New and veteran Georgia state lawmakers gathered in Athens in December 2004 for the 24th Biennial Institute for Georgia Legislators. The program, conducted December 12-14, was an instructional experience for the newly elected officials and an opportunity for all participants to prepare for the forthcoming session of the Georgia General Assembly by attending a variety of policy sessions focusing on topics of corrections, transportation, education, and Medicaid. The program concluded with an address by Governor Sonny Perdue.
The record-setting class of new legislators also participated in a special Orientation Day at the Capitol in Atlanta on November 18, 2004.
Check below for Biennial media coverage, photos, detailed program (including background information), and a related Peach State Poll.Peach State Poll: Georgia's General Assembly - What Our Citizens Think (PDF)
Atlanta Journal Constitution: First-term lawmakers learn ropes (December 15)
Associated Press: Georgia fairs well among same-sized states (December 15)
Athens Banner-Herald: Local representatives receive crash course (December 14)
Athens Banner-Herald: Freshmen lawmakers get lesson in ethics (December 13)
Atlanta Journal-Constitution: Freshman legislators attend 'boot camp' at UGA (December 12)
Photos from the Biennial:
 Former Rep. Larry Walker, right; and his wife Janice, left; provided newly elected members of the Georgia General Assembly with insights on how their personal and professional lives will be affected by their public service at a program coordinated by the Vinson Institute and held in Atlanta on January 11. |
 Newly elected senators and representatives participated in the first Orientation Day at the Capitol on November 18, 2004. This event is a new component of the Biennial Institute for Georgia Legislators. |
 "A Day in the General Assembly" simulation on Monday, December 13, gave new lawmakers an opportunity to work on a mock bill to raise the speed limit in Georgia. Several veteran legislators were on hand to assist with the interactive session. |
 Panel discussions like this one focusing on demographic, economic, and political trends in Georgia provided legislators with valuable information on issues they will be discussing in the forthcoming session. |
 Vinson Institute faculty member Mary Stakes, left, talked with keynote speaker Alan Rosenthal about his views on the challenges facing the Georgia General Assembly. Rosenthal is professor of public policy at Rutgers University and recognized widely for his studies of state legislatures throughout the country. |
