Posted on

Sen. Goggans: Transportation Relief Comes to Georgia

goggansheadshotATLANTA (April 9, 2009)— Today Governor Sonny Perdue announced that he has submitted the required “1511 Certification” on 67 road projects around Georgia that will be funded through the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act. These projects represent approximately one-fourth of the total funds that will be available to Georgia for transportation through the stimulus package. State Senator Greg Goggans’ (R-Douglas) counties, Bacon, Coffee, and Ware, are among the many areas in Georgia that will benefit from these projects.

“This is a major step in the right direction with Georgia’s transportation repair,” praises Goggans. “This includes resurfacing projects on highways that will improve congestion and safety and spur economic activity.”

Among the many projects, Bacon County will receive $2,078,290 in maintenance costs for SR 32 from West of CR 317 and for Apple Tree Lane to East of Hurricane Creek. Coffee County will receive $1,644,000 in maintenance costs for SR 31 North Bound, US 441 from SR 135 to CS 787, and McNeal Drive. Ware County will receive $1,662,727 in maintenance costs for SR 4BU, US 1 from South of CR 341, Short Street to North of CR 255, and Smith Road.

“These projects also let tax payers know exactly how their money is being spent,” Goggans says. “I am proud to report to my constituents that much needed transportation relief is coming their way.”

# # # #

Sen. Greg Goggans represents the 7th Senate District which includes Atkinson, Bacon, Berrien, Clinch, Coffee, Echols, Lanier, Pierce, and Ware counties and portions of Cook County. He may be reached by phone at 404.463.5263 or by e-mail at greg.goggans@senate.ga.gov.

PRESS RELEASE

For Immediate Release:

April 9, 2009

For Information Contact:

Raegan Weber, Director

Hayley Howell, Senate Press Office Aide

hayley.howell@senate.ga.gov

404.656.0029

Posted on

Sen. Butterworth Announces Local Road Projects to Receive Federal Stimulus Funds

ATLANTA (April 9, 2009) – Sen. Jim Butterworth (R-Demorest) today announced local road projects that will soon be underway upon receiving funding from the federal stimulus package. Over $7 million in stimulus funds will be awarded to counties in the 50th Senate District for road maintenance and repairs.

Continue reading “Sen. Butterworth Announces Local Road Projects to Receive Federal Stimulus Funds”

Posted on

The People’s Business

Sen. Tommie Williams
Sen. Tommie Williams

By President Pro Tempore Tommie Williams
April 8, 2009

The 2009 Legislative Session has come to an end and was one of the toughest yet. State revenues declined, unemployment rose and the danger of increased foreclosures loomed as the Legislature worked toward stimulating the economy and balancing the state budget. Every decision made was done so with focus on getting Georgians back to work, growing business, improving transportation statewide, reducing government bureaucracy and improving education. The Georgia Legislature balanced the state’s budget while restoring the Homeowners Tax Relief Grants, maintaining public safety standards, and providing healthcare assistance for children and the elderly. Raising taxes to cover our budget shortfall was not an option; rather we chose to reduce the FY09 and FY10 budgets by nearly $4 billion combined.

Continue reading “The People’s Business”

Posted on

Mullis: Giving the People What They Need

Sen. Jeff Mullis
Sen. Jeff Mullis

By Sen. Jeff Mullis
The 2009-2010 Legislative Session has come to an end. This session was one of the toughest yet. State revenues declined, unemployment rose and the danger of increased foreclosures loomed as the Legislature worked toward stimulating the economy and balancing the state budget. Every decision made was done so with a carful eye on getting Georgians back to work, growing business, improving transportation, reducing government bureaucracy and improving education. We addressed each of these issues without raising taxes.

Continue reading “Mullis: Giving the People What They Need”

Posted on

Senator Kasim Reed Supports bill to Improve State’s Public Retirement Systems Investment Law

ATLANTA (April 7, 2009) – State Sen. Kasim Reed (D-Atlanta) presented legislation that will give local pension funds more flexibility in meeting their current and long term goals by changing the definition of large versus small pension funds and changing the equity percentage allowed in large funds. The definition of large retirement system would be expanded to include any public retirement system that has assets in excess of $200 million.

“This bill will allow retirement systems to update the way they invest their assets, and improve overall return,” said Sen. Reed. “These systems will move away from focusing on bonds and will now focus on investing in stocks. History has shown that stocks perform much better over time than bonds.”

In an effort to modernize retirement systems and improve their investment structure, large retirement systems can now invest up to 20 percent of their assets in equities to foreign corporations in any fiscal year.

“Moving the focus to foreign investments will enhance diversification and yield better return for retirement systems,” Said Sen. Reed. “We have a vibrant economy in this country, but our equity market has shrunk form 70 percent of the total global market in the 1980’s to 45 percent today. We have to invest on a global scale.”

The bill has passed the House and Senate, and will now go to the Governor for signature. For additional information on the bill, contact Senator Reed or go to www.legis.ga.gov.

# # # #

Sen. Kasim Reed represents the 35th Senate District which includes portions of Douglas and Fulton counties. He may be reached by phone at 404.463.1379 or by e-mail at kasim.reed@senate.ga.gov