This spot on the Thai-Cambodian border is home to a form of malaria that keeps rendering one powerful drug after another useless. This time, scientists have confirmed the first signs of resistance to the only affordable treatment left in the global medicine cabinet for malaria: Artemisinin.AIDS in Africa.
A local nurse plans to run for Congress here in Middle Georgia, making her the fifth Republican to announce a challenge against 8th District incumbent Jim Marshall.The quote there at the end was her answer to "What led you to run?"
Diane Vann, who said she is a registered nurse living in north Macon, said she’s voted for Marshall before. But the course President Obama and the Democratic Congress have the country on cries out for Republican action, she said.
“I am a fan of Rush Limbaugh, and I like Sarah Palin, and I like Fox News and I do believe that Obama ... I believe he’s a Communist,” Vann said. “I’ve lived long enough, I was actually stationed in West Germany before the Iron Curtain fell. ... I do not care to see us go in that direction, and I think that’s how Obama is leading the country.”
The budget: Nothing is off the table. You want to hit education last, but teachers have had fewer furlough days compared to many other employees. Some programs have been cut so much that "if you hit them again, you might as well close them." Oklahoma allows voluntary furloughs and early retirements, and that's something we should look at.
Water: Like the budget, nothing is off the table, including inter-basin transfers. But anything that costs that much money "is less likely." Funding, and helping local governments move quickly on, new reservoirs and reservoir expansions is what we've "really got to focus on."
Transportation: Thinks a regional T-SPLOST will pass both the House and Senate this session. It may or may not take a constitutional amendment (and thus a statewide referendum) to allow local votes to authorize the regional sales taxes.
How the culture in the Senate compares to the culture in the House: It's difficult for me to compare the two. But "the people I work with in both the House and the Senate, to my knowledge, do things the right way. ... And that goes for Democrats as well as Republicans."
Sales tax collection reform: Privatizing sales tax collections, and allowing local governments to audit businesses instead of the state, is problematic because retailers with locations in numerous counties would have to file paperwork in all of those counties. We're working on a clearing house, where local governments would partner and retailers could submit one set of paperwork to satisfy all these jurisdictions.
Property tax reform: Look for more incremental changes, "as many as a dozen." Particularly a strengthening of rules requiring that foreclosures be used when figuring a taxable value, a requirement that a property's sale price would be the taxable value for at least the first year and a requirement capping annual value increases by some percentage.
"There was a real sense of optimism this time around that I had not seen in prior trips,” said Marshall, D-Georgia. “You can’t guarantee this, but it does seem that the momentum (for democracy) is now to the point that it’s just not going to be reversed by al-Qaida ... or Saddam (Hussein) loyalists.”He also emailed us this picture of him and Gen. George Casey in Balad, shaking hands with members of the Tennessee National Guard.
I have spoken to Governor Perdue and informed him that I will resign as Secretary of State by the end of the year.I was speaking last night to a local Republican and sought-after fundraiser who has decided to support Secretary Handel in the governor's race. And I told him what I've quietly thought for a while now: Karen Handel will be the Republican gubernatorial nominee.
This was an extraordinarily difficult decision – professionally and personally. However, I know that it is the right one – for the Office of the Secretary of State, the team there, and the citizens of Georgia who have entrusted me with this important position, as well as for my campaign for Governor.
Over the past month, Georgia’s economic climate has continued to deteriorate, and we’ve all experienced disbelief and anger over the actions of some in the State Legislature. As I’ve considered this new landscape, it became clear to me that, while certainly manageable, serving as Secretary of State while also running for Governor was no longer the best approach for the office or my campaign.
I also took into consideration that I did not want any perceived conflicts of interest concerning my overseeing the primary or general elections, investigating complaints that arise, and certifying the results of the elections while a candidate for Governor and serving as Secretary of State. ...
This decision allows the Governor to appoint an interim Secretary of State to focus completely on the important issues in the agency, including the ongoing situation with the US Department of Justice involving Georgia’s voter verification process and overseeing the 2010 elections.
The next Secretary of State will have the benefit of a team of very talented individuals who will continue to serve the office – and the State – with the same level of commitment and dedication that I have appreciated for three years. I am confident that the transition will be smooth, and the people of Georgia will be well served by this team and whomever the Governor appointments to lead them.
I pledge to offer my help to our new leadership team to be used anyway they see fit and I further pledge that if I can’t help, I’ll get out of the way. I humbly beseech those of you that supported me to redouble your efforts and align 100% behind and in support of Speaker Ralston and his leadership team. I ask you all to support Speaker Ralston, pray for Speaker Ralston, and always remember what your momma told you and Reagan’s 11th commandment. Thank you each and every one for the warmth and solace your respective friendships bring to me especially during this joyous time of year. Merry Christmas all and may God bless you and keep each of you and your extended families now and forever.I had never heard of Reagan's 11th commandment, possibly because I did not pay attention to his 1966 campaign for California governor:"Thou shalt not speak ill of any fellow Republican."
One way of thinking about our budget is that in FY09, we based our budget on $20.1 billion in tax and fee revenues. In FY10, the Governor is estimating we will bring in around $15.7 billion in tax and fee revenues. This is a $4.4 billion drop or 22%. However, because of stimulus and reserves, we are spending around $2 billion more than what our tax revenues can support. Over FY11 and FY12, these one-time funds will be phased out at a rate of roughly $900 million to $1 billion a year.Assuming your next question was, "What are we going to spend substantially less money on?" you are up to speed.
In FY11, the net effect of losing $900 million in reserves and stimulus less $300 million in growth means that the state will need to find $600 million in additional cuts on top of the $1.26 billion in cuts in FY10 or the state will face at least a $1.8 billion hole in the budget. Because the state also used one-time funds to balance the budget, the reduction will actually be closer to $2 billion.
Ralston was born in Ellijay, the son of a court clerk.
He attended the military-themed North Georgia College & State University and later earned a law degree from the University of Georgia School of Law. He and his wife Jane have two children.
Ralston served in the state Senate from 1992 to 1998 and then left to make a bid for attorney general. He lost that race and returned to the state Legislature, where he is now in his third term in the House.
Ralston’s squeaky-clean reputation suffered a hit when it was revealed that he owed several hundred thousand dollars in back taxes from 1996 to 2005. Ralston has paid the back taxes and blamed a bookkeeper who pleaded guilty to embezzling from him.
Still, Ralston soon rose to lead the House judiciary committee that oversees criminal law. He presided over some of the most contentious pieces of legislation to hit the Capitol, such as tougher sex offender laws.
Ralston pushed a pro-prosecutor agenda but developed a reputation for being fair-minded even among those who fought some of the law-and order measures he pushed.
“I’ve always appreciated the fact that he kept his door open to us and really listened to what we had to say,” said Sara Totonchi of the Southern Center for Human Rights.
Ralston co-sponsored legislation cracking down on sex offenders even as he represented some sex offenders in his law practice.
He was on the rise in the House, but then he made a decision that would change his political fortunes. Disenchanted, as he watched Richardson openly feud with fellow Republicans Gov. Sonny Perdue and Lt. Gov. Casey Cagle, Ralston said he would take on the powerful House speaker. Ralston questioned Richardson’s temperament, saying the constant battles he seemed to incite were creating gridlock on real issues.
The coup attempt failed and Ralston soon saw his plum committee chairmanship disappear.
But as Richardson imploded late this year, Ralston’s lonely challenge to Richardson suddenly seemed prescient.
KABUL — As the Army goes, so goes the 48th Brigade.
When the unit returned home from Iraq in the summer of 2006, it was given an order: Turn in your tanks and become a light infantry unit. Three years later, the transition of the 48th Brigade of the Georgia National Guard is complete.
“(Ralston is) a good lawyer,” Porter said Friday. “He’s a trusted member of the Georgia House. I think the skills he’ll bring to the job ... will be something that Georgia wants, because I think that he’ll bring a cooperative style to that office, rather than combative or partisan.”And here's what Party Chair Jane Kidd said, in part:
“What the House Republicans seem to be banking on is that just about anybody’s record will compare favorably to Glenn Richardson’s,” Kidd said. “What this election proves is that Glenn Richardson wasn’t the only rotten apple in the Republican caucus. Indeed, they seem to have a hard time finding a good apple.”Obviously, Rep. Porter has to work with Ralston, and Kidd does not. Still, there's a chasm between their public comments on the guy.
Since there have been relatively few women in the legislature and virtually none until the 1980s, it is about a .99 probability that she would be the first female to have held that high a post. For years (decades) under Tom Murphy speaker pro temp was Jack Connell. Since the end of the Murphy era men have continued to hold this position.
“I am a very patient person but I’ve already got the feeling that may be about to change. ... (I) will not put up with backbiting, bickering and these intrafamily tensions very long.”Exactly what went on in the time between his election and those comments, I do not know. But you don't exactly have to read between the lines to get the jist.
"(Sighs deeply) I'm not sure I can do this. I'm not sure. You're my family. An important part of my life. I've prepared some notes, 82 times for today. I kept changing them and changing them, and I'll probably change them again here in a minute.
I come here with a heavy heart because, as I stand here today, on this podium, I realize this is probably the last time I'll ever again have this opportunity. And that makes me sad.
I love this House. I love this chamber. And I've given the best years of my life here since 1996. I'll miss it and I'll miss you guys. Only 5 years ago we House Republicans had 71 members. Don't forget it. Don't forget. Seventy-one. 134 years we had been in the minority. And you say you can't get your bill passed now? Those of you that weren't there then, let me tell you something.
Barely half of those 71 members are here today. But we're at 105, and since we took the majority we've done a lot.
We adopted tort reform and slowed the doctors that were leaving Georgia. We passed the woman's right to know act. We balanced the state budget under some of the most difficult conditions and will again, without raising taxes on Georgians. We transformed DOT and its governance. We streamlined the method for local governments to work and built reservoirs.
We implemented strong immigration reform. We put in place voter ID laws to ensure the integrity of our election process. We fought to reform (the) property tax system and we passed the state's first school voucher bill, and I got to cast the deciding vote.
We took steps to broadcast the meetings of this body and our committees on the Internet for the very first time so that Georgians could watch what we did in open. And they could see the debates that they had never before seen. You. you as a house have accomplished much for which to be proud and I'm grateful that you allowed me to be your leader.
Along the way, wherever and whatever we may have failed, I take full responsibility for those failures. All of them. When you leave here today, you leave all those behind and you leave them on my shoulders as I walk out of here. They're mine. I'm gon' change my remarks just a little bit. There's something very dear in my heart I want to tell you.
I, like millions of Americans, have suffered with depression for a long time in silence. Most people didn't know. there were good days and there were bad days.Tough days. And some of that was my own creation. I know that. I received forgiveness from God because I asked for it
But through it all I held out hope that I was going to put my family back together again. I thought it was gonna happen. And when the realization hit me a few weeks ago that it wasn't, I didn't think there was a reason to live. And I did not wish to live. That was all it was about. There was no other agenda other than me deciding that if I wasn't going to have, have us together, that I didn't want to be here.
I should have died. But, for some reason, for some reason yet unknown to me, an almighty God didn't let me. And he brought me back. I just thought it had been tough up until that point. These last couple of weeks since then seem to have gotten tougher. But through prayers and friends and family and support, I am getting better even though I'm very emotional right now.
I'm emotional, because I know this is the end for me. As I conclude I'm gon' state the obvious. Everything in this life has a beginning and everything has an end. It's time for this to be my end as representative and speaker. It's time for this to be a beginning for a new speaker to lead you through challenging times. I ask you, embrace your new speaker. Encourage our new speaker. And follow our new speaker. So as I leave here today, I'll leave this, and I'll hand it over to our new speaker. And for our new speaker, I will pray, will have the utmost wisdom.
Administer justice fairly and use moderation in all your decisions. Goodbye, friends. I'll miss you."
ATLANTA – Governor and First Lady Perdue today are reminding Georgians that the Governor’s Mansion and the Georgia State Capitol are drop-off sites for the Toys for Tots campaign. They will be collecting new, unwrapped toys at each location until Friday, December 18. Donations will be delivered to children in the local community.
“With only a few days left in the holiday season, Mary and I would like to invite all Georgians to help us celebrate the Christmas season with a donation to Toys for Tots,” said Governor Perdue. “This is a season to be thankful and to be reminded of those in need. Please help us in making a joyful Christmas for Georgia’s children.”
Under (our proposed) bill, the State Ethics Commission would have jurisdiction over conflicts of interest complaints instead of a committee of fellow lawmakers who are more prone to influence in the decision making process. Cases of abuse of power and sexual harassment are also established in the legislation and subject to investigation by the State Ethics Commission.How this will all shake out remains to be seen. If I had to guess, though, I'd say this suggestion from state Rep. David Ralston, who is running for speaker, will be the gameplan:
According to DuBose Porter, “The only way you are going to eliminate conflicts of interest by representatives or senators at the capitol is to take the jurisdiction away from fellow lawmakers on a committee, who might have a vested interest in the complaint being dropped. The citizens of Georgia are watching the General Assembly to see if their government does the right thing in the wake of the recent scandal.”
There is a growing clamor for ethics reform. We, as Republicans, can and must lead the way on this issue. Many good and useful ideas have been offered in the past few days. However, this is a serious issue and I, for one, do not think a 6-day caucus campaign is the appropriate way to develop a sensible and solid plan. If you honor me with your nomination on Thursday, we will get to work on putting together a legislative package with input from all of you that we as the Republican caucus can unify around come session.
ATLANTA -- WSB-TV is reporting that a lawsuit claims Insurance Commissioner John Oxendine - a Republican candidate for governor - took trips on the tab of a campaign contributor who asked for help in an insurance dispute.What's the over-under on the number of newspapers that run this story tomorrow and mention, in the headline, that one of the trips was to the Oscars?
Since Friday, one of my opponents has attacked me in the caucus for tax legislation I sponsored in 2005. That legislation came to involve Gov. Perdue and was the basis of an ethics complaint filed by Bobby Kahn and his minions. ...I don't know which of the other men running for speaker O'Neal refers to when he says "my opponent." Nor am I familiar enough with IRS rules to know the scope of their investigation. "Thorough in its application of federal tax law" would be my prediction.
The canon of legal ethics prevents a lawyer from discussing legal work for past or present clients. As you know, I have done legal work for the governor. That has limited what I could say about the governor’s land matter and the legislation I sponsored.
However, the governor has for the first time released me to talk about all aspects of these matters, and the details I can share will show the extent to which this witch hunt has harmed my reputation unfairly.
The extent of my work for the governor has been greatly exaggerated. I currently do no legal work for him. In addition, I will be leaving my law firm on Friday of this week if you elect me so I can serve as a full-time speaker, and I will not have any legal clients except to conclude matters currently with my office. ...
Even though Kahn and the Democrats failed to convince the voters of any wrongdoing in 2006, they did not stop. Kahn vowed to get the IRS to audit the matter.
What you do not know is that Kahn succeeded. An IRS audit was conducted after the election. Until now, I have not been able to discuss the results or even the existence of that audit. However, with Gov. Perdue’s permission, I can now tell you about audit’s results.
The IRS sent a team of federal auditors to conduct a full forensic audit of every aspect of this land issue transaction. It was a multi-week, full-blown, on-site examination.
The result was that the IRS made zero adjustment to the taxes involved and exonerated me once and for all for any wrongdoing in this matter.
I don’t know what else to tell you. At some point, even an old politician like me is entitled to have his name cleared, especially when the IRS has literally torn this whole matter apart and said it was clean.
Being unable to discuss this matter until now, I have relied upon my good name to defend me. That was enough until this campaign, but the climate of fear in our caucus created by the unprecedented events of recent days has unsettled us all, and one of my opponents has played on this climate by using this baseless charge from Bobby Kahn to try to defeat me in a Republican leadership election. His attacks have succeeded in getting the blogs and newspapers to rehash this story.
Gov. Sonny Perdue's Water Contingency Task Force will not offer any inter-basin transfer scenarios in its portfolio of options to resolve metro Atlanta's need for drinking water, according to the group's most recent report.That sounded fairly seismic to me, though things can change quickly. As I often do, I turned to Neill Herring, environmental hippie super lobbyist, for some instant analysis. Writes Herring:
This story, and others like it, reporting on the 3rd (and final?) meeting of the Governor's Task Force for dealing with the Metro Atlanta water supply problem in light of Judge Paul Magnuson's decision limiting the use of Lake Lanier without additional federal authorization, represents a fairly dramatic change in direction from the course the Task Force seemed to be following initially.Update: Bert Brantley, Gov. Sonny Perdue's communications director emailed to say he has a problem with the phrases italicized above. He says the task force made its decisions independently, influenced by its own members, and only its own members.
Under the influence of many of the engineers and policy people who have driven GA water policy for over two decades, many of the same people largely responsible for the present Lanier dilemma, the Task Force had been headed toward policy recommendations that would require major changes in GA water law. It would have also required the investment of billions in new water infrastructure. That policy was being driven by the assumption that the Lanier water supplies were gone for good, that no settlement with Alabama and Florida was possible.
What happened? Polling by the House leadership of the GOP House caucus seems to have come up far short of the votes needed to rewrite GA water law to accommodate the high cost infrastructure strategy. The high cost part of that also pretty much spoke for itself, in a second year of dramatic state Budget cuts.
The Task Force which, to be fair, has many new faces on it, seems to have weighed the political and economic situations and decided to take a much "softer" path: embark on serious water conservation in Metro, and get serious about negotiating with the downstream states to reach an agreement on Lanier. Dramatic changes to Georgia's natural plumbing, at enormous expense, seems to be postponed, if not cancelled altogether.
I also believe the public deserves politicians committed to service rather than power. I therefore propose, to avoid long entrenched power structures, that we as a caucus adopt rule changes placing limits of four terms by our caucus for the positions of Speaker and Speaker Pro Tem and Majority Leader.Kind of assumes Republicans will be holding onto things for 8 years, doesn't it? ... Too soon?
As your Speaker Pro-Tem, I will ensure that we re-commit ourselves to those conservative principles that won us the majority we are entrusted with; real tax reform that eliminates the state income tax and capital gains taxes in favor of a consumption tax system; base line budgeting, and mandatory sunset and review of bureaucracies. In short, we must get out of the people’s pockets and get government off of their backs.
We also must re-assert our state sovereignty by resisting the federal government’s unprecedented growth and encroachment into the lives of every Georgian.
Together we will restore confidence in our caucus and develop a legislative vision that our people will be proud to support: one of creative strategies to reduce how much we tax the fruits of their labor and improve the way we serve their families and businesses.
As I have stated, politically and personally, you all know me by now. I am a conservative fiscally and socially. I’m a pro life Christian, and I firmly believe that our founders got it right the first time. I was our party’s nominee for Congress (13th) in 2002, and I have served you as Chief Deputy Whip and as Hawk, and I hide nothing in my past that would potentially embarrass the caucus.
Join me - it is time that we grant positions of leadership based on leadership ability. I possess that ability, and respectfully seek your support.
If voters had to choose right now between instituting a draft or exiting Afghanistan and Iraq, the troops would be out of those two countries in a heartbeat.
“Give the people the light and they will find their own way.” That is the best quote I’ve ever heard about newspapering. That’s what it’s all about.
As your Speaker, I will be open and honest with you. I will make myself and my staff available to not only hear your concerns but to address them as well. As your Speaker, I will conduct myself in a manner that each member of this caucus, the Georgia House of Representatives and all of Georgia can take pride in and I will set the standard to be followed by others.
The Georgia House has demonstrated that it can truly be the “People’s House.” We must not lose sight of this goal.
Growing up, I was taught that public service was honorable and noble. I still believe it can be. That is why I am at peace with this decision.
Over the next few days I will share with you my vision of change for our body. I will also look forward to having dialogue with you on these or any other issues you may have. Today, I simply wanted to let you know of this decision.
10. I will eliminate the speaker’s PAC. This created too much appearance of impropriety. I will keep the political team and have a top-notch political operation that is open and accountable, and I will focus my efforts on member campaigns and the House Trust and make sure you have all the political support you need. More on this in the days to come.The other development I know of today is that Peach Pundit is going like a fire through the weekend.
“I don’t want to do harm to my own side but just because you have an R after your name doesn’t mean I like you,” he said. “I never set out to be the Roman Censor but I have somehow become that person.”
Dec. 4: Set to be Georgia's next speaker of the house. Tells The AJC that legislators will have to realize that "forever the state Capitol is a different place."That doesn't sound a lot different.
Dec. 7: Says he won't be speaker. Gives, at least publicly, only a vague explanation.
Today: Sneaks in and out of closed House caucus meeting, avoiding reporters.
Friends explained to us that (Burkhalter's) son was about to undergo major surgery which had been planned for some time. He rushed from the meeting to be with the family as his son was being prepared for the operation.
Atlanta – With substantial ethics reform needed more than ever at the state capitol, State Representative Mary Margaret Oliver, D-Decatur, and House Democratic Leader and candidate for Governor in 2010, DuBose Porter, D-Dublin, are co-sponsoring anti-corruption ethics legislation for the upcoming session of the General Assembly. In 2005, Rep. Oliver and Rep. Porter offered amendments to the Governor’s Ethics Package that were voted down by the Republican members of the committee. Together they also introduced a similar comprehensive measure in 2006, HB 47, but House Republican leaders buried it in committee and never gave it a hearing. In fact, the House Ethics Committee, where the bill was assigned, never even met that year.I think that's going to be the last piece of proposed ethics legislation I deal with here for a while. I would note that this particular proposal is well timed so it can be part of this afternoon and tomorrow's news stories about the GOP caucus meeting.
"We owe the people of Georgia more than the old Republican leadership has delivered on ethics reform. I sense a strong frustration by the rank and file of both parties, and we need and I expect a bi-partisan effort to restore faith in Georgia’s state government,” said Mary Margaret Oliver.
HB 890 lowers campaign contribution limits from $5,000 to $2,000 for a primary election, $3,000 to $1,000 for a primary run-off election, $5,000 to $3,000 for a general election, and $3,000 to $2,000 for a general election runoff. The bill will also limit contributions to political parties to $5,000. To curb the influence of special interest money, HB 891 sets a ban on gifts over $25 for state lawmakers. And lastly, HB 892 would establish public funding for judicial elections, which have seen an influx of partisan activity in recent years, threatening an impartial bench in Georgia.
ATLANTA - Voters interested in restoring ethics and accountability to the Georgia House of Representatives should take a look at a memo penned by State Representative Jim Cole (R-Forsyth) for a clue about how far the Republican leadership has fallen. In his suggestion for a new code of ethics, Cole exhorts potential leaders to exercise such common-sense ideas as: not cheating on your spouse, not embarrassing yourself in public, treating your colleagues with respect, and paying your taxes.If I'm a Republican I'm thinking, Uh-oh. That sounded kind of smart.
"The Republican leadership ought to be embarrassed," said state Democratic Chair Jane Kidd. "To need a reminder of things that most of us ought to have learned in Sunday school and kindergarten shows exactly how rotten Republican leadership is in this state."
"I'm sorry, if that makes a difference. ... I'm sorry, and that's all I can account for right now. And let me clarify that. Let me state this first: I'm proud to be a Republican. And I'm proud to serve in the House Caucus. I'm proud of the job the governor's done, who is a Republican. I'm proud of the job the Senate's done. ... But, yes, the actions of the House in some instances have caused a lot of doubt and concern across the state. And, for that, I felt I had to at least say my piece. ... I'm as guilty as anybody in that caucus for standing by and watching that happen.
"I'm not saying the whole caucus is guilty. ... I'm saying I'm as guilty as anybody in leadership for standing by and watching it happen."
"We can't control how much money comes into those budgets," Cole said. "We can't control how a vote's going to come in. ... We can't control how a policy is going to be implemented once we leave. But we can control our conduct. And that was my main point."Cole also said it grinds on him to spend time away from his family and his business to serve in the state legislature, but still be the subject of jokes due to the conduct of others.
Watch for some serious hardball from the current power-wielders, including a proposed rules change that would expel from Caucus membership any Republican who fails to support the party’s nominee for Speaker in January.Hey, you guys gotta do what you gotta do. But, as Grift Drift might say, that sounds like a potentially serious failure to understand the first rule of holes.
O’Neal, chairman of the Ways and Means Committee, is a serious-minded legislator who is unfailingly polite, but also is seen by some as a candidate who is unlikely to make many changes to the current committee structure or to House procedures.
The fact is, many Republicans – along with their Democratic counterparts – have been seething over the years at what they privately view as “high-handed” tactics imposed by Richardson and his leadership team on securing office in 2004. The tactics included the institution of a system of hawks, who could swoop into any committee and provide the needed votes to pass or kill bills as top House leaders saw fit. Many also have rankled over the power given to Ehrhart’s rules committee to decide which bills can be amended and which can’t when they reach the floor.
ATLANTA – Governor Sonny Perdue announced today that net revenue collections for the month of November 2009 (Fiscal Year 2010) totaled $1,188,879,000 compared to $1,419,543,000 for November 2008 (FY09), a decrease of $230,664,000 or 16.2 percent.The bleeding, it would seem, continues to slow.
The percentage decrease year-to-date for FY10 compared to FY09 is 15.4 percent.
That was nothing to the supercilious reply received by prosecutor Robert Herzfeld, who wrote a letter calling Huckabee’s clemency policies “fatally flawed’’ and suggesting that he explain his reasons when issuing a pardon or commutation. From Huckabee’s office came a mocking rejoinder: “The governor read your letter and laughed out loud. He wanted me to respond to you. I wish you success as you cut down on your caffeine consumption.’’
HR 75, introduced by Scott on January 16, 2009, would allow the State Attorney General to empanel a state-wide grand jury to investigate “corruption in the executive, legislative, or judicial branch of the state, any political subdivision or municipality of the state, or any authority or instrumentality of the state…”
“The need for the people to have a direct means of fighting corruption and holding their elected representatives accountable has been obvious for a long time,” Scott said. “The situation we find ourselves in today shows clearly that allowing government bodies to police themselves is unacceptable. Given the current environment, I expect the people of Georgia will demand the passage of this resolution. I will again seek the support of my fellow House members for HR 75 this session.”
HR 75 can be accessed here.
My Republican Colleagues in the House:
FROM: Rep. Clay Cox
It’s been a tough couple of weeks, and we are now faced with not just finding new leadership but hopefully forging a new direction for our caucus and our chamber.
To that end, I am announcing my candidacy for Speaker Pro Tempore of the House. I do so because I believe that the new brand of leadership in our caucus, and for our cause, should look and act differently. If we truly want to move our agenda of conservative constitutionalism forward, we must do so in a way that says to our citizens that the partying- mentality is over. We must get down to serious business. The challenges we face demand nothing less.
As many of you know, I am founder and CEO of a large multi-state corporation. Over the last 18 years, I have perfected a brand of leadership for myself and my management team that we call “Listening Leadership”. Listening Leadership begins with the leader’s vision for an organization. The leader then utilizes the human resources within the organization to perfect the vision and develop strategies to implement a common vision.
As Speaker Pro Tem, this will be my approach- because I believe that our leadership has lacked in listening. As a result, our citizens sadly question our vision, let alone our ability to achieve one. Together we will restore confidence in our caucus and develop a legislative vision that our people will be proud to support: one of creative strategies to reduce how much we tax the fruits of their labor and improve the way we serve their families and businesses.
These are the things that successful business leaders do everyday- if they involve the intellect that surrounds them.
Politically and personally, you all know me by now. I am a conservative fiscally and socially. I’m a pro life Christian, and I firmly believe that our founders got it right the first time. I was our party’s nominee for Congress (13th) in 2002, and I have served you as Chief Deputy Whip and as Hawk. You also know that I go home at night to my wife and children- and that will not change.
It is time that we grant positions of leadership based on leadership ability. I possess that ability, and respectfully seek your support.
Gratefully,
Clay Cox
But at 6 p.m., with only the vaguest of explanations, Burkhalter sent an e-mail out to members of the House Republican Caucus, informing them that he will not pursue the speakership, and will call for an election when the General Assembly convenes in January.
1. Ban gifts of more than $25 to elected officials. This would eliminate the junkets, steak dinners and free cocktail hours lobbyists use to peddle influence among lawmakers.By the way, the General Assembly's exception to state open meetings and records laws isn't written into the laws themselves.
2. Make the Georgia Open Records Act apply to the Legislature as it does to all state agencies.
Lawmakers are paid by the taxpayers and are spending the taxpayers' money. Their deliberations, official correspondence and work product should be transparent to the public just as they are for other state agencies.
3. Give jurisdiction to the State Ethics Commission for issues relating to conflicts of interest for legislators, state office holders, agency directors -- including spouses.
Currently, jurisdiction for these matters is held by the Attorney General’s office. Enforcement of these issues/questions is through the filing of a civil action against the legislator (which has seldom if ever occurred). Currently there is not even a ‘complaint’ process or anything of that nature.
By giving jurisdiction to the SEC, the process can follow the same path as matters/complaints involving campaigns, candidates, financial disclosures, conflicts of interest for board members and non-legislative employees, etc. The SEC is also better positioned to give timely advice on such matters.
4. Require all legislators to file a Conflict of Interest Statement with the State Ethics Commission, which will serve as the clearinghouse and repository of the statements and will be required to post them online. Lawmakers would also be required to recuse themselves from all matters that pertain to that conflict.
The people have a right to know if their elected officials are doing business with the state.
Conflict of interest to be defined as: "Where the officeholder, spouse or either of their employers stands to benefit financially due to a piece of legislation under consideration."
Business to be defined as: "Entity contracting to do business or attempting to do business with the state of Georgia; representing interests doing business or attempting to do business with the state of Georgia; advocating or representing individuals or interests before the state of Georgia." This would have the practical effect of requiring the elected officials to file with the SEC (as lobbyists) for private activities with the state.
Elected official defined as: "Any office holder who 'qualifies' for office with the Secretary of State." This would include legislators and members of Congress but not county, judicial or municipal officers (as they are covered by city and county provisions).
Currently, the conflict of interest provisions apply only to those with a 25% ownership interest or more than $20,000 in income. Additionally, there is no state repository for the files (the Senate and House file internally) and there does not appear to be a mechanism in place for making them public. These records are currently unavailable to the public due to the legislative exemption to the state's open records laws.
5. Continue the Governor's transparency initiative so that taxpayers will be able to see – to the dollar – where every dollar is spent in state government.
6. Make mandatory the disclosure of travel and expense reimbursement by elected officials as is already required of agency directors.
ATLANTA – Governor Sonny Perdue announced today that he will meet with the governors of Alabama and Florida in Montgomery, Alabama on Tuesday, December 15 at 1:30 p.m. Eastern time (12:30 p.m. Central time) to discuss the ongoing water dispute between the three states.
The meeting will take place at the Wynfield Estate at the Wynton M. Blount Cultural Park in Montgomery.
FORWARD OPERATING BASE KALSU, Iraq – Two days earlier, their comrade, Staff Sgt. Briand T. Williams, was killed by a sniper while providing security for a U.S. State department Provincial Reconstruction Team in Numaniah, located in the Wasit Province of Iraq.
On one side of the auditorium, commanders and command sergeants major from all six of the 3rd HBCT’s battalions sat with Ambassador Christopher Hill, the U.S. Ambassador to Iraq; Maj. Gen. Kahlif, the Wasit Provincial head of police; Brig. Gen. Kahlif, a federal police commander; and Brig. Gen. Abad, the 32nd Iraqi Army commander.
The rest of the large auditorium was filled to standing room capacity with William’s battery sitting on the first few rows surrounded by their fellow Soldiers serving at FOB Delta.
Williams, a stand-out high school athlete from Sparks, Georgia, before he joined the Army in 2002, was a well-liked leader in Battery B. Lt. Col. Shaun Tooke described Williams as having “a certain swagger about him, an ever present smile and he always maintained a positive attitude that was simply contagious throughout the unit.”
The ceremony’s speakers made similar observations about the man many Soldiers referred to as “Sergeant Will”.
“In all the conversations I have heard about him, our brother has sounded more like a superhero than a man,” said Chaplain Timothy Griffis. “He sounds like an American Soldier; a man who cares about those he leads and serves along side; a man who understands and executes all the implied tasks of being a friend.”
Tooke reminded his Soldiers that they needed to stay focused on the mission their fallen teammate died performing.
“We are in a position to potentially write one of the last chapters in a book that began ... back in 2003,” said Tooke. “We stand ready to be a part of something much larger than ourselves."
Williams is survived by his wife, Atiyhia; his daughter, Briana; and his son Antonio Godbold.
Williams awards and decorations include the Purple Heart, Bronze Star Medal, Army Commendation Medal (three times), Army Achievement Medal (two times), National Defense Service Medal, Afghanistan Campaign Medal (campaign star), Iraqi Campaign Medal (campaign star), Global War on Terrorism Service Medal, NCO Professional Development Ribbon, Army Service Ribbon, Overseas Service Ribbon (three times), the NATO medal, Combat Action Badge and Air Assault Badge.
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Robert Reichert is preaching from the text of Nehemiah and the reality of Macon.
Nearly two years in office, he remains decidedly unimpressed with what he can accomplish, and exceedingly hopeful about what we can accomplish.
And, after his fashion, he raises his voice, pounds his fist and emphasizes the words he really wants you to hear. He peers over glasses, looks you in the eye and points his finger.
“If we’re going to turn this ship around, it’s going to take a lot more than electing me mayor,” he says.
“I — Damn nation!” he says, sounding genuinely upset. “Go back and read the scripture that I quoted in my inaugural address.”
He reaches past the piles of paper for the Bible on his desk.
“Nehemiah,” he says, turning to the chapter. “Alright. I ain’t gonna read the whole thing to you, but go read Chapter 2 about Nehemiah going to look at the wall of the city of Jerusalem, torn all down and this, that or the other.”
He reads from the Old Testament. Nehemiah has gone to the walls of Jerusalem, and found them in decay.
“The rulers knew not whither I went or what I did,” he says. “Neither had I as yet told it to ... the priests, nor to the nobles, nor to the rulers.
“Then I said to them, ‘You see the distress that we are in? How Jerusalem lyeth waste and the gates thereof are burned with fire? Come, let US build up the wall of Jeresualem, that we be no more a reproach.’”
“Then I told them of the hand of my God, which was good upon me, and also the king’s words that he had spoken to me. And THEY said. And THEY said, ‘let us rise up and build.’”
Now Reichert repeats his point, in case the parable isn’t clear.
“It’s gon’ take a hell of a lot more than a vote at the ballot box to make me mayor to turn this city around. I’ve got to get people on the GROUND that are interested in helping OTHER PEOPLE. Period.
He puts the Bible down, forcefully.
“God Almighty,” he says.
Effective January 1, 2010, I will resign my position as Speaker of the Georgia House of Representatives and as state Representative for the 19th District in Paulding County.Not even a nod toward an apology. And, of course, the media has done harm to people with mental illnesses.
It has been an honor to serve the citizens of Paulding County as their Representative for 14 years and as Speaker of the Georgia House of Representatives for the last five years. During this time, I have appreciated working with the members of the House and the people of Georgia to keep state government efficient and ensure a low tax burden for our fellow Georgians.
As Speaker, I have been well served by the entire staff of the House of Representatives, especially the staff in the Speaker's Office. To each of them I offer my profound thanks for their tireless efforts. And to my many friends and supporters throughout the state, thank you for standing by me even in the most difficult times. My service would not have been possible without you.
I am confident that House Leadership will continue to lead the House and its members as they serve all Georgians to the best of their abilities.
I recently made public that I have suffered from depression for many years. I continue to seek treatment and have made progress in dealing with this disease. In making this public disclosure, it was my hope to raise awareness and encourage others who suffer from this disease to come forward and seek treatment. I fear that the media attention of this week has deflected this message and done harm to many people who suffer from this condition.
I am thankful for the opportunities my service afforded me to make Georgia's future brighter. Though I will no longer be serving in elected office, my commitment to see a better tomorrow for our state remains. As always, I am confident that Georgia's best days are still ahead.”
A high-powered foursome met Wednesday evening at the Governor’s Mansion to discuss a difficult subject: How one of them quits his job.And from Dale Russell for Fox 5, via their Web site and this via Twitter:
More tonight on the Glenn Richardson story. New details about his future and you'll hear more from his ex-wife. 6:00 and 10:00.
It is clear that the Speaker should resign immediately for the good of our state and our citizens.
