The 2007 Georgia General Assembly has steadily marched forward. Underneath the Gold Dome, there are some pretty powerful folks who have managed to avoid the embarrassing snafus that typically happen at the least opportune time. Of course, there is plenty of time left. Yet, absent the unexpected, these folks will have proven their metal without the political grandstanding that has marked Georgia politics for decades.
In the House, Majority Leader Jerry Keen has proven to be a reliable and influential political force. He is not without an agenda. A principled conservative, the GOP Leader has committed to reform taxes. He has backed up his pledge with consistency of message and approach. It may not be possible to finish the task of reforming Georgia taxes in a single legislative session. But, if real tax reform comes, it will be Jerry Keen who has helped lead the effort.
Little happens at the Capitol that Speaker Pro Tempore Mark Burkhalter, the second ranking member of the Georgia House of Representatives, has not personally touched. As the Speaker Pro Tempore, he is an ex-officio member of all standing committees. His most significant role, may however be, as a budget negotiator. As one of the conferees on all state budgets, he has a direct say in how Georgia taxpayer dollars get spent. Since all appropriations must start in the House and largely end in conference committee, this is no small thing.
Minority Chairman Calvin Smyre remains an important person in the House of Representatives. Although he is no longer the Chairman of the Democratic Party of Georgia, he does wield real influence and power. Unlike others, Representative Smyre has adopted the Johnny Isakson approach to government - get the job done. In that way, he has earned the respect of his colleagues on both sides of the aisle. Calvin Smyrem has been able to get things done that no other Minority Chairman could. In a government dominated by Republicans in both state legislative chambers and in the Office of the Governor, such achievements are impressive.
Of course, Committee Chairmen remain a focal point of power in the House chamber and deserve mention. House Appropriations Chairman Ben Harbin and Rules Committee Chairman Earl Ehrhart have been effective. The steady forward pace of the House legislative agenda including the all encompassing state budget reflects their handiwork. Of course, their real test will come in the final days before sine die.
In the Georgia Senate, Majority Leader Tommie Williams has managed the Senate GOP caucus in a year of transition. With the departure of Senator Bill Stephens, and the election of Lieutenant Governor Casey Cagle, Senator Williams had a whole new set of dynamics to address. His open-minded approach to government is tailor made for the bipartisan approach in the Georgia Senate. For Williams, it does not matter whose idea it is. He just wants it to be a good idea.
A clear "mover and shaker" is Senator David Shafer. He is a Senator that appears to be in every room, almost every time. Undoubtedly, his close relationship with the Lieutenant Governor has only strengthened his already strong hand in Georgia politics.
Finally, one of the most significant voices in the Senate Chamber is Senator Kasim Reed. His influence is not the product of the position he has or the party he is in. Instead, it is the passion, depth, and consistency of his message. He is a dependable force within the Democratic Party. He says what he believes and believes what he says. This makes him someone other people listen to, even when they do not agree.