Local Politics

NEWS - Local Politics

May 15, 2013 – Sen. Buddy Carter (R-Pooler) received the Star of Life Legislative Award from the Georgia Association of Emergency Medical Services (GAEMS) on May 2 during their awards banquet.

“It was an honor to be one of only two legislators to receive this state-wide recognition from this prestigious organization,” said Sen. Carter. “As chairman of the Senate Public Safety Committee, I will continue to advocate for the protection and benefit of emergency care professionals.  These brave men and women have dedicated their careers to guarding the lives of their friends and neighbors in their community, and it’s my privilege to support the pivotal role they play in Georgia.”

The GAEMS is a not-for-profit organization committed to helping emergency medical technicians and paramedics through advocacy, educational programs and other initiatives to assist and improve the Emergency Medical Service System in Georgia.

Sen. Buddy Carter serves as the Chairman of the Public Safety Committee.  He represents the 1st Senate District which includes Bryan County and portions of Chatham and Liberty counties.  He may be reached at 404-656-5109 or via e-mail at This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it .

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Candidate to focus on effectiveness and conservative values

May 8, 2013 – Republican physician and State Representative Ben Watson announced Tuesday that he will run for the open Senate seat currently held by Senator Buddy Carter (R-Pooler), who announced Monday a campaign for Congress.

“I've been a strong advocate in the legislature for our entire metro Savannah area,” said Watson. “As a senator, I can be even more effective in making our voices heard in Atlanta.”

“I was able to have a significant voice and impact on many issues that affect Georgians, including clamping down on drug abuse of prescription medicines with the “Pill Mill” legislation,” said Watson. “I also successfully sponsored common sense legislation to protect the redfish for future generations.”

“I have not supported tax increases and will continue to work hard to prevent them. Americans pay too much in taxes already and we need continued conservative leadership on fiscal issues,” said Watson.

Dr. Ben Watson is a primary care physician and a co-founder of SouthCoast Medical. He practices internal medicine with a specialty in geriatrics. He is the only doctor elected to the Georgia House of Representatives.

Watson is a graduate of the University of Georgia and earned his medical degree from the Medical College of Georgia. He and his wife, Bernice, a Savannah-Chatham public school teacher, have three sons and live on Isle of Hope.

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Send letter calling on president to fulfill promises

April 30, 2013 – U.S. Rep. Jack Kingston (R-GA), U.S. Sen. Saxby Chambliss (R-GA), and U.S. Sen. Johnny Isakson (R-GA) strongly urged President Obama in a letter today to fulfill his “We Can’t Wait” promise and include legislative language for the Savannah Harbor Expansion Project (SHEP) authorization increase in his budget amendment to Congress.

Kingston, Chambliss and Isakson reminded the president that during his presidential campaign last July, he “illustrated understanding of the outstanding benefits this project provides.” The president listed the Port of Savannah as one of five “We Can’t Wait” projects.

“We are disappointed that your support for this vital project has seemingly waned this year,” the lawmakers continue. “With the forthcoming expansion of the Panama Canal, additional U.S. ports capable of receiving Post-Panamax ships are critical for the economic wellbeing and competitiveness of our nation. This is a vital project for Georgia, for the Southeast, and for the nation.”

The Savannah Harbor Expansion Project was authorized in the Water Resources and Development Act of 1999 to deepen the Savannah River from its current 42-foot depth to as much as 48 feet. The project is being undertaken in anticipation of an expansion of the Panama Canal that will increase the maximum draft of vessels travelling to and from the East Coast from 39.5 feet to as much as 50 feet.

According to the Army Corps of Engineers, it will bring more than $115 million in annual economic benefit to the United States, primarily through reducing costs associated with transportation.

The full text of the lawmakers’ letter is below.


April 29, 2013

The Honorable Barack Obama
The President
The White House
1600 Pennsylvania Ave, NW
Washington, DC  20500

Dear Mr. President,

We are deeply concerned with your fiscal year 2014 budget requests’ lack of support for the Savannah Harbor Expansion Project (SHEP).  As you know, the Army Corps of Engineers’ General Re-evaluation Report calculates the national annual value of this project at $213 million in benefits.  The same report shows that SHEP will create 11,554 jobs, over $551 million in labor income, and a gross regional value of over $794 million.  In addition, SHEP boasts a very significant cost benefit ratio of 5.5:1.  With the forthcoming expansion of the Panama Canal, additional U.S. ports capable of receiving Post-Panamax ships are critical for the economic wellbeing and competitiveness of our nation.

During your Presidential campaign last July, you illustrated understanding of the outstanding benefits this project provides when you listed the Port of Savannah as one of five “We Can’t Wait” projects.  We are disappointed that your support for this vital project has seemingly waned this year.

As you may know, SHEP has been a bipartisan effort at the federal, state, and local level. We, along with full Georgia Congressional Delegation and Mayor Reed, have voiced to you support for SHEP numerous times.  Additionally, the State of Georgia has exceeded their cost-share requirement by identifying $231 million for SHEP and Congress has appropriated construction funds for the last five fiscal years.  However, because of the lack of support in your budget, both state and federal contributions sit idle and progress has slowed.  SHEP is seeing day-for-day delay in construction and the $174 million of annual net benefits to the nation are not being realized.

We urge you to fulfill your “We Can’t Wait” promise and include legislative language for the Savannah Harbor Expansion Project authorization increase in your budget amendment to Congress.  This is a vital project for Georgia, for the Southeast, and for the nation.

Sincerely,

U.S. Rep. Jack Kingston
U.S. Sen. Saxby Chambliss
U.S. Sen. Johnny Isakson

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April 13, 2013 –  I want to thank you for your ideas, input, and prayers as I continue to serve all of you as your state representative.  While at the capitol for three months and now returning full-time to our district, my focus remains on promoting the interests of our district and ensuring that Coastal Georgia has a voice and our collective voice is heard.

Prior to the start of the 2013 legislative session of the Georgia General Assembly, I listed the priorities for the State of Georgia and our District.  Our governor, Nathan Deal, has already started the extensive process of reviewing legislation passed by the Georgia General Assembly this session.  Many of these accomplishments were achieved, and some of those are highlighted below:

Fiscally Responsible and Balanced State Budget
Balancing the budget for the State of Georgia is a Constitutional requirement; however, it is never a simple task.  With many thoughts from other elected officials about where state dollars should be spent, the goal remains the same for us all: to balance the budget and ensure the priorities are funded, including essential services and programs for the citizens of Georgia.  For the Fiscal Year 2014 state budget, which includes $19.9 billion, education remains one of our top priorities with over half of our annual budget spent on K-12 and higher education, including our colleges, universities and technical schools.  Also, bonds were included in our state budget to continue deepening the harbor of the Port of Savannah.

Education
Education is one of the most fundamental building blocks and is a key stepping stone that equips our young students with the essential tools to become productive members of our society.  To enhance career and technical educational opportunities, changes were made to the eligibility requirements for the HOPE Grant Program (House Bill 372), which is a grant available specifically to students attending a technical college in Georgia.  By lowering the required grade-point average to a 2.0 (as it was in 2011), we will increase the number of students receiving the HOPE Grant and help them obtain the necessary training and skills available through our Technical College System and in demand by employers in Georgia.  Legislation passed this year giving the Georgia lottery Corporation oversight of the legal video poker machines in our state and allowing them to use part of the profits to fund the HOPE Scholarship and HOPE Grant Programs (House Bill 487).  Given that the HOPE Scholarship and HOPE Grant are funded entirely by the Georgia Lottery Corporation, the additional funding will help students all across our State.

House Bill 244 also passed this session and will establish a single statewide teacher evaluation system to be established by the State Department of Education.  This system will include multiple measures, with student growth and academic achievement given highest priority.  Also, in regard to education, this session the legislature funded the restoration of an additional 10 days to the Pre-Kindergarten program, bringing the school year back to a full 180 days.

Ethics Reform
Transparency within all levels of government results in increasing the public trust, respect, and confidence in their elected officials.  During the 2012 primary election, voters overwhelming voted in favor of a non-binding ballot question that would limit the gifts from lobbyists to lawmakers.  This session, the legislature approved two bills (House Bills 142 & 143) that will reform ethics in our State by limiting gifts to public officials.  Under current law, as long as any expenditure is disclosed, there is not a maximum amount; however, legislation passed this session will now change that.  Although each chamber had differing opinions on whether to completely ban all gifts or to place a dollar amount limitation, an agreement was reached: lobbyists expenditures to individual public officials will be capped at $75 and still must be reported, as it is under current law.  The exception to this cap includes meals for full committees, caucuses, and some limited travel.  The other change would require any individual receiving more than $250 in compensation to promote or oppose the passage of any legislation by the General Assembly, or any committee, to register as a lobbyist.  Lastly, changes were made to expand the power and duties of the Georgia Government Transparency and Campaign Finance Commission, as well as changes to the reporting periods for campaign disclosure reports.

Healthcare
Within Georgia, there has been an increase in the number of enrolled citizens for the Medicaid program.  The Hospital Medicaid Financing Program Act (Senate Bill 24) was passed by the legislature this session and signed into law by Gov. Deal on Feb. 13, becoming effective on that date.  This act authorizes the Georgia Department of Community Health (DCH) to establish, assess, or discontinue provider payments on hospitals.  With the increase of Medicaid costs, this legislation was essential to continuing to provide healthcare services.  The extension of the hospital provider fee will allow our State to raise matching funds in order to obtain Federal Medicaid funding.  Without this legislation to help fill the Medicaid funding shortfall, services would have been reduced and many rural hospitals closed.

I am now back in our district full-time and I look forward to hearing from you.  Please contact me with your ideas and opinions, or if I can be of service to you in any way.  If you would like to reach me, please call me at 404-656-5099 or write me at: State Rep. Ron Stephens, 226 CAP, State Capitol, Atlanta, GA 30334 or e-mail me at This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it .

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By State Rep Ron Stephens

April 1, 2013 – The Georgia General Assembly officially wrapped up the 2013 legislative session at midnight on Thursday, March 28, when we adjourned "Sine Die!"  The last week of session and the final day were both long and productive, and full of lively debate.  Many of the bills voted on by the House this week included motions to insist, motions to agree, and motions to disagree.  These actions are taken when legislation is changed by the Senate, or vice versa. There was a significant amount of deliberation and agreement, with many bills passing both chambers this week.  For those bills which did not pass, the process begins again during next year's legislative session.  For the legislation that passed both the House and Senate this session, the final fate lies in the hands of Governor Deal who can either sign the passed legislation into law, let the legislation become law without his signature, or he can veto the legislation and prevent it from becoming law.

The most significant piece of legislation passed was the budget for our state.  As discussed last week, the Fiscal Year 2014 budget, House Bill 106, was in Conference Committee this week and an agreement was reached on the $19.9 billion state budget on Thursday.  The House passed the budget Conference Committee report around 8 p.m. on Thursday with only one dissenting vote, while the Senate passed it unanimously on the same day.

In an effort to stop those individuals in our state illegally from taking advantage of public benefits designed for our citizens and legal immigrants, legislation was passed to address this issue.  Senate Bill 160 passed the General Assembly and would prevent illegal immigrants from obtaining public benefits, such as state driver's licenses, grants, and/or retirement benefits.  The bill was amended by the House on Monday and a Conference Committee was appointed with both House and Senate members.  This legislation, similar to House Bill 125, was agreed upon by the Conference Committee and adopted by both Chambers, with the House passing the Conference Committee Report 113-53 on Thursday.  A foreign passport, under the legislation, will not be able to be used as identification to obtain public benefits unless the passport indicates the legality of the individual.  This legislation would also require county, state and government agencies with more than two employees to use the free E-Verify system for all contractors to verify legal immigrants.  This bill now goes to Gov. Deal for his consideration into law.

The gun debate, either expanding or restricting the rights of gun owners, is in full force in states across our country.  With school shootings last year, the dispute has been whether to make gun regulations more or less stringent for legal gun owners.  Legislation addressing and defending our 2nd Amendment Right to keep and bear arms in Georgia did not pass through Conference Committee this session.  Two bills, House Bill 512 and Senate Bill 101, passed each respective chamber; however, the Conference Committee was not able to forge an agreement prior to midnight on Thursday.  The main disagreement was the provision on campus-carry and whether or not to allow licensed gun owners to carry their concealed firearms while on campus at our State Universities and Technical Colleges throughout Georgia. I expect to see additional gun legislation debated again during the next legislative session.

Legislation I sponsored this session now sits on the desk of Gov. Deal awaiting his action.  I sponsored House Bill 318, making changes to the Georgia Tourism Development Act, which has passed both chambers on its journey to become law. I have spent the last eight years working on this legislation that creates incentives that will help build new tourism attractions or expand existing tourism attractions in Georgia.  With the creation of the Invest Georgia Fund and the Invest Georgia Board, this legislation will foster investment of early stage and growth stage businesses through venture capital investment.  Also passed by both chambers was another bill I sponsored, House Bill 193, that extends an expired sales tax exemption for federally qualified health care centers, volunteer health clients, Goodwill, food banks, food donated for hunger, and food donated for disaster relief.  I sponsored Senate Bill 177 in the House (authored by Senator Ginn of Danielsville, GA), which passed with only one dissenting vote.  This legislation will change the membership of the Georgia Tourism Foundation.  There will be at least nine members (no more than 20), with two members each appointed by the both the Chairman of the Senate and House Economic Development and Tourism Committees, three members by the Board of Economic Development, and the remainder appointed by Gov. Deal.

Ethics legislation also passed both chambers and now goes to Gov. Deal for his signature.  Next week during the final weekly update wrap-up, I will discuss this passed legislation in detail.

With the conclusion of the 2013 Legislative Session at midnight on Thursday, March 28, this will be my final weekly update highlighting the major accomplishments for this session, as well as some of the legislation already signed by Gov. Deal into law.  I look forward to getting back to our district and encourage you to contact me with your ideas and opinions, or if I can be of service to you in any way. If you would like to reach me, please call me at (404) 656-5099 or write me at: State Rep. Ron Stephens, 226 CAP, State Capitol, Atlanta, GA 30334 or e-mail me at This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it .

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Congressman recognized for commitment to promoting healthy living

March 28, 2013 – Sports and fitness industry leaders gathered on Capitol Hill recently to present Congressman Jack Kingston (R-GA) with the ‘Champion of Health and Fitness Award.’ 

Sponsored by the Sports and Fitness Industry Association, the honor recognizes Kingston for his personal commitment to an active lifestyle as well as his efforts to promote a more active and healthier lifestyle.

On hand to present the award was famed University of Georgia running back Herschel Walker with whom Kingston plays in the biannual Congressional Football Game for charity. The game raises funds for the children of fallen police officers.

“Jack Kingston understands the importance of a healthy, active lifestyle,” said Herschel Walker who served as honorary chairman of the National Health Through Fitness Day.  “His participation in sports and regular work in the gym is testament to his commitment to health.”

Kingston downplayed his physical prowess.

“There is no question I am at the top of the age pool and the bottom of the talent,” Kingston said.  “The highlight of my athletic life has been substituting for Herschel on a few plays.”

Beyond their charity work on the field, Kingston and Walker have collaborated to promote healthy living.  Kingston previously served as chairman of the Agriculture Appropriations Committee which oversees nutrition funding.  He was recently appointed chairman of the Labor, Health and Human Services and Education Committee which directs funding for health and education programs among others.

“In Congress, Jack is a leader on improving health through increased physical activity,” Walker said.  “We need more officials in Washington like him if we are going to turn around the obesity trend to improve health and reduce our medical spending.”

Kingston believes tackling obesity is best served by making active living part of our culture.

“We have to have team sports and exercise as part of the equation when tackling obesity,” said Kingston.  “It has been an honor to work with folks like Herschel, John Booty, Ken Harvey and the Sporting and Fitness Industry Association to promote healthy living.”

In addition to the Congressional Football Game, Kingston participates in the annual Congressional Baseball Game which raises money for literacy promotion.  While in Washington he commutes to and from work on a bicycle.

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March 25, 2013 – The 2013 legislative session of the Georgia General Assembly is quickly coming to a close.  On Friday, the 37th day of session was completed, leaving only three days for legislators to finish the work of the state.  The Fiscal Year 2014 budget went to a Conference Committee on Friday, and this week also included the passage of many bills, including an additional gun bill expanding our 2nd Amendment Rights, proposed changes to our Boating Under the Influence (BUI) and Hunting Under the Influence (HUI) law, as well as many other pieces of legislation, some of which are discussed below.   

House Bill 402, which I sponsored, and was carried by Sen. Ross Tolleson in the Senate, received final passage on Friday.  Without a single dissenting vote in either chamber, this legislation now goes to Gov. Deal for his signature.  By amending the Shore Protection Act and the Coastal Marshland Protection Act, this legislation will spur the growth of temporary filming along our coastal beaches, as long as there is not any environmental impact.  It will also significantly reduce the time required to get authorization to film along Georgia's coastline (currently a permit can take up to six months).

Legislation I co-signed, House Resolution 529, passed the House this week with a vote of 157-5.  This resolution would create the House Georgia Music Industry Study Committee composed of five members appointed by the Speaker and this committee will examine the issues facing Georgia's music industry, identify opportunities, and explore strategies to retain existing industry and talent to ensure growth, investment, and jobs in Georgia.

The main duty and requirement of the Georgia General Assembly every year is to pass a balanced budget.  As discussed last week, the House passed the Appropriation Bill for Fiscal Year 2014 (House Bill 106).  This week, the Senate passed House Bill 106, with changes and modifications.  On Friday, a conference committee, including members of both chambers, was appointed to work together on differences to come to an agreement for the Fiscal Year 2014 budget, beginning July 1.  This "big" budget will be passed by the legislature next week and will include changes approved by both chambers.  

Protecting our 2nd Amendment Rights has remained a priority, both within our state and throughout our country.  Throughout this legislative session, many gun bills have been proposed.  The House and Senate have each passed different versions of gun legislation through their respective chamber.  Two weeks ago I discussed in detail the gun legislation I co-sponsored, House Bill 512, and it is still in the Senate awaiting consideration in Committee.  The Senate's gun bill was amended in the House Public Safety and Homeland Security Committee, then passed by the full House on Friday.  During debate in the House Committee, additional changes were made to Senate Bill 101 to incorporate the same expansion of carrying rights for law abiding, legally permitted citizens which was included within HB 512.  Senate Bill 101 passed 116 to 55 and this amended gun legislation would: allow churches to make the ultimate decision on whether to allow a citizen to carry in church, keep the names and personal details of all licensed gun owners private,  remove court houses from the list of approved places for concealed weapons to be carried, would not allow guns to be carried into bars, and would give local boards of education the authority to decide whether to allow school personnel, with written permission, the ability to carry on school property.

With an intent to preserve lives and for the safety and protection of those either boating or hunting, the House passed Senate Bill 136.  This legislation, called the Kyle Glover Boat Education Law and Jake and Griffin BUI Law would change the Boating Under the Influence (BUI) and Hunting Under the Influence (HUI) blood alcohol content to 0.08 grams, which is the current Driving Under the Influence (DUI) alcohol limit.  Georgia is one of eight states with a current BUI alcohol limit at 0.10.  The bill passed the House 146 to 17 and also proposes to streamline and identify who is certified and educated to operate certain boats, requires any person born after Jan. 1, 1998, to complete a free boater registration course online, and requires any person under 13 years old (previously age 10) to wear a life preserver jacket at all times while the boat is in motion.

The House also passed many other pieces of legislation this week.  Senate Bill 1 passed unanimously and would require health insurance policies and records to be available to both parents of their own child, regardless of who has custodial rights.  The only exception would be if the parental rights were terminated.   Senate Bill 236 passed 113 to 48 and would require health insurance companies to include an attachment on their annual premium statement identifying what percentage of the premium increase can be contributed to the Federal Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act (ObamaCare).

The Georgia General Assembly will continue day 38 of the 2013 Legislative Session on Monday, March 25.  Please contact me with your ideas and opinions or if I can be of service to you in any way.  It is your input and common sense ideas that develop into the best legislation and potentially becomes the laws of our State.  If you would like to reach me, please call me at 404-656-5099 or write me at: State Rep. Ron Stephens, 226 CAP, State Capitol, Atlanta, GA 30334 or e-mail me at This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it .

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Vote to permanently repeal death tax, prevent energy taxes

March 25, 2013 – U.S. Senators Johnny Isakson, R-Ga., and Saxby Chambliss, R-Ga., late Friday night cast votes on amendments to the Budget Resolution, that deal with key tax issues in our country. Specifically, Isakson and Chambliss voted in favor of amendments to permanently repeal the federal death tax and to prevent new energy taxes.

The Budget Resolution, S.Con.Res.8, is a non-binding blueprint that both parties use to try to reiterate their spending priorities for the nation.

Isakson and Chambliss voted in favor of S.Amdt.307, which was introduced by Sen. John Thune, R-S.D., and would permanently abolish the federal death tax. It failed to pass by a vote of 46 to 53. (The measure needed 51 votes to pass.)

“I voted to permanently repeal the death tax so that hard-working taxpayers could pass along their savings to their children and grandchildren tax-free. That’s good for families and small businesses, and it’s good for our economy,” said Isakson. “I will continue to do everything I can to see that we repeal the death tax permanently.”

“This tax is unnecessary and burdensome to American families, especially those who own small businesses and farms,” said Chambliss. “It is unfair to working Americans who have hopes of passing down their life savings to their children and grandchildren, and it must be repealed.”

Both senators also supported S.Amdt.261, which was introduced by Sen. Blunt, R-Mo., as a point of order against a carbon tax or a fee on carbon emissions. Preventing such energy tax increases protects Americans from skyrocketing energy prices and job losses. A procedural motion on the amendment failed to pass by a vote of 53-46. (The measure needed 60 votes to pass.)

“At a time when unemployment remains high and we are trying to grow our economy, the last thing that families and job creators need are higher energy costs,” said Isakson. “New energy taxes would kill jobs and put a greater burden on Americans who are struggling to pay to heat their homes or fuel their cars.”

“During a time of record unemployment and a staggering federal deficit, the last thing Americans want is yet another government-imposed obstacle to job growth,” said Chambliss. “A carbon tax would raise energy costs for every business in America – at a cost to the American worker.”