This week, Senators returned to the State Capitol to resume work on the 2007 session. The legislature's decision to recess for two weeks was not in vain, as Gov. Sonny Perdue and Lt. Gov. Casey Cagle announced a plan to provide temporary funds to the PeachCare program until federal funding is finalized. The solution proposes changing state law to allow for funds earmarked in the budget for Medicaid to be used towards keeping children insured in the PeachCare program.

As we continue to fight for the children of Georgia's working families, I would like to draw your attention to some other pieces of legislation that passed the Senate this week, all of which aim to protect and support Georgians.

On Tuesday, we honored the Georgia Department of Public Safety on its 70th anniversary with Senate Resolution 383. Georgia State Troopers have served the citizens of Georgia honorably over the past 70 years. During that time 26 troopers have died in the line of duty, and this resolution ensures that their sacrifice to make Georgia safer will always be remembered. Each and every member of the department strives to meet the core values of the department, and it is only fitting to honor the department on its 70th anniversary. While in chamber, I had the opportunity to bring several state troopers and Public Safety Commissioner Bill Hitchens to the rostrum and introduce them to the Senate. I am very proud to serve as chairman of a committee that strives for the shared goal of keeping Georgians safe, as the Department of Public safety does for our state.

Another influential bill that passed the Senate was SB 148, called Sav- ing the Cure Act. The measure creates the Georgia Commission for Saving the Cure, which will encourage and promote nondestructive stem cell research and will oversee the Newborn Umbilical Cord Blood Bank for stem cell research and treatment. Due to the rich amount of stem cells within umbilical cords, placental tissue and amniotic fluids, they can be used for medical research and treatment that could help save hundreds of lives. Because the bill promotes nondestructive stem cell research, it eliminates any ethical controversy because the process does not involve destroying the embryos. The bill is named in honor of Keone Penn, a young man from Gwinnett County who was cured of sickle cell anemia by a stem cell treatment from a donated umbilical cord.

We also passed SB 145, which will allow for a "life without parole" sentencing option for district attorneys without first having to prosecute a murder charge as a death penalty case. Currently, the state must prosecute a felony murder case as a death penalty case or life with parole. Death penalty cases differ in that the jury may recommend life without parole instead of the death penalty, or the defendant may plea bargain in order to obtain life without parole in exchange for the death penalty. This gives district attorneys more flexibility and the ability to seek life without parole with no need to go through the expense of a death penalty trial.

The legislature continues its business next Tuesday, and there are a number of important bills that will soon be coming to the floor. Please contact me in my office on the issues that are affecting you and your area.