David Cooper feels he can reach across party lines and defeat Doug Collins
Election 2018, News, Politics April 20, 2018
BLUE RIDGE, Ga. – David Cooper will face off against Josh McCall for Georgia’s 9th congressional district seat Democratic nomination. The winner of the May General Primary will then run against Republican incumbent Congressman Doug Collins.
Collins has held the Georgia 9th Congressional District seat since 2013.
David Cooper seeks Democratic nomination in May General Primary.
Cooper stopped by the Fannin County Democratic meeting to share with Fannin County residents why he feels that he is the best man for the job.
“I am soldier. I have served in the forces that have guarded this country and our way of life, and I am prepared to serve again,” Cooper introduced himself.
Holding a Bachelor’s degree in Political Science and a Master’s degree in Public Administration, Cooper has also had a career working various levels of government, is currently retired from the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA). During his employment with the EPA, Cooper worked in hazardous waste clean up and also worked in commercializing green options, such as, solar, wind, and geothermal.
Because of his background, Cooper feels that he can reach a wide audience, “I speak the language of patriotism and sacrifice. I speak the language of compassion and selfless service. I speak the language of public participation, cost effective regulation and legislation.”
“It is not about giving a speech. It’s not about making a list of here’s my issues, and wouldn’t it be cool if we could do these things. That is what every politician is taught to do,” Cooper said explaining he wants to see real accomplishments.
“I am an unconventional candidate, and I will be running an unconventional campaign,” Cooper noted that unlike his opponent, McCall, he would in fact seek to sway Republican voters. “I have the skills and experience to have those conversations.”
Cooper is convinced that there is no such thing as a single issue voter, and is confident that he can find common ground and common values among all residents of Georgia’s 9th District.
Cooper summarized his beliefs and his platform into three key elements, the first being a need to “save democracy”. He feels this can be accomplished by stopping fake news, ensuring clean elections, and implementing term limits.
His second stance is to “protect what we hold dear”. Cooper cited a few areas that deserve our attention and care, these being social security, medicare, women’s rights, the environment, veterans, and small businesses.
Cooper labeled his final stance as “progress for the future”. He would like to see steps made towards universal health care, common sense gun control, clean energy, fair taxes and affordable education.
“Not free education,” Cooper pointed out, “until we can get healthcare for everybody, don’t talk to me about free education.”
Locally Cooper would like to work to support small businesses, citing that they are uniquely numerous in our area due to the tourism industry. He feels that one way to promote this would be to “energize the Small Business Administration to do more to support and provide more outreach.”
“That’s how we keep the Georgia 9th vibrant, keep these small businesses going,” Cooper added.
“Collins should not be making rules for anyone,” Cooper spoke of his Republican opponent, “His loyalties are not with the people.”
In the General Primary Cooper says the focus should not be about himself running against McCall but instead he advised the crowd, “You need to pick the person who can beat Doug Collins and who has a plan.”
Fetch Your News is a hyper local news outlet that attracts more than 300,000 page views and 3.5 million impressions per month in Dawson, Lumpkin, White, Fannin, Gilmer, Pickens, Union, Towns and Murray counties as well as Cherokee County in N.C. FYNTV attracts approximately 15,000 viewers per week and reaches between 15,000 to 60,000 per week on our Facebook page. For the most effective, least expensive local advertising, call 706-276-6397 or email us at [email protected]
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NRA endorses David Shafer
Election 2018, Politics April 17, 2018
BLUE RIDGE, Ga. – The National Rifle Association (NRA) continues to unveil their endorsements for the upcoming May General Primary, and the latest announcement revealed their pick for the next Georgia Lieutenant Governor, Senator David Shafer.
Senator David Shafer of the Georgia State Senate
Shafer currently serves as a State Senator of the Georgia State Senate, a position he has held since first being elected in 2002. Shafer also holds the title of President Pro Tempore. He has had this designation since 2013 when his fellow Senators unanimously elected him to this position.
Shafer received a letter from the Chairman of the NRA’s Political Victory Fund Chris Cox. In this letter Cox noted Shafer’s work in Georgia in regards to protecting Second Amendment rights: “Nearly every Second Amendment bill in the last 16 years has had your name attached to it.”
“David Shafer is a voice for freedom and faithful friend to Georgia’s law abiding gun owners,” Cox said explaining the decision made by the NRA, “This endorsement is a reflection of his unwavering support for the Second Amendment.”
Shafer received the Defender of Freedom award from the NRA’s Institute for Legislative Action in 2013.
This award came after Shafer’s key role in passing Senate Bill 101 by an overwhelming majority in the Georgia Senate.
The bill essentially made what the NRA deemed as “several important changes to Georgia firearms laws”. Among these changes were increasing reciprocity for out-of-state concealed carry permit holders and preempting a ban on firearms in public housing giving residents the ability to defend themselves regardless of their economic stature.
Shafer has long held an A+ rating with the NRA Political Victory Fund and the NRA says of Shafer that he is “one of the nation’s strongest champions of the Second Amendment.”
“The framers of the Constitution intended for us to be able to defend ourselves,” Shafer said. “I am proud of my record fighting for the Second Amendment rights of every law abiding Georgian.”
The NRA’s endorsement is sure to pull some weight in the upcoming May General Primary. There are currently more than 100,000 active members of the NRA in the state of Georgia.
The May General Primary is scheduled to take place May 22, 2018. Voter registration deadline for this General Primary is April 23.
Fetch Your News is a hyper local news outlet that attracts more than 300,000 page views and 3.5 million impressions per month in Dawson, Lumpkin, White, Fannin, Gilmer, Pickens, Union, Towns and Murray counties as well as Cherokee County in N.C. FYNTV attracts approximately 15,000 viewers per week and reaches between 15,000 to 60,000 per week on our Facebook page. For the most effective, least expensive local advertising, call 706-276-6397 or email us at [email protected]
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Speaker David Ralston Announces $1.26 Million in Funding for Gilmer County Water System Improvements
Politics, Press Release April 17, 2018
ATLANTA – Speaker David Ralston (R-Blue Ridge) today announced that the FY 2019 state budget includes $1.26 million in infrastructure funding for the Ellijay Gilmer County Water and Sewerage Authority (EGCSWA). The funding will be used to build the “Yukon Road project” which will provide service to new customers, ensure redundancy for the utility, and provide fire protection.
“Funding this project is an important priority for Ellijay, Gilmer County and all of our North Georgia mountain region,” said Speaker David Ralston. “The Yukon Road project will help us plan for growth while providing fire protection for residents and property. It will also give both the Pickens and Gilmer water systems an important back-up capability in the event either system requires it.”
The Yukon Road project will be constructed in two phases. The first phase will consist of a new water main on Yukon Road to the Gilmer/Pickens County line and an interconnection with the Pickens County Water Authority system. The first phase of the project is expected to cost $710,000.
The second phase of the project will consist of the construction of a 300,000 gallon water storage tank and booster pump station upgrades. This will allow EGCWSA to deliver 500,000 gallons per day to Pickens County in addition to new customers on Yukon Road. The second phase of the project is estimated to cost $550,000.
The funding for the project will be provided through the Georgia Environmental Finance Authority (GEFA).
The FY 2019 budget was adopted by the General Assembly during the 2018 legislative session that ended last month. The budget is on the Governor’s desk awaiting his approval.
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Casey Cagle receives NRA endorsement
Election 2018, News April 13, 2018BLUE RIDGE, Ga. – The National Rifle Association (NRA) announces its pick for Georgia’s next Governor, and released that the association would officially be backing Casey Cagle. Not all Republican candidates are happy with the NRA’s decision.
Casey Cagle receives NRA endorsement.
With more than 100,000 active members in the state of Georgia, the NRA’s endorsement is sure to pull some weight in the upcoming May General Primary.
Earning an A+ rating from the NRA for each year that he has served in office, this is not the first time that Cagle has been endorsed by the organization.
“Gun ownership is a right that Georgians take seriously, and the NRA endorsement is the gold standard in our state,” Cagle said explaining his enthusiasm for receiving this endorsement. “I’m an avid outdoorsman, and I taught all three of my boys how to hunt, shoot and respect firearms. That’s an American legacy that I want to see handed down to my grandchildren and to the generations that follow them.”
“I’m honored and excited to have the NRA’s support because its cause is one that I share and that I have fought for,” Cagle continued. “I’m a lifetime member of the NRA, and I’m proud of my unwavering record for the Second Amendment. Like the NRA, I believe the framers of the Constitution meant what they said when they wrote that the right to bear arms shall not be infringed.”
Having already received backing from Educators First and the Georgia Realtors, the NRA endorsement makes a third announcement of support for Cagle this week.
The NRA endorsement comes on the heels of Secretary of State of the U.S. State of Georgia and Republican Governor hopeful Brian Kemp sending an email to a top NRA lobbyist, Christopher Cox, concerning Cagle’s true allegiance to the organization.
In regards to Cagle’s stance on Delta Airlines and recent Georgia legislation passed, Kemp stated in the email, “The NRA is getting played.”
Kemp added, “As those of us involved in Georgia politics like to say…..you’ve been “Casey Cagled”.”
Brian Kemp shared his thoughts with FetchYourNews on the recent announcement from the NRA: “The 2nd Amendment is not a talking point to me. It’s a way of life. I shoot, hunt, and carry – because we have the right to protect ourselves and defend our families from harm. As governor, I won’t compromise or play games for political gain.”
Fetch Your News is a hyper local news outlet that attracts more than 300,000 page views and 3.5 million impressions per month in Dawson, Lumpkin, White, Fannin, Gilmer, Pickens, Union, Towns and Murray counties as well as Cherokee County in N.C. FYNTV attracts approximately 15,000 viewers per week and reaches between 15,000 to 60,000 per week on our Facebook page. For the most effective, least expensive local advertising, call 706-276-6397 or email us at [email protected]
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Kemp tells the NRA they have been “Casey Cagled”
Election 2018, Featured Stories, Politics, State & National April 6, 2018
BLUE RIDGE, Ga. – Secretary of State of the U.S. State of Georgia and Republican Governor hopeful Brian Kemp accused the Lieutenant Governor of Georgia Casey Cagle of a political stunt and pandering for endorsements.
As the the Georgia Gubernatorial race heats up so do the accusations and claims of who really represents the people and who is running a self-serving campaign.
One such accusation came earlier this week as Kemp sent an email to top NRA lobbyist Christopher Cox telling Cox that the NRA has been “Casey Cagled”.
On Feb. 26 Cagle released a tweet firmly stating, “”I will kill any tax legislation that benefits @Delta unless the company changes its position and fully reinstates its relationship with @NRA.”
Cagle then added, “Corporations cannot attack conservatives and expect us not to fight back.”
A mere two days later, a state Senate committee removed the jet fuel perk from the broad tax bill, and on March 1, the Senate passed a tax bill, with a 44-10 vote that still eliminated this jet fuel tax break.
According to Kemp’s letter, Cagle’s Tweet and the action taken in the state Senate are nothing more than a political show: “That sounds real good. But there’s one big problem with it. The NRA is getting played.”
Recent legislation passed by both the House and the Senate of Georgia paint a different picture of Cagle’s true stance, according to Kemp.
Kemp urged the NRA to look into HB930: “Please have your team review HB930 from this past legislative session. It passed on the last day (aka Sine Die). It is a legislative package to expand mass transit in Georgia, especially in the metro Atlanta area in which Hartsfield-Jackson Airport is located. ”
As promised by Cagle, this bill does not include the jet fuel tax break that Delta Airlines had hoped to recieve, but it does include a tax break of another kind that could greatly benefit the airline company.
Kemp claims the new legislation grants airlines at Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport an exemption from a local transportation sales tax, known as Transportation Special Purpose Local Option Sales Tax (TSPLOST).
Section of HB930 describing exemptions for airlines.
“As those of us involved in Georgia politics like to say…..you’ve been “Casey Cagled”. He tells you one thing while cutting secret deals to help Delta down the line,” Kemp stated of his opponent.
Cagle’s campaign manager Scott Binkley replied to these alligations, “The only way this helps Delta is if it lands a 747 in Gwinnett or Cobb County regional airports.”
The Cagle campaign says that the legislation only extends exemptions for sales tax on jet fuels if Cobb and Gwinnett counties were to raise sales tax to join MARTA. According to Cagle’s campaign this in no way affects the Delta Hub located in Clayton County.
With Cagle tweeting one agenda and passing another, Kemp feels that there is only one conclusion: “The facts are the facts. Delta benefits in the near future from this legislation that Cagle supported.”
FetchYourNews is talking with the NRA to gather their opion of the email sent by Kemp and their stance on the recently passed Georgia HB930.
Full Letter From Brian Kemp to Chris Cox:
Chris,
As you know, I am a Republican candidate for Governor of Georgia. My opponent Casey Cagle made quite a spectacle trashing Delta Airlines this legislative session trying to show he is a strong supporter of the NRA. I’m quite sure he has been pushing for, if not demanding, your endorsement now that the session is done.
He has probably brought up to you and others this tweet:
Casey Cagle ✔@CaseyCagle
I will kill any tax legislation that benefits @Delta unless the company changes its position and fully reinstates its relationship with @NRA. Corporations cannot attack conservatives and expect us not to fight back.
That sounds real good. But there’s one big problem with it.
The NRA is getting played.
Please have your team review HB930 from this past legislative session. It passed on the last day (aka Sine Die). It is a legislative package to expand mass transit in Georgia, especially in the metro Atlanta area in which Hartsfield-Jackson Airport is located.
This legislation does not include the comprehensive jet fuel tax break that Delta Airlines sought earlier in the year, but it does grant to airlines at Hartsfield (notably Delta) an exemption from a local transportation sales tax known as TSPLOST that Clayton County may levy in the near future.
Clayton County is where Hartsfield Jackson airport is primarily located. The exemption applies to any airport that has more than 750,000 takeoffs and landings per year. In Georgia, the only airport that qualifies is Hartsfield Jackson.
As those of us involved in Georgia politics like to say…..you’ve been “Casey Cagled”.
He tells you one thing while cutting secret deals to help Delta down the line.
I know that Cagle’s team will throw all sorts of confusing jargon and legislative baloney at you trying to deny this. It’s complicated legislation that they will undoubtedly try to make more complicated when they explain it to you.
But the facts are the facts. Delta benefits in the near future from this legislation that Cagle supported.
Chris, I have been a member of the NRA for many years. I hunt, fish, and carry. I have served in the State Senate and have a rock solid voting record on 2nd Amendment issues. Most importantly, I will tell you where I stand and I don’t waver. I do what I say in everything that I do.
In stark contrast, the record of what you get with Casey Cagle is crystal clear.
If you are interested in having someone in this important office who believes as you do and will not play these kind of games, I welcome your support and ask for your endorsement.
Thanks for your time and consideration.
Brian Kemp
Fetch Your News is a hyper local news outlet that attracts more than 300,000 page views and 3.5 million impressions per month in Dawson, Lumpkin, White, Fannin, Gilmer, Pickens, Union, Towns and Murray counties as well as Cherokee County in N.C. FYNTV attracts approximately 15,000 viewers per week and reaches between 15,000 to 60,000 per week on our Facebook page. For the most effective, least expensive local advertising, call 706-276-6397 or email us at [email protected]
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God Has Your Number
Religion March 26, 2018
Do you think God has your Number?
He knows how many times you breathed yesterday. He holds your breath in His hand. God absolutely knows every move you make. The Lord has the hairs on your head numbered. He most definitely tracts your life. My friend, if the Lord has a call on your Life for the ministry, you couldn’t get away in a race car.
What is the shortest chapter in the Bible?-Psalms 117
What is the longest chapter in the Bible? –Psalms 119
Which chapter is in the center of the Bible? Psalms 118
Fact: There are 594 chapters before Psalms 118
Facts: There are 594 chapters after Psalms 118
Add these numbers up, and you get 1188
(NKJV)What is the center verse in the Bible? Psalms 118:8.
“It is better to trust in The Lord than to put confidence in man.”
If this is coincident, it is a good one.
God can be in the center of your life if you will just ask, and let Him.
From time to time, I have been sent to share a ministry call with God’s people. He has their number, I would like to share one such call with you just to show you how detailed God is when it comes to the life of His children, and the work of His kingdom.
Some years ago, my friend, the late George Marshal, and I were going to Dunklin Ministries for a Saturday men’s gathering. Dunklin is a large farm between Stuart and Okeechobee, Fl. It is a rehab center used to rebuild lives and, a very good one, I might add. At one time, we had a man here by the name of Jim Way who could bring men together and make things happen. We would have as many as 700 men there for seminars and to worship the Lord. Sometimes in the middle of the previous night, I was caught up in the presence of the Lord. The Lord and I were standing in front of a long table seated with men my age; late fifties to sixties. The Lord was inspecting these men military style just like a company commander would do, along with his Platoon Sgt. I was a Platoon Sgt. at one time in the Marines, and The Lord and I were pulling an inspection on these men. I don’t know why the Lord chose this manner, but we were looking over every man, face-to-face. The Lord would get a good look at each man. When we got to the left end of the table, the Lord turned sharply and pointed to a young man in his middle twenties. He was at the far right corner of the table facing us, Ronnie Rinker had invited him. He was a Southern Baptist boy. The Lord turned and looked at him and said,“I am calling this one into the ministry. And I said, but Lord, he is so young. The Lord said, “I know, but I am going to train him. I am going to teach him. I am going to develop him, but he is the one I am calling.” At that point, every scratch and every cut on that old, wooden table was embedded into my mind, along with each man’s face and location at the table. The next morning I had no recollection of this, what-so-ever. George and I went into the dining hall. While we were in line, George saw an empty table and said let’s throw our Bibles on this table, and that will save us a seat. We went through the breakfast line at eight o’clock. After we got our food, George said, Bob let’s sit over here at this table; I know these guys. I said, but our Bibles are over there, but he said they would be ok. I sat down at the right corner of the table, and a young, good-looking man sat down across from me. As we started to eat, I felt like I knew him from somewhere. I asked him if we had ever met and he said, no I asked where he worked and what he did?. I said are you sure; he again said, “I just don’t know you.” I am sitting there starting to eat, not thinking any more about him when all at once I looked at that beat up handmade table and knew every scratch and cut on it. Everything came back to me, I looked at the man and knew that I had been there in the middle of the night. Every man was in his proper place, and the young man across from me was exactly where he was when Jesus called him. I said, “Have you ever thought about the ministry?” He said, “Yes I have.”
“Good!” I said, “Because you’re in it.” Then I shared his calling from the Lord. What a mighty God! Look how he used Ronnie to get God’s man there, and how the Lord used George to get me to the right table with all the scratches on it and all the man I had seen the night before. The Word says He knows every hair on our head; but I know one thing for sure He walks among the tables at Dunklin in the middle of the night and knows every scratch on them! Yes, He is the same yesterday, today, and forever. He is alive and well and will speak and call men today.
The Lord Jesus can interact with us today here on the earth, just as if we were in heaven. Father God has everything down to a science, just like he does your life. Let’s look at some facts:
- He knew everything about the meeting, date, time, location, and who would be there.
- When he caught me up and showed me the scratches and cuts on the table in the dining hall at Dunkin: they are rough, handmade tables that were made by the men going through the program. All of them filled with cuts and scratches, and they look just alike, yet I knew the exact table.
- He knew every man there and where he would sit the next day.
- Ronnie thought he was inviting that young man to the meeting. Ronnie was working for Jesus under the power of the Holy Spirit and didn’t know it.
- George Marshal took me to the right table and never knew he was working under a mandate from God.
Here is the thing that just blows me away, not one of us could have been late!Nothing in the world could have stopped any of us. Not one man could have said, I don’t think I will go today. No one could have sat in the wrong place.
Not one of us had any thought of being led by the Lord. We were in the natural and walking under the power and order of God at the same time. Your next words to somebody could be out of the heart of God. No one knew about this, but those of us at the table.
Got put that meeting together like a beautiful piece of music. You can’t beat Him.
What the Lord Jesus wants to be done, He will do! The Holy Spirit was leading every man to that table, and not one of us knew it. Sometimes being led by the Spirit of God may not be what we think at all. We felt nothing. Your next phone call, a trip to the store, or the post office may be your most anointed moment of the week; ordered by the Lord, don’t miss it. If we belong to the Lord, we are naturally supernatural when He needs for us to be.
Your loving heavenly Father can unscramble your life and seat you at His table where you really don’t belong.” Grace, Grace WonderfulGrace”. There is no doubt about it; God sees tomorrow before we see today.
Dr. Bob Allen
God Loves You. Fix your eye on the Straight Gate.
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Short Takes – “Omnibus”
Opinion March 26, 2018
Omnibus is an ominous word. I once thought it was a double-decker bus in England. Now, whenever I see the word attached to a spending bill, I automatically know somebody is going to get a double decker screwing and it’s not politicians. Under the circumstances of the Omnibus Spending Bill cobbled together in a few days by four “bipartisan” senators who rank as the ttititual leaders of the corrupt “establishment, I thinks we may be in trouble. Politicians create the problem, then tell us they’ll solve the problems if only we re-elect them to office…BS!
I rather like the idea of a successful novice businessman seizing hold of the political machine, applying the tactics of business management (sales and profit) to its management style, firing heads who don’t understand the process and re-establishing the tenants of competent leadership. Apart from Trump, one or two other such successful leaders without prior experience, have revealed themselves. First time Senator David Perdue of Georgia and Senator Tom Cotton of Arkansas come immediately to mind. But, I drift from my course.
It’s not the deficit spending that bothers me. Deficit spending is good, to a point, for stimulating an economy. As our money is simply fiat money anyway, no longer backed by any tangible asset, like gold, it presents no problem for government simply to print more. That’s what has been done since the 1970’s. It’s all a phony economy manipulated by phony politicians who have no business being there if we are to Make America Great Again.
What irks me most is giving some level of victory to the obstructionist Marxist Democrat Party, when they have already lost all except the media and their whining voice. They don’t even deserve to be in congress. They lost everything in three consecutive national elections including the empowerment of their chosen Queen, Hillary Clinton. To still pander to the Democrat party’s demands is to insult Americans everywhere, including the President.
More to the issue of Conservatives, House Speaker Paul Ryan and Senate Majority leader Mitch McConnell, stand as the finest examples of corrupt political leadership,. They are the complete antithesis of honest government. They are of the “swamp.” The just passed Omnibus spending bill, reluctantly signed by President Trump, is their baby. It’s a hodge-poge of idiocy, spending tax payer funds on projects that only invigorate Democrat politicians.
The irritating glee and euphoria shown by Sen. Chuckie Schemer and the Democrats dimming light, former House Speaker Nancy Pelosi, should be enough to alarm Conservatives everywhere. When we stop gagging, we should turn our undivided attention to removing these RiNO’s, and many others, from office. Every incumbent Republican congressman, without at least an 80% Conservative voting record, should be challenged and removed from office.
The Senate is still locked up by a Senate rules change authored by once crazy Senate Majority Leader, Harry Reid, a staunch and rabid Progressive, to keep Republicans from winning any votes. It’s the filibuster rule that ensures a stacked deck against the opposition and allows the Majority Leader to change between a majority vote (51) to a super majority vote (60), when it suits his him. It’s still in play and McConnell doesn’t use it. Hence, the Omnibus spending bill, an unread 2000 page document, yet another trick to keep the “deep state” alive,. That’s the epitome of corruption, not the hallmark of statesmanship. I’m sick at heart with the Republican Party. They keep begging for money to support conservatives against those rascally Democrats. They’ll not get another dime until I see America Made Great Again.
Remember, freedom is the goal, the Constitution is the way. Now, go get ‘em!
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Fetch Your News Interviews 2018 Candidate for Georgia Governor Clay Tippins
Election, Election 2018, Politics March 21, 2018
BKP interviews Navy Seal, Business Executive, and 2018 Candidate for Georgia Governor Clay Tippins on Fetch Your News FYNTV.com. Tippins talks about if elected: cutting taxes, fixing schools, creating jobs, building roads, and protecting freedom.
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Warming Up for the Home Stretch
Politics, State & National March 12, 2018
By: Sen. Steve Gooch (R – Dahlonega)
Week nine had a slower pace when compared to the legislating marathon of the last few weeks. The Senate passed 11 pieces of legislation this week and held several committee meetings to hear bills, most of which originated in the House. Now that we are passed the Crossover Day mark and through Legislative Day 32, we have hit the home stretch leading up to Sine Die.
Of the 11 pieces of legislation passed this week, the most significant was House Bill 683, which is the supplemental appropriations budget for the 2018 Fiscal Year. The amended version of the House bill was passed by the Senate on Monday and signed into law by Governor Deal on Friday. While we may have completed the budget process for the 2018 Fiscal Year, we wasted no time getting to work on the 2019 Fiscal Year budget. During week nine, the Senate Appropriations Committee held subcommittee hearings where state agencies, organizations and institutions presented their budget requests. In addition to my role as the Senate Majority Whip, I serve as the Chairman of the Senate Appropriations Subcommittee on Transportation. It is always beneficial and important to hear how we can improve transportation in the state by allocating necessary funds.
Of the bills passed on the Senate floor this week, I believe House Bill 354 will have the biggest impact on transportation. The bill reconstitutes the Georgia International and Maritime Trade Center Authority (GIMTCA) as a public corporation and an instrumentality of the state. Located in Savannah, where the Port of Savannah continues to grow by the year, GIMTCA aims to bring increased economic growth to the state’s import and export markets.
I am also happy to announce that House Bill 159, the “Adoption Bill,” was signed into law by Governor Deal on Monday. HB 159 is a much needed update to Georgia’s adoption laws and is the first of its kind in nearly 30 years. The bill will allow more children in foster care to be adopted into caring homes, extend the list of family members who can undertake legal guardianship and give parents in difficult situations more options to provide the best opportunities possible for their child.
In addition to this week’s action in the Senate, two of the three bills I sponsored to expand broadband access in rural Georgia saw movement in the House. Senate Bill 232, or the Facilitating Internet Broadband Rural Expansion (FIBRE) Act, and Senate Bill 426, the Broadband Infrastructure Leads to Development (BILD) Act, each received their second reading and have been assigned to committee. SB 232 has been assigned to the House Ways and Means Committee and SB 426 has been assigned to the House Energy, Utilities and Telecommunications Committee. The third piece of this rural broadband package – Senate Bill 402 or the Achieving Connectivity Everywhere (ACE) Act – received its second reading on Crossover Day and has also been assigned to the House Ways and Means Committee for further review. I am confident that each of these bills will continue through the legislative process in the coming weeks and provide a solid starting point for broadband expansion.
Though the pace may have slowed this week, it is going to pick back up first thing Monday morning. There are only eight legislative days remaining and still much work to be done as our time winds down under the Gold Dome. Thank you for the continued opportunity to serve as your Senator, I will be sure to stay in touch as we wrap up the 2018 session. If you ever have any questions, comments or concerns, please do not hesitate to contact my office. We are always here to help in any way we can.
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Delta Memo Addresses Recent Events
News March 2, 2018
ATLANTA, Ga. – National controversy swirled after Delta publicly discontinued their group discount relationship with the NRA (National Rifle Association). Then again as the Georgia State Senate removed a tax bill involving the aviation fuel tax credit which would have benefited Delta in the area of $40 million.
That controversy spread through social media when Delta announced their decision on Twitter. Later, Georgia’s Lieutenant Governor Casey Cagle tweeted that he would “kill any tax legislation that benefits @Delta.” Since then, social media has erupted in debate on gun control, the recent school shootings, and these two entities of Delta and the NRA.
Today, FYN has obtained an internal memo from Delta to its colleagues. The memo speaks on Delta’s decision for ending the discount as well as their stance on the connection between the decision and the tax bill.
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