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Sen. Butch Miller Applauds Resolution to Limit Lobbyist Gifts

ATLANTA (January 14, 2013) – Senator Butch Miller (R-Gainesville) applauds the Georgia State Senate for boldly passing a resolution that will amend the Senate Rules and cap gifts from any registered lobbyist or group of registered lobbyists at $100 per item, event or meal. The new rule originates from proactive efforts by the Georgia State Senate to solicit input from both Senators and citizens on how to effectively address lobbyist expenditure concerns.

“From the very beginning of my service at the Gold Dome, I have supported measures that promote government transparency and uphold the highest of ethical standards,” said Sen. Miller. “In fact, I was one of only 8 or 9 legislators to sign last year’s $100 ethics bill. Incorporating the $100 gift cap into Senate rules today was a positive step toward restoring the public’s trust and increasing government accountability.”

Currently, Georgia is only one of three states that does not have a limit on the amount of gifts a lobbyist can give to a legislator. However, taxpayers sent a loud message to state lawmakers last July when a nonbinding question to limit lobbyist gifts on the 2012 primary ballot received overwhelming support from Georgians statewide.

Any violations of the $100 gift cap will be subject to review by the Senate Ethics Committee.

RELEASE

For Immediate Release:
January 14, 2013

For Information Contact:
Jennifer Yarber, Interim Director
Shawna Mercer, Sr. Communications Specialist
Shawna.Mercer@senate.ga.gov
404.656.0028

 

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Sen. Josh McKoon Applauds Resolution to Limit Lobbyist Gifts

ATLANTA (January 14, 2013) – Senator Josh McKoon (R-Columbus) held a press conference today to applaud theGeorgia State Senate for boldly passing a resolution that will amend the Senate Rules and cap gifts from any registered lobbyist or group of registered lobbyists at $100 per item, event or meal. The new rule originates from proactive efforts by the Georgia State Senate to solicit input from both Senators and citizens on how to effectively address lobbyist expenditure concerns.

“Amending our Senate Rules to include a $100 gift cap marks a new day in the Georgia legislature,” said Sen. McKoon. “This decisive action reflects a culture of change under the Gold Dome and brings us one step closer to restoring the public’s trust. I applaud the efforts of my colleagues for taking this critical step toward increasing transparency and creating a more open, responsible state government.”

During the press conference, Sen. Josh McKoon was joined by members of the Georgia Alliance for Ethics Reform, which includes Common Cause Georgia, Georgia Conservatives in Action, Georgia Tea Party Patriots, Georgia Watch and the League of Women Voters of Georgia.

Elected to the Georgia Senate in 2010, Sen. Josh McKoon has quickly become one of Georgia’s leading advocates for ethics reform. In 2012, Sen. McKoon led a bipartisan statewide bus tour through 13 cities in four days to advance ethics reform and encourage voters to support a $100 cap on lobbyist gifts.

Currently, Georgia is only one of three states that does not have a limit on the amount of gifts a lobbyist can give to a legislator. However, taxpayers sent a loud message to state lawmakers last July when a nonbinding question to limit lobbyist gifts on the 2012 primary ballot received overwhelming support from Georgians statewide.

Any violations of the $100 gift cap will be subject to review by the Senate Ethics Committee.

RELEASE
For Immediate Release:
January 14, 2013

For Information Contact:
Jennifer Yarber, Interim Director
Shawna Mercer, Sr. Communications Specialist
Shawna.Mercer@senate.ga.gov
404.656.0028

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Georgia State Senate Passes Resolution to Limit Lobbyist Gifts

ATLANTA (January 14, 2013) – The Georgia State Senate boldly passed a resolution on the first day of the 2013 legislative session that will amend the Senate Rules and cap gifts from any registered lobbyist or group of registered lobbyists at $100 per item, event or meal. The new rule originates from proactive efforts by the Georgia State Senate to solicit input from both Senators and citizens on how to effectively address lobbyist expenditure concerns.

“Today, on day one of the legislative session, the Senate took decisive action on this critically important issue,” said Lt. Governor Casey Cagle.  “I appreciate our Senators who came together and spoke with one voice to strengthen the State Senate’s ethics laws.  We are now prepared to tackle the challenges of encouraging private sector job growth, strengthening education, and improving patient centered, free market healthcare.”

“This resolution is the result of open dialogues not just within the Senate, but also with the people of Georgia,” said Sen. Majority Leader Ronnie Chance (R-Tyrone). “This measure is an effective, common sense approach supported by both parties in the Georgia Senate.”

“I have long supported limitations on lobbyist giving, and I applaud the Senate for the common sense rules passed today,” said Sen. President Pro Tem David Shafer (R-Duluth). “I appreciate the bipartisan work of the Senate Ethics Reform Study Committee.”

Any violations of the $100 gift cap will be subject to review by the Senate Ethics Committee.

 

RELEASE
For Immediate Release:
January 14, 2013

For Information Contact:
Jennifer Yarber, Interim Director
Jennifer.Yarber@senate.ga.gov
404.656.0028

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Senators Elected as 2013-2014 Deputy Whips

ATLANTA (January 14, 2013) – Senate Majority Whip Senator Cecil Staton (R-Macon) has selected four Deputy Whips for the 152nd Legislative Session of the Georgia General Assembly.

  • Chief Deputy Whip – Senator Buddy Carter (R-Pooler)
  • Senior Deputy Whip – Senator Fran Millar (R-Atlanta)
  • Deputy Whip – Senator-Elect Hunter Hill (R-Smyrna)
  • Deputy Whip – Senator-Elect Burt Jones (R-Milledgeville)

“I appreciate the willingness of my fellow colleagues to serve in this important leadership role for the Republican caucus,” said Sen. Staton. “I’m glad to have these committed senators to help guide us through the tough decisions we have ahead in the 2013 session.”

Deputy Whips are primarily responsible for facilitating daily administrative duties within the caucus and legislative body. The first term of the 152nd Legislative Session of the Georgia General Assembly will convene January 14, 2013, at the Georgia State Capitol.

RELEASE
For Immediate Release:
January 14, 2013

For Information Contact:
Jennifer Yarber, Interim Director
Shawna Mercer, Sr. Communications Specialist
Shawna.Mercer@senate.ga.gov
404.656.0028

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Senator Crane Urges Army Corps of Engineers to Reconsider Change at West Point Lake

ATLANTA (January 8, 2013) – Sen. Mike Crane (R-Newnan) has been encouraged by the outpouring of support from constituents opposing the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers (USACE) decision to reduce West Point Lake’s “full pool” operating period by 40 percent.  Sen. Crane recently sent a letter to the USACE detailing Senate District 28’s concerns for the negative economic and environmental impacts if the proposed change is implemented.

Continue reading “Senator Crane Urges Army Corps of Engineers to Reconsider Change at West Point Lake”