3 Amigos of Cobb Senate Address County GOP Breakfast

February 19, 2006 - State Senators Judson Hill, Chip Rogers, and John Wiles addressed the semi-monthly Cobb GOP Breakfast last Saturday (February 18). The 3 Republican Senators gave an update on Senate Activity and answered questions from a crowd of approximately 30 people. Here is a summary:Senator Chip Rogers said the 3 main issues to be addressed by the senate this session would be
Sexual Predators
Eminent Domain
Illegal ImmigrationIf these three pieces of legislation are signed into law, these will be the toughest pieces of legislation to address these respective issues in the entire country.Senator Judson Hill said that the new Sexual Predator Act would protect the mentally challenged as well as minors. Other pieces of legislation also include a requirement for 2/3 approval from the House and Senate for any new tax increases.The establishment of a Georgia Healthcare Standards Commission supported by the CDC.Last week the Senate passed the Katie Beckett Waiver Program for families who are no longer eligible for services under the federal program.John Wiles spoke about his work on the State and Local Government Committee. There will be test voting machines used in 3 Counties, one of which will be Cobb, in the upcoming elections. Judicial elections will be moved to November to increase the number of people voting for judges.John Wiles continues to advocate for an ATM 911 button for ATM machines.There are currently 2 Bills pending in the State Senate concerning incorporation. It seems that the mass exodus from Fulton County Services has begun and that very soon there will be no unincorporated areas left to Fulton County. # new cities are looking to incorporate: the City of South Fulton, Chattahoochee Hills, and New City.With the 4% -7% raise given to teachers this session, Georgia teachers will be the best compensated teachers in the country based upon the cost of living.John Wiles departed the breakfast early to attend the funeral of Linda Church, not, as he put it, to go get a haircut.Bill Byrne, still sounding like he was running for Governor, thanked the 3 legislators for their work on the Voter I.D. Bill and then made 3 points:
Any excess revenue the state takes in should be returned to the voters in the form of a rebate. The state budget is growing too large.
Education should be increased, but the State should not be telling school districts how to spend the money, as in the 65% classroom mandate recently passed down.
Redistricting issues should be kept local also.Senators Wiles, Hill and Rogers responded to each of the issues.On the first issue, Chip Rogers mentioned a taxpayer’s bill of rights (TABOR) which may be acted upon next session. Apparently the governor’s people felt was better to wait until after the election to address tax cuts. The model being looked at is Missouri’s model.In other notes – There will be a Cobb GOP committee meeting March 14.

My apologies to Senator Wiles for not publishing photograph :)

Mass Precinct Meeting For Cobb GOP

February 4 2006 - The Cobb County Republican Party held its Mass Precinct Meeting at Osborne High School on Saturday, February 4 from 10 to 12 noon. There was a wide collection of State Representative and Senators, School Board members and wanna-be's and an occasional Precinct Chairman or two.

One of the more interesting announcements was the affirmation by Cindye Coates that she will run for the State house seat again. After narrowly losing last time this came as no big suprise.

A real outsider, John Konop, seems to be gaining some steam in his challenge to Tom Price for the 6th District seat. He addressed the audience on Saturday and has also done several radio appearences. He is challenging Price on immigration, budget, and free trade issues.

Dr. Teresa Plenge welcomed everyone to "Her House", and gave the story about how SPLOST money was used to help rennovate Osborne High School.

John Wiles gave a background briefing on the emminent domain issues.

There were also representatives from the Ralph Reed, Casey Cagle and the Tom Price camps.

Looks to be an interesting campaign season with lots of money to be spent!

Cobb Takes Measures to Curb Illegals

February 2 ,2006 - Although no one will admit to it Cobb County has finally started to take initial steps to address the issue of illegal immigration. According to the Marietta Daily Journal , Cobb County commissioners unanimouslyapproved an ammended ordinance that restricts the the number of unrelated people living in the same house to 4. The revision is effective immediately and does not allow grandfathering.

The move was prompted by the case of Jose Cruz Rodriquez who was accused of housing 12 people in his home.

Fines will range from $100 to $1,000 and jail time. complaints can be filed online at www.cobbcounty.org under the community development agency icon.

What do you think??