Editorial Summary: Views from across Georgia |  editorial

Valdosta Daily Times: Night-and-Dog Legislation Bad For Georgia

Lack of transparency a disservice to everyone Making legislation should not be a game of hide and seek. Legislation should be an open, consultative process.

Regardless of which legislature or party does this, it is deceptive, dishonest and a disservice to the people of Georgia, 11-hour increments to pin controversial measures onto other bills sure to unite in the General Assembly get thumbs up.

Whether we agree to the measure ourselves or not is irrelevant.

The end does not justify the means. The affairs of the public should always be discussed, debated and decided openly.

Pinning controversial measures to other bills under the guise of obscurity is cowardly, underhanded and an affront to democracy.

In this case, just minutes before midnight Monday, Republican lawmakers who had the votes to pass legislation banning the teaching of certain racing-related subjects put unrelated language on the bill that would allow school districts to ban some transgender Ban athletes from participating in sports.

The Georgia General Assembly requires local governments—county commissions, city councils, and education boards—to deliberate openly on public affairs. The public not only has the right to hear the final votes on public affairs, but also to hear the deliberations, knowing how local legislatures make their decisions. The smoke and mirrors legislation of the General Assembly itself is the height of hypocrisy. Why is it permissible for state government to be less transparent than local government is required to be?

For context, it is important to understand that the issue of the sports ban was discussed in public sessions, there was a separate bill to enforce the measure, but the legislation did not receive the necessary Republican votes in a Republican-controlled General Assembly. consist. Frustrated, the financiers decided to play the system.

Under cover of night, they pinned their failed legislation to a bill they knew would pass, not even giving opponents time to read the revised bill, let alone time to debate, ponder and to decide.

Now think about it: what if we were talking about a Democrat-controlled House and Senate and a controversial law pushed by liberal, progressive Democrats?

Would Republicans Call Foul?

Of course they would, and they should. What’s good for the goose is good for the goose, and what’s bad for Democrats is bad for Republicans. Making new laws through stealthy, sneaky 11th hour gameplay is just plain bad for everyone.

Brunswick News: Human trafficking is a scourge that must be stopped

People like to pretend that the warts of modern society don’t exist where they live. The Golden Isles got a taste of reality last weekend when three human traffickers were convicted in Braunschweig.

Three men – Aurelio Medina, Yordon Velazquez Victoria and Javier Sanchez Mendoza Jr. – have been convicted by the US District Court in Brunswick of their involvement in the deception and forced labor of Central American people in Effingham, Glynn, Pierce and Wayne and counties. Mendoza received 30 years in prison for conspiracy to commit forced labor. Medina was sentenced to 12 years in prison for forced labor. Victoria was sentenced to 15 months in prison for conspiracy.

The illegal operation, led by Mendoza, recruited people from Central American countries under deceptive practices to provide labor and labor for area farms and businesses. Mendoza levied a fee on hundreds of Central American citizens by obtaining them H-2A visas for work purposes. Mendoza kept their IDs and threatened to harm family members at home if they protested. Those Mendoza lured to work for him were kept in appalling conditions with little to no pay.

The operation took advantage of the desperation of people trying to improve their lives not only for themselves but also for their families. David H. Estes, US Attorney for the Southern District of Georgia, likened this heinous operation to “modern slavery.”

It is more than unfortunate that such a monstrous act took place in our backyard. That’s why it’s important that everyone knows the warning signs of human trafficking so they can contact the appropriate authorities if something doesn’t feel right. Some of these signs are:

• Someone who seems separated from family, friends, community organizations, and places of worship.

• Someone showing signs of mental or physical abuse.

• Someone who acts anxious, shy, or submissive.

• Someone who has been denied food, water, sleep, or medical attention.

• Someone who is often in the company of someone they are inferior to or who speaks for them.

• Someone who cannot move about or live where they want, or in unsuitable living conditions.

These are just a few indicators that may not all apply.

If you see anything that leads you to believe someone may be part of a human trafficking ring, please call local law enforcement to report your suspicions. Visit https://www.dhs.gov/blue-campaign to learn more about how you can help fight human trafficking.

Human trafficking takes various forms, from forced labor to sex trafficking. If you see anything let me know. Not only can you save lives, but you can also help put some bad people behind bars.