Is a Law Limiting Lobbyist Gifts Necessary?

A proposed Senate bill would ban lobbyists’ giving of gifts to any public official in Georgia. Tell us what you think of this bill from State Sens. Bill Heath and Bill Cowsert.

Georgia lawmakers have wasted little time this year pushing for limits on lobbyist gifts. As the General Assembly got under way last week, the state Senate set a $100 cap on lobbyist gifts to its members. Legislators’ first day also saw the filing of Senate Bill 36, which if passed would enact an even wider ban on lobbyist gifts. A copy of the legislation is attached to this article. The bill, which is sponsored by State Sen. Bill Heath, R-Bremen, and State Sen. Bill Cowsert, R-Athens, would prohibit any gift from a lobbyist to a public officer in the state. According to Heath, current state law defines a gift as something with a value in excess of $100. The Senate rule passed before SB 36’s filing is not without its loopholes. The Atlanta…

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Bartow Republitarian

So How Did Your Local Legislators Score?

The Georgia Chamber of Commerce just released its 2011 legislative scorecard and you might be surprised.

It would be hard to find another organization that wields as much influence under the Gold Dome as the Georgia Chamber of Commerce. While legislators don't march in lockstep to do their bidding, when the Chamber makes its position known on a piece of legislation you can be assured your state representative or state senator at least pays attention. A few days ago the Chamber released its legislative scorecard for the just finished 2011 session of the General Assembly and there were a few local surprises. Legislators were judged on 10 bills that were voted on by both the House and Senate, and an additional bill only voted on in the House.  As a business organization, the Chamber is primarily concerned with issues that impact Georgia's …

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Bartow Republitarian

Did You Pay Attention?

Georgia legislators have wrapped up this year's session. Can you guess what the hottest issue was?

Unlike the majority of Georgians who obviously have better things to do, I’ve closely followed for most of my life the shenanigans that take place under the Gold Dome during the annual general assembly of our state legislature. I track all the behind the scenes machinations and inside politics stuff that would bore most folks to tears. However, each year there are usually two or three issues that will stir up significant interest among the population at large and this year was no exception. The modification of the HOPE Scholarship and state pre-k programs funded by the Georgia Lottery generated a lot of onlookers, but at the end of the day not that much controversy as a bipartisan legislative effort pushed through the changes. An illegal …

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Bartow Republitarian

Census Results Equal Changes For Bartow

With Bartow County passing the magic 100,000 population mark, you will be impacted.

The official 2010 Census breakdown for Georgia cities and counties was released last Thursday, and it pretty much verified what many had anticipated. Bartow County grew by 31.8% since 2000 and with a 2010 population of 100,157 we are now larger than Floyd County, which came in with 96,317 residents.  Now before you get your “We’re Number One” giant foam finger out of the attic and start waving it around, there’s a few things about topping the 100,000 number you should be aware of. It seems that once a county’s population passes this magic number, both business and government view that county differently. For those of you who have moved up to Bartow from Cobb or another of the core metro Atlanta counties, you have probably enjoyed not …

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Senator to Oversee Finance Committee

Veteran State Sen. Bill Heath, R-Bremen, was tagged for six committees.

As the 2011 session of the Georgia General Assembly swings into high gear, Sen. Bill Heath, R-Bremen, says he is excited about the challenges ahead. “I have always asked to be given some of the challenging issues,” Heath said. “This year I really got my wish.” Heath will serve on six Senate committees this session, but being appointed chairman of the Senate Finance Committee should provide the challenges he hoped for. State lawmakers once again face the challenge of passing a balanced budget along with tax reforms during a year of declining revenues. The General Assembly was delayed one week because of a severe winter storm that blasted through Georgia two weeks ago. “I have been extremely busy this week,” Heath said. In addition to …

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State Senator: Tax Structure Antiquated

Bill Heath, R-Bremen, says the legislature will look to improve the tax system and bring revenue to the state's coffers.

In his newsletter distributed via e-mail, State Sen. Bill Heath (R-Bremen), whose district covers portions of Bartow County and Cartersville, says the state's tax structure is antiquated and needs reform to bring more dollars to state coffers. He also indicates the H.O.P.E. Scholarship has some hard days ahead. Here is the publication in its entirety: While a wintry storm was hitting many parts of Georgia on Sunday, legislators from across the state were eagerly preparing for the start of the 152nd Legislative Session. Monday morning, despite treacherous ice and snow, the Senate and House chambers filled with legislators excited to begin a historic year for Georgia. I want to thank all of the state employees and public safety officers who …

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Budget, Immigration Reform Top Priorities for Legislator

State Sen. Bill Heath (R-Bremen) said legislators will be looking for ways to cut spending and waste during the new session of the General Assembly, which began Jan. 10. Heath also hopes to tackle immigration reform.

Passing a balanced state budget is a top priority for legislators during the 2011 Georgia General Assembly, which convened Jan. 10, according to one of Bartow County's state senators. State Sen. Bill Heath (R-Bremen) said lawmakers will be looking to reduce waste and to increase revenues, which declined during the economic downturn. The goal is to accomplish that financial effort without raising taxes, he said. "We must continue to make fiscally responsible decisions to ensure our state lives within its means," Heath said, adding, "We will not place any tax increases on our state's already struggling citizens." Helping ease the tax burden of residents was the impetus behind the passage of Senate Bill 342 during the 2010 session. The bill, …

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