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Planting a garden of wisdom

By
Lynn Walker Gendusa
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After being asked by a friend how I separate my political beliefs from my faith, I answered, “I don’t.” I am always puzzled by how Godly folks participate in the uncivil rants we hear daily from our backyards, through our internet, and up to the halls of Congress. Lack of consideration, compassion, and civility has rocked America into numbness.

We wonder why the sanctity of life is seemingly waning, wrath is rising, and why our church pews are emptying. Could it be because we are too busy pointing fingers? We blame Democrats, Republicans, or any race we are not a member of, and yet, we can’t see the problem could be our insight.

We have become a nation of opinions, objections, and conspiracies that we pass around like salt on the table to rub into wounds.

Conversing with anyone about any topic is often challenging without it becoming political. Social media, news outlets, and extremist groups have become a lightning rod for people to set fire to civility. Our children and grandchildren read and listen to every malicious word spilled in the name of politics, but we expect them to grow into kind, considerate and flourishing human beings.

Hypocrisy is reaching epidemic proportions, and those who believe that faith and our political behavior should not be connected might want to read the words of God.

“By this, everyone will know that you are my disciples, if you love one another.” John: 13:35

We all have disagreements over policies and who we should vote for or against, but when it becomes the focus of our lives, we lose sight of the only leader that can correct and heal us. We are no longer disciples when we choose rage over reason, division over discussion, stubbornness over compromise, and bullying over empathy.

We should not call others’ names, degrade, mock, slander, or openly spread hatred. If we do, are we following the example set before us by God himself?

Grandpa, my grandmother, taught me long ago that God sees no one as different, but he clearly notices those who do. She also said, “Be careful, for the Lord hears your prayers, but he also listens to your vitriol.”

We are blessed to live in a country with the freedom to shout, scream, and pen offensive, destructive statements, but do we not realize the damage and turmoil caused by our inconsideration when we do? Our constitutional rights should never outweigh God’s words and instructions.

How do we teach children kindness, politeness, and honor if we lack the wisdom to be civil?

The other day, a fourteen-year-old girl committed suicide because her peers continually physically beat and bullied her. Where did those children who pushed her to death learn such awful behavior? Where do the anger and hostility come from? Is it from imitating the bullying parent, the mocking politician, or the hateful rhetoric spread on social media? No more children should die because of errant leaders and enraged folks.

We all believe our opinions are correct, but we are wrong if we use our views as weapons against others. We watch Congress act like impish children, and when they do, are they representing the majority? I doubt many of us got away with disrespecting others when we were young. So what makes it acceptable today as adults?

Being passionate about anything we strongly believe in is acceptable, but not to the point that we anger our Heavenly Father. Remember, he can still put us in a corner if we turn our passion into arrogance.

Folks, this life is a short run, and our country needs all of us to run a clean race, spread the good word, and remember that God is our Coach, pushing us to the finish line. If we believe in the Almighty, we must heed his words and not rely on our oft-foolish intelligence.

“The fear of the Lord is to hate evil, pride, arrogance, and perverse speech.” Proverbs 8:13.

If we want crime, suicide, and murders to lessen, we must find ways to temper the ire. We will not become a better nation without putting God in our conversations and becoming more suitable disciples. Faith in God and America should blend together to encourage acceptance, growth, compromise, respect, and integrity. The only way to make that happen is to plant a garden of wisdom in our backyards.

“How can men be wise? The only way to begin is by reverence for God. For growth in wisdom comes from obeying his laws.” Psalm 111:10

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Lynn Walker Gendusa is an author and columnist whose work appears regularly on NowHabersham.com and across the U.S. through the USA Today Network. Her work has been featured in Guidepost, senior magazines, and on MSN.com. Lynn’s latest book is “Southern Comfort: Stories of Family, Friendship, Fiery Trials, and Faith.” She can be reached at www.lynngendusa.com.

Roads Less Traveled: The Hazards of hiking (and how to avoid them)

By
Tyler Penland
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In the hiking world, a little planning can go a long ways to ensuring a fun, safe trip. As we move quickly into the heart of the 2023 hiking season with warmer weather and gorgeous, green views I thought it would be a good time to take a look at some basic safety tips for heading into the outdoors this year.

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Gloria Anne McGannon Eggleton

By
Now Habersham
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Mrs. Gloria Anne McGannon Eggleton, age 85, of Flowery Branch, passed away Friday, March 3, 2023, at her residence following a period of declining health.

Gloria was born in Van Wert County, Ohio, on August 17, 1937, to the late Frank & Clara McGannon. She is preceded in death by her husband of 51 years, Richard Eggleton of Flowery Branch & her son, Gregory S. Eggleton of Homer, Georgia; sisters, Vera Crow of Van Wert, Ohio & Louise Kephart of Venice, Florida & brother, Mack McGannon of Van Wert, Ohio.

She is survived by her daughter-in-law & grandson, Melissa & Benjamin Eggleton of Carnesville, GA; many nieces, nephews, great nieces, great nephews & two special young people, Jessica & Jordan Jenson.

Gloria graduated from Van Del High School in 1955, worked at Central Mutual Insurance Company, and transferred to the Atlanta office in 1957, where she met & married Richard in 1959. She, her husband & son moved to Flowery Branch in December 1977, where they have many wonderful neighbors & friends. Gloria worked for Crystal Farms in Chestnut Mountain for over 19 years.

Gloria is a member of St. Paul United Methodist Church in Gainesville & attended church when able. She was a member of the most caring and loving Sunday School Class, “Lend-A-Hand” and worked with the “Kitchen Crew.” Her hobbies were crocheting afghans, jigsaw puzzles, but her favorite activities were gardening, mowing the grass & working outside.

Funeral services honoring Gloria will be held at 2:00 p.m. Tuesday, March 7, 2023, at the Ward’s Funeral Home Chapel with Rev. Rick Maeser & Rev. Blane Spence officiating. She will be laid to rest at Memorial Park Cemetery, next to her Husband, Richard & her son, Gregory with Rev. Calvin Haney officiating the committal. The family will receive friends from 12:00 p.m. until service time on Tuesday at the funeral home.

In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made to the St. Paul United Methodist Church, 404 Washington Street, NW, Gainesville, GA 30501.

You may sign the online guestbook at www.wardsfh.com.

Ward’s Funeral Home of Gainesville is honored to serve the family of Gloria Anne Eggleton.

Habersham County Emergency Services personnel learn to be better leaders

By
Press Release
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Shown following Wednesday’s capstone presentations are, from left, Tim Fenbert of LeaderGov, Capt. Sterling Strickland, Lt. Jeffery Parker, Capt. Bill Ramsey, Lt. Randi Seabolt, Lt. Mark Gerrin, Battalion Chief Jason Garrett, Lt. Brad Davidson, Lt. Josh Garrett, Battalion Chief Michael Alexander, Battalion Chief Dwight McNally, Chief Jason Davey, Lt. Mack Palmer, Capt. Brandon Whitney, Lt. Brandon Fields, and Chief Jeff Adams. (Rob Moore/Habersham County)

More than a dozen leaders from Habersham County Emergency Services have completed a seven-month leadership development program facilitated by LeaderGov.

The participants were engaged in seven workshops that focused on growing their understanding of themselves as leaders, skills to achieve strategic goals, and skills to help them have greater success leading and developing their teams, culminating February 15 with capstone presentations before the group.

Participants went through the workshop program together to foster peer-to-peer learning. During the program, participants learned and grew in areas such as building trust, dealing with conflict, knowing their personality style, servant leadership, setting high-impact goals, execution of goals, leading change, accountability and how to motivate and support your team.

Habersham County Emergency Services Director/Chief Jeffrey Adams talked of the program’s importance, not only for the county’s current Emergency Services leadership but also for continuity and succession.

Adams said in the past, leadership primarily has been taught to the fire services portion of the agency.

“Traditionally, the fire side of it is the only part of it that has done leadership, and a lot of that was management-type training,” Adams said. “I know with EMS, it’s something that’s new.”


Habersham County Manager Alicia Vaughn talks with Habersham County Emergency Services personnel following their capstone presentations Wednesday. (Rob Moore/Habersham County)

Adams said he believes the investment of time was an excellent way to bring Emergency Services leadership closer while teaching them about themselves and how they impact those around them.

“It’s really something that this group needed,” Adams said. “It does a lot for their individual growth, how you handle things at home as well as at work, but then it also carries over into making these bunch better leaders or more effective leaders, not managers.”

Adams said being a leader is different than being in charge.

“The leader is someone who wants to get people to follow them,” Adams said. “The manager is someone who is going to direct them. We need leaders. We want these guys – and several of them mentioned it today in their presentations – that they want to train their replacements. And that’s what we have to do. We have to set this county up, this culture up, for the next group of people that are going to be running the show.”

LeaderGov is an Atlanta, Georgia-based leadership development, strategic planning and retreat services firm specializing exclusively in local government.

As spring emerges, so do hungry bears

By
Now Habersham
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Black bears are starting to emerge from their dens across northern Georgia. Solitary females and sows with yearlings will emerge in late March to mid-April. Sows with cubs will be the last to emerge around mid-April to early May.

The Appalachia Georgia Friends of the Bears would like to remind the public that March marks the time when black bears begin to emerge from their dens.

“We already have received reports of adult males and subadults that are out and about,” says Gerald Hodge, Jr, founder and CEO of Appalachia Georgia Friends of the Bears, Inc.

Hodge says solitary females and sows with yearlings will emerge in late March to mid-April. Sows with cubs will be the last to emerge around mid-April to early May.

Black bears are native to North Georgia: The region has approximately 3,000. Warmer temperatures tend to make them more active.

Keeping bears, and humans, safe

Things such as birdseed, hummingbird feeders, pet food, livestock food, greasy barbecues, smokers and fish cookers, and other wildlife foods attract black bears. Wildlife experts advise residents to minimize attractants and the availability of food in their yards and neighborhoods.

The intentional and unintentional feeding of bears teaches them to approach homes and humans for food, and that, says Hodge, is a recipe for human-bear conflict. In addition, it destroys bears’ teeth and digestive tracts and can result in a bear’s slow and painful death.

Wildlife experts remind property owners to store garbage in a sturdy building or approved bear-resistant trash receptacle and to put out the trash on the day of pick up.

“If trash is stored for multiple days to fester in the heat, it will result in a larger odor signature for bears. The more the signature, the greater the distance for it to travel on the wind,” says Hodges.

To help reduce this signature, clean your trash cans and rinse off any food and drink residue from containers before disposal.

For more information

The Appalachia Georgia Friends of the Bears is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit whose mission is to reduce human-bear conflict through proactive educational outreach programs.

For more information on bear safety, visit BearWise.org and agfriendsofthebears.com.

 

Rabun Gap brings technopunk spin to ‘Pippin’ musical

By
Megan Morris
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The cast of “Pippin” at Rabun Gap-Nacoochee School performs the final song before intermission. The production featured an impressive three-story set.

Rabun Gap-Nacoochee School presented the award-winning musical “Pippin” on the Rearden Stage on February 16-18.

Rabun Gap’s production of the classic tale of a young prince seeking an extraordinary tale included futuristic elements and a technopunk spin on the Broadway musical. A cast and crew of more than 50 Upper School students were involved in “Pippin,” and a live orchestra of Rabun Gap students provided music for the show.

Senior Jennica Ullrich of Knoxville, Tennessee, starred as Pippin, and junior Sophia Moore of Highlands, North Carolina, was the Leading Player.

Other lead cast members included Tyler Price of Dillard as Charles, Jeb Bring of Highlands as Lewis, Elizabeth Brenner of Franklin, North Carolina as Fastrada, Blaire Lauder-Williams of Bronx, New York as Berthe, Sharra Rolle of Laudat, Dominica, and Abby Hartridge of Clayton as Theo.

The show was directed by Sean Lakey, director of the fine and performing arts department at Rabun Gap. Allegra Bogges served as musical and orchestra director, and Heidi Spoon was the show’s choreographer.

“Pippin” was Rabun Gap’s entry into the Georgia High School Musical Theater competition, the Shuler Awards. Award winners will be announced this spring.

Max Edgar White

By
Now Habersham
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Dr. Max E. White, Ph.D., age 76, of Alto, Georgia, passed away on Friday, March 3, 2023.

Dr. White was born on May 19, 1946, in Habersham County, Georgia, to the late Ralph Edgar White and Maybelle Goodson White. He was saved on the third Sunday of August in 1963 at Rock Springs Baptist Church and was baptized at Moss Mill Creek. Dr. White obtained his Master’s Degree from the University of Georgia and his Doctorate Degree from Indiana University. He was a college professor, having served at Piedmont University for 30 years. Dr. White was a member of the Sons of the Confederate Veterans as well as the Sons of the American Revolution.

Survivors include his loving wife of 52 years, Jeanne Vosecky White, of Alto; sons and daughters-in-law, Dr. Douglas Wynne White and Mallory, of Aiken, SC; David McNeill White and Jessica, of Alto; grandchildren, Catherine White and Daniel White.

Funeral Services will be held at 11:00 a.m., Saturday, March 11, 2023, at the Rock Springs Baptist Church, with Rev. Terry Rice and Rev. Bart McMillan officiating. Interment will follow in the Wynne Family Cemetery.

Dr. White will lie in state from 10:30 a.m. to 11:00 a.m., Saturday, March 11, 2023, at the church prior to the service.

The family will receive friends from 6:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m., Friday, March 10, 2023, at the Whitfield Funeral Home, South Chapel.

In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made to Sons of the American Revolution Habersham Chapter or The Gideons Memorial Bible Plan, P.O. Box 295, Baldwin, Georgia 30511.

Arrangements have been entrusted to the Whitfield Funeral Homes & Crematory, South Chapel, at 1370 Industrial Boulevard, Baldwin, Georgia 30511. Telephone: 706-778-7123.

Jalen Carter posts bond on charges related to fatal crash investigation

By
Staff Report
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UGA defensive lineman Jalen Carter is charged with reckless driving and racing in connection to the fatal crash that killed a teammate and recruiting staff member. (Facebook)

Georgia defensive tackle Jalen Carter returned to the NFL scouting combine on Thursday after turning himself in to Athens police Wednesday night. Carter posted a combined bond of $4,000 on charges of reckless driving and racing in relation to a fatal crash that killed a teammate and team staffer.

Carter, originally projected as one of the top players in next month’s NFL draft, could lose millions of dollars if he drops from the top of the first round because of his alleged connection to the January 15 crash that killed teammate Devin Willock and recruiting staffer, 24-year-old Chandler LeCroy.

Police allege in an arrest warrant that Carter was racing his 2021 Jeep Trackhawk against the 2021 Ford Expedition driven by LeCroy at the time of the crash. Willock was a passenger in the SUV LeCroy was driving.

Carter turned himself in at 11:33 p.m. and was released at 11:49 p.m., according to Athens-Clarke County jail records. He posted bond of $2,500 on the racing charge and $1,500 on the reckless driving charge.

Carter issued a statement on Twitter after the warrant was made public Wednesday, saying he expects to be “fully exonerated.”

He said he intends “to make certain that the complete and accurate truth is presented. There is no question in my mind that when all of the facts are known that I will be fully exonerated of any criminal wrongdoing.”

Georgia Senate passes divisive district attorney oversight bill

By
Sarah Kallis
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The Georgia Senate passed a bill that would create a commission with power to remove district attorneys on Day 27.

Senate Bill 92, sponsored by Senator Randy Robertson (R – Catuala), would create an oversight commission for Georgia’s district attorneys. The eight member panel could remove district attorneys and solicitor generals for a variety of issues, including refusal to prosecute certain crimes or physical or mental incapacity.

Robertson, a former law enforcement officer, said that the bill extends oversight that law enforcement already has to district attorneys and the solicitor general. He believes the bill is key for criminal justice system oversight.

“I spent over 30 years in the criminal justice system. I welcome oversight in the criminal justice system,” he said. “I welcome it. I want the individuals in the criminal justice system to be held to the same standard that I was when I was there. I want the standards to be increased. We see riots and we see people running all over the place saying the justice system isn’t fair and that people are able to do whatever they want.”

Robertson gave several examples of attorneys or solicitor generals he said should be held accountable for refusing to prosecute certain crimes or conflicts of interest.

Some Georgia district attorneys have said they will not prosecute misdemeanor marijuana possession charges or illegal abortions.

Former prosecutor Sen. Harold Jones II (D – Augusta) opposed SB 92. He said it did little to actually aid the criminal justice system and raised concerns over the commission being potentially discriminatory.

“You cannot suspend someone for a disability,” Jones II said. “Of course, their disability will interfere with their job, if that’s what you’re talking about, if you do not give them reasonable accommodation. What’s going to happen is the commission is going to have to fix this because, right now, it is not legal. And when they do that, everything you thought you created is going to be narrowed down into nothingness,” he said.

Jones added that he thought the commission was a “bureaucratic nightmare” and that the Senate should pass laws to curb suspected ethics problems among district attorneys instead.

Both Republicans and Democrats accused the other side of making public safety a partisan issue.

SB 92 passed 32 to 24 in a mostly party-line vote. It now moves to the House.

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This article appears on Now Habersham through a news partnership with GPB News

House bill to expand access to mental health services heads to senate

By
Jill Nolin
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“Your birthright within this state – where you live and where you were born – should not define whether or not you get proper health care,” Rep. Todd Jones, a South Forsyth Republican, said Thursday. (Jill Nolin/Georgia Recorder)

(GA Recorder) — A proposal billed as the next step toward improving access to behavioral health services in Georgia easily cleared the state House Thursday.

The bipartisan measure would streamline data sharing among state agencies, study the state’s crisis bed space capacity and expand a loan repayment program meant to grow the behavioral health workforce.

“We know that 80% of the families in this state are struggling. They need a place to turn. They need to know that we’re there for them,” said Rep. Todd Jones, a South Forsyth Republican and co-sponsor of the bill.

Proponents dropped a provision about mental incompetency from the bill that rankled conservative activists, though Jones said much of the excised section is already state law.

Rep. Mary Margaret Oliver, a Decatur Democrat, is the bill’s other co-sponsor. (Jill Nolin/Georgia Recorder) 

Last year’s bill focused on stepping up enforcement of a federal law requiring health insurers to treat behavioral health on par with physical care. This time, lawmakers are trying to chart a path toward identifying the gaps in Georgia’s workforce and understanding the dynamics that cause some people to cycle through the system, often ending up on the streets.

‘These familiar faces are absolutely critical to us getting mental health and substance abuse under control in this state,” Jones said, his voice filling the House chamber.

“I can’t give you exact numbers but they probably make up .1% of that population but they probably take 50% of the resources of this state,” he said. “So, the question becomes do we let it just keep going? Do we kick it down the street?”

For now, Jones argues that helping this population in a more meaningful way starts with a study looking at how these individuals with serious mental illness interact with the state’s behavioral health systems and law enforcement.

The proposal would also look at ways to modernize the state’s licensing requirements in hopes of identifying and removing barriers to employment as lawmakers try to shore up the workforce needed to provide care.

“(This bill) is essential for us to move forward for the additional services and additional accountability the taxpayers of Georgia expect us to apply when we’re delivering service to families in crisis,” said Rep. Mary Margaret Oliver, a Decatur Democrat and the bill’s other co-sponsor.

The bill faced little resistance Thursday, passing with a 163-to-3 vote. Rep. Charlice Byrd, a Woodstock Republican who voted against it, pushed back on the loan repayment provision.

Last year’s bill created a program for students interested in pursuing a career in behavioral health, and lawmakers propose to build on that by offering a loan repayment program to those who are already in the workforce.

Rep. Charlice Byrd, a Woodstock Republican, questioned a proposal to forgive the loans of behavioral health workers. (Jill Nolin/Georgia Recorder) 

Byrd argued Georgia Republicans would call such a proposal socialism if proposed by someone like Vermont U.S. Sen. Bernie Sanders. “But yet we are doing this in the state of Georgia,” she said.

Proponents sharply disagreed. Jones countered that instead of a broad benefit, the proposal would narrowly apply to workers helping underserved youth and in areas of the state with the greatest need.

“Your birthright within this state – where you live and where you were born – should not define whether or not you get proper health care,” Jones said. “And health care is physical and mental and substance abuse. So, we need to be able to attack those and attack those strategically.”

The bill now moves to the Senate, where last year activists tried to defeat the 2022 bill.

The late House Speaker David Ralston, who was a key driver behind last year’s bill, died in November. House Speaker Jon Burns has picked up the issue, unveiling this year’s proposal at a press conference last month and briefly forgoing a chamber rule that only one representative speak at the well so both Jones and Oliver could take questions together.

“I can assure you that Speaker David Ralston is smiling down on this body right now,” Burns said Thursday.

Robertson appointed Hall County State Court judge

By
Staff Report
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Governor Brian Kemp has appointed Kelley Robertson to the Hall County State Court. Robertson will fill the vacancy left by the resignation of Judge B.E. Roberts III.

Robertson currently serves as Chief Assistant District Attorney for the Northeastern Judicial Circuit. Previously, she served as an assistant DA and staff attorney for Judge Kathlene Gosselin.

A University of Georgia law school graduate, Robertson is an active member of her community. She has served on the board of the Gateway Domestic Violence Center, Rape Response, and the Georgia Mountain Food Bank. She also serves as a volunteer instructor and faculty member for the Prosecuting Attorneys’​ Council of Georgia.

Judge Robertson and her family live in Gainesville.

Senate debate over gambling bills gets personal as session enters homestretch

By
Ross Williams
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The Georgia Senate closed one door for legalizing sports betting Thursday, but two bills survive ahead of Monday’s crucial deadline. (Getty Images)

(GA Recorder) — The state Senate roundly struck down a gambling bill Thursday, greatly decreasing the odds that the state will expand legal wagering opportunities this year beyond online sports betting.

Senators voted 37-19 against Sen. Billy Hickman’s bill, which would have cleared the way for online sports betting companies to take bets in Georgia and also licensed three tracks across the state for horse racing. Two gambling bills remain in play this session, both limited to online sports betting.

Hickman, a Statesboro Republican, tried to convince his colleagues that expanding gambling under the Georgia Lottery would create jobs for horse breeders and tenders and bring in more state dollars for pre-k programs and the HOPE Scholarship.

“You’ve heard the stories about our pre-k not being fully funded. You’ve heard the stories about our children not attending pre-k. This will be additional money for that, and it also will be additional money for universities,” he said.

Hickman said the combined horse track and sports betting business was predicted to bring 8,500 jobs and a $1.1 billion economic impact along with between $250 and $300 million a year to the Georgia Lottery, which funds pre-K and HOPE.

But other senators said the risks of expanding gambling would outweigh the benefits. Tyrone Republican Sen. Marty Harbin said gambling is a waste of money and ruins lives by causing addiction. He said he was concerned that legitimizing a process that goes on under the table could entice more young people to get hooked.

“There’s gambling going on as we speak – there may be gambling going on about this bill, whether it’s going to pass or not. I don’t know what the odds are, but I can guarantee you they’re gambling somewhere,” he said, bringing out his cell phone. “And this phone is gambling wherever we go, it’s going to be open to our children.”

The debate over the bill became personal when Hickman asked Harbin whether his children accepted the HOPE Scholarship. Harbin said some of them did and some of them didn’t.

“So lottery funds helped fund your children’s education?” Hickman asked.

“A small part of it.” Harbin said.

“Don’t you think lottery funds also help fund a lot of your constituents’ children’s education?” asked Hickman.

“It funds my constituent’s education with the lottery that’s there,” said Harbin. “But I don’t believe that more gambling is healthy for our state and for our children.”

Sen. Marty Harbin, left, and Sen. Billy Hickman, debate Hickman’s gambling bill. (Ross Williams/Georgia Recorder) 

Harbin said rather than more gambling, he would prefer to see programs to make it easier for students to work their way through college and to help students who fall behind finish their degree.

“Do you feel like you have done something wrong to allow your children to accept lottery funds when you’re so against gambling?” asked Hickman. “Isn’t that like taking money from the gamblers and spending it for your own personal needs? That’s what’s so hard for me to understand here.

“If it’s hard to understand, here’s what I will tell you,” Harbin said. “I pay a lot of taxes anyhow that go to the state, and I figure this, if I can take the law, I’m going to use it.”

“I’m just very disappointed that you’re so against gambling, but you were willing to take money from the lottery for your children,” Hickman said. “If you were so against it, you should never have taken the money from the lottery.”

“Thank you, sir. Appreciate that,” answered Harbin.

Appropriations Committee Chair Sen. Blake Tillery, a Vidalia Republican, said he was worried about a change in the bill to the way the lottery’s shortfall reserve would be funded.

“If you’re for horse racing, against horse racing, I don’t care, but we are making a major policy shift in this bill that doesn’t address horse racing at all,” he said.

The state is required to keep half of the lottery’s proceeds from the previous year in a fund to pay for HOPE in case of a shortfall. According to the Georgia Budget and Policy Institute, the reserves stand at $1.9 billion, about $772 million of which is required in case of a shortfall to be able to fund HOPE programs. An additional $1.1 billion are considered unrestricted reserves.

Sen. Blake Tillery. (Ross Williams/Georgia Recorder) 

Tillery found fault with lines in the bill that would have required a portion of the unrestricted reserves to be spent on education, something Democrats have supported in recent years.

“Because that’s there, I can’t vote for this, it’s a policy change that I can’t support, and I would ask you as you think about this bill to think about those lines as well,” he said.

One hope for people who like to wager lies in the hands of Watkinsville Republican Rep. Marcus Wiedower’s House Bill 380. If that bill becomes law, the Georgia Lottery will assume control of sports betting in the state, and 16 licenses would become available to operate betting services.

The other gambling bill still alive and kicking heading into Monday’s pivotal day for a bill to advance from one chamber to the other is Sen. Bill Cowsert’s Senate Bill 172, which would call for a constitutional amendment to allow sports betting in the state. That would require two-thirds majority votes in both chambers and approval from voters.

Both bills have passed out of their committees but have yet to receive votes in their respective chambers.

Monday is Crossover Day, the deadline for bills to move from one chamber to the next without legislative maneuvering.

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