Savannah Politics

40 Days at the Capitol- Installment 3

To our readers:   State Senator Buddy Carter (R- Pooler) will be reporting each week during the Legislative Session.  The session began January 11, 2010 and is expected to last until the latter days of March.

Day 9 (Monday, February 1, 2010):  While our sessions normally start at 10AM, we push them back to noon on Mondays to allow the senators from South Georgia time to drive up in the morning. During Points of Personal Privilege, when senators are given the opportunity to make announcements and present legislation, Sen. Greg Goggans (R-Douglas) shares with us his intentions to propose legislation that would tax the sale of lottery tickets in order to increase revenues in the state.  Later in the day Senate Majority Leader Chip Rogers (R-Woodstock) announces that he will be introducing legislation to overhaul Georgia’s property tax system.  The legislation will include over 40 changes to the existing tax system including year-round property tax assessment appeals, requiring all comparable sales including foreclosures and banks sales to be applied to the assessment and eliminating the “view factor” as a way to determine value.   

Day 10 (Tuesday, February 2, 2010):  Today is the 38^th annual Firefighters recognition day at the Capitol as we welcome them from around the state to the senate chambers.  We wear yellow roses today to commemorate the anniversary of the 19^th Amendment giving women the right to vote. After much debate we pass SB 319 that will give local school boards more flexibility in allocating funds for digital text books.  As teaching methods and materials change, it is important that our schools have the ability to adopt new technologies. As a member of the Regulated Industries committee, I spend most of my afternoon meeting with different groups regarding HB 168, the Telecom Jobs and Investment Act, that is currently being considered by the committee.       

Day 11 (Wednesday, February 3, 2010):  SB 315, the Universal Emergency Volunteer Health Practitioners Act, is unanimously passed today and will allow out-of-state, licensed emergency personnel to assist the state in the event of a disaster.  It will ensure rapid medical attention during an emergency by allowing registered health practitioners to enter the state and begin treating Georgians under a temporary license. In an afternoon full of meetings, we are brought up to date by representatives of the Trauma Commission and endure a 2 hour joint meeting of the Senate Public Safety and House Motor Vehicle committees to discuss the “reasonable” price of Motor Vehicle records.  While Georgians account for approximately 3 percent of the nations driving population, we have not been able to sell the motor vehicle records to third parties due to a disagreement in the cost of the information.  The committees are meeting with the third parties and the Department of Revenue (DOR) to come up with a “reasonable” price.               

Day 12 (Thursday, February 4, 2010):  Today is Savannah Day at the Capitol and the hottest ticket in town is to the Annual Seafood Fest to be held at the Depot tonight.  This is one of the premiere events of the session and I am inundated with requests for tickets.  One of the more interesting bills of the session is passed today as SB 235, the Microchip Consent Act of 2010 passes overwhelmingly.  The bill gives Georgians greater protection from being implanted with a microchip against their will and lays out guidelines for voluntary implantation.  Later in the afternoon we have an intense 2 hour committee meeting as Regulated Industries passes HB 168 which will eliminate most of the regulations still in effect for the telecommunications industry.  After meeting with various state leaders, delegates from Savannah do not disappoint as later that night they once again treat the legislature to a grand event with the annual seafood fest. 

Day 13 (Friday, February 5, 2010):  We go in early today and although not much business is conducted, the Capitol is abuzz with the news of the Governor’s proposal to revamp state government by abolishing four statewide elective offices- agriculture commissioner, labor commissioner, insurance commissioner and state school superintendent- and putting them under the control of the governor’s office.  As one might guess the proposal receives a very lukewarm response from the legislature as we head to our respective homes throughout the state.       

Senator Buddy Carter can be reached at Coverdell Legislative Office Building (C.L.O.B.) Room 302-B, Atlanta, GA, 30334.  His Capitol office number is 404-656-5109.           

February 6, 2010

Legislation was passed out of the House this week related to education. The members of the House passed several pieces of legislation this week to amend the Quality Basic Education Act.  This change involve the organization of middle schools and removes the current legislation which states, if a school housed one of the middle school grades in another building, they would lose funding.  The House passed House Bill 907 to revise and correct this problem.  Also passed was House Bill 923, another revision of the Quality Basic Education Act.  This bill extends the time period for those teachers currently in a leadership program, although they have not yet completed the program, to be able to receive and become eligible for earnings under this Act.  Another change we passed, House Bill 905, involves extending the original sunset provision within the Act for Capital outlay projects for school systems.  The legislators chose to make these changes in part due to the stress many of our local school systems are experiencing with their budgets and this will allow them more time and flexibility.  In an effort to save money, the House passed House Bill 910, to allow the Department of Education to send the participation rate by gender for sporting activities in electronic format to the members of the General Assembly, thus saving on printing expenses.  

In an effort to protect our children and our animals against the effects of consuming antifreeze, we passed House Bill 219 by a vote of 142 to 25.  One of the concerns that was brought to our attention is that because of the sweet taste of antifreeze, it could potentially be mistaken for something else by small children.  It is common for animals to consume antifreeze because of the sweet smell and taste, also.  By requiring that  manufacturers, packagers, distributors, recyclers, or sellers add a substance called denatonium benzoate to antifreeze; this will make the substance taste bitter and will  opefully prevent people and animals from consuming it by alarming them by taste.  It is our hope that this precaution will save lives.

Legislation was also passed this week that regarding retirement.  To clarify existing legislation, the House passed House Bill 916.  This legislation requires that state employees who have not reached the normal retirement age on the date of their retirement are required to wait two consecutive months before returning to work. The House unanimously passed House Bill 54 which will allows the members of the Georgia Judicial Retirement System to receive spouses benefits although the member had previously rejected it.  By doing this it allows an individual to reapply for the benefits by contacting the Board of Trustees and paying a specified amount.  The restriction is that the member must have had at least 10 years of membership.

On Thursday, January 28^th we adjourned after our eighth legislative day of the 2010 session.  This week consisted of short days of legislative action followed by committee hearings reviewing legislative initiatives.  Bills are currently being drafted and introduced by legislators and the committee process is beginning to take full swing as we debate introduced legislation before it is presented on the House floor for votes.  The budget is continuing its process and the House Appropriations Subcommittees are continuing to meet to discuss and debate the specifics of how the state revenues are to be used and where spending cuts can and should be made.

One piece of legislation was voted upon this week, House Resolution 1168, and it was unanimously passed by the House. This Resolution amended some changes to the rules governing how we operate in the Georgia House of Representatives.  One change is the elimination of the Hawk System.  The new leadership, along with many of the legislators, have questioned the role of the Hawk system that was implemented in previous years.  Although the Hawk System was in place last year, it was never used and this year we have decided to eliminate it entirely.  Another change now allows the media outlets access to the House floor after our morning devotional.  Previously, the media were restricted in the House chambers.  Also, although more of a formality, is a change which allows substitutions to be made on Bills within the Rules Committee if an error is found.  As legislators, we are always improving the process by which the legislature and committees work, it is a continuous cycle. 

Jobs and business development continue to be a focus for the General Assembly.  The House and the Senate are working together for the Jobs, Opportunity, and Business Success Act of 2010 (JOBS Act of 2010).  Ensuring that Georgians are employed, and that business owners have incentives to hire those unemployed, are one of our priorities.  With unemployment numbers reaching 10.3% for the state of Georgia, we are committed to helping people once again become gainfully employed.  According to the Georgia Department of Labor, over the last year Georgians lost approximately 175,000 jobs.  Much of this can be contributed to the economy; however, legislators must do our part to ensure that we are encouraging businesses and helping the citizens of the state.  Legislation will be introduced next week which is similar to the legislation the General Assembly passed last year which was vetoed by Governor Perdue.  This legislation, the JOBS Act of 2010, would help in numerous ways by:  waiving state fees for new businesses, giving quarterly tax credits for unemployment to those businesses that hire someone currently receiving unemployment benefits, a tax credit of $2,400 for businesses employing the unemployed for 24 consecutive months, a fifty percent reduction in the capital gains tax, a tax credit for investments made to small businesses, and a gradual phasing out of the sales tax deposit required for businesses.  These incentives will encourage businesses in Georgia, and in return, individuals and the economy benefit as the steps are taken toward recovering from this economic recession.

Please do not hesitate to let me know your position or thoughts on issues that concern you. If you would like to reach me, please call me at (404) 656-5099 or write me at: State Rep. Ron Stephens ,228 CAP, State Capitol, Atlanta, GA 30334 or e-mail me at ron.stephens@house.ga.gov  

State Senator Earl “Buddy” Carter (R-Pooler)-is voluntarily taking a furlough day a month for the remainder of the fiscal year.   With these additional days, legislators will have taken a total of eleven furlough days in fiscal year 2010.  The money will be returned to the State Treasury to help fill additional budget gaps. 

Carter stated, “I recognize the pain that many of our state workers and teachers have to endure with the current economic crisis affecting the state of Georgia.  To show my support and to also do my part to help, I too will be voluntarily taking furlough days. This money will be returned to the state of Georgia to help soften the tough budget cuts we are currently faced with.”

Legislators took one furlough day a month between August and December of 2009 and are now voluntarily agreeing to another day per month through the month of June. State Agencies have taken anywhere between 3 and 12 furlough days.  The legislator furlough days will be in addition to the $3.08 million cut in appropriations the General Assembly voted to give itself in 2010 general budget, plus any potential further cuts that may be needed to balance the 2010 budget.

Senate leadership has worked diligently to balance the state budget by making the appropriate reductions in government spending and government programs.  The General Assembly also returned $2.7 million in FY2009 surplus funds to the Treasury.  This fiscal constraint has been noticed by the Bond rating agencies in New York, making Georgia one of only seven states to earn and maintain a Triple-A Bond rating.  Georgia is one of the lowest taxed states in the nation and has the lowest dept per capita among the 50 states.

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

Join us Thursday, February 4, 2010 6:00 - 7:30 pm

at the home of Billy and Kim Farmer

1132 Irongate - Irongate Subdivision - Macon

Directions: From Macon, take Zebulon Road into Monroe County.

Cross Estes Road. Go 1/2 mile. Subdivison is on right.

Suggested Donation: $100

RSVP: Contact Robin Wheeler at 912-433-1824 or

robin@simonspoliticalgroup.com

E V E N T H O S T S

Billy & Kim Farmer and Al & Jan Baggarly

H O S T C O M M I T T E E

Bill Ennis • Gary Hall • Jimmy Hinson • Mack Jones • Bill Lucas • Rick Maier

Ted McCullough • Albert & Sally McKay • Don Moore • Lee Murphey

David Newcomer • Dan & Gigi Slagle • Trip & Jane Hawkins Wilhoit

Scott Brown’s Victory is Canary in the Coalmine for Democrats

By Ralph Reed

Barack Obama was inaugurated as president one year ago today to the hosannas
of the mainstream media. He strolled down Pennsylvania Avenue hand-in-hand
with his wife Michelle, exuding the confidence of a man basking in sky-high
poll numbers that approached 70 percent. What a difference a year makes.

Massachusetts-in a huge turnout of over 2 million voters in a special
election-has sent a clear and undeniable message to Washington: defeat the
Obama-backed health care reform bill, stop the spending spree, and put the
brakes on the Obama agenda, from terrorism to spending to taxes. The defeat
of Martha Coakley and the election of Republican Scott Brown to the U.S.
Senate is the canary in the coal mine for Democrats. This is a state that,
while it has elected Republicans as governor in recent years (William Weld,
Mitt Romney), had not elected a Republican to the U.S. Senate in 37 years.
The seat won by Brown had been held by Edward M. Kennedy for 47 years, and
is currently occupied by Paul Kirk, a placeholder and longtime Kennedy
family retainer. Brown will be the only Republican in the state’s
congressional delegation, representing a state with only 13 percent of the
voters registered Republicans.

According to Gallup, Obama’s poll numbers have plummeted faster than any
president in modern times. His job approval in a recent CBS News poll stood
at an anemic 46 percent, while his rating for health care was a mere 36
percent. (And this from CBS News.) Independents have abandoned the
Democrats, breaking for Republican candidates by 2-1 or 3-1, and a resurgent
grassroots conservative movement is tapping a deep vein of voter discontent.
Then came Massachusetts.

First, Bob McDonnell won the Virginia gubernatorial contest by an 18-point
landslide. On the same night, Chris Christie defeated Jon Corzine and became
the first non-incumbent Republican governor candidate to win 50 percent of
the vote in New Jersey since the 1970’s. Democrat pollster Celinda Lake said
it best: “There’s a lot of blame to go around, but the point of the matter
is there’s a wave. And that wave: it hit Virginia; it hit New Jersey; it hit
Massachusetts.” she
<http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2010/01/19/coakley-pollster-defends_n_428600.
html>  said.

Before last night, Democrats were in denial. The Virginia blow-out? The
White House threw Creigh Deeds under the bus, saying he was a poor candidate
who refused to embrace Obama. New Jersey? Corzine had his own problems. When
Obama’s poll numbers began to crater, the White House’s response was to
shoot the messenger. They
<http://www.politico.com/news/stories/1209/31047.html>  smeared respected
independent pollster Scott Rasmussen when he showed Obama’s job approval
ratings dropping. Rasmussen is now fully vindicated, accurately documenting
the Brown surge in Massachusetts.

The White House also thought Chicago-style machine intimidation would work
with the alternative media. When Fox News broadcast commentary critical of
Obama, Obama advisor Anita Dunn went into attack mode and claimed it was
“not a news organization.” The result? Fox News now has ratings three times
those of MSNBC and CNN combined in prime time.

When millions of average Americans poured into the streets to protest
Obama’s out-of-control spending at “tea parties” beginning last April, the
White House and its liberal allies denounced these protesters as
“astroturf,” “tea-baggers,” “evil,” and even compared them to Nazis. House
Majority Leader and FreedomWorks chairman Dick Armey organized opposition to
Obama’s policies, so White House allies pressured his DC law/lobbying firm
to dump him. I saw Dick at a rally opposing Democratic health care reform
the weekend it happened, and he joked: “They made a big mistake. Now I can
spend all my time fighting them.”

With each defeat and setback, the Obama political team and the Democrats
engaged in spin, finger-pointing, leaks to an adoring press corps, all the
while ignoring the warning signs. As late as yesterday, while the Democratic
establishment hung black crepe and mourned the impending loss of “the
Kennedy seat,” a Democratic official was
<http://dyn.politico.com/members/forums/thread.cfm?catid=21&subcatid=69&thre
adid=3568115>  telling Politico with a straight face that Organizing for
America-Obama’s campaign political operation now housed at the DNC-”is a
winner” in Massachusetts, “that’s clear, win or lose.” Win or lose? Only in
the Alice-in-Wonderland universe in which the Obama political team lives is
someone who suffers an historic defeat proclaimed a winner. So I suppose
Obama should have gotten a gold medal for flying all the way to Copenhagen
on bended knee before the IOC, even if Chicago did lose the Olympics.

Is the Obama team still in denial? One wonders. Does Obama have the capacity
to listen to the voters, call an audible, and adjust his policies and trim
his ambitions? I doubt it. Obama has always struck me as a committed
liberal, a true believer, and he will try to salvage health care and get
whatever extreme policies he can passed before the 2010 elections. If other
Democrats watch their careers go up in smoke and suffer the loss of their
offices as a result, so be it. We shall see.

In the book on the 2008 presidential campaign Game Change, Mark Halperin and
John Heilemann recount that Obama campaign aides referred
<http://www.commentarymagazine.com/blogs/index.php/wehner/218526>  to him
privately as “the black Jesus.”Whenever they were in trouble, Obama’s
eloquence and gifts saved the day. But after last night, Obama is not
looking like a political savior anymore. In fact, he looks like the kiss of
death. Massachusetts was opening volley of the 2010 elections, and Democrats
are bracing for more defeats of historic proportions.

ATLANTA, GA — Senator Eric Johnson, Republican candidate for Governor, today released the following statement regarding the new list of legislators that failed to file their state income taxes:

“Last year, I was proud to lead the fight to make sure that every member of the General Assembly paid their taxes. I believe that politicians that tell you to pay your taxes should pay theirs. After a year of campaigning across our state, I know that my top priority as Governor must be jobs. But I still get the most potent crowd response when I talk about holding tax cheating politicians accountable. It is just plain common sense that an elected official must live under the same rules as everyone else.”

“Like you, I was shocked by recent reports that even after our work last year, there is a new group of legislators who refuse to file or pay their income taxes. They are thumbing their nose at the process and working a system they know how to manipulate better than anyone. I believe, as others now do, we must build on the good first step we took last year. We can solve this problem immediately by making it against the rules of the House and Senate to sit in the legislature while refusing to pay or file taxes.”

“As a Republican leader, I do have to laugh to myself a bit when I see Democrats running to the TV cameras saying they want to resolve this issue. When I discovered this problem last session, I didn’t know who was on the list or if they were a Republican or Democrat. I didn’t try to make this a partisan issue because it was simply a matter of right and wrong. However, the Democrats came out firing at me in an effort to cover up for their own.”

“After their actions last year, I don’t know how a Democrat could look Georgians in the eye and say they are a leader on this issue. They either fought reform publicly, fought it behind the scenes, or were conspirators through their silence. In Georgia, the overwhelming majority of violators were Democrats and they were following the lead of their tax cheating role models in the federal government. For goodness sake, the Democratic Treasury Secretary who oversees the IRS failed to pay $35,000 in taxes despite repeated warnings. Based on their actions, we cannot allow Georgia Democrats to hide their failures by blaming Republicans or by shading the truth with tough sounding rhetoric.” 

Tuesday 5 January 2010

Carl Smith for Congress today announced that former congressional candidates Ray McKinney and Ben Crystal have added their names to the growing list of 12th district leaders who stand behind Smith’s candidacy.

McKinney, who secured 32% of the vote in the 2008 12th District GOP primary and is highly regarded for his ability to build district-wide grass-roots support said: “I want to lend my endorsement for Carl Smith as the Republican candidate for the 12th Congressional District of Georgia..I have come to the conclusion that Carl Smith offers the best opportunity at this time to fight this out of control tax and spend Congress.”

Crystal, who has become a well-known commentator and pundit, applauded Smith’s conservatism. “The incumbent constantly refers to his ‘blue-dog’ identity while rubber-stamping the far-left agenda of the triumvirate of Pelosi, Obama and Reid.” “Why would the taxpayers of the 12th settle for the incumbent’s conservatism of convenience when Carl Smith will deliver real relief from the Left‘s assault on American prosperity?”

Smith has already announced the addition of exceptionally well-regarded fundraiser Peggy Lee Mowers to his staff as Finance Director. Mowers, who enjoyed tremendous success with U.S. Representative Jack Kingston, further enhances a powerful campaign roster.

For additional information, contact:

Robin W. Wheeler, Campaign Manager Carl Smith for Congress
Martin Sullivan, Jr., Deputy Campaign Manager (912) 433.1824 Info@carlsmithforcongress.com; robinwwheeler@yahoo.com

www.CarlSmithforCongress.com