Georgia Politics, Campaigns & Elections for April 19, 2013

Yesterday, Govenor Deal signed House Bill 202, the congressional district balancing bill, and Senate Bill 70, the Design Build “best value” bill, at the Atlanta Metro Chamber of Commerce.

HB 202 waives the requirement to balance funds by congressional districts for all interstate improvements, certain freight corridor projects and projects of regional significance.

“These exemptions acknowledge that the interstates and freight corridors are a state priority, with the cost not being borne solely by one or two congressional districts,” said Deal. “These projects provide statewide benefits while furthering the completion of Georgia’s transportation goals. This bill will allow us to better prioritize transportation projects that help to create jobs, decrease traffic holdup for freight and quicken the flow of goods to Georgians.”

Under the new law, the state can move forward on transportation priorities such as the managed lane plan and large interstate interchange projects, and it can prepare for the increased freight flows from the deepening of the Savannah Harbor.

SB 70 allows GDOT to build upon its already successful Design Build program. Design Build projects give the private sector the ability to utilize innovation in both the design and construction of a project. Under the new legislation, GDOT will have more flexibility to take into account the long-term value of a particular project rather than merely the cheapest upfront cost. This bidding process will allow professional engineers to conduct a thorough, transparent evaluation process that will yield more innovation and deliver better results for Georgians.

(photos courtesy of the Governor’s Office)

At the Georgia Sheriffs’ Association Dinner, Deal also signed House Bill 482, allowing corrections officers who retire after 20 years service or more to retain their service weapons.

“This legislation provides an opportunity to reward men and women who have served our state honorably and dutifully,” said Deal. “These two agencies will now have the same privileges as the Georgia State Patrol and the Georgia Bureau of Investigation when it comes to department-issued weapon retention.”

Deal also signed legislation House Bill 298, creating an Agricultural Commodity Commission for Georgia Grown Products.

Funding will come from those producers and agribusinesses who voluntarily choose to utilize the “Georgia Grown” trademark. The bill  also makes changes to the Georgia Cotton Commission by increasing producer members of the commission from five to seven.

“Agriculture is Georgia’s No. 1  industry, and as governor I want to see that the farmers and producers of our state have every opportunity to succeed,” said Deal. “This commission will assist in raising awareness to local and national retailers of the high-quality product that we produce right here at home.”

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Agriculture Commissioner Gary Black praised the legislation.

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“Creating a Georgia Grown commodity commission will not only allow an avenue for agribusiness to connect with one another to promote Georgia Grown products, but it will also provide consumers a better understanding of the agribusiness industry, its impact on everyday life and the opportunities it affords in terms of future employment and investment,” Black said. “I want to thank Governor Deal for signing and the General Assembly for passing this important piece of legislation that will benefit Georgia agriculture for years to come.”

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All of Georgia’s commodity commissions are producer-funded and reimburse the state for any costs. The Agriculture Commodity Commission may only use its funds to educate, promote and do research for Georgia Grown Products.

The following bills have also been signed by Governor Deal.

Marietta apparently has a crazy candidate for Mayor, Charles Levinson, who has pledged, if elected, to:

• An expedited plan to phase out Marietta Power’s coal and nuclear investments in favor of solar, wind and other “viable renewables.”

• The city to acquire an ownership stake in the CCT bus line in exchange for operational expansion of the system in the city.

• To partner with property management and local recycling companies to install recycling bins in all Marietta apartment complexes.

• To repeal “the unjust redistricting map just passed; and deny the City Council the power to draw its own maps in the future.”

• To ensure redevelopment efforts “serve the people and businesses already invested in the City — not just the developers and politicians.”

• To give a 5 percent pay hike to police and firefighters.

• To set a city-mandated minimum wage of $8.50 per hour, “suing the state government if necessary to institute it.”

Levinson hasn’t yet announced whether the hammer-and-sickle would be added to the city’s flag, or when it would be renamed “The Peoples’ Republic of Marietta.”

Georgia’s unemployment is down to 8.4% according to data released by Labor Commissioner Mark Butler.

That is down from 8.6 percent in February, and 9.1 percent in March a year ago.

State labor officials say the rate declined because of an increase in the number of jobs and fewer new layoffs.

Georgia Labor Commissioner Mark Butler said Georgia employers created 23,700 jobs last month, which he called one of the best job growth numbers for March in nearly a decade.

Floyd County saw a 23% increase in first-time unemployment claims, while neighboring Walker County’s increased by 278%.

First-time unemployment claims filed by Floyd County residents were up 23.3 percent from February to March and up 28.7 percent from March 2012.

Some 651 Floyd County residents filed a first-time claim last month.

Bartow, Chattooga, Gordon, Whitfield and Polk counties all saw double-digit declines in the initial claims during March. Walker County however registered a huge, 278-percent, increase.

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The DOL reports the largest increase in claims in Floyd County came in the manufacturing sector, where 349 claims were filed, up from 225 in February.Officials with the labor office indicate that many of those could be partial claims, representing firms that may have experienced a temporary shutdown.

A listening session on force and budget reductions proposed for the Army will be held at Fort Benning on Wednesday, April 24 from 6:30 to 8 PM in Marshall Auditorium at McGinnis-Wickam Hall, the headquarters of the Maneuver Center.

On Thursday, April 25 at 2 PM, a similar session will be held at Fort Gordon at the base’s dinner theater.

The session is intended to give area residents, elected officials and leaders the opportunity to voice their opinions on how the military’s force reductions and restructuring would affect the area.

The personnel cuts are not related to sequestration but are part of a plan by the Army to draw down its active-duty force from 570,000 to 490,000 by the end of 2017, as detailed in the Budget Control Act of 2011.

The Marietta Daily Journal has picked up an editorial from yesterday’s Augusta Chronicle, which we noted yesterday, about the media’s handling of the Gosnell case.

The family of the late Glynn County Commissioner Tom Sublett, whose death was ruled a suicide, has requested a forensic pathologist review the autopsy.

File this under summer fun: Dragon boat races will return to Macon tomorrow at Lake Tobesofkee to benefit Big Brothers Big Sisters of Heart of Georgia. Hearing that a team from Georgia Power won last year’s race, a tea party organization sent out a press release opposing dragon boat races.

2013 Georgia Republican Party District Conventions

If you’re attending a District Convention tomorrow, remember that all posted starting times are sharp and will be strictly enforced. If you’re not registered and in the room when the Convention starts, don’t complain to me if you’re not seated.

1st District: Bacon County High School, 901 North Pierce St, Alma, GA 31510
2nd District: Byron Municipal Complex, 401 Main Street, Byron, GA 31008
3rd District: FDR Conference Center, 6135 Roosevelt Highway, Warm Springs, GA 31830
4th District: Centerville Commmunity Center, 3025 Bethany Church Road, Snellville, GA 30039
5th District: Atlanta History Center, 130 W. Paces Ferry Rd NW, Atlanta, GA 30305
6th District: Dunwoody High School, 5035 Vermack Road, Dunwoody, GA 30338
7th District: Buford Community Center, 2200 Buford Highway, Buford, GA 30518
8th District: Middle GA Technical College, 80 Cohen Walker Drive, Warner Robins, GA 31088
9th District: Lakeview Center, 2057 Dawson Forest Rd. E, Dawsonville, GA, 30534
10th District: Parkside Main Theater, 1050 Parkside Main, Greensboro, GA 30642
11th District: Roswell St. Baptist Church, 774 Roswell Street, Marietta, GA 30060
12th District: Legends Club, 2701 Washington Road, Augusta, GA 30909
13th District: Adventure Outdoors, 2500 South Cobb Drive, Smyrna, GA 30080
14th District: GA NW Technical College, 1 Maurice Culbertson Dr. SW, Rome, GA 30161

Tonight will see several party events in advance of District Conventions.