Governor Requests Attorney General Join Colleagues in Reviewing Constitutionality of Federal Health Care Bill

Governor Sonny Perdue on December 23 requested Georgia Attorney General Thurbert Baker join colleagues from around the nation in reviewing the Constitutionality of the health care bill under consideration in Congress. At least seven Attorneys General have confirmed that they are looking at several special deals made by Senate leadership to buy the votes of wavering Senators.

“The leadership of Congress, particularly Senate leadership, understands the financial devastation that is looming for states, which is clearly evidenced by the special deals that have been cut for states that have Democratic Senators with wavering support of the reform,” Governor Perdue wrote to Attorney General Baker. “In order to calm the concerns, Senate leadership has granted special exemptions with additional federal dollars to cover the substantial increases in Medicaid costs for a few states while leaving the rest of us to foot the entire bill.”

The special treatment that Senators have won for their states will cost the country’s taxpayers hundreds of millions of dollars, in addition to the billions in state costs that will skyrocket under this bill.

The full text of Governor Perdue’s letter to Attorney General Baker is below:


The Honorable Thurbert Baker
Attorney General of Georgia

Dear Attorney General Baker:

RE: H.R. 3590 - “Health Care Reform”

The debate over healthcare policy in Washington, DC has reached a critical juncture now that 60 Senators have agreed to support the latest bill unveiled by Sen. Harry Reid over this past weekend. Under the House and Senate proposals, state spending on Medicaid will increase dramatically and Governors of both parties have repeatedly objected to the path we appear to be rushing toward. One of my Democratic Governor colleagues even called this bill “the mother of all unfunded mandates.”

The leadership of Congress, particularly Senate leadership, understands the financial devastation that is looming for states, which is clearly evidenced by the special deals that have been cut for states that have Democratic Senators with wavering support of the reform. In order to calm the concerns, Senate leadership has granted special exemptions with additional federal dollars to cover the substantial increases in Medicaid costs for a few states while leaving the rest of us to foot the entire bill. Senator Reid’s recent compromise to obtain the support of Senator Ben Nelson of Nebraska is the most striking example where the federal government would cover one hundred percent of the cost of all newly eligible Medicaid enrollees in just the State of Nebraska. In addition, the health care legislation grants an additional $300 million in Medicaid aid to the State of Louisiana which secured Senator Mary Landrieu’s support – a deal many are calling the new “Louisiana Purchase.”

Yesterday, seven Attorneys General from across the country confirmed that they are looking at the constitutionality of these special deals. As I have considerable concerns over the constitutionality of these recent actions, I respectfully request that you join your colleagues from Alabama, Colorado, Michigan, North Dakota, South Carolina, Texas and Washington state in investigating the constitutionality of these special exemptions in the health care legislation and explore the availability of any legal challenges that Georgia could pursue to oppose this unconscionable scenario.

Congress appears to be on the cusp of making a decision that will have ripple effects for decades to come. Now is the time to ensure that any decision that is made has been thoroughly vetted and deemed to meet the intent and spirit of our country’s Constitution.

Thank you for your attention to this matter.

Sincerely
Governor Sonny Perdue

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New Blog Network Helps Readers Enjoy Their City's Attractions, Concerts, and Restaurants 'On the Cheap'

/PRNewswire/ -- Motivated by the current coupon-clipping climate, writers across the U.S. and Canada have pulled together to help friends and neighbors get out and about on the cheap. Cities on the Cheap, http://www.citiesonthecheap.com/, is the hub for a rapidly growing network of "On the Cheap" blogs. Each blog, which is independently owned and operated, highlights city-specific freebies, discounts and deals.

The blogs are the brainchild of Atlanta writer Jennifer Maciejewski, who began with a blog for the Atlanta area, http://www.atlantaonthecheap.com/. "I started out just looking for ways to help my family see and do more in Atlanta for less, but the deals I found were too good to keep to myself," Maciejewski says. "I created Atlanta on the Cheap to spread the word."

After launching the Atlanta blog, Maciejewski shared her idea on a networking site for professional writers and invited other writers to start "On the Cheap" blogs for their cities. The idea took off.

"Although a myriad of money-saving blogs exist, most focus on reaching a national U.S. audience, offering readers few, if any, city-specific deals," Maciejewski says. "Cities on the Cheap fills this niche."

Cities on the Cheap now includes more than 40 city blogs in the U.S. and Canada, with more in development.

In the past month, thrifty readers of the individual "On the Cheap" blogs have learned about free dance performances, concerts, art workshops, coffee, breakfast, poetry slams and movie passes. That's in addition to dozens of deals on everything from Broadway shows to sporting events.

To celebrate its official launch, both the Cities on the Cheap hub and some of the local "on the cheap" sites are hosting giveaways, including CityPass booklets, movie tickets, books, and more.

The Cities on the Cheap network includes blogs in Albuquerque, Atlanta, Big Island, Birmingham (March 12), Boulder, Charlotte, Chattanooga (March 12), Chicago, Denver, Des Moines, Florida Keys, Florida Panhandle (March 12), Fort Lauderdale, Fort Worth, Gainesville, Gatlinburg, Gold Country, Honolulu, Houston, Hudson Valley, Indianapolis (April '09), Jersey Shore (April '09), Kansas City, Los Angeles, Miami, Mobile (March 12), Montreal, Napa, New Orleans, Northeast Georgia (March 12), Palm Beach, Philadelphia, Phoenix, San Diego (April '09), San Francisco, Santa Fe, Sarasota, Seattle, Sonoma, Tampa Bay, Taos (April '09), Toronto, Tucson, and Western North Carolina. One specialty site, Disney on the Cheap, focuses on deals for visiting the Florida theme parks, and the other, Florida on the Cheap, focuses on Florida's tourist attractions.

In addition, writers are currently developing sites for Calgary, the Caribbean, Manhattan, Maui, Milwaukee, Orlando, St. Louis, West Virginia, and others.

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Georgia Aquarium Has a Splash With Great Offers for the Season

Has the recent economic news kept you from the great family events around the Atlanta area? Don't be afraid to take a dip at the Georgia Aquarium where you can purchase special packages for Stone Mountain, King Tut, Fernbank, Zoo Atlanta and other local attractions.

Visit the Georgia Aquarium to see the specials. Note some of the specials must be purchased at the Aquarium. Enjoy Atlanta!

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