Georgia-DOJ Impasse Frustrates Judge

Georgia and the U.S. Department of Justice remain at an impasse over improvements to the state’s services for people with mental illness and developmental disabilities, despite a federal judge’s push for quicker action to resolve their differences.Wednesday was the day set by U.S. District Court Judge Charles Pannell last month for attorneys for the two sides to report back to him on their progress. But after a brief conference in his court Wednesday, he told them to prepare for a formal hearing in late March.

Autism Mandate Halted in Ga.

A bill to mandate autism coverage for some Georgia children looks dead for this year.

Rep. John Meadows, left, and
Rep. Richard Smith, talk during a
hearing at Georgia's State Capitol
on Tuesday.

The chairman of the House Insurance Committee told a group of reporters Monday that he doesn't plan to bring the legislation to a vote, according to the Atlanta Journal Constitution. State Rep. Richard Smith, R-Columbus, said the bill will not cover enough people.

His comments echo those of Gov. Nathan Deal, who told multiple media outlets earlier this month that the bill unfairly targets small-business owners.

Nearly 2,000 Rally for Support in Georgia

ATLANTA -- Cars had to detour around the Capitol on Thursday as about 2,000 people crowded in the street to demand better services and support for people with disabilities and their families.
The point is "to get them out of institutions and get them into communities," said Jerry Sapp, president of the Bleckley County chapter of The Arc, an advocacy group, and single father of a son who has cerebral palsy.
Many in the crowd carried signs reading "Unlock The Doors To Real Communities," the theme of the rally, hosted by the Georgia Council on Developmental Disabilities.