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Senate Discusses Budgets and Programs of Education

ATLANTA (December 2, 2008) – Senate Appropriations subcommittee meetings resumed today at the Capitol with the Education subcommittee and the Best Value in Government Task Force joint workshop. The subcommittee discussed agency reports, efficiencies, and cost savings for the Department of Education (DOE) and Department of Early Care and Learning (DECAL). Senators Dan Moody (R-Johns Creek) and Mitch Seabaugh (R-Sharpsburg) co-chaired the meeting.

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Senate Discusses Budgets and Programs of Higher Education

ATLANTA (December 1, 2008) – Senate Appropriations subcommittee meetings continued today with the Higher Education subcommittee and the Best Value in Government Task Force joining for a workshop at the Capitol. The subcommittee discussed agency reports, efficiencies, and cost savings for the Board of Regents and Technical College System of Georgia. Senators John Wiles (R-Marietta) and Mitch Seabaugh (R-Sharpsburg) co-chaired the meeting.

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Unleash America from Foreign Oil

by Sen. Eric Johnson (R-Savannah)

Sen. Eric Johnson

Sen. Eric Johnson

Since the election, the country has focused on how to recover from the current economic situation. However, I believe that one of the greatest challenges President – Elect Obama will face is the problem of our dependence on foreign oil which was one of the contributors to the recession. While gas prices have dropped recently, we still remember $4+ gasoline. We cannot forget that energy fuels the economy and most of this energy comes from foreign nations that loathe America’s values of freedom and democracy.

During the election, you may have seen commercials featuring T. Boone Pickens, the Texas billionaire who made all of his money on oil and gas. Pickens has put his money where his mouth is, and called on the next Congress to enact a plan for domestic energy independence within the first 100 days of the new Congress.

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Senate Bankruptcy Homestead Exemption Study Committee Discuss Key Issues, Possible Reform

ATLANTA (November 25, 2008) – State Senator Ed Tarver (D-Augusta) called to order the Senate Exemptions for the Purpose of Bankruptcy Study Committee’s first meeting today at the Capitol. Banking and legal representatives spoke to the committee describing their view on the current homestead exemption policy in Georgia and whether the state statue needs to be revised.

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Senate Poised to Make Property Tax Reform Key Agenda Item for 2009

Sen. Chip Rogers

Sen. Chip Rogers

ATLANTA (November 24, 2008) – Senate Majority Leader Chip Rogers announced today that he welcomes the pre-filing of House Resolution 1 to help protect Georgia property owners from unfair property tax increases. He also suggested this would be one of the key pieces of major legislation in the 2009 session for the Georgia General Assembly.

Senator Rogers authored similar legislation, Senate Resolution 796, which provides tax relief for homeowners through a constitutional amendment to freeze property tax assessments. Residential property assessed value may not increase anymore than two percent a year and non-residential property assessed value may not increase anymore than three percent a year or the rate of inflation, whichever is lower. In addition, it allows property to be assessed at a real, fair market value and will establish accountability for tax policy at the local level. The resolution passed the State Senate in 2008.

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