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Although

the Georgia General Assembly has just gotten its wheels in motion for

this session, Sen. Donzella James, D-College Park, already is in high

gear.

James, whose

35th District includes Union City and Fairburn, is set to bring forth

a wide range of legislation that could affect everything from how we

talk on our cell phones to the care of our children.

One of the

more contentious issues she sees happening this term is the debate over

the state flag.

"I am

supporting the pre-1956 flag. The flag that we have now does not represent

all Georgians," she said.

James doesn't

have any issues with descendents of Confederate veterans who are working

to keep the flag, but points out the current flag is not the one that

was flown during the Civil War.

But James

believes that many of her personal issues are just as important as retiring

the flag. One of her big issues this session will be to pass a bill

that would lower the cost of prescription drugs for senior citizens.

The issue

was one of the major talking points during the federal election and

James wants the state to get involved in the process.

Another issue

concerns teen drinking. James wants to see some sort of licensing and

regulation placed on beer kegs.

"A lot

of these parties have kegs and there's no way of telling who supplied

the beer," she said.

Another drinking-related

issue that she would like to see passed is the acceptance by Georgia

of the .08 level of alcohol for driving under the influence.

"That's

the federal standard," she said. Georgia's current standard is

.1.

She would

also like to see the state strengthen the open container law.

"Last

year, we lost $19 million in federal funds because we don't comply with

their standards," she said.

In addition

to alcohol laws, James will introduce a measure to make it a misdemeanor

to leave a child under 5 years old unattended in a car.

Later in

the session, she also plans to introduce a bill that would make it a

misdemeanor for residents to use cell phones in the car that are not

the "hands-off" type or use a speakerphone capability.