Posted on

Mullis backs Statewide Response Plan for Weather Emergencies

Calls for GDOT to enlist private contractors, local governments for help

ATLANTA (January 25, 2011) – A Senate resolution urging the Georgia Department of Transportation (GDOT) to have a standby list of private contractors for state weather emergencies was introduced Monday by State Sen. Mullis (R-Chickamauga).  Senate Resolution 31 also calls for GDOT to pre-authorize local governments to aid efforts for clearing state roads when necessary.  Mullis believes the winter storm that paralyzed much of north Georgia several weeks ago signals a strong cry for a statewide coordinated effort going forward in dealing with icy road conditions.

“The bottom line is GDOT needs help and we must find any and all proactive solutions so Georgians do not have to deal with dangerous conditions that shut down north Georgia schools and businesses for days and days at a time,” said Mullis.  “The state does not have enough equipment needed to handle such a weather emergency like the one we just had nor is it prudent to spend taxpayer dollars on machinery that will only be used once every 15 years.  We have multiple contractors here in Georgia ready and able to help pick up the slack and get our roads and highways back to safe traveling conditions as soon as possible.  Local and county governments also have personnel and machinery that can be utilized for state roads that GDOT cannot get to as quickly.  It is time we have a statewide response plan for these types of events going forward and I will do all I can to ensure one is in place as soon as possible.”

Mullis recently began his sixth term as state senator and was appointed once again to serve as Senate Transportation committee chairman.  The committee will hold its first meeting of the 2011 General Assembly Tuesday at the State Capitol.
 

Sen. Jeff Mullis serves as Chairman of the Transportation Committee. He represents the 53rd Senate District, which includes Chattooga, Dade, and Walker counties and portions of Catoosa County.  He can be reached at his office in Atlanta at 404.656.0057 or by email at jeff.mullis@senate.ga.gov.

 

PRESS RELEASE
For Immediate Release:
January 25, 2011
For Information Contact:
Matt Colvin, Broadcast Director
matthew.colvin@senate.ga.gov
404.656.0028

Posted on

Sen. Albers to Host Sandy Springs Town Hall Meeting

ATLANTA (January 24, 2011) – Sen. John Albers (R-Roswell) will host a town hall meeting in Sandy Springs on Saturday, Jan. 29, where he will deliver a presentation of legislative updates.  Attendees will then have the opportunity to participate in a question and answer session.  All residents of the 56th Senate District are invited to attend. 

Continue reading “Sen. Albers to Host Sandy Springs Town Hall Meeting”

Posted on

South Georgia at the State Capitol

By State Sen. Greg Goggans

Our newly elected Governor Nathan Deal has released his budget for the upcoming year. This is the budget year that everyone has worried about so much.  Possibly the next bright spot is that tax collections are predicted to grow by 6% for Fiscal Year 2012 starting next July.  Agency cuts of 7 percent on average coming on top of median cuts of 19 percent over the past two years will force closure of some facilities and reduction of some services.  Higher education will take reductions totaling over $300 million including zero “growth” funds for institutions showing enrollment growth.  Technical colleges also will not receive growth funds totaling $62 million and $19 million in cuts. Continue reading “South Georgia at the State Capitol”

Posted on

Sen. Brown to Speak at Juvenile Justice Coalition Meeting

MACON (January 20, 2011) – Sen. Robert Brown (D-Macon), the Senate Democratic Leader, will speak Saturday at a Macon meeting of JUSTGeorgia, a juvenile justice advocacy coalition seeking changes to Georgia’s juvenile code.

Where: Greater Zion Hill Baptist Church

              2656 Napier Avenue

              Macon, Ga.

When: 10 a.m. – 1 p.m. Saturday, Jan. 22.

What: The meeting will provide an overview of the Children’s Code Rewrite Project – the Child Protection and Public Safety Act.

 

JUSTGeorgia is a statewide juvenile justice coalition created in 2006. Its purpose is to advocate for change to Georgia’s juvenile code and the underlying social service systems to better serve Georgia’s children and promote safer communities.  

For more information on JUSTGeorgia, please see the organization’s Website www.justga.org.