Backing GOP aids Democrats

ATLANTA - Georgia is a red state these days, but many rural Democrats say they haven't lost all their clout since last year's elections brought a major increase in power to Republicans.

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There's no doubt the GOP gives priority to much of its own legislation now that Republicans control the entire state Legislature for the first time since 1870.

However, various Democrats whose homes are far from any skyscraper or interstate say they, too, are still able to take part in the political process and make their own mark at the Capitol - albeit on a smaller scale than before.

By voting in favor of many key GOP initiatives - such as abortion restrictions and congressional redistricting - some Democrats have found friends in the new Republican leadership and have been repaid for their loyalty.

"I think that under the circumstances, things are going well," said Rep. Mickey Channell, D-Greensboro. "It's definitely more fun being in the majority. But saying that, I have been treated very fairly."

Mr. Channell lost his position as vice chairman of the powerful House Appropriations Committee when the GOP tidal wave brought a new power structure to the Gold Dome in January.

However, he retained his seat on the budget-writing committee and says he has been able to pass several significant bills without seeing his name stripped away by a Republican looking to co-opt a good idea.

Mr. Channell already has secured $625,000 from both House and Senate budget writers for his proposal to create the "Health Shares" Volunteers in Medicine Act.

The program, based on a Florida model, would grant health care providers a free pass from being sued when they treat uninsured people with low incomes. Such patients would otherwise seek treatment in emergency rooms, which often end up billing taxpayers for the service and often are a more expensive alternative.

Other rural Democrats have seen many of their pet projects from back home supported in the House version of the 2006 budget.

Rep. Jimmy Lord, D-Sandersville, saw the spending plan call for several local grants in his sprawling district southwest of Augusta, including $35,000 for renovations to the Tennille Police Department, $15,000 for new equipment at the Jefferson County Sheriff's Department and $10,000 for equipment at the Johnson County Volunteer Fire Department.

"I asked the committee to put it on there and they did," said Mr. Lord, who joined many of his fellow conservative Democrats in electing Glenn Richardson, R-Hiram, as the state's first GOP House speaker since Reconstruction. "You have to accept politics as they are."

House budget writers are now in a dispute with their Senate colleagues on whether to honor the $3.5 million in community-level grants suggested by the House.

The majority of the proposed funds would go to Republican districts, but Senate members want to defer the awarding of local development funds to the state Department of Community Affairs.

However, House Appropriations Chairman Ben Harbin, R-Evans, says he will fight for the earmarked local grants, meaning some Democrats, such as Mr. Lord, still could come out winners.

Reach Brian Basinger at (404) 681-1701 or brian.basinger@morris.com.