U.S. Capitol, we depart for New York. Friday morning the pope speaks at the United Nations and in the afternoon meets with ecumenical Christian leaders. Friday evening, Mike's father Tom, a New Yorker, is treating us to his favorite Italian restaurant.

Saturday morning, Pope Benedict celebrates mass for Catholic religious at St. Patrick's Cathedral then travels via popemobile across the city. We'll take in a Broadway matinee Saturday afternoon -- hey, we're in New York -- it's the law.

Saturday evening begins Jewish Passover and Mike and I are invited to a Passover Seder meal with the family of one of his childhood friends in New York. [Thanks Joan for loaning me your Haggadah.]

Sunday morning, the Holy Father visits Ground Zero and offers prayers for those lost. In the afternoon, Mike and I attend mass at Yankee Stadium where the pope will celebrate the 200th anniversary of several U.S. diocese including Baltimore, New York, Boston, Philadelphia, and Louisville.

Tidbit: I always thought the introduction for the Stones was impressive, "Ladies and Gentlemen, the World's Greatest Rock-n-Roll Band, the Rolling Stones!" That intro pales to the official title of the pope. Ladies and Gentlemen, may I present the Bishop of Rome, Vicar of Jesus Christ, Successor to the Prince of the Apostles, Supreme Pontiff of the Universal Church, Patriarch of the West, Primate of Italy, Archbishop and Metropolitan of the Roman Province, Sovereign of the State of the City of the Vatican, Servant of the Servants of God, His Holiness Pope Benedict XVI. As the photo caption above says, "rock on, papist dudes!"

He's coming

I'll soon embark on a once in a lifetime trip to Washington, D.C. and New York City to attend mass and events officiated by Pope Benedict XVI. My dear friend, former City Attorney and now Deacon Michael Byrne is traveling with me and he will participate in the papal mass at Washington Nationals Stadium.

I expect the King of All Media will be dethroned during the papal visit as all lenses and microphones will be focused on Pope Benedict. This is Pope Benedict's first visit to the United States and an opportunity to build hope and faith in the American church. He'll celebrate his 81st birthday while at the White House. He is the 265th successor of St. Peter, installed by Christ to shepherd His church on earth.

Pope Benedict's tentative shedule is:

Tuesday, April 15
Arrive in Washington, DC via Shepherd One
greeted by President Bush at Andrew's AFB

Wednesday, April 16 Pope Benedict XVI's 81st Birthday
10:30 a.m. Meet with the President at The White House
Only the second time in history the pope has visited the White House

Noon Popemobile route
Pope Benedict will travel via Popemobile on at least
two trips while in D.C.

Popemobile traveling down I-95 toward D.C. on April 2nd.

5:30 p.m. Meet with the bishops of the United States, Basilica of the National Shrine of the Immaculate Conception

Thursday, April 17
10:00 a.m. Mass hosted by the Archdiocese of Washington, Washington Nationals baseball stadium

5:00 p.m. Address Catholic educators: presidents of 200 Catholic colleges and universities and education leaders from 195 dioceses, The Catholic University of America
Of the 250+ Catholic schools and universities in the United States, CUA is the only college operated by bishops.

6:30 p.m. Meet with interfaith leaders, Pope John Paul II Cultural Center including Buddhists, Muslims, Hindus, and Jews

Friday, April 18
Depart for New York
10:45 a.m. Speech to the United Nations General Assembly, United Nations

6:00 p.m. Meet with ecumenical leaders of other Christian denominations at St. Joseph Church in Manhattan

Saturday, April 19
3rd anniversary of the election of Pope Benedict XVI to the papacy
9:15 a.m. Mass for Priests, Deacons and Religious, St. Patrick's Cathedral

4:30 p.m. Meet with Children with Disabilities, St. Joseph's Seminary Chapel Youth and Seminarian Rally, Grounds of St. Joseph's Seminary in Yonkers

Sunday, April 20
9:30 a.m. Visit to Ground Zero, World Trade Center Site

2:30 p.m. Mass hosted by the Archdiocese of New York at Yankee Stadium
Recognizing the 200th anniversary of the founding of the Baltimore Archdiocese

8:00 p.m. Depart for Vatican City onboard Shepherd One

Fun Fact:
Pope Benedict XVI has a pilot's license and flys the Vatican helicopter, but he does not have a driver's license and never learned to drive a car.

All in One

I hadn't considered William F. Buckley, Jr. when I labeled my blog, "A promulgation of esoteric cogitations attempting to avoid platitudinous ponderousities regarding public policy, religion, politics, beer, and cigars - in no particular order." That said, it most certainly fits the Bill. I also hadn't considered the impact his writings had on my thinking in as much as I long ago allowed my subscription to National Review to lapse and Firing Line ceased broadcasting.

I do, however, admire and aspire to several traits from the blog label favored by Mr. Buckley. An avocation toward shaping public policy - generally conservative, but with a twist from time to time. A lifelong Catholic and a nascent apologist. Active in politics (Republican); most often from the sidelines; though he did unsuccessfully seek the New York mayoralty once. An aficionado of fine spirits (theological and otherwise) and cigars. Though after the passing of his wife from emphysema after years of cigarette smoking, Buckley confessed that given the power, he'd outlaw smoking.

One of our nations most outstanding educational institutions, Hillsdale College, has created a website with the complete writings of William F. Buckley, Jr. and The Hoover Institution has archived the Firing Line television show collection. WFB will be missed, but his intelligence, facetiousness, and catechizing remains.

Réquiem ætérnam dona ei Dómine; et lux perpétua lúceat ei. Requiéscat in pace. Amen.

Ministry misstatements

It happens across all faiths - none are exempt. Members of a particular faith-based organization stray into politics for political purposes in support of their own ministry. It is happening now in my hometown on two issues with two groups.

The first is on the issue of Sunday sales of alcohol and a prominent, conservative protestant church is opposed. No surprise there. I'd very much expect this active, valuable, and important member of our community to voice their opposition - as they did with a letter.

What I didn't expect and what is less than consistent with their professed teaching is that this church included in the letter a statement critical of other members of the community that happen to also be members of the church.

We have, within our community, an organization charged with downtown development and business building activities. This is a quasi-governmental authority composed of business people with an interest in the downtown area. Two members of this authority are also members of the aforementioned church. The authority issued a letter, consistent with their mission, in support of alcohol sales.

When the church responded, they went beyond their opposition to alcohol to call out, though not by name, these two members of their own congregation to say they did not speak for the church. Of course they didn't, they wrote under a different banner. There was simply no need for the church to go beyond their opposition to the issue and bring negative attention among the congregation focused on two members.

The second involves a faith-based food ministry. In years past, this food ministry was supported by local churches. By coincidence, the church mentioned in the first example also provided operating space for the food co-op for some time. For various reasons, the church was unable to continue providing that space and the food ministry was forced to relocate.

The food co-op approached another local church for support. This church was in the midst of a real estate transaction with the city and had space available, but for a limited time. The church discussed with the city the relocation of the co-op ministry and the new space was provided for the food ministry to continue their operations.

Some time later, the church and the city concluded the real estate transaction and the food ministry became a tenant of the city until such time as the agreement reached with the church expired. Upon expiration, as had been contemplated from the outset with full knowledge of all parties, the city took possession of the building and the food ministry was forced to relocate yet again.

The food ministry is another wonderful, positive, and valuable organization within our community and everything appeared straight forward and understandable until the co-op decided to use public pressure and the media in an attempt to gain ongoing financial support from the city. The food ministry has been critical of the city - suggesting they're being forced out of the community [a day they knew would come years ago]. The food ministry approached our Mayor and Council recently at a public meeting requesting city funding to replenish reserves depleted because of the cost of relocating as if that cost was a responsibility of the city's.

The city has supported and made accommodations to benefit the food ministry through various means for many years - some perhaps that the co-op is even unaware of. It is disappointing that another positive, faith-based organization would resort to less than positive means to meet their needs.