Senator Steve Gooch Speaks at Gilmer Tea Party, Discusses Legislative Accomplishments with Emphasis on Illegal Immigration

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Emphasizing the importance of the legislation, Gooch reminded the group that Georgia has the 4th largest illegal population in the nation. The Gilmer County Tea Party welcomed Senator Gooch with warm applause at North Georgia Christian Academy Tuesday night. The senator came to deliver an update of this session’s legislature. He said that the legislature this year cut over $1 billion by a 7% reduction in almost every agency, with the exception of higher education, which received a higher cut and K-12, an agency, he said they tried to leave alone.

One bill Gooch discussed was SB 223, The Georgia Accountability Act. This bill creates an advisory board to assess and determine whether certain state agencies are necessary. According to the bill, if an agency is deemed unnecessary, it will eventually be phased out, thus reducing spending.
The Illegal Immigration Reform Act, SB 40/HB 87 was also discussed at length, provoking a passionate response from the crowd. Gooch said the senate submitted a version of the bill, which he co-sponsored, but the house had a better bill and a compromise was made between the two. The bipartisan legislation was then signed by Governor Deal. However, it was challenged and the judge blocked parts of the bill. As such, the bipartisan bill still needs legal reconciliation and may be further refined come January. Emphasizing the importance of the legislation, Gooch reminded the group that Georgia has the 4th largest illegal population in the nation. During the immigration discussion, several members asked questions about the legislation. Lacking confidence in the ICE, one member asked how the illegal immigration bill will be enforced. Senator Gooch told the member that financial incentives will be given to the state.
Legislature also passed some other good bills, he said, like SB 26, Lawful Carry During a State of Emergency, and SB 177, The Healthcare Compact. SB 26

“prevents any state government entity from limiting the freedom of gun ownership during a state of emergency,”

and, SB 177

“prevents Federal dollars or tax credits to be spent on abortions.”

Both bills passed the Senate, but not the House. Senator Gooch reminded the group that the bills that haven’t been passed in the House are not dead.

“Don’t give it up,”

he said, encouraging the members to contact him if there is a bill they want brought back to the floor for a vote.
Gilmer County Tea Party Communications Director Jack Smith closed by thanking Senator Gooch and encouraged the members to contact the senator with their concerns, which was met by a chorus of applause for the Senator.

Republican Senator Steve Gooch was elected on November 2, 2010 to the state legislature for District 51, which covers Fannin, Forsyth, Gilmer, Lumpkin, Pickens, Union, and White counties. He is a member of the Economic Development, Government Oversight, State and Local Government Operations, and State Institutions and Property Committees. He is also secretary of the Transportation Committees. Senator Gooch is married and has three children. Senator Gooch has an office in Dahlonega and Atlanta. He can be reached at (404) 656-9221 or by email at [email protected]

Dist. 51 State Senater Steve Gooch Speaks at Gilmer County Tea Party Meeting from Fetch on Vimeo.

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