By Sen. Ross Tolleson
PERRY (February 11, 2011) – Every year, I enjoy visiting with all the bright and talented students from the 20th Senate District who visit the State Capitol. This week I met with the Youth Leadership of Warner Robbins, a program designed by the local Chamber of Commerce to expose young leaders to the dynamic community and encourage their input and creativity. Also from Warner Robbins were several members of the Family, Career, and Community Leaders of America (FCCLA) who visited the Capitol during National FCCLA Week to celebrate this student organization that helps young men and women become leaders.
During 4-H Day, the Senate passed a resolution honoring the program for all it does to teach students about citizenship and service. 4-H member Rachel Allen of Wrightsville served as my Senate Page for the day, and she did a wonderful job. Each senator is assigned a page for a day in Chamber to give students a unique opportunity to see the legislative process firsthand while they help deliver messages to senators. I was also pleased to meet Perry High School art students Robyn Smith and Donna and Christian Culpepper, as well as members of Young Farmers of America, an educational program that provides young farmers with hands-on instruction on how to increase farming efficiency and productivity.
Not only is farming crucial to Georgia’s economy, but our forests represent a leading industry in the state. They create more than 180,000 jobs and contribute $28 billion in annual economic impact. During our annual Forestry Day this week, an exciting research project was unveiled that for the first time places a monetary value on ecological functions and ecosystem services to the state. Our forests provide $37 billion in ecological benefits. With a better understanding of the true value of our forests, we can make better land use decisions.
In that light, prescribed fire use is an excellent way to ensure the health of our ecosystem. I was honored to join the governor as he signed a proclamation designating the first week in February as the annual Prescribed Fire Awareness Week to promote the benefits of using prescribed burning as an environmentally-friendly tool for managing the state’s forests. The Georgia Prescribed Fire Council works with the Georgia Forestry Commission to encourage the exchange of information, techniques and experience among practitioners of prescribed burning in Georgia.
Lawmakers are continuing to work on balancing the state budget to provide a conservative and effective spending plan for the state. As a member of the Appropriations Committee, I am working diligently with my colleagues to ensure that during these difficult economic times, we cut spending where we can while maintaining core state services. The House of Representatives has just passed an $18 billion budget for the remainder of the 2011 Fiscal Year, which ends July 1. That budget will now move over to the Senate, where we’ll work on making any necessary adjustments. Just like families who sit around their kitchen table to decide where to cut spending, we believe government must also live within its means.
Sen. Ross Tolleson serves as Chairman of the Natural Resources and the Environment Committee. He represents the 20th Senate District, which includes Bleckley, Dodge, Johnson, Laurens, Pulaski, and Telfair counties and parts of Houston and Wilcox counties. He may be reached at 404.656.0081 or by e-mail at ross.tolleson@senate.ga.gov.
COLUMN
For Immediate Release:
February 11, 2011
For Information Contact:
Natalie Strong, Director
Kallarin Richards, Deputy Director
kallarin.richards@senate.ga.gov
404.656.0028