Savannah Politics

By: State Senator Buddy Carter
A three year journey came to an end this year as the Georgia state legislature finally came up with a plan that will address our state’s growing transportation needs.
Stuck in the confines of deciding between a statewide or regional approach to our transportation needs, the legislature has been deadlocked the past few years and unable to compromise on a plan to offer our citizens.
With the passage of HB 277, the Transportation Investment Act of 2010, Georgians will now have an opportunity to vote on a funding mechanism to pay for transportation improvements.
This is extremely good news and could not come at a better time as our state, which currently has the 2nd lowest transportation revenue per capita in the U. S., is grappling with a rapidly deteriorating transportation system that threatens our future economic development and job creation.
HB 277, or T-SPLOST as many refer to it as, creates 12 special tax districts or regions within the state that will all create a project list of highway and transit projects and allow voters in that district to approve or reject a one-percent sales tax during the statewide general primary in 2012.
If approved by the voters, the one-percent sales tax will be levied for a 10-year term with the stipulation that all of the money raised in the district must be spent in that district. No local government in the district will be allowed to opt out of the tax, even if voters in their county vote against the plan.
Each of the 12 regions will have a Regional Roundtable that will include the chairman of each county commission and one mayor from each county, who is elected by the mayors of all the cities in the county. This means that each county will have two votes on the Roundtable.
In addition, each Roundtable will elect five members of the Roundtable who will serve on an Executive Committee along with three legislators selected by the chairman of the House and Senate Transportation Committees who will be non-voting members.
The T-SPLOST is set up to be implemented in four phases- criteria development, project selection, voter referendum and project delivery.
The first phase, criteria development or assessing which projects will give the best value for the money and have the most public acceptance, began on August 3rd when the states Director of Planning sent draft criteria for project consideration to local governments for comments.
Once he receives the comments, the Director of Planning will finalize the district criteria and the Regional Roundtable will meet to approve the criteria.
Next comes the project selection when local governments will submit potential projects to the Director of Planning who will work with the Executive Committee of each Roundtable to develop a final project list. Two public hearings will be held on the final project list for each region before it goes to the full Roundtable for approval in October of 2011.
This is where it becomes somewhat tricky. In order to make certain that the final project list is fair and equitable throughout the region, the project list must be approved by the Roundtable. If it is not, a “special district gridlock” is declared and the district cannot call a new vote for 24 months and local governments will be forced to match 50% of their DOT grants from statewide funds.
If the project list is approved by the Roundtable, then it goes before the voters on August 21, 2012, for their approval. If the list is approved by the voters, collection of the T-SPLOST begins at least 80 days from the election and the final phase, project delivery, begins.
If the project list is not approved by the voters, it cannot be revisited for 24 months and the local governments must match 30% of their DOT grants from statewide funds.
Each Regional Roundtable will play a vital role in the T-SPLOST process as they will be charged with coming up with a project list that is fair and equitable for each county in the region and appeals to the voters.
For years we’ve wanted local control of our tax dollars. Finally with the T-SPLOST, we’ll have it.

By: State Senator Buddy Carter

This week, students from across the state of Georgia will begin classes at public and private colleges and universities located within our state.
For many of these students, furthering their education would not be possible without the help of HOPE.
The HOPE program (Helping Outstanding Pupils Educationally) is a merit-based award that is currently used by more than 200,000 Georgians a year to pay for tuition costs, books and fees if they attend college in the state.
In order to qualify for HOPE, a student must graduate from high school with at least a B average and maintain a 3.0 grade point average while in college.
Started in 1993 in conjunction with the launch of the Georgia Lottery, the HOPE program was the brainchild of then Governor Zell Miller, who convinced Georgia’s citizens that lottery profits could be used to help families who were struggling with the high cost of tuition.
The Georgia Student Finance Commission, which oversees HOPE, receives proceeds directly from the Georgia Lottery to fund the program and voluntary prekindergarten programs throughout the state. Lottery proceeds cannot be used for any other purpose.
The original goals of the HOPE program- to improve high school performance, increase college participation and increase college completion- have for the most part been successful. Supporters of the program point to a lower high school drop-out rate in the state and higher quality post secondary schools as direct results of HOPE.
But not all is well. Earlier this month, a joint meeting of the Senate and House higher education committees was called to discuss the financial challenges facing the HOPE program.
During the meeting, representatives of the Georgia Student Finance Commission testified that, although Georgia had one of the most successful lotteries in the nation, proceeds were not keeping pace with expenditures of the popular HOPE program. In fact, it was projected that HOPE expenditures will exceed lottery funds by $243 million during the current fiscal year and by $317 million next year.
Much of this can be attributed to the downturn in the economy over the past few years which has led to lottery profits essentially flattening out while the HOPE program has continued to grow.
And although the HOPE program’s total reserves were nearly $1 billion at the end of fiscal year 2009, excess expenses requiring the commission to dip into reserves the past few years combined with the projected future shortfalls, will eventually deplete the reserves.
While legislators are disturbed by this news, it is not totally unexpected and some preparation has already been implemented. In 2004, eligibility requirements were tightened and starting next fall, book awards will be cut back from $300 to $150 and eliminated completely the following year. In the fall of 2013, students will no longer get money for mandatory fees.
However, everyone agrees that these changes alone will not solve the long term problems facing this enormously popular program.
One of the long-term changes being proposed is to change from a merit-based program to a needs-based program by implementing parent income caps.
Described by some as welfare for the state’s rich, proponents of such a move suggest that the state is wasting money by subsidizing the tuition costs for middle and upper-income families who would have sent their children to college on their own expense anyway.
They also point out that the program started out limiting those eligible to only those whose family’s income was below $66,000. It was later raised to $100,000 and eventually eliminated.
Another suggestion has been to set a standard amount students receive in HOPE money annually regardless of how much tuition and costs might increase. For instance, some have suggested the amount be set at 70% of costs.
This year alone, approved tuition increases at the state’s universities and technical schools will cost HOPE at least $54 million more.
Still others have suggested that academic requirements be increased, perhaps including a minimum SAT score in determining eligibility. This is brought on by the fact that about two-thirds of college students receiving HOPE lose the scholarship at some point because of poor grades.
For one of Georgia’s greatest success stories to continue, it’s clear that long-range changes must be made.
After all, today may be the day.

August 4, 2010/Marietta, GA – Representative Burke Day, has joined other Chatham elected officials in endorsing Sam Olens, Republican, for Georgia Attorney General in Tuesday’s Run-off Election.

Previously, Sam has received the endorsements of:

    Sheriff Al St. Lawrence

    Representative Ron Stephens

    Commissioner Pat Farrell

    Commissioner Helen Stone

“I am grateful to Rep. Day and the other respected elected officials in Chatham County who have placed their confidence in my campaign,” adi Olens.

 Olens has now been endorsed my more than 175 conservative elected officials and law enforcement from every corner of the state.

 A full list of endorsements can be found by visiting  www.OlensforAG.com.

By: State Senator Buddy Carter    

     Last week, the FBI and DEA raided and shut down two rogue pain management clinics in Jacksonville, Florida. 

     Records show that one of the clinics had dispensed 611,000 oxycodone pills in April and May of this year alone.

     “Pill mills,” as these clinics are referred to as, have become increasingly popular as the growing problem of prescription drug abuse grips our nation. 

     Claiming to be pain management clinics, these facilities are in reality nothing more than fly by night operations that set up in communities to make a quick buck.  They infest our communities, bringing increased crime and abuse and give legitimate pain management clinics a bad name.    

      The non-medical use of prescription pain-relievers is now the second most prevalent form of illicit drug use in the nation, accounting for over 30% of all drug abuse in our country.  It is our country’s fastest-growing drug problem and poses a serious threat to public health and safety.  

     In Georgia, we have a particularly bad problem with “pill mills” locating in our state because we are one of the few states that does not have a database of controlled drugs that can be accessed by prescribers and dispensers.  

     Making matters worse is that every state that borders us has a database program in place, chasing the “pill mills” out of their states and into ours. 

     The problem has become so prevalent in the greater Atlanta area that Cobb County has declared a moratorium on the opening of new pain clinics in order to try and get the problem under control.

     Pharmacies located where these “pill mills” have opened have reported shortages in certain pain medications, resulting in legitimate patients being unable to obtain their medications.   

     It is because of these illegitimate “pill mills” infesting our state that during the last legislative session, I introduced SB 418, the Patient Safety Act, to set up a database of controlled drugs that are prescribed and dispensed in our state.

     Working with three of the most conservative members of the State Senate, we crafted legislation that would have created a database maintained by the State Board of Pharmacy and accessible only by the Georgia State Medical Board and licensed prescribers and dispensers in our state. The database would be accessible by law enforcement by subpoena only.        

     Dispensers of controlled substances would be required to report on a weekly basis all controlled prescriptions filled and the information would be added to the database.  All HIPPA regulations dealing with patient privacy would be followed and access to the database would be by personal passwords issued by the Board of Pharmacy only.   Stringent penalties- in some cases $250,000 and imprisonment- would be accessed to those individuals who knowingly requested, used, obtained or released any information in violation of its purpose.

     The legislation was supported by state medical associations, pharmacy associations and the American Cancer Society, a group that has a special interest in pain management. 

     As one adamantly opposed to more government intrusion into our lives, this was difficult legislation for me to consider.  It was especially difficult for my fellow Senators who helped craft the legislation as all three had opposed similar legislation before. 

     However, like myself, they recognized the magnitude of the problem and the need to address the situation and worked responsibly to help make the legislation as effective, yet non-intrusive as possible.

     As a pharmacist, I have spent my professional career trying to help people live healthier lives through medication management.   Pain management has been a big part of that.  As a consultant to Hospice Savannah for many years, I dealt with patients with unbearable pain, whose only relief was with pain medication in excessive doses.

     As a legislator, I have worked on numerous health care issues, including chairing a Pain Management Study committee in 2007 that led to changes that helped raise Georgia’s pain management rating from a D to a B-.  

     Although the Patient Safety Act passed the Senate last year, it failed to pass in the House.  I will be introducing the legislation again next year and will work diligently to have it passed.

     Our state deserves no less- we must rid our communities of these “pill mills” and the infestation of crime and abuse that they bring.

State Representative Ron Stephens (R-Savannah) has officially endorsed Nathan Deal as the Republican nominee for Governor.  The runoff election for the Republican candidate for Governor will be held on Tuesday, August 10^th and decided from voters across the state.

Rep. Stephens stated, “Nathan Deal would bring exceptional experience and knowledge to serve as Governor of Georgia.  Our hopes were placed in Eric Johnson to become the nominee; however, the voters decided between Nathan Deal and Karen Handel.  The candidate best suited is Nathan Deal and he has my support and my vote in the August runoff.”

Rep. Stephens represents portions of Bryan, Chatham, and Liberty Counties in the Georgia General Assembly.

State Senator Earl “Buddy” Carter (R-Pooler) – is supporting Nathan Deal in the August 10th Republican Runoff election for Governor. Out of the Republican choices for Governor, none of the Republican candidates received 50% + 1 of the votes and now the election will be decided by voters with a runoff.

Carter stated, “After much thought and consideration for which candidate would best serve as Governor for our state, I have decided to endorse Nathan Deal. Nathan and Karen both have a distinctive set of qualifications and my decision to endorse Nathan Deal is based upon his experience and background.”

Senator Carter represents Bryan County and areas covering portions of Chatham and Liberty Counties in the Georgia General Assembly.

ATLANTA (July 21, 2010) – Sen. Buddy Carter (R-Pooler) was recently appointed to the Senate Special Committee on Coastal Preparedness. Lt. Gov. Casey Cagle appointed Sen. Ross Tolleson (R-Perry), chairman of the Senate Natural Resources Committee, Sen. George Hooks (D-Americus) and Sen. Carter as select members of the committee. This meeting will help ensure Georgia is ready and able to handle the potential consequences of the Gulf Coast oil spill.

“Savannah is home to one of the greatest port cities on the Eastern seaboard. We must protect Georgia’s beautiful shoreline and numerous industries from the aftermath of the oil spill,” said Carter. “I want to thank the lieutenant governor for taking these preemptive steps that will prepare Georgia to effectively respond to the effects of the Gulf oil crisis.”

Lt. Governor Casey Cagle touted Carter’s presence on the special committee vital to its success: “With such a crucial issue facing our state, we need a strong leader like Sen. Carter to play an integral role in the response process.  His expertise with the coastal Georgia community, its environmental landscape, and its fishing and tourism stakeholders make him an invaluable asset to ensuring Georgia is ready and able to combat the potential impact the Gulf oil spill may have on our state.  I want to thank him for his commitment as he will do an outstanding job,” said Cagle.

The first meeting on Georgia’s preparedness for the oil spill will be Thursday, July 22 at the State Capitol in Atlanta. A Unified Command response plan will be discussed with state leaders. Commissioner Clark, representatives from the United States Coast Guard, Georgia Emergency Management Association, and the Georgia Department of Community Health will be on hand for discussion and to answer questions. The impacts of the oil spill on Georgia’s tourism and fishing industries will also be addressed. Spud Woodward, Director of Coastal Resources will lead the discussion on the severity of the situation.

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 Sen. Buddy Carter represents the 1st Senate District. He represents Bryan County and portions of Chatham and Liberty counties.  He may be reached at 404.656.5109 or via e-mail at bcarter331@aol.com.

Vote for Sam Olens for Attorney General Tuesday in the Republican Primary.

He is a proven, tested, conservative who is pro life, pro 2nd Amendment and well known as fiscal conservative who can get things done. He has a distinguished 27-year law career and as a County Chairman of one of Georgia’s largest counties he took on the ACLU over prayer in public meetings and won. He has been endorsed by more than 150 of Georgia’s most conservative statewide elected officials and has received many statewide newspaper endorsements. To see a full list of his endorsements click here:

http://olensforag.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/07/so_endorsements_070210.pdf.

To see his powerful television ad click here:

http://www.youtube.com/SamOlens

For more information visit his website at www.olensforag.com