ATLANTA – A bipartisan bill introduced Thursday would require freshman legislators go to school with a lengthy set of topics that must be covered, from economics to racial inclusion.
While old-timers in any organization usually grumble about how unprepared the newcomers are, the main cosponsors of House Bill 758 are all relatively junior members of the House.
Rookie lawmakers currently have the option to take classes on the role and powers of the General Assembly and the relationship between state and federal government, bill drafting, parliamentary procedure and ethics.
HB 758 would add other areas to be covered, including the economy, history, state demographics, basic economic theory, criminal-justice procedures, diversity and inclusion.
A cynic might note that politicians who fail to learn the ethics portion would indeed need to know about criminal-justice procedures sooner or later.
The bill was introduced by Rep. LaDawn Jones, D-Atlanta, who was a freshman herself in 2013. Other Atlanta Democrats among the first five cosponsors include Rep. Demetrius Douglas who was sworn in when Jones was, and Rep. Keisha Waites, who joined the House in the middle of the 2012 session.
Republicans cosponsoring the proposal include Rep. Jason Spencer of Woodbine, sworn in in 2011, and Rep. Steve Tarver, sworn in during the middle of the 2014 session.
The University of Georgia’s Vinson Institute of Government puts on four days of classes in Athens after every general election – a conference that Jones, Douglas, Tarvin and others winning office in special elections missed their first year.
“A recognized event on the state’s political calendar since 1958, the Biennial Institute provides legislators with valuable time for learning, networking, and exploring state issues prior to the upcoming session of the General Assembly,” notes the institute’s website.
About half of the first day is devoted to teaching the ropes to the newly elected. The remainder of the conference focuses on policy questions on that year’s legislative agenda, and most legislative veterans also attend to hear what the experts have to say.
Traditionally, freshmen weren’t expected to do much their first few years in office other learn by watching experienced colleagues and voting with the leadership. In recent years, turnover has risen, rookies are passing significant bills, and now even freshmen are chairing committees in the Senate, although most had served in the House first.
Follow Walter Jones on Twitter @MorrisNews and Facebook or contact him at walter.jones@morris.com.
