GEORGIA POLITICAL ACTION COMMITTEE (GAPAC)
February 1994 Newsletter
Legislative Update

The forty days of Georgia's legislative session began January
10th, and it was immediately evident that we would have another
busy year.  At our first legislative update, Lobbyist Larry
Pellegrini reported on a wide range of bills in the State House
and Senate which seek to promote the agenda of the Religious
Right and to restrict individuals' freedoms.  At the same time, a
few bright spots were noted, particularly with regard to
progressives' support for sodomy law reform and some encouraging
developments in the judicial arena.

A preponderance of legislation on crime, sex education, and
choice are reflective of this election year session.  For
example, in the area of sex education, the strategy seems to lean
toward gaining local public control and imposing a religious,
morality-based curriculum.  A concerted attack is being waged
against Planned Parenthood's funding for family planning
education.  This attack is a prime example of how extremists have
distorted issues related to choice.

Both Jim Martin's Comprehensive Sexual Assault Bill (HB 1331) and
Ron Slotin's Sodomy Reform legislation (SB 350) are currently
being discussed in the judiciary committees in their respective
houses.  Also, there will soon be parallel legal challenge to the
constitutionality of the Georgia sodomy law.

GAPAC encourages everyone to keep informed by attending
Legislative Update sessions.  An informal gathering, the sessions
feature Larry discussing happenings under the state capitol with
particular emphasis given to bills which could affect the gay and
lesbian community.  Should you want to send a comment to any of
your legislators, the form for communicating with them are
distributed for you to write a personal message.  They are then
collected for delivery to the state capitol.

Scheduled for the 1st and 3rd Sundays of each month during the
legislative session, updates are held at 1045 Hudson Drive (the
brick house directly behind the North Highland YWCA) beginning at
2:00 pm.  Plan to attend one of the next scheduled sessions on: 
February 6, February 20, March 6, and March 20.

Georgia Political Action Committee
P.O. Box 8420
Atlanta, GA  30306
404/872-8095 (voice)
404/874-8628 (FAX)