Shafer discusses General Assembly session at Chamber

LAWRENCEVILLE - Gwinnett's newest state Senator said anticipated redistricting changes are making for a lengthier legislative session this year.

Sen. David Shafer, R-Duluth, was the featured speaker at the Gwinnett Chamber of Commerce's Governmental Affairs meeting on Friday.

Shafer said this session has continued beyond its normal ending point as Democrats prepare to change the redistricting maps adopted last summer.

"They are trying to stretch out the session as long as possible so that if the maps do come back, they can deal with them in this regular session as opposed to having to call a special session," Shafer said.  "Normally, the legislative session would be done by now.  I think we are going to go until mid April."

Shafer said he thinks hearings are finished concerning the redistricting maps and lawmakers are now waiting on a court decision.

"On the state senate map, the Justice Department has basically objected to three districts, all of which are south of I-20," Shafer said.  "If the courts reject those districts, you could probably solve those problems just by redrawing those and surrounding districts.  Although Republicans will want to redraw the whole map."

Shafer discussed his legislative idea to upgrade the "northern network" of existing highways and roads in Gwinnett, Forsyth and Cherokee counties as opposed to building the Northern Arc - a proposed limited access highway for east-west connection through Gwinnett, Forsyth, Cherokee and Bartow counties.

Shafer also talked about some of the bills that recently came before his four committees -- Banking and Financial Institutions, Insurance and Labor, Education and Special Judiciary.