Sen. David Lucas to Host Second Rural Georgia Study Committee Meeting
State & National August 7, 2017
MEDIA ADVISORY
Contact: Ines Owens, Director
Elisabeth Fletcher, Communications Specialist
[email protected]
404.656.0028
Sen. David Lucas to Host Second Rural Georgia Study Committee Meeting
ATLANTA (August 7, 2017) | Sen. David Lucas (D – Macon) will hold a two-day Rural Georgia Study Committee Meeting to discuss broadband, healthcare, telecommunications and developing tourism TOMORROW from 9 a.m. until 4 p.m. and WEDNESDAY from 9 a.m. until 12 p.m. The meeting will be held at the University of North Georgia in Dahlonega.
WHO: Sen. David Lucas and Rural Georgia Study Committee Members
WHAT: Two-day Rural Georgia Study Committee Meeting
WHEN: Tuesday, August 8, 2017
9 a.m. – 4 p.m.
Wednesday, August 9, 2017
9 a.m. – 12 p.m.
WHERE: University of North Georgia
Continuing Education Center in Dahlonega
25 Schultz Avenue
Dahlonega, GA 30597
Sen. David Lucas, Sr. represents the 26th Senate District, which includes portions of Bibb, Houston and Jones Counties and all of Hancock, Twiggs, Washington and Wilkinson Counties. He may be reached at 404.656.5035 or by email at[email protected].
Senator David Perdue Talks RAISE Act With Fox News’ Steve Hilton
Politics, State & National October 24, 2017
Senator David Perdue Talks RAISE Act With Fox News’ Steve Hilton
WASHINGTON, D.C. – U.S. Senator David Perdue (R-GA) spoke with Steve Hilton on Fox News Channel’s The Next Revolution With Steve Hilton about the Reforming American Immigration for a Strong Economy (RAISE) Act and why it should be included in any solution to fix our country’s immigration problems.
Getting Back On Track: “Our immigration system has gotten off track in the last 50 years. We’ve looked at best practices around the world to see what can we do to address the issue. We found Australia and Canada that both have a system that’s pro-worker, it’s pro-growth and proven to work.”
Needs Of Our Economy: “This is based on a democratic idea in the early 90s under former Presidents Bill Clinton and George H.W. Bush. The bipartisan commission headed up by Congresswoman Barbara Jordan, a Democrat, came to the conclusion we need to move in the direction of a point system and bring in workers who are qualified for the needs of our economy.”
Bipartisan Solution: “I believe we’ll get bipartisan support on this bill because it’s so common sense. It is pro-job, pro-worker and pro-growth. It’s proven to work in Canada and Australia. This is not an experiment. We know this will work.”
Leveling The Playing Field: “What we have now is a competition for labor around the world and for technical workers. This gives us a little more level playing field.”
Measured Approach: “A lot of people who immigrate here get trapped because they’re not qualified for the jobs that are available. About half of all immigrant households in America are in our welfare system. Nobody wants that for them. This is a way to try to protect both them, and the other workers that are coming in.”
Growing The Economy: “One of the ways you defend yourself is by having the best and the brightest talent in the world. That helped create this economic miracle over the last 70 years. We have the most qualified people in the world. Look at our nuclear capability today. It came from immigrants. Why wouldn’t we want to welcome those people?”
Senator David Perdue: Making U.S. Companies More Competitive Is A Top Priority
Politics, State & National September 7, 2017
Senator David Perdue On The Signing Of Major Defense Bill Into Law
State & National December 13, 2017
Senator David Perdue On The Signing Of Major Defense Bill Into Law
“President Trump is strengthening our military by ensuring our troops have the resources they need”
WASHINGTON, D.C. – U.S. Senator David Perdue (R-GA), a member of the Senate Armed Services Committee, commented on President Trump’s signing of the National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA) into law today, which includes 30 of Senator Perdue’s priorities:
“One of six reasons why 13 colonies came together in the first place was to provide for the national defense. President Trump has shown he is committed to carrying out this responsibility as our country’s commander in chief. By signing this defense bill into law today, President Trump is strengthening our military by approving a well-deserved pay raise for our troops and ensuring they have the resources they need. I am proud to have worked on the negotiating team that finalized this bill, which includes many priorities important to our national security and Georgia’s military community.”
Senator David Perdue Holds Farm Bill Round Table Discussion
State & National November 22, 2017
Senator David Perdue Holds Farm Bill Round Table Discussion
ATLANTA, GA – U.S. Senator David Perdue (R-GA) last week held a round table discussion about the upcoming farm bill with Georgia farmers and industry leaders.
“Agriculture is one of Georgia’s largest economic drivers and a way of life for many people in our state. I saw this firsthand while working on my family’s farm as a teenager,” said Senator Perdue. “It was great to hear from Georgia farmers and industry leaders about their priorities for the upcoming farm bill since this legislation impacts them directly. Their input is critical as we work toward developing a farm bill that will contribute to a safer, stronger, and more abundant agricultural industry.”
Getting Started in 2018
State & National January 12, 2018Getting Started in 2018
By: Sen. Steve Gooch (R – Dahlonega)
On Monday, January 8, 2018, we reconvened for the second session of the 154th Georgia General Assembly, which many anticipate will be very fast-paced. The Georgia Senate began our business with leadership changes and three new members. We will also welcome another new member next week who won a special election on Tuesday, January 9, 2018.
In addition to welcoming three new members, Sen. David Shafer, who served as the Senate President Pro Tempore since 2013, resigned his position and the Georgia Senate nominated and elected Sen. Butch Miller to serve in this role. Sen. Miller is a fellow North Georgian and we are honored to have him as our next Pro Temp. The Senate Committee on Assignments also announced chairmen and committee assignments for the upcoming year.
In addition to my duties as Senate Majority Whip, I will continue to serve as the Vice-Chair of the Transportation Committee, the Secretary of the Appropriations Committee, as a member of the Finance, MARTOC, Regulated Industries and Utilities committees and as ex-officio on the Senate Assignments and Rules committees.
As we draw near to the second week of session, we will begin budget hearings as we craft the Amended FY18 and General FY19 budgets. During these meetings and agency presentations, I will keep the prosperity of all Georgians in mind as we finely comb through proposals. Our focus will be on saving tax payers’ dollars while ensuring economic growth and job creation continues to grow in our great state.
Something new here at the Georgia Senate is livestreaming of standing committees that meet in one of the five rooms wired during the Senate Transparency Project. This is in addition to the Senate Chamber being livestreamed during session days. The goal of this project is to bring transparency to standing committee meetings, where legislation is discussed and vetted before moving forward in the legislative process. Another objective is to provide access to our process for those who do not live in the metro area and cannot get to Senate committee meetings quickly. I truly encourage you all to take the time to watch these livestreams. But, if you can’t get to a computer during the meeting time, each and every meeting video is archived to be watched during any time—day or night.
On day four of the session, Gov. Deal gave his last State of the State address. Within his address, Gov. Deal focused on the growth across the board within the state of Georgia. For the past five years, Georgia has been named the number one place to do business. Overall, we have a very busy session calendar ahead of us as we work on the Governor’s budget proposals, legislation pending from last year and other issues that may arise.
I would like to say thank you to all of my constituents for your encouragement and care for the 51st District of Georgia. Please call or email me with any questions, comments or concerns you have and I look forward to hearing from you.
Senator David Perdue Discusses President Trump’s Economic Agenda On Bloomberg TV
State & National January 12, 2018
Senator David Perdue Discusses President Trump’s Economic Agenda On Bloomberg TV
“It’s high time we tell the rest of the world what’s important to American workers and American businesses”
WASHINGTON, D.C. – U.S. Senator David Perdue (R-GA) spoke with David Westin on Bloomberg TV’s Daybreak America about the positive impact President Trump’s agenda is having on our economy, American workers, and American businesses.
Accomplishing Job One: “We are already seeing growth. President Trump said job one was growing the economy. He focused on three things. First was the regulatory work. Last year, we reversed around 860 rules and regulations. Second was unleashing our energy potential. We opened up oil exploration in Alaska and addressed Waters of the U.S. and Clean Power Plan regulations. The third was tax. President Trump accomplished the three things he deemed important to grow the economy.”
Growing The Economy: “We have had two quarters of 3% growth and we’re about to have a third in my opinion. Now that we have tax in play we are going to see a continuation of this in 2018. The President has jumpstarted and grown this economy.”
Negotiating Fairer Agreements: “There are things that are problematic with NAFTA. They can be solved, and I think the President is focused on fixing those problems. We need a level playing field, and President Trump wants to have equal access to all of these markets.”
Fighting For American Interests: “President Trump is willing to take a risk to stand up for American interests. President Trump has made it clear that we know what’s important to the rest of the world because they’ve been telling us for 30 years. It’s high time we tell the rest of the world what’s important to American workers and American businesses.”
Recognizing Debt Crisis: “We’ve had four increases in the federal funds rate in the last 15 months. Even worse, over the last eight years during the Obama Administration when interest rates were fundamentally zero, they didn’t go long in our bond portfolio. The duration of most of our $20 trillion debt portfolio is under three years. So this is going to come rolling on our backs. If interest rates were at their 30-year average of about 5%, we’d be paying about $1 trillion a year in interest. That just isn’t going to happen on a $4 trillion budget. We’re in a crisis mode.”
Senator David Perdue: We’re One Step Closer To Getting Tax Done This Year
Politics, State & National October 23, 2017
Senator David Perdue: We’re One Step Closer To Getting Tax Done This Year
WASHINGTON, D.C. – U.S. Senator David Perdue (R-GA), a member of the Senate Budget Committee, released the following statement after the U.S. Senate moved one step closer to fixing our tax code this year:
“Let’s be very clear. This budget is a sham and the entire budget process is a fraud being perpetrated on the American people. Only four times in the past 43 years has the budget process fully worked to fund the government on time. The only reason we’re even doing the budget like this is to get tax done this year.
“In the middle of the dog-and-pony show tonight there was a glimmer of hope. Senator Whitehouse and I teamed up to author a bipartisan amendment to acknowledge our frustration with the budget process and the need to fix it. The U.S. Senate agreed unanimously that the budget process is broken. Getting the entire U.S. Senate, both Republicans and Democrats, to acknowledge the futility of the current budget process and the political side shows that come with it, is a step in the right direction. We need to fix this.
“It is all related. In order for the federal government to have the ability to act on our national priorities, we must solve the debt crisis. To solve the debt crisis, we have to fix our budget process. Job one is getting the economy going, and the economy will move if we get this tax deal done. It’s as simple as that.”
The U.S. Senate unanimously agreed by a voice vote to Senator Perdue’s bipartisan amendment with Senator Whitehouse that acknowledges Congress’ broken budget process (Perdue 1167).
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:
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