Home Governmental Affairs GA Rep. Amos Amerson 12-11-09 - It’s time to count some of this year’s blessings
12-11-09 - It’s time to count some of this year’s blessings
For immediate release -- December 11, 2009

It’s time to count some of this year’s blessings

Christmas is right around the corner.  That means it’s time to count some of this year's blessings.  First, I want to thank all of you for allowing me to be your State Representative.  It is my privilege to continue to serve you, especially during these challenging economic times.   

I appreciate the large number of you who have called to thank me for your greatly reduced tax bills.  I have even received calls from constituents who turned 65 this year, wanting me to know they look forward to their reduced tax bills next year. 

Reading in last week's The Dahlonega Nugget, I see that next year’s Lumpkin County Tax bills will be due on November 15, 2010 instead of December 20 as in the past.  This earlier date will help the city, county and school board prepare their budgets on the same cycle and prevent any late penalty payments by the county.

My thanks go to the City and County Governments, as well as the School Systems, for cutting their budgets so that either minimal or no tax increases have been placed on the backs of property owners this year.  Reducing or eliminating portions of ad valorem taxes will be a major issue during the 2010 Session of the General Assembly.  Property tax revision has been one of my top priorities since I was first elected to the Legislature.

During the year I have attended Association of County Commissioners of Georgia (ACCG) meetings, Georgia Municipal Association (GMA) meetings, and Georgia Mountain Regional Commission (GMRC) meetings.  I assure you that these organizations are well aware of the budgetary problems at all levels of government.  They continue to communicate with each other, trying to develop new ideas and methods to meet community needs at lower costs.

Many local governments are holding pre-session meetings with their legislative delegations to discuss pending local legislation and state wide legislation which will impact local governments.  They are suggesting changes to state laws affecting issues like SPLOST collections.  Some counties would like to collect it locally rather than have the Department of Revenue collect all sales taxes and then reimburse the counties and cities. 

Finally, thank you to so many who tell me that I am in your prayers.  I ask you to continue to pray for all of us in the General Assembly, especially the House of Representatives.  Both the Speaker and the Speaker Pro Tem will be stepping down the first week of the 2010 Session.  Last Friday the Republican Caucus met and discussed how this transition would take place.  Not surprising, there are several Representatives who would like one of the positions.  Some time in the near future we will meet again to select a Republican candidate for Speaker, who will stand for election before the whole House during the second week of January 2010.    

We continue to hold pre-session Appropriations Committee hearings.  We know that painful cuts may be necessary, but I believe that the following four areas need to be funded at some significant level.  I have written on all of these in the past.  Visit my webpage at www.amosamerson.com for more specifics.

TRAUMA - The state needs a heavy investment in trauma centers, particularly south of Macon.  Further, there needs to be a permanent source of income, so hospitals and centers do not need to beg money from the General Assembly each and every year.

TRANSPORTATION - If you drive, as I did, from Dahlonega though Mobile to San Antonio; then return via Natchez-Birmingham-Atlanta, there is no question that Georgia has the best roads in the South.  However, these roads were built in another time, and they are starting to wear out.  Additionally, I believe it is time to build more light-rail transportation in and around Atlanta.  A model similar to London's rapid transit system would be great.  Picture a rail loop following I-285 with stops at the major shopping centers and connectors to and through downtown.

EDUCATION - Under Governor Perdue/Kathy Cox the graduation rate has substantially improved, but I do not believe that we have reached the national average of 79%.  A large vocal majority of parents are demanding school choice. 

WATER - The Governors of Alabama, Florida, and Georgia will meet this week, but I don't see their planned discussions bearing fruit.  Atlanta needs another airport, so why not cut a deal with the Governor of Tennessee to make Chattanooga Atlanta's second terminal in exchange for a large straw into the Tennessee River.  Georgia could build a high speed rail line between the two cities.  Putting a train stop in Dalton (which has about 16% unemployment) their unemployed workers would have a connection in both directions.  This idea first surfaced during the 2009 Session.

Again, I wish each of you a Merry Christmas and Happy New Year.   Let me know what you think about our proposed spending priorities.  I can be reached at 689 N. Chestatee Street, Dahlonega, Georgia 30533; 706/864-6589; E-mail This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it .  Or you can contact Gerald Lewy, my Communications Director, at 706/344-7788.  He’ll know how to get your message to me.  Remember, the secret of good government is a well-informed electorate.

For more information contact:                     
Gerald Lewy                                 
Communications Director
House District 9 – Amerson
471 Cloudland Road
Dahlonega, Georgia 30533
Phone/Fax: 706/864-4613
E-mail: This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it
 

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