House Democrats Roll Out Legislative Agenda |
House Democrats held a press conference on Tuesday to introduce their 2012 legislative agenda, which is aimed at creating good jobs, promoting rural recovery, strengthening schools and protect the taxpayer’s investment in Georgia.
The Rural Recovery Act of 2012 that would immediately repeal HB 87, the failed immigration law passed in 2011. Rep. Pedro Marin, author of the repeal, said, “Georgia farmers have been the victims of a failed experiment. We have watched crops die in the fields, and millions of dollars have been drained from our economy. The state must get out of the federal immigration business and return to the business of producing the nation’s food supply.” Added co-sponsor Rep. Lynmore James, “Agriculture is our top industry, but they’ve been abandoned by the Gold Dome. With repeal of HB 87, we can put our farms on the road to recovery.”
During a public hearing Thursday, House Democrats were joined by advocates for farmers and others impacted by the fall-out of HB 87. “Georgia deserves better than a bill that costs millions of dollars in lost crops, lost revenue and lost opportunities,” explained Representative Lynmore James. “I am a Georgia farmer. I know that our families cannot afford to have politicians playing with their food. If we want good jobs and a stronger economy, the first step is repealing HB 87.”
House Minority Leader Stacey Abrams explained the devastating effects of HB 87 at the House Democrat’s press conference on Tuesday.
“HB 87 is a failed attempt at immigration reform that has simply served to cripple the economy of Georgia,” said Leader Abrams. “The most modest estimates place the price tag for six months of this bill at $75 million in lost crops alone. That’s real money to the thousands of family farms, small grocers and shop owners who rely on Georgia’s agriculture industry to survive.”
Larry Pellegrini, Policy Analyst for the Georgia Latino Alliance for Human Rights, was in attendance at the public hearing on Thursday.
“The passage of HB 87 was a mistake. Families, the economy and Georgia’s reputation have all been hurt,” said Pellegrini. “We applaud the Caucus for making an effort to honestly reveal the consequences of the bill and to identify what is needed to correct the destructive fallout. We regret that all of the effort to pass an unworkable Georgia bill was not put into pressuring Congress to enact comprehensive immigration reform. Georgia should now retreat from the failed HB 87 and move forward with policies that respect and value all of it’s residents.”
To promote and expand Georgia’s economic sector, House Democrats introduced a series of bills that will provide Georgians with a stronger economy, support rural communities reeling from HB 87 and help small businesses grow.
Key items include the Georgia Buy American Act by Representative Virgil Fludd and co-sponsored by Representative Sistie Hudson. The bill will reduce sales taxes on products produced in America, particularly Georgia. Representative Quincy Murphy and Representative Yasmin Neal have co-sponsored the Georgia Jobs Matter Act to require all procurement bids to include a Georgia jobs impact statement.
Representatives will also introduce the Rural Tourism Protection Act, legislation to require mandatory notice of park closures, which can devastate rural tourism. Author Rep. Debbie Buckner has already secured bi-partisan support for her legislation, which is co-sponsored by Rep. Sharon Beasley Teague and Rep. Bob Bryant.
Understanding that excess regulation can strangle small businesses, Representatives Glenn Baker and Mack Jackson will ask for a suspension of the E-verify requirement for small businesses with fewer than 50 employees. The Small Business Protection Act suspension would last until 2015.
“Our government must step in to provide proper oversight and regulation for the protection of our citizens, but that regulation cannot stop our small businesses from growing,” explained Rep. Jackson.
For small companies doing business with the state, the Georgia Fair Pay Act will require prompt payment on all state contracts, as authored by Representative Al Williams and co-sponsored by Representative Elena Parent and Representative Mickey Stephens. “Democrats are committed to helping all Georgians by spurring job creation, and restoring fairness and opportunity to our economy. The state has already appropriated the funds. There is no excuse for not making good on our promises to small businesses that have done the work.”
Small businesses facing rising health costs will find support in the Georgia Healthcare Relief Act, which requires the establishment of Small Business Healthcare Exchanges. Said author Representative Pat Gardner, “We know that small businesses need this flexibility. Healthcare is a vital state and national interest, and we must be proactive if we want to small businesses to continue to grow in our state.” Rep. James Beverly, an optometrist, and Rep. Elly Dobbs will co-sponsor.
The House Democrats’ legislative agenda also includes specific bills designed to continue Georgia’s progress of empowering parents and fostering successful students. The Parent Protection Act, the Restore and Build HOPE Act, the Bright Futures Acts and Whistleblower Protections Act will all help secure stronger schools. “Democrats recognize that accountability and reform must go hand in hand, and the best education begins with investments in Pre-K,” said Bright Futures author Representative Kathy Ashe.
“The House Democratic Caucus understands that citizens expect more of their government than taxes and regulation. We want government that works for the people and with the people. We expect a government that asks everyone to do his or her fair share and to play by the rules. And we demand a government that understands its business: to spend our tax dollars wisely,” explained House Minority Whip Carolyn Hugley.
House Democrats offered a package of legislation that will meet those key objectives: to fix government so it works, to promote democracy and civic engagement and to protect taxpayer investments. HB 643 by Representative Sheila Jones, co-sponsored by Rep. Barbara Reece will require fingerprints for metal salvage. The Foreclosure Reform bills will create a judicial foreclosure process and guarantee homeowners a right to cure a delinquency. HB 707 will permit the use of college identification as qualified documents for voting. In concert with the Senate Democratic Caucus, the Tax Accountability Act will create an independent panel to review the cost-benefit analysis of tax subsidies. The Family Energy Credit will address Georgia’s deregulated natural gas prices by offering an income tax credit for home energy costs, sponsored by Rep. Simone Bell.
House Democrats announced 20 legislative initiatives that will promote economic security, educational opportunity and shared responsibility. Some of this legislation has been heard in committee, but many critical ideas have received no action from the House committees of purview. To guarantee full consideration of their ideas, House Democrats announced plans to convene public hearings in the Capitol to review each item of legislation. Attendees will receive information about advocating for legislation they support and details about the oversight committees to demand action.
House Minority Caucus Chairman Brian Thomas explained the House Democrats’ bold new approach. “Rather than wait for committee hearings that may never come, the House Democrats will hold public legislative hearings on all of our agenda items. For the next six Mondays and Thursdays in the Capitol, we are inviting citizens, advocates and the press to join us to learn about these bills and to provide feedback that will be taped and broadcast. We cannot afford politics as usual. Georgia can’t wait to move forward.”
Future public hearings will be held on Thursdays from 8:30 am until 10 am and from 9 am until 11 am on Mondays in room 230 in the Capitol. Public hearing dates are January 26, January 30, February 2, February 6, February 9 and February 15. All are invited to attend.
More information about the House Democratic Caucus legislative packages can be found at www.gahousedems.com.
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GEORGIA SENIORS DESERVE BETTER
FACT: Instead of guaranteed Medicare benefits, Vouchercare requires a “voucher” that leaves Seniors at the mercy of big insurance companies. This voucher will lose value over time, as insurance companies siphon increasingly larger profits from Medicare.
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FACT: Vouchercare would end Medicare as we know it for millions of Americans, raising premiums for Seniors and forcing them into private plans. We cannot allow Republicans to deprive Georgia Seniors of vital benefits, only so insurance companies can increase profits.
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FACT: Seniors on Medicare are overwhelmingly happy with the current program. Medicare will face challenges in the coming years, but these can be addressed by sensible reform, not radical schemes to dismantle the most successful health care program in US history.
FACT: Some reforms have already been enacted through the Affordable Care Act, including:
• Closing the prescription donut hole, saving seniors $250
• Ensuring affordable access to preventive care
• Cutting overpayments to insurance companies
FACT: Medicare remains the most efficient health insurance program available; 95 cents of every Medicare dollar goes directly to services. For private health insurance companies, only 65 cents of every dollar goes to provide health care services.
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