ATLANTA (January 26, 2009) – The Macon-Bibb County legislative delegation decided its new leadership structure and elected its new chairman and vice-chairman at this morning’s 2009-2010 Biennium organizational meeting. Outgoing delegation chairman State Senator Cecil Staton (R-Macon) announced that State Representative David Lucas (D-Macon) was elected delegation chairman and Representative Allen Peake (R-Macon) has been elected vice-chairman for 2009, then they will swap roles for 2010. Sen. Staton believes the new leadership structure will help ensure a collaborative effort going forward with the delegation’s current 4-4 party split.
“This is simply not a time for partisan politics. Our constituents are facing enormous economic challenges and they deserve a delegation united in finding effective and timely solutions as we work to balance the state budget shortfall,” said outgoing chairman Staton. “I firmly believe that what we did today in creating this new-bi-partisan structure will make certain the best interests of Macon and Bibb County will be represented going forward.”
Sen Staton explained that Rep. Lucas will hold the chairmanship for the 2009 Session, and then will exchange positions with Vice-Chairman Peake for the 2010 General Assembly. Other delegation members include Senate Minority Leader Robert Brown (D-Macon), Rep. Allen Peake (R-Macon), Rep. Nikki Randall (D-Macon), Tony Sellier (R-Fort Valley), James “Bubber” Epps ( D-Dry Branch), and Rep. Jim Cole (R-Forsyth).
Sen. Staton also announced that the 2009-2010 delegation rules were adopted this morning without any changes from the previous year. Any House floor vote on local legislation will not require unanimous consent from the Bibb delegation for the laws to pass, only a simple majority. The Senate vote would require both Sen. Staton and Sen. Brown to support the legislation.
Sen. Cecil Staton serves as Chairman of the Science and Technology Committee. He represents the 18th Senate District, which includes portions of Bibb, Crawford, Houston, Jones and Monroe counties. He may be reached by phone at 404.656.5039 or via e-mail at cecil.staton@senate.state.gov.
PRESS RELEASE
For Immediate Release:
January 26, 2009
For Information Contact:
Raegan Weber,Director
Matt Colvin Communications Associate
matthew.colvin@senate.ga.gov
404.656.0028