Local News
Laws, Gas, and Budgets
By
Aug 3, 2008, 07:50

Three incumbunts, Representative Gene Maddox, Sentator John Bulloch and Decatur County Sheriff Wiley Griffin spoke at the recent Kiwanis meeting.

Representative Gene Maddox relayed information about House Bill 89, which he co-authored. The bill, which took several years to pass into law, allows citizens to carry concealed weapons into most public areas provided that the owner has a concealed weapons permit. Maddox stated that there are some restrictions on it and there may be more changes made to it.


Another bill that was passed was the CON (Certificate of Need).  Maddox stated that the new law would allow the Cancer Center of America into the state without having to have a CON certificate, which he stated was difficult to get. According to Maddox, the area is also known as the 'Bass Capital of Georgia'.

Gas prices, according to Maddox, are also on many of his constituents' minds. He stated that he receives many questions about the issues. Maddox stated that he recently attended two meeting related to the gas issues. Many alternatives were discussed and Maddox stated that while it is a federal issues something must be done. 

State Senator John Bulloch stated the budget had just been finalized on June 30th and that there was a shortfall of over $670 million dollars of projected income for the state. The $670 million had to be taken from the reserve fund in order to have a balanced budget. "Georgia constitution says we have to have a balanced budget, we have to live within what we budget," Bulloch stated.  The new budget, which went into effect on July 1st, is $20+ billion.

Bulloch said that the 2009 budget has a 7.5% growth projection above the year before, however, 2008 didn't meet it's budget so it will take a growth rate of 8.7% . "Folks, it's time we have to tighten our belts, we have to be prepared." Bulloch also stated that the Governor has instructed all department to cut the new budget that just began by 3%.

"If we don't want to cut the budget, the only other choice we've got is that we've got to have more revenue. Now that equates out to the old dirty word none of us likes, increased taxes." Bulloch stated one area that is being considered is the Homestead Exemption. Other areas include rescinding tax breaks that were recently passed, and the 2.5% pay raise for state employees. "We've got some tough decisions."

Sheriff Griffin said as a supporter of the Second Amendment, that House Bill 89 is a good bill. He stated that it goes further than the previous Concealed Weapons Law and some areas may need to be tweaked as they present some issues for law enforcement.  An example is that weapons may only be taken into restaurants or bars that derive at least 50% of their sales from food and those carrying concealed weapons can not consume alcohol.

Copper thefts is another area that Sheriff Griffin spoke about. Griffin stated that currently the selling and buying of stolen copper is a misdemeanor. According to him, Florida recently passed a bill that requires pictures be taken of everyone selling the copper and the copper they are selling.

Griffin stated that over his 9 years serving the county he has looked at the issue of non-partisanship for some of the elected offices, such as sheriff and judges. He stated that no one should think that he or others wouldn't be helped because of a difference in party affiliation.

According to Griffin, the Georgia Sheriff's Association is working on the issue. "It's up to the people in this room and our citizens to say hey, we want to vote for who we want to.  Until you all make the legislature, both Senate and House, address that issue, it's not going to be addressed."