News

Super majority could lead to split of Fulton

Georgia House Republicans meet to elect their leadership at the state Capitol this morning. As it stands, the GOP accounts for 119 of the 180 seats in the House, one shy of a super majority.

But Rep. Rusty Kidd, the only Independent in the House, could change that.  He tells WSB's Sandra Parrish he plans to meet with House leadership to discuss caucusing with the Republicans, pointing out the Georgia Democratic Party has worked to unseat him the past two elections.

That would give Republicans in the House the two-thirds majority to pass a constitutional amendment.

The Senate picked up enough seats in last week's election to give Republicans 38 seats, enough for a super majority in that chamber.

When asked what benefit a super majority could give Republicans in the Legislature, Gov. Nathan Deal seemed less enthused.

"Under the normal scheme of things, you're looking at simply a majority plus one and I don't know that that ratio has a whole lot of practical significance," he says.

But one proposed constitutional amendment it could if affect is one to expand the number of counties in Georgia.

For several years, House Speaker Pro Tem Jan Jones has pushed for the legislation that would allow counties that once existed to be recreated.

Specifically, it could allow for the recreation of Milton County which was combined with Fulton during the Depression and would consist of the state's largest cities including Roswell, Sandy Springs, and Johns Creek.

Supporters have long said Fulton County has grown too large to meet the needs of its residents, especially those in the northern end.

Listen

news

weather

traffic

mobile apps

Everything you love about wsbradio.com and more! Tap on any of the buttons below to download our app.

amazon alexa

Enable our Skill today to listen live at home on your Alexa Devices!