Legislation Made Simple
On this first show after Crossover Day, we also give an update on which bills are still alive and which have gone into hibernation until next year. You’ll be surprised at some of the developments!
https://freedomined.org/
https://www.amazon.com/Laws-Rules-Rights-Protecting-Children/dp/B0BZFCG4DY/ref=sr_1_fkmr0_1
https://doubleumbrellapublications.com/
https://thinqmedia.com/videos/laws-rules-and-rights
https://www.legis.ga.gov/committees/senate/120 (Senate Education & Youth Committee)
We also give an update on the fast and furious pace of legislation as we approach Crossover Day (March 6): religious freedom, marijuana, obscenity in schools, and more.
https://www.goalscholarship.org/
https://georgiabulletin.org/news/2024/08/archdiocese-to-partner-with-georgia-goal-for-student-scholarships/
https://www.legis.ga.gov/legislation/70057 (HB 328 to increase cap for tax credits)
n HB 428 to provide a “right” to IVF, with no restrictions on procedures, destruction of embryos, etc.
https://www.legis.ga.gov/committees/house/146 - House Judiciary Non-Civil Committee- – ask for hearing on this bill:
n HB 123 to reform Georgia law on the death penalty
https://www.legis.ga.gov/committees/house/101 - House Ways & Means Committee – ask for hearing on this bill:
n HB 328 to increase the tax-credit cap for Georgia GOAL scholarship students
https://people.com/dad-allegedly-stole-money-from-his-spouse-and-kids-to-gamble-on-draftkings-lost-nearly-1m-in-4-years-suit-8758377
Michael Mumper explains the status of “medical marijuana” under state law, while warning of severe health effects and social costs associated with the marijuana that is vastly more potent than what was available in the 70s and 80s. Mr. Mumper also explains – in the language of the layman – the problem with the “Delta 8 loophole” that allows harmful levels of the drug to be present in candies and other “edibles” that are widely available and, in fact, marketed to children. He urges Georgians to contact the legislative committees that are currently considering two bills, SB 33 and HB 265, that would close the loophole and help protect our children. He asks that we urge the members of those committees to hear and pass those bills!
Resources:
- Georgians for Responsible Marijuana Policy website
- Senate Committee on Regulated Industries and Utilities, Georgia General Assembly
- House Committee on Agriculture & Consumer Affairs, Georgia General Assembly
- Article: "Cannabis and Catholics: Lighting up the moral perspective" by Gerald Korson
- Book: Tell Your Children: The Truth about Marijuana, Mental Illness, and Violence by Alex Berenson
Bills and resolutions are beginning to roll in under the Gold Dome. We provide an overview of what’s happening. The issues we discuss include gender ideology, gambling, marijuana, the death penalty, and more. We also take a look at the flurry (blizzard!) of executive orders coming out of the new administration and break down the changes we can expect in national and state policy.
Resources:
We talk with Dr. John Bruchalski as he visits Atlanta for the kickoff of 40 Days for Life. Dr. Bruchalski is an OB/GYN in Virginia who, as a young doctor in training, performed abortions – until he had a spiritual awakening and was shown the true path of helping women in crisis pregnancies. He tells us about the Holy Spirit’s intervention in his life, the book he wrote about his experience (Two Patients – My Conversion from Abortion to Life-Affirming Medicine), and the family ministry he now provides through his Tepeyac OB/GYN clinic in Fairfax, Virginia.
Resources:
- Dr. John Bruchalski's Tepeyac OB/GYN clinic
- Divine Mercy Care, committed to helping all women access pro-life medical care
- Dr. John Bruchalski's book, Two Patients – My Conversion from Abortion to Life-Affirming Medicine
Be aware: This program contains a detailed scientific discussion of the entire in vitro fertilization process that may not be suitable for children.
Resources:
- Excerpts from The Catechism of the Catholic Church - Part 3: Life in Christ; section 2: The Ten Commandments; Chapter 2: "You Shall Love Your Neighbor as Yourself"; article 6, The Sixth Commandment
- In Vitro Fertilization (IVF): A Comprehensive Primer, published by Charlotte Lozier Institute
- Information on Reproductive Technology from United States Conference of Catholic Bishops (USCCB)
- Article about embryo adoption by Ronald L. Conte Jr., Roman Catholic theologian
- Information from Catholic Answers on the question, What is Church teaching on embryo adoption?
In our second of two conversations with Sen. Ed Setzler, we draw on his expertise as the sponsor of the Living Infants Fairness Equality Act (LIFE, or the “Heartbeat” law). The LIFE Act has been challenged in court ever since its passage in 2019. Sen. Setzler not only clarifies media distortions of LIFE but also explains how the legislation, by granting “personhood” to unborn infants, is more protective of mothers and babies than any other state law. He also explains the current state of the law in Georgia (spoiler alert: LIFE is still in effect).
Resources:
- HB 481 - Living Infants Fairness and Equality (LIFE) Act, Georgia General Assembly
- "Georgia Supreme Court Issues Order Reinstating Heartbeat Law Saving Babies From Abortions" on LifeNews.com
As we move into a new legislative session, we’re happy to have with us Sen. Ed Setzler to preview coming attractions under the Gold Dome. The first of our two shows with Sen. Setzler focuses on the Religious Freedom Restoration Act (RFRA). Sen. Setzler explains what this proposed legislation would accomplish, why it’s necessary, and what its chances are for success this session.
Resources:
Sine Die! That’s the Latin phrase used at the legislature to herald the last day of the session, which occurred on Holy Thursday (March 28, 2024). For our wrap-up show we tell which bills passed, which didn’t, and which will probably return in some form next year. The issues we cover include religious freedom, sports betting, parental rights, pornography, marijuana, and more.
Our show will go into hiatus until January 2025 when the legislature reconvenes, but we’ll keep our ears to the ground until then so we can tell you what to expect. Talk to you in 2025!
Going into the final week of the 2024 legislative session (which, more importantly, is also Holy Week), we observe the frantic race to pass some bills and stop others before it all comes to a grinding halt at midnight on Thursday, March 28. On our show this week we’ll focus on some of the bills we’ve been following – dealing with religious freedom, gambling, parental rights, pornography, marijuana, and more – and tell you which are stalled and which are on the move (perhaps with the help of perfectly legal sleight of hand). The plot thickens!
Dr. Gregg Raduka of Georgians for Responsible Marijuana Policy
We look at an issue that has loomed large in Georgia over the past few years: the legalization (for some purposes) of marijuana. We are joined by the preeminent expert in Georgia, Dr. Gregg Raduka of Georgians for Responsible Marijuana Policy. Explaining the science of marijuana and addiction, as well as the experiences of other states that have legalized the drug, Dr. Raduka warns of severe health effects and increased social costs. He also explains the state of the law in Georgia with respect to so-called medical marijuana, “hemp edibles,” etc., and what bills he and his team are monitoring in the legislature this session. This is part 2 of a two-part interview
Dr. Gregg Raduka of Georgians for Responsible Marijuana Policy
We look at an issue that has loomed large in Georgia over the past few years: the legalization (for some purposes) of marijuana. We are joined by the preeminent expert in Georgia, Dr. Gregg Raduka of Georgians for Responsible Marijuana Policy. Explaining the science of marijuana and addiction, as well as the experiences of other states that have legalized the drug, Dr. Raduka warns of severe health effects and increased social costs. He also explains the state of the law in Georgia with respect to so-called medical marijuana, “hemp edibles,” etc., and what bills he and his team are monitoring in the legislature this session. This is part 1 of a two-part interview
As the legislature has just completed the critical Crossover Day (which at least theoretically determines which bills are still alive to be enacted this session), we take this show to update the fates of the various bills we’ve been following. We discuss religious liberty, gambling, child-protection, the death penalty, immigration, and more. We also explain the significance of the recent Alabama Supreme Court ruling on the status of human embryos created for IVF.
- Catechism of the Catholic Church 2241
- The Truth About Alabama’s Ruling on IVF
- Alabama Rules that Embryos are Children
- What is the Catholic Church’s position on IVF?
Crossover Day – the day by which a bill must pass one chamber of the legislature in order to be considered by the other chamber – is Thursday, February 29, 2024. On this week’s show, we update our listeners on the various bills we’ve been watching - which ones have passed a committee, which have passed the full House or full Senate, and which haven’t moved. The bills we discuss concern gambling, education, protecting children from pornography, religious freedom, and the death penalty. Check the bill-tracking spreadsheet on the Legislation Made Simple page on TheQuestAtlanta.com for details about each bill.
