3/26: Ga.'s Gov. Perdue to name special AG for lawsuit

Savannah Morning News: Gov. Perdue to name special AG for health reform lawsuit

Gov. Sonny Perdue says he'll appoint a special attorney general to sue the federal government over the new federal health care reform law. A team of pro bono lawyers will file the lawsuit following the refusal of Attorney General Thurbert Baker to sue.

Baker wrote in a letter to the governor Wednesday that the state doesn't have "a viable legal claim" and that he didn't want to waste state resources in a time of budget crisis.

Following Baker's refusal to sue, the state constitution gives the governor the right to appoint a special attorney general who will have the same power as the state attorney general in this specific matter, Perdue said.

Georgia probably will not join the lawsuit filed by attorneys general in 14 other states who are challenging what they deem an unconstitutional overreach of federal power, but will likely file a separate suit, Perdue said.

Also in the South:

ALABAMA: Alabama is one of three states to allow controversial judicial override

ARKANSAS: Lawmakers concerned over required flood insurance by FEMA

FLORIDA: Senate approves Florida class size amendment

KENTUCKY: State unemployment rate rose to 10.9% in February

LOUISIANA: Higher education in 'precarious situation' as legislative session set to begin

MISSISSIPPI: State's lawmakers to finish budget in late April

NORTH CAROLINA: Gov. Perdue wants to lift film incentives gap

SOUTH CAROLINA: Senate agrees on prison sentencing reform

TENNESSEE: Online map tracks census returns, finds Tennessee is lagging behind

VIRGINIA: Gov. McDonnell says no 'rampant discrimination' against gay employees evident

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