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GTC confirms 515 alternate path to Boardtown road project

News May 4, 2021 , by
515

GILMER COUNTY, Ga. – An official statement from the Georgia Transmission Corporation (GTC) today has given relief to the Boardtown road community, through Highway 515, who have been vocally opposing the major project’s plans to build on the road.

The community and its leaders often stated that they supported the project and agreed with it being a needed upgrade, but wanted the project relocated to a different location. Many specifically stated Highway 515 as an alternative.

Even GTC said they had originally looked at 515 but were turned down.

515 515Today, with the aid of House Speaker David Ralston and Senator Steve Gooch, the GTC said, “Following months of extensive analysis at the request of the local community, Georgia Transmission has determined that Highway 515 is a viable corridor for the Whitepath Electric Reliability Project. Conversations are underway with the Georgia Department of Transportation to develop a proposed route for the project adjacent to Highway 515 that meets engineering and safety constraints.”

GTC gave specific thanks to Ralston and Gooch and the community saying the result was a culmination of efforts and input from “community partners including citizens, civic organizations, and elected officials.”

As plans continue for the official path the 46 kV sub-transmission line will take, a preliminary path has already been laid out in consultation with Speaker Ralston. GTC said that this new path involves purchasing easements to minimize the impact of the line on rights of way owned by both the public and the Georgia Department of Transportation.

In late September of 2020, GTC said they were beginning “an extensive look” into the 515 and another alternative path. Just over seven months later, they are confirming this path as viable.

The opposition started last year after a series of public information meetings showed a pathway leading down Boardtown road after GTC had already ruled out the 515 path and one along a CSX rail line.

GTC said the Highway 515 path was denied due to limitations including a request denial by GDOT. 

Now, with the path approved, House Speaker Ralston said, “This outcome demonstrates that workable solutions can be achieved when parties come together in cooperative spirit for the betterment of the community. Sen. Gooch and I are pleased that our partners at Georgia Transmission and Amicalola EMC have done their due diligence in service to the community and are now able to take the next step in ensuring reliable electricity for households and businesses in Gilmer County.”

Ralston was brought in on the project discussion after Gilmer County’s Board of Commissioners drafted letters to him and Gooch last year. Citizens flooded into the county’s monthly meeting asking for help in discussions to find an alternative path from Boardtown. With the board’s letters and offers to set up additional meetings for citizens, they pledged to aid in what ways they could.

With the confirmation of this alternative path’s viability, Georgia Transmission Vice President of Project Services John Reese said, “Georgia Transmission is proud that we were able to honor our word to the community while fulfilling our mission of helping to keep the lights on for Gilmer County. Although considerable work remains to be done we appreciate the active engagement of Amicalola EMC and its members, and the leadership of Speaker Ralston and Senator Gooch, in identifying a solution to the critical electric reliability need in the area.”

According to GTC’s statement, they will soon begin undertaking the process necessary for “advancing the route along Highway 515.” This process involves finalizing the route, contacting property owners in the area, and more public meetings.

For citizens wishing to continue following this project, Georgia Transmission will offer updates on the project page of their site.

Collins speaks in Ellijay on Bus Tour

Election 2020, News October 21, 2020 , by

ELLIJAY, Ga. – Traveling across North Georgia today, U.S. Senate Candidate Doug Collins spoke to citizens at the Piedmont Community Center in Ellijay alongside George Papadopoulos and David Ralston.

The event is part of a campaign Bus Tour as Collins continues working toward the November 3 election day. In addition to Ellijay, Collins also stopped in Jasper, Blue Ridge, and Calhoun today.

Ralston spoke of the election and the importance of standing against the “other party” and their agenda. He spoke about the state government and budget cuts amid the pandemic as he called out members of that other party as the majority voting against an 11 percent pay cut for themselves to, as Ralston stated, “participate in the pain that other Georgians were feeling.” He called out the other party for not supporting law enforcement with the majority voting no to a bill in support of law enforcement.

David Ralston, left, and David Collins, right, were two of the three speakers at a campaign event in Ellijay, Georgia, on October 21, 2020.

David Ralston, left, and David Collins, right, were two of the three speakers at a campaign event in Ellijay, Georgia, on October 21, 2020.

Collins started his speech by saying he was fired up to be “thirteen days away from Donald Trump for four more years.”

With the campaigns entering their final runs, Collins addressed the issue of campaign ads and the $35 million spent by Loeffler in her campaigns. Collins stated, “She may already be up to $35 million, but I’m up to 6′ 4″, about 195 pounds, and I’m full of fire and fury and I will not back down.”

Papadopoulos also spoke on behalf of the Collins campaign saying that this was the candidate to fight. Someone to fight against the deep state and against the far left. Calling for vigilance, Papadopoulos pushed everyone to get out and vote in support of the campaign and to not take anything for granted as he said about the competition, “They’re going to pull out the dirty tricks.”

George Papadopoulos speaks about the Doug Collins campaign and the November Election during a campaign event in Ellijay, Georgia, on October 21, 2020.

George Papadopoulos speaks about the Doug Collins campaign and the November Election during a campaign event in Ellijay, Georgia, on October 21, 2020.

The push to vote was echoed by Collins as he said that voting isn’t a single person issue. He urged people to gather others, to group up and not just go vote yourself but to take friends and family, too.

Collins said that people in this area know him. They know the truth in spite of lies and misinformation that he says many of the ads against him are filled with. He later told FYN in an interview that he feels that her push towards ads and tv campaigns is her only recourse as she doesn’t know or spend time with North Georgians. Collins said her media-focused campaign allows her to control the narrative, something you cannot do in a room with 100 people.

Collins said his campaign is a different style as he wants to get out and meet the people and let them ask their own questions of him.

Senator David Perdue Addresses Georgia Sheriffs’ Association

Politics, State & National January 24, 2019 , by

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE CONTACTS:
January 24, 2019 Casey Black, 202-224-1324

Jenni Sweat, 202-224-0614

Senator David Perdue Addresses Georgia Sheriffs’ Association

“I want all law enforcement officers to know I’m proud of them, I appreciate what they do, and I’ve got their backs.” 

ATLANTA, GA – U.S. Senator David Perdue (R-GA) joins the Georgia Sheriffs’ Association’s Winter Conference in Atlanta, Georgia:

“Georgia is home to some of the most impressive law enforcement officers in the nation,” said Senator Perdue. “Our sheriffs are pillars of the community and work every day to preserve peace, prevent crime, and protect all Georgians. It was great to hear directly from many of our state’s sheriffs. Their input is critical as we work to increase public safety and improve school security. I want all law enforcement officers to know I’m proud of them, I appreciate what they do, and I’ve got their backs.”

“Senator Perdue has a sincere commitment to ensuring the safety of all Georgians,” said Terry Norris, Executive Director of the Georgia Sheriffs’ Association. “We greatly appreciate his presence at the Sheriffs’ Winter Training Conference and his long-standing support of the Constitutional Office of Sheriff and the many dedicated women and men who perform the duties of deputy sheriffs and jailers.”

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Senator Perdue is the only Fortune 500 CEO in Congress and is serving his first term in the United States Senate, where he represents Georgia on the Armed Services, Banking, Budget, and Agriculture Committees.

Justice Denied, Again?

Opinion August 31, 2018 , by

The word is out there but for some inexplicable reason, it hasn't caught fire that Hillary & #39s hacked
email server caused the executions of all of America’s human assets (spies) in China. Perhaps
it’s because the Republican candidate for Florida’s governorship used the racist word “monkey”
and the deranged media went nuts again. The PoPO’s (Party of Perpetual Outrage i.e.:
Democrats) go nuts over just about anything if it advances their agenda, but Hillary must be
saved at all costs. Peter Strzok apparently knew about it! Is justice to be denied yet again?

The consequence of Hillary Clintons hacked illegal email server, crimes that still lie on fallow
ground for purposes of criminal justice cannot be denied. It now appears it wasn’t the Russians
as the PoPO’s staged, who hacked Hillary's server, but the ChiComs. Everybody else was
simply invited in to read DNC emails by John Podesta, the DNC Chairman who assumed control
after the feckless Debbie Wasserman Schultz opened the gates of the DNC website to the eyes
of the Jihadist world by hiring a family team of Pakistani IT experts, to run their site.

Accusations of collusion with those pesky Russians could better serve Hillary’s interests if it was
alleged that it was that awful Trump who collided with them, not Hillary. To this very minute,
Hillary’s totally debased and discredited scheme to destroy Donald Trump is still plodding its
way through a legal morass of lies, innuendos, and deceptions, all of which have exposed the
frightening depths of FBI and DoJ corruption, “not a smidgen” of evidence to implicate Trump.

But, back to Hillary. It is now reported that it was in fact, a Chinese firm, operating in Wash. DC,
that actually hacked Hillary’s unlisted, unauthorized and unsecured email server, reading every
word that passed between her and the State Department, her and Obama, and her and the
heads of the several US Intelligence agencies entwined in the web of her corrupt machine.

Consequently, US Spies in China were summarily rounded up and executed. Thank you, Hillary,
and Barak, Brennen, and Clapper for your good works protecting America whilst delivering our
human assets to the executioners of the Chinese state. I don’t know if a body count of deaths
directly attributed to Hillary Clinton can ever be tallied, let alone adjudicated in a court of law but
we don’t forget the things we did see, i.e.: the brutality of the deaths of the Benghazi four, the
poor young sot who was a DNC staffer murdered on his Washington DC door steps allegedly for
passing DNC emails to Wikileaks and now, a dozen or more US spies in China.

Yet, the attacks go on. Democratic Senator Richard Blumenthal had the audacity to insist that
Robert Mueller could mount a case against Trump for obstruction of justice after Trump
confirmed that White House counsel Don McGahn would be leaving the administration in the
fall. This came from a politician who claimed Vietnam wartime exploits he never achieved
because he was never there. To be fair, he was a Sgt. in the Marine Corps Reserve. That was it.

Hillary’s crimes are nearly an open book of treasonous activity easily provable in a court of law.
To the reasonable American citizen, one who could be empaneled as a juror say, the cries of
“treason” ring out loud and clear. Why does no one in the halls of justice seem to care? Why do
politicians, in both parties, not care. Why don’t we agree to execute spies? We used to. We
execute criminals, murder babies in the womb but we don’t kill spies. Why? There’s a nest of
them in Obama’s administration that, if properly investigated and tried, would find themselves
quickly standing on the hangman’s scaffold. Maybe we could hire a Chinese executioner who
has no compunction to doing his duty. Just saying!

Remember, freedom is the goal, the Constitution is the way. Now, go get’m! (30Aug18).

Dalton GOP Sen. Payne Faces Primary Challenger From His Right

Opinion April 30, 2018 , by

NRA endorses David Shafer

Election 2018, Politics April 17, 2018 , by

BLUE RIDGE, Ga. – The National Rifle Association (NRA) continues to unveil their endorsements for the upcoming May General Primary, and the latest announcement revealed their pick for the next Georgia Lieutenant Governor, Senator David Shafer.

Fannin County, Georgia, Governor, Lieutenant Governor, Republican, Senator, State of Georgia, National Rifle Association, NRA, David Shafer, Chris Cox, 2nd Admendment, Political Victory Fund, Defender of Freedom award, Senate Bill 101, President Pro Tempore

Senator David Shafer of the Georgia State Senate.

Shafer currently serves as a State Senator of the Georgia State Senate, a position he has held since first being elected in 2002. Shafer also holds the title of President Pro Tempore. He has had this designation since 2013 when his fellow Senators unanimously elected him to this position.

Shafer received a letter from the Chairman of the NRA’s Political Victory Fund Chris Cox. In this letter Cox noted Shafer’s work in Georgia in regards to protecting Second Amendment rights: “Nearly every Second Amendment bill in the last 16 years has had your name attached to it.”

“David Shafer is a voice for freedom and faithful friend to Georgia’s law abiding gun owners,” Cox said explaining the decision made by the NRA, “This endorsement is a reflection of his unwavering support for the Second Amendment.”

Shafer received the Defender of Freedom award from the NRA’s Institute for Legislative Action in 2013.

This award came after Shafer’s key role in passing Senate Bill 101 by an overwhelming majority in the Georgia Senate.

The bill essentially made what the NRA deemed as “several important changes to Georgia firearms laws”. Among these changes were increasing reciprocity for out-of-state concealed carry permit holders and preempting a ban on firearms in public housing giving residents the ability to defend themselves regardless of their economic stature.

Shafer has long held an A+ rating with the NRA Political Victory Fund and the NRA says of Shafer that he is “one of the nation’s strongest champions of the Second Amendment.”

“The framers of the Constitution intended for us to be able to defend ourselves,” Shafer said. “I am proud of my record fighting for the Second Amendment rights of every law abiding Georgian.”

The NRA’s endorsement is sure to pull some weight in the upcoming May General Primary. There are currently more than 100,000 active members of the NRA in the state of Georgia.

The May General Primary is scheduled to take place May 22, 2018. Voter registration deadline for this General Primary is April 23.

 

 

 

Fetch Your News is a hyper local news outlet that attracts more than 300,000 page views and 3.5 million impressions per month in Dawson, Lumpkin, White, Fannin, Gilmer, Pickens, Union, Towns and Murray counties as well as Cherokee County in N.C. FYNTV attracts approximately 15,000 viewers per week and reaches between 15,000 to 60,000 per week on our Facebook page. For the most effective, least expensive local advertising, call 706-276-6397 or email us at [email protected]

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Natalie Kissel

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Collins Bill to Honor Fallen Marine Sent to President’s Desk

Press Release, State & National March 9, 2018 , by

COLLINS BILL TO HONOR FALLEN CLERMONT MARINE SENT TO PRESIDENT’S DESK

WASHINGTON—The Senate last night voted unanimously to pass H.R. 3821, legislation to rename Georgia’s Clermont Post Office in honor of Zack T. Addington. Rep. Doug Collins (R-Ga.) introduced the bill this September, and it passed the House in November.

“Lance Corporal Zack Addington represents the selfless courage that’s cultivated in northeast Georgia, and I’m excited to see this bill leave Congress and head to the president’s desk for his signature,” said Collins.

Collins also honored Addington when he spoke about the bill on the House floor.

Background:

Known to his neighbors as Zack, Addington joined the United States Marine Corps in 1967. A native of Clermont, he became a rifleman in the 3rd Marine Division of the Fleet Marine Force and deployed to Vietnam that year. Addington was promoted to Lance Corporal and served his country honorably until he was killed in action in May 1968.

That June, Addington received the Purple Heart, National Defense Service Medal, Vietnam Service Medal and Republic of Vietnam Campaign Ribbon in recognition of his service there.

Senator David Perdue Comments On President’s Budget

State & National February 13, 2018 , by

WASHINGTON, D.C. – U.S. Senator David Perdue (R-GA), a member of the Senate Budget Committee, comments on the release of President Trump’s budget for fiscal year 2019:

“Since coming to the United States Senate, I’ve been warning that because of our debt crisis we are losing the right to do the right thing in funding our country’s priorities. Last week’s funding situation and this budget underscores just how broken our budget process has become. We have reached the point where if we do not make serious changes to our large and growing entitlement programs, we will never be able to balance our budget. President Trump has been successful in turning around the economy and removing excess regulations. We have already passed the tipping point, but this has bought us some time. No matter which party is in control in Washington, we need to see a serious commitment to solving this debt crisis and creating a stable fiscal future for our country.”

FYN Interviews Rebbeca Yardley on Georgia’s 2018 Sine Die – Last Day of Legislative Session

Politics, State & National March 29, 2018 , by

It’s Sine Die day, that means it’s the last day of the 2018 Legislative Session! Interviews First Vice Chairman of Georgia Congress 9th District GOP Rebecca Yardley on the experience and what to expect from the Georgia Capitol today!

 

Senator Steve Gooch Honors City of Dahlonega

State & National January 31, 2018 , by

ATLANTA (January 29, 2018) | Senator Steve Gooch (R – Dahlonega) is pleased to announce Monday, January 29, 2018, as Dahlonega Day at the state Capitol with Senate Resolution 590.

“Dahlonega is the gateway to North Georgia and I am grateful to be able to share my home with the rest of my colleagues,” said Sen. Gooch. “This year marks the 60th anniversary of Dahlonega and Lumpkin County citizens delivering gold, by wagon, for the installation of the state Capitol building’s gold dome. I could not be more proud to have representatives from our local community here today to celebrate this honor.”

The City of Dahlonega is a small city in northern Georgia founded in 1832. Dahlonega was the site of the first major U.S. gold rush and now is commonly referred to as the ‘Gold City’. The city sits at the foothills of the Blue Ridge Mountains and is surrounded by many natural elements. Dahlonega is the county seat of Lumpkin County. In addition to its history of gold mining, the city of Dahlonega is also known as the Heart of Georgia Wine Country, with six wineries and nine winery tasting rooms.

 

Senator David Perdue Talks Tax & Immigration On Kudlow Radio Show

Politics, Press Release January 29, 2018 , by

 

Senator David Perdue Talks Tax & Immigration On Kudlow Radio Show

“President Trump has been instinctively in line with the American people on immigration all along”

 

WASHINGTON, D.C. – U.S. Senator David Perdue (R-GA) joined Larry Kudlow on The Larry Kudlow Show to discuss how President Trump’s agenda has been instinctively in line with the American people, particularly on tax and immigration.

 

Starting Point: “A year ago, Tom Cotton and I started the conversation about fixing our legal immigration system, when we introduced the RAISE Act. This would move us to a merit-based immigration system, similar to that of Canada and Australia.”

 

Brilliant Move: “President Trump issued a brilliant framework for an immigration middle ground. I think he has been instinctively in line with the American people on immigration all along. Two-thirds of America want a DACA solution, but only if you provide for border security with a wall, end chain migration, and end the visa lottery.”

 

Real Opportunity: “When will conservatives ever have this kind of opportunity to solve the causes of the immigration problems we have now, including ending chain migration? Also, if Democrats are serious about solving DACA, how can they be against this reasonable solution the President laid out?”

 

Americans Agree: “Chuck Schumer offered up $25 billion for a wall. That tells me that Democrats are now admitting Americans want border security. They are seeing these polls showing that up to 80% of Americans want a wall. They know we need border security. President Trump isn’t going to give in on that point.”

 

Providing Certainty: “The President has done the right thing and put this back in the lap of Congress, which is where it should have been. President Obama just kicked the can down the road by providing temporary status. President Trump has said he’ll offer certainty for the DACA recipients.”

 

Solving Underlying Problem: “We want to ensure we aren’t back here in five years with the same problem. To do that we have to secure the border with a wall, end chain migration, and eliminate the outdated visa lottery.”

 

Economy Responding: “The more people and American companies we see responding positively to the tax bill, the more this is a generational change that will be simulative for our economy.”

 

Tremendous Impact: “We’ve had eight years of the federal government with its boot on the neck of small businesses with overregulation and policies that were anti-business. When you take that off, that has a tremendous impact.”

 

Assuring Our Allies: “Around the world they see an America reengaging after 8 years of disengagement. In Davos, President Trump said, ‘America first doesn’t mean America alone.’ I think that is sending a strong message to our allies and others around the world.”

 

 

Senator Perdue is the only Fortune 500 CEO in Congress and is serving his first term in the United States Senate, where he represents Georgia on the Armed Services, Banking, Budget, and Agriculture Committees.

Senator David Perdue On White House Immigration Framework

State & National January 26, 2018 , by

Senator David Perdue On White House Immigration Framework

WASHINGTON, D.C. – U.S. Senator David Perdue (R-GA) comments on the immigration framework released by the White House today:

“The White House framework is something that both Republicans and Democrats in the House and Senate should be eager to support. We all want a good deal, and here it is.”

Gooch: Senate Gets Down to Business

State & National January 22, 2018 , by

Senate Gets Down to Business

By: Sen. Steve Gooch (R – Dahlonega)

Although the Senate was in session for only two days this week, my colleagues and I were very busy under the Gold Dome addressing budget proposals and a key piece of legislation on the Senate Floor.

The week started with Joint Senate and House Appropriations hearings on the Amended FY18 and General FY19 budgets. Governor Deal kicked off the hearings which included several different agencies presenting their budget proposals. I am happy to say that the state’s budget continues to be in good shape, with the General FY19 budget topping $26 billion for the first time. The General FY19 budget proposals were drafted with an estimated 2.9 percent state fund growth and around 3.8 percent tax revenue growth over the Amended FY18 revenue estimates. Included in the General FY19 budget are increases in funding for education and transportation.

The General FY19 budget addresses the needs for the state to meet determined employer contributions within the Teachers Retirement System with a proposed increase of around $364 million. Additionally, around $120 million would be appropriated for enrollment growth and training. Along with these positive changes in the General FY19 budget, an important proposal in the Amended FY18 budget is adding $15 million to purchase 194 school buses statewide. This will positively impact our students by ensuring that buses are not overcrowded.

The state’s growing need to address transportation infrastructure is also addressed in the General FY19 budget. An additional $31.6 million in projected revenues resulting from House Bill 170 – passed during the 2015 Legislation Session – will be added to the Georgia Department of Transportation (GDOT) budget. I am very happy to see that a piece of legislation we passed a couple of years ago is still making positive impacts for GDOT.

Along with attending the budget hearings and carefully reviewing the proposals for the Amended FY18 and General FY19 budgets, my colleagues and I took up a very important piece of legislation in Senate Chamber. On Thursday, the Senate passed the Supporting and Strengthening Families Act, also known as the Adoption Bill, or HB 159. This bill passed with bipartisan support and is now headed over to the House of Representatives for their review. Final passage of this legislation and a signature into law by the Governor would allow our state to update our adoption system which has been the same for nearly 30 years.

The Senate’s version of HB 159 clarifies many of the laws regarding who can adopt, who can act as a legal guardian and the rights held by the biological parents before and after giving their child up for adoption. Additionally, the version the Senate passed on Thursday states that if an agency is not involved in a private adoptive process, living expenses cannot be paid. The only expenses that can be paid in a private adoption are medical and counseling. These are just some of the highlights of the Senate version of HB 159. As this legislation moves through the legislative process, my colleagues and I will work with the Governor and House of Representatives to ensure there is cooperation to address concerns anyone may have. It is imperative that we pass this legislation so that we can assist the large number of children who are in foster care and need a loving and stable home.

The pace of the session is going to pick up quickly with standing committees beginning to hold meetings next week to vet legislation pending from last year along with new bills introduced this year. As we move forward in the session, please do not hesitate to reach out with questions, concerns and feedback. It is always great to hear from my constituents and our door is always open.

Senator David Perdue Works To Strengthen Georgia’s HBCUs

State & National January 9, 2018 , by

Senator David Perdue Works To Strengthen Georgia’s HBCUs

WASHINGTON, D.C. – U.S. Senator David Perdue (R-GA), a member of the Bipartisan Congressional HBCU Caucus, joined Senators Cory Booker (D-NJ) and Tim Kaine (D-VA) to help improve the financial health of Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCU), some of our nation’s most critical higher education institutions.

Despite the fact that HBCUs provide educational opportunities to some of our nation’s most promising students, these institutions too often struggle financially. The HBCU Capital Financing Improvement Act would make technical changes to the HBCU Capital Financing Program, providing HBCUs access to capital financing or refinancing for the repair, renovation, and construction of campus infrastructure. These changes will allow more institutions to have access to the program, helping to offset disproportions faced by HBCUs in the private bond market.

“Georgia is home to 10 fantastic HBCUs that play an important role in educating America’s next leaders,” said Senator Perdue. “I am working to ensure all HBCUs in Georgia have the opportunity to get financial assistance for capital improvement projects that will only contribute to their positive impact on our state.”

Background

There are currently 10 HBCUs located in Georgia including Albany State University, Clark Atlanta University, Fort Valley State University, Interdenominational Theological Center, Morehouse College, Morehouse School of Medicine, Morris Brown College, Paine College, Savannah State University, and Spelman College. Senator Perdue has consistently worked to promote the interests of Georgia’s HBCUs in the U.S. Senate.

Senator David Perdue Discusses Immigration Latest On Fox News & ABC

State & National January 15, 2018 , by

Senator David Perdue Discusses Immigration Latest On Fox News & ABC

WASHINGTON, D.C. – U.S. Senator David Perdue (R-GA) spoke with Trish Regan on Fox News Channel’s Sunday Morning Futures and George Stephanopoulos on ABC’s This Week about recent meetings at the White House to fix the legal immigration system.

Highlights from Sunday Morning Futures

Negotiating A Deal: “The President has been very clear that any solution to DACA must include border security, including the wall, an end to chain migration, and an end to the visa lottery. Last week, we had two meetings at the White House. President Trump is very engaged on this issue, just like he was on tax. I’m hopeful we can get symmetry in this negotiation. In my business experience, that’s how you get to a deal and I still think there is a possibility to do that.”

Double Talk From Democrats: “It’s a gross distraction from the issue. Senators Schumer and Durbin both talked about ending parts of chain migration on the Senate floor. We’re doing things that the Democrats have voted for and have supported in the past. Under Bill Clinton in the 90s, we had a Presidential Commission actually recommend limiting chain migration and recommend moving to a merit-based immigration system based on who you are and not where you are from. The problem now is politics. That’s what’s so frustrating to all of us.”

Focusing The Scope: “Congress has failed three times in the last 11 years to fix the immigration system because they’ve been too comprehensive and tried to solve the legal problem, the temporary work visa problem, and the illegal immigration problem at the same time. What we’re doing now is limiting this debate to just the legal immigration system and I believe we can get to a solution.”

President’s Agenda Is Working: “If this were any other president getting the results that we’re getting right now in the economy, we would be crowing about the results. Two million new jobs created last year, 860 rules and regulations pulled back, 500 bureaucrats fired at the VA for non-performance, 300 fired in the Department of Education, consumer confidence is at a 17-year high, CEO confidence is at a 20-year high, 123 companies decided to give year-end bonuses because of our action on tax. This economy is beginning to move and what we have to do now is focus on immigration, infrastructure, and trade to keep moving the economy forward.”

Responding To Hawaii: “I don’t know the details of that yet, but it just heightens the fact that somebody made a mistake somewhere. As a member of the Armed Services Committee, I can assure you that we’ll get to the bottom of that.”

Highlights from This Week

Solving DACA: “The problem is Washington career politicians who just want to pander to their base. What we have right now is a gross misrepresentation of a meeting from Thursday. Two days earlier, the President held an hour-long open meeting with the media where Democrats and Republicans from both the House and Senate debated the issue. We want to solve the DACA problem. We want border security with a wall. We want to end chain migration and the visa lottery. That’s the scope we all agreed on Tuesday.”

Record Of Misrepresenting: “In 2013, Senator Durbin made the same allegation against a Republican leader in a meeting with President Obama, saying he chewed out the president and that this Republican leader was so disrespectful to President Obama they couldn’t even have the meeting. That’s what he said that in 2013. Later that day, President Obama’s own press secretary came out and said, ‘it did not happen.’ This is about a gross misrepresentation, and it’s not the first time.”

Current Negotiation Parameters: “We’re focusing on four things. The President has been consistent all along about what he wants in an immigration deal. I have been consistent. Senator Cotton has been consistent. Any deal on DACA has to include border security, including a wall, and the end to chain migration. That’s been consistent for the past year.”

Getting Started in 2018

State & National January 12, 2018 , by

Getting Started in 2018

By: Sen. Steve Gooch (R – Dahlonega)

On Monday, January 8, 2018, we reconvened for the second session of the 154th Georgia General Assembly, which many anticipate will be very fast-paced. The Georgia Senate began our business with leadership changes and three new members. We will also welcome another new member next week who won a special election on Tuesday, January 9, 2018.

In addition to welcoming three new members, Sen. David Shafer, who served as the Senate President Pro Tempore since 2013, resigned his position and the Georgia Senate nominated and elected Sen. Butch Miller to serve in this role. Sen. Miller is a fellow North Georgian and we are honored to have him as our next Pro Temp. The Senate Committee on Assignments also announced chairmen and committee assignments for the upcoming year.

In addition to my duties as Senate Majority Whip, I will continue to serve as the Vice-Chair of the Transportation Committee, the Secretary of the Appropriations Committee, as a member of the Finance, MARTOC, Regulated Industries and Utilities committees and as ex-officio on the Senate Assignments and Rules committees.

As we draw near to the second week of session, we will begin budget hearings as we craft the Amended FY18 and General FY19 budgets. During these meetings and agency presentations, I will keep the prosperity of all Georgians in mind as we finely comb through proposals. Our focus will be on saving tax payers’ dollars while ensuring economic growth and job creation continues to grow in our great state.

Something new here at the Georgia Senate is livestreaming of standing committees that meet in one of the five rooms wired during the Senate Transparency Project. This is in addition to the Senate Chamber being livestreamed during session days. The goal of this project is to bring transparency to standing committee meetings, where legislation is discussed and vetted before moving forward in the legislative process. Another objective is to provide access to our process for those who do not live in the metro area and cannot get to Senate committee meetings quickly. I truly encourage you all to take the time to watch these livestreams. But, if you can’t get to a computer during the meeting time, each and every meeting video is archived to be watched during any time—day or night.

On day four of the session, Gov. Deal gave his last State of the State address. Within his address, Gov. Deal focused on the growth across the board within the state of Georgia. For the past five years, Georgia has been named the number one place to do business. Overall, we have a very busy session calendar ahead of us as we work on the Governor’s budget proposals, legislation pending from last year and other issues that may arise.

I would like to say thank you to all of my constituents for your encouragement and care for the 51st District of Georgia. Please call or email me with any questions, comments or concerns you have and I look forward to hearing from you.

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