I support Casey Cagle for Governor
Election 2018, Letters to Editor July 23, 2018
On July 24th – it is vitally important that we cast our ballots for a strong leader who is prepared to be our state’s next CEO. As your state Senator, I want you to know that I’m 100% behind Casey Cagle for governor. I have served with him for 8 years in the Senate now and I am confident that he is the best choice on the ballot.
Casey is a proven, consistent leader who has always delivered for our state – as well as our community and North Georgia. Due to his leadership as Lt. Governor, Georgia has been named the number one state to do business for five straight years, and we’ve added nearly 700,000 jobs and 40,000 new businesses. This year, Casey was the leader who fought to deliver the largest tax cut in Georgia history.
Casey has also led to advance nationally renowned education reform measures – including the Charter Systems Act, College and Career Academy Network, and GA CATT apprenticeship program – which have been integral in transforming Georgia’s one-size-fits-all education system into a revolutionary model that puts students first. Not every student needs to get a four year liberal arts degree to be successful, and Casey is leading to prioritize workforce development so that all Georgia’s students graduate from high school with post-secondary experience or technical training that gives them the skills to attain rewarding careers.
Casey has stood up for our conservative principles his entire career. He has led to outlaw and defund sanctuary cities in Georgia, expand gun rights (earning him an A+ rating from the NRA), protect innocent life (earning him the Champion for Life award from the Georgia Life Alliance), and reform our adoption/foster care system to give faith-based organizations more opportunities to help children find loving homes.
Please join me in supporting Casey Cagle and voting to elect him as our next Governor on July 24th. I have been honored to serve as your Senator and I look forward to working with the next Governor to continue the progress we have made.
Steve Gooch
State Senator
District 51
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
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Speaker, Governor & Lieutenant Governor Announce Tax Cut Plan
Politics, State & National February 21, 2018
Gov. Nathan Deal, along with Lt. Gov. Casey Cagle and House Speaker David Ralston, today outlined updates to HB 918, which addresses state tax code. The legislation, sponsored by Rep. Chuck Efstration, now combines the 2017 Internal Revenue Code (IRC) bill, HB 821, with 2018 IRC updates. It also addresses the state revenue projections resulting from the Federal Tax Act.
HB 918 would double the standard deduction for Georgia taxpayers for all filing statuses, effective Jan. 1, 2018. It would also reduce the income tax rate for individuals and businesses from 6 percent to 5.75 percent effective Jan. 1, 2019. Finally, the legislation includes a provision further reducing the tax rate to 5.5 percent, effective Jan. 1, 2020. This reduction would require approval of the General Assembly and signature of the governor in order to take effect.
The bill will also help our state be more competitive by eliminating the sales tax on jet fuel, which will encourage airlines to fly additional direct flights from Georgia to destinations around the globe.
“Taxpayers have already started to experience the positive effects of federal tax reform here in Georgia and throughout the country,” said Deal. “Our state is also projected to benefit significantly in the coming years. The legislation presented today is a result of ongoing dialogue between House and Senate leadership and addresses Georgia’s projected windfall while balancing the state’s fiscal health and protecting our AAA bond rating.
“This bill keeps more of taxpayers’ hard-earned money in their pockets by doubling the standard deduction and reducing income tax rates. It will save taxpayers more than $5 billion over the next five years. Doubling the standard deduction will also allow Georgia filers to take fuller advantage of the newly enhanced federal standard deduction. Further, these combined changes mark one of the biggest income tax cuts in state history, and does so in a fiscally responsible manner. The standard deduction was last increased in 1981. The individual rate was set at 6 percent in 1937 and has not changed since, while the corporate rate has also remained at 6 percent since 1969. I’m confident HB 918 will be passed by the General Assembly quickly and immediately transmitted to my desk. The sooner I sign this landmark reform legislation, the sooner taxpayers may file.”
“This historic tax cut lowers Georgia’s income tax rate for the first time ever, returning significant savings to millions of families across our state,” said Cagle. “Most importantly, this framework sets the stage for continued reductions – building on the Trump administration’s tax reform to allow Georgians to keep more of what they earn.”
“I am committed to keeping the tax burden on Georgians as low as possible,” said Ralston. “This measure is yet another example of the General Assembly working with Governor Deal to empower families to save more of their money. I appreciate the Governor’s leadership and the cooperation between the House and the Senate in developing this income tax cut legislation. I look forward to it moving quickly through the legislative process.”
Casey Cagle’s Reprehensible Acts, The Michael Williams Press Conference that missed the Target
Featured, Politics July 18, 2017
“The Die Has Been Cast”
Swing and a miss, strike two. State Senator Michael Williams now has two strikes against him with the media in his quest to be the next Governor of Georgia.
Williams’ first strike was at the State GOP convention when he announced in a speech that a member from Lt. Governor Casey Cagle’s campaign team approached him backstage and offered him a deal to get out of the Governor’s race. In his speech at the GOP convention Williams claimed in front of 1500 people that he was offered the Chairmanship of the Appropriations Committee if he would get out of the race. He never named the individual with Cagle’s team who made the offer in the backroom deal. An accusation with no name leaving the media hanging. Strike one.
Williams’ press conference last Thursday at the Capitol was strike two.
Williams sent out an invite last Wednesday announcing a press conference he would be holding at the Capitol Thursday afternoon. The invitation stated he would be revealing the reprehensible acts of Lt. Governor Casey Cagle.
The press conference was scheduled for 2PM and Williams was 30 minutes late. The press conference only lasted twelve minutes. I attended this press conference and from memory the only thing I got out of it was ‘campaign Casey, a member of Casey Cagle’s team, offered him a committee chairmanship to get out of the race. Angered that Cagle may have out maneuvered him on minimum wage for Sheriff deputies, Willams directly asked Cagle to get out of the race and something about “tying shoes”.
The media pressed Williams to give the name of who from Cagle’s team offered him the chairmanship. Williams’ only response was, ‘not at this time.’ I asked him the final question of the press conference, “did you not say that it was a member of Cagle’s team?” Williams said, “correct.” And I asked, “and you’re not prepared to give us who that is”? Williams: “no”. Williams then told everyone to have a nice day and walked off taking no more questions.
Williams held up a copy of SB 254 entitled: Minimum annual salary for each deputy appointed by each Sheriff; provide; Local Law Enforcement Officer Compensation Commission.
Senators Greg Kirk and Josh McKoon co-sponsored the bill along with Williams. Williams claims that Cagle is the reason the bill went nowhere during the past legislative session. Maybe Williams thought this would be his strongest campaign issue. This could show he is the true friend of law enforcement in the campaign.
In May Cagle announced along with Greg Kirk the Compensation of Police and Sheriffs Task Force. Statement released by the Lt. Governor’s office, “The service and dedication of our law enforcement officials is nothing short of heroic,” said Lt. Governor Cagle. “We must make every effort to ensure local compensation packages are both competitive and fair to those who protect and serve. COPS will help local governments identify ways to maximize their support for the men and women who bravely protect our communities and neighborhoods.”
Kirk, one of Williams’ co-sponsors gone and with the other Josh McKoon running for Secretary of State he may not have any backup concerning his claim that Cagle killed the bill.
Recently Cagle commented about a possible sheriff deputy minimum wage. He has not gone into any detail though.
This week is the Sheriffs’ Association’s Summer Conference where each candidate will get a chance to address the Association.
Brian Kemp, Hunter Hill, Michael Williams and Casey Cagle will have their chance to make their pitch. You can forget this week which one is the true conservative, cause this week all you will hear is ‘I am the true friend of law enforcement’, {no} ‘I’m the true friend of law enforcement,’ {no} ……
My suspicion is that the Sheriffs’ Association will support whomever they think will be best able to get something done for them when it comes to minimum wage for deputies. If that turns out to be Cagle then that may mean Williams has been totally out maneuvered on the issue and SB 254 could turn out to be, as a campaign issue for Williams, no more than good initiative/poor judgment.
You can understand Williams’ frustration. If Cagle gets almost every Sheriff in the state to actively campaign for him that is big. Really big. Maybe that is the ‘reprehensible’ act.
But, Williams’ shoe tying comment directed toward Casey Cagle was a ‘low blow’ no pun intended. Williams experienced several personal attacks especially during his first State Senate race. The rumors are already flying and emails being sent concerning Williams’ past. Maybe Williams’ comment was a subtle warning not to go personal. It’s disappointing this early in the campaign that things are taking a dirty turn rather than staying focused on the issues.
The voters of Georgia may want to hear about issues like casino gambling, rural economic development, tax reform, healthcare, infrastructure…… not who can tie their own shoes.
I feel Williams’ gets one more strike with the media. I can only speak for myself. If he calls another press conference I will attend. Williams has to make good on his claims of reprehensible acts by Cagle soon or that will be strike three and he will lose his credibility. It’s a long time until election day and Williams will need the media to take him serious to help get his message out.
Kemp and Hill have not commented on the Williams’ attacks of Casey Cagle. They both seem to be able to keep their campaigns focused on the issues and not the dirt for the time being. Odds are they will have to join the mud pit before the race is over.
Michael Williams was the first Georgia politician holding a state office to support Donald Trump for President. Williams is attempting to run a Donald Trump-style campaign. There’s only one problem, he is not Donald Trump.
Trump never held public office. He had no legislative voting track record. He could run against Washington D.C. and the Media.
Williams has a State Senate voting record. During his first two years in the State Senate his voting record looks like he was working well with the Republican Establishment. His third year looks more like someone preparing to run for governor.
I am not questioning Williams’ conservative credentials, just the direction his campaign is headed. If you going to demand Casey Cagle get out of the race, it’s time to give the reason why with the facts.
Georgia gubernatorial candidate visits FYNTV
Politics February 20, 2018BKP interviews Georgia candidate for governor and Secretary of State Brian Kemp. Among many topics, Kemp discusses immigration, Georgia voting machines, paper ballots, pay for law enforcement, and Kemp’s opinion of the negotiations to bring Amazon HQ2 for Georgia.
Short Takes – The Changing Political Landscape
Opinion November 29, 2017
The Changing Political Landscape
Despite the outward appearance of viability, trying desperately to raise funds to reclaim the Congress in 2018, the dysfunctional Progressive, Democrat Party is actually nearing its end. We’re on to ‘em! For all of that, so the GOP may be in the twilight of its existence if they continue to legislate with fear, govern with uncertainty and waste time maneuvering themselves, as individual politicians simply to keep their jobs in disregard of what’s best for America. There are exceptions. Georgia’s Senator David Perdue for one and Rep. Jody Hice for another.
We now learn the Democrat candidate for Governor of Florida has abandoned his party affiliation, not to become a Republican, but to run as an independent. A pox on both parties. That’s not a good sign. Trust is a fungible quality and once lost is rarely, if ever, regained.
America is at a turning point. We’ve allowed the Progressive Socialist to ruin what was once America while we casually accepted the “collectivism” type of government that never works. The solution comes when we realize our plight and work to understand the gift that is our Constitution, protect it and make sure that any new politicians who want to face the challenge, do so within the rule of law, not personal enrichment. How did Senator Mitch McConnell manage to accumulate $55 million in personal wealth if he wasn’t a swamp dweller? I’m just asking?
Political restoration Is a slow process requiring time, joint efforts and funds but, it must be done or Reagan’s “Shining City on the Hill,” dream, the beacon for hopeless people everywhere, will flicker out and the world will be plunged into darkness for a thousand years and the word “Freedom” will only be understood as willful compliance with the state.
The forces of the Left are arraying themselves against us. Conservative candidates are under attack with slanders, false accusations and innuendos of perversion, sexual assaults and pedophilia. Why? Because, when challenged, the Left have no arguments that can prevail against, truth, justice and the Constitution. Therefore, they must try to kill the messenger.
Judge Roy Moore, Republican candidate for Alabama Senator, represents a clear and present danger to the existing, corrupt forces of the DC political elites or, more simply, the swamp. Poll takers, including Fox News, project that Democrat Jones, ahead of Moore on percentage points to become the next Senator from Alabama, will probably prevail. Don’t bet on it. The pollsters predicted with certainty that Hillary Clinton would be the next president by a landslide. Hummn?
People lie to pollsters including on-line polls directed to supposedly party loyalists. Voters are beginning to recognize the skewed types of questions designed to produce a desired outcome so, they lie! The President uses this process in reverse. He “tweets,” early in the mornings, and sets the his day’s agenda, while the Democrats and the media go berserk trying to figure out just what he meant but, coming from Trump it must have been bad! Elizabeth Warren rose to his tweet bait today with his “Pocahontas” remark, once again revealing herself as a fool. Trump therefore, controls the agenda while we are treated to the medias dysfunction.
In our current dilemma of tax reform, the Democrats cannot retreat from their constant claim that America is Capitalist and greedy but, they can’t explain why half of the population is subsidized and the subsidized half are victims. Victims of what, Capitalism? Yet Republicans, uncertain of the way the wind blows, dither about in confusion and inaction and get nothing accomplished. Indecision is as deadly as incompetence.
Remember, freedom is the goal, the Constitution is the way. Now, go get ‘em! (28Nov17)
Governor Signs House Bill 146 in Gilmer Fire Station
News May 4, 2017
Georgia Governor Nathan Deal visited Fire House 1 in Gilmer County Thursday to officially sign House Bill 146 known as the “Firefigher’s Cancer Insurance Bill.”
Joined by several officials including Georgia House Speaker David Ralston and Senator Steve Gooch, author of the bill Micah Gravley, District 67 Representative, opened the ceremony by speaking about the two year effort to bring the bill to this point. Gravley related his interactions with two firefighters, Frank Martinez and Brian Scutter, who he said were the honor of the Bill as they fought for and spoke with legislators to get the bill passed, as well as the appropriateness to have the signing in Scutter’s home station in Gilmer County. Scutter was also mentioned by Speaker Ralston who said he had made a promise to Brian that he would give all that was in him to bring this day about. Turning to face Scutter, Ralston said, “I kept my promise.”
Governor Nathan Deal, who originally vetoed last year’s Bill 216 called the new House Bill 146 an “innovative and great solution to the situation.” Deal said the Bill provides relief for firefighters by providing a different method for compensation and money for treatment and care for firefighters who contract cancers during their work. Gravley thanked the Governor for his support of, as he called it, a “better bill.”
The sentiment was echoed by Speaker Ralston who said, “We have arrived at a better solution. By requiring a local government to provide insurance to our firefighters for certain types of cancer, the firefighter can skip the process of litigating a worker’s comp claim. This will allow the firefighter to focus on getting better and recovery rather than having to worry about legal bills and depositions and hearings.”
FYN caught up with Speaker Ralston and Governor Deal to ask them to elaborate on why the bill is better, comparative to last years Bill 216. The Speaker replied saying, “This uses a Health Insurance Model as opposed to a Workman’s Comp model which means instead of having to make a claim and perhaps go through a court type process to get benefits and income, Firefighters in this case will file a claim just like health insurance.”
Governor Deal also spoke on the insurance versus workman’s comp comparison saying it was an awkward and “adversarial way of deciding whether or not compensation is owed.” Deal went on to say the newer Bill is a much better solution “to provide insurance coverage that will define benefits and give some flexibility as to deciding the compensation that will be given to firefighters.”
More than Senators and Congressman came to see Deal sign the Bill, though. Several representatives from neighboring and local emergency services attended the event including Gilmer’s own Director of Public Safety Tony Pritchett who said the Bill “gives you a sense of protection… You can lay your head down and sleep better at night knowing that if you contract cancer because of the job, there’s some protection that will take care of you and your family.”
For more on the Signing of House Bill 146 watch the full ceremony below or find more Photos in our Album:
Deal: Georgia will not accept Syrian refugees
Featured November 16, 2015
Gov. Nathan Deal today announced that he will not accept Syrian refugees in Georgia and called upon President Obama to suspend the resettlement program in the United States. Since 2012, Deal has demanded that the federal government limit the number of refugees sent to Georgia.
“In light of the terror attacks in Paris, I’ve issued an executive order directing state agency heads to prevent the resettlement of Syrian refugees in Georgia,” said Deal. “Further, I call upon the Obama administration to work with the Georgia Emergency Management Agency/Homeland Security to confirm the backgrounds of the 59 Syrian refugees recently resettled to ensure they do not pose a security threat to our citizens. Until the federal government and Congress conducts a thorough review of current screening procedures and background checks, we will take every measure available to us at the state level to ensure the safety of Georgians.”
. Deal’s letter to President Obama is attached. Read the executive order here.
Georgia ranked No. 1 state in U.S. for business
Featured, News November 6, 2015