News & Events

Dear Neighbor:

This week marks day 38 of our 40 day session. Georgia lawmakers worked diligently to agree on key legislation that will help better the lives of Georgia citizens.

House, Senate Pass Transportation Bill

On Wednesday, the Georgia General Assembly voted to allow referendums throughout the state on transportation funding. “The bill would divide the state into 12 regions. A “roundtable” of local elected officials in each region, working with an appointee of the governor, would draw up a list of projects for the region. The region could then submit the list to its voters for their approval in a referendum, along with a 1 percent sales tax to fund them. No county could opt out of a region’s tax, but a roundtable could decline to hold a referendum in the region.”

To read the full article published in the AJC, click this link: http://www.smalllinks.com/KBR Ethics Bill Passes the House and Senate On Wednesday, Georgia lawmakers worked on strengthening Georgia’s ethic laws. The provisions of this bill would, among other things:

· Broaden the authority of the state Ethics Commission.

· Tighten reporting requirements for lobbyists and legislators.

· Increase fees and fines for lobbyists and legislators who break the law.

· Make it a crime to use state agencies or authorities to attack or harass someone.

· Prohibit sexual harassment.

· Require many local elected officials to file campaign

House Passes Property Tax Reform

“The Georgia House passed sweeping property tax reform legislation Wednesday that forces counties to consider nearby distress sales when calculating a homeowner’s property tax bill. Under this bill, counties will be required to send out property tax assessments each year.” Other provisions call for: more training for members of each county’s Board of Equalization; the sale price of a home to be used as its value for at least the first year; a new option of using a hearing officer to hear appeals on nonresidential properties worth $1 million or more as Tennessee does; and, with each annual assessment notice, the property owner will receive an estimate of his or her tax bill.”

Brief of Senate Budget

On Wednesday the Senate budget passed on a 49-2 vote. The FY11 Senate budget is based on State General Fund and Motor Fuel Revenues equal to $16.5 billion. Its revenue estimate reflects an 18% decline from the original FY09 General budget of $20.1 billion or a $3.7 billion shortfall. The median cut to agencies in the Senate version of the budget is 19% from FY09 and 8% from the FY10 General Budget. Education, K-12, has been cut 8.68% based on the FY10 General Budget. A conference committee will now be formed to put together the final version of the budget before next week’s session adjournment.

I appreciate your support throughout the 2010 legislation session. It is an honor to serve you.

Please contact me with questions or concerns.

Best Regards,

Don

Dear Neighbor:

This week the Senate returned from its spring recess. With the completion of day 36, the Georgia General Assembly has 4 days of session remaining. Many important issues were discussed.

Troops to Leave Afghan Badland

According to the Atlanta Journal Constitution, U.S. troops are pulling out of Afghanistan’s perilous Korengal Valley as part of a new focus on protection population centers. “The shift reflects new thinking among commanders that forces are best used to protect the civilian population rather than placed in scattered outposts highly exposed to militant activity, which are difficult to resupply and reinforce. The strategic shift coincides with the deployment of an additional 30,000 troops to Afghanistan, most on missions to drive the Taliban from populated areas and provide enough security to let local governments consolidate control and bring about economic recovery.”

Pilot Program Presented by Senator Balfour

A House Bill, sponsored by Senator Don Balfour will require the secretary of state to develop a pilot program for the electronic transmission of absentee ballots by military and overseas citizens. The pilot program will encrypt and authenticate information, verify the electors’ identity and eligibility to vote, and allow the elector to verify the ballot transmission was successful.

Passage of Georgia Tax Relief Act

On the eve of national tax day, the Georgia General Assembly has passed major tax relief; House Bill 1055 called by some the “Georgia Taxpayer Relief Act of 2010”. The measure eliminates retirement income tax on Georgia seniors and eliminates the state property tax. This was a great day for Georgia as the General Assembly has moved to completely eliminate two separate taxes. The elimination of the state property tax is a true tax cut for every Georgian who owns property or a vehicle which will save $94.4 million annually. We coupled this with the elimination of retirement income tax on Georgia senior citizens, saving $150 million annually. The Act eliminates by phase-out the taxes on senior retirement income and the state property tax. Once fully enacted the tax cut is expected to be more than $250 Million per year. Another major component of the act reduces taxpayer subsidizing services for others by adjusting outdated and antiquated state fees and fines. When a fee does not cover the cost of the service provided, Georgia taxpayers subsidize the activities of specific individuals or businesses by paying the remaining cost. By addressing this issue now, users will rightfully pay the bulk of the cost of services provided. Overall, the Georgia Taxpayer Relief Act of 2010 will provide relief for almost every taxpayer in Georgia while making significant progress in alleviating the state budget crisis.

I appreciate your support throughout the 2010 legislation session. It is an honor to serve you.

Please contact me with questions or concerns.

Best Regards,

Don

Dear Neighbor:

There was an error in the Week 11 Newsletter regarding Senate Bill 306. This bill, which originally outlawed texting while driving for 18 and under, has been amended to outlaw texting for ALL individuals. It now goes to the House for further debate. Georgia Revenue Finally Rises According to the Atlanta Journal Constitution, Georgia has ended its 15-month skid of negative revenue numbers. “Though overall tax collections in March rose by just 1 percent over 2009, it’s the first positive signal on revenue collections since November 2008. Revenue collections were boosted by a surge in corporate income tax payments and a modest bump in gross sales tax collections. Businesses paid 9.8 percent more in income taxes in March than a year ago, which translates to a net gain of $11.79 million.

To read the full article published in AJC, visit this link: http://www.ajc.com/news/georgia-politics-elections/state-ends-15-month-440944.html

State Attorneys General Sue Over Health Bill “The ink is still drying on the health care overhaul bill signed into law Tuesday by President Barack Obama, but attorneys general from at least 14 states have filed lawsuits to challenge the legislation.” “Thirteen state attorneys general — 12 Republicans and one Democrat — signed onto one lawsuit against the U.S. departments of Health and Human Services, Treasury and Labor. The top state lawyers in Florida, South Carolina, Nebraska, Texas, Michigan, Utah, Pennsylvania, Alabama, South Dakota, Louisiana, Idaho, Washington and Colorado joined in the complaint filed immediately after the president’s signing ceremony.”

To read the entire article, visit this link: http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/36001783/

Other Texting Restrictions being Considered “A bill imposing penalties on teens and adults for texting while driving has passed the Georgia House of Representatives and will be considered by the Georgia Senate; a similar bill has passed the Senate and is now before the House.”

“According to the text of House Bill 938, operating a vehicle while engaging in prohibited wireless communications will be a two-point offense. Someone younger than 18 who cause an accident as a result of texting will lose his or her license for 90 days or until he or she turns 18, whichever is shorter, and for his or her second offense, six months or until he or she turns 18, whichever is shorter. The suspension will end after the person convicted pays a “restoration fee of $60.00 or, when processed by mail, $50.00.”

To read the entire article, visit this link: http://www.smalllinks.com/JX3

I appreciate your support throughout the 2010 legislation session. It is an honor to serve you. Please contact me with questions or concerns.

Best Regards,
Don

Dear Neighbor:

This week, Georgia lost the life of former Senator, Nancy Schaefer. Schaefer served for the 50th district where her Conservatism and political activism gave her the strength to stand for her beliefs and never back down. She had a kind heart and a desire to serve the people of Georgia well. Please pray for her family and friends as they struggle through this difficult time.

Educators Salary Protection Act

Last week the Georgia Senate voted in favor of protecting teachers’ salaries by avoiding unnecessary furlough days. The proposal prevents school systems with more than six percent of unencumbered funds in its reserve accounts from furloughing teachers, when funding is readily available to prevent the furloughs. The state has exhausted a reserve account of almost $1.8 billion over the last two years. Most of the reserve funding went to education spending. Balfour explains, “Teachers services are extremely valuable to ensuring the success of our students.”

Saving Taxpayer Dollars

In order to save taxpayer money and help balance our budget in an economy where every dollar counts, the Senate passed a bill that will cut spending on State Boards, State Authorities, Commissions and Councils. The compensation for the organizations listed above, would be restricted to only the actual transportation costs to attend meetings. Balfour explains, “This creates an opportunity to help the legislature balance the budget and create job growth.”

JOBS Act

“This act is designed specifically to encourage and reward those who invest in Georgia and create jobs. Also, it recognizes that free-markets, investment, and the private sector are the key to creating job recovery in Georgia. Georgia has now become the national leader in promoting investment and job growth through free-market principles. At a time when most states are raising taxes and punishing businesses, Georgia has taken a different path.” Below is how the JOBS Act will work:

Employers receive credit against unemployment tax if they hire someone currently receiving unemployment benefits

“Angel Investor” tax credit created to reward those who invest in Georgia start-up companies that create jobs

Elimination of the Georgia “Net Worth” tax, a 1930’s tax relic that punishes companies that accumulate wealth

50% Reduction in “Long-Term” Capital Gains rate once the Georgia “Rainy-Day” fund is at $1 Billion

Guidelines for Federal Health Care in Georgia

Legislation passed the Georgia Senate prohibiting any state department or agency from implementing the recently passed federal health care measure without providing the Georgia General Assembly with a cost-benefit analysis and the financial impact to the taxpayers. This bill would require the House and Senate to expressly approve any agency’s plan to utilize the federal plan for its employee’s health care coverage.

Further, this legislation would ban any state department or agency from employing any part of any federal health care reform unless the department or agency first gives a financial report to the General Assembly. The required report would have to include any details federal reform provision requirements, whether the provision has any state waiver, any effects their actions would have on Georgia and its citizens, and the consequences for not complying. SB 399 also directs that state agencies would be able to adopt federal plans if the General Assembly specifically authorizes the federal reform provision in Georgia.

I appreciate your support throughout the 2010 legislation session. It is an honor to serve you.

Please contact me with questions or concerns.

Best Regards,

Don

Dear Neighbor:

As many of you know, the Georgia National Guard is finishing their mission in Afghanistan. I want to thank you for your prayers and support as my son, Trey, safely returns this week. I also ask for your continued prayers for all the soldiers as they return to their families as well as the 8 families whose sons paid the ultimate sacrifice for our country.

No Texting While Driving Passes the Senate

Senate Bill 360, also known as Caleb’s Law, passed unanimously out of the Senate. This law serves as an attempt to prevent needless wrecks and deaths that can occur when drivers text while behind the wheel. It will prohibit those 18 and under from using wireless telecommunication devices; text messages while driving. It now goes to the House for further debate.

Expanding Water Supply Across the State

The Senate voted in favor of legislation to allow for the development of public private partnerships for reservoirs. Balfour explains, “it is important to meet our state’s future water demand. Increasing water storage is the best way to ensure Georgia’s this as well as Georgia’s economic development.” This bill authorizes the Georgia Environmental Facilities Authority Water Supply Division and local governments to enter into a water use agreement with the owner of any private reservoir. This bill will help expand water supply across the state at less expense to Georgia taxpayers.

Financial Relief for Teachers and Schools

On Monday, the Georgia Senate voted unanimously to give teachers and schools financial relief during the state’s worst economic crisis since the Great Depression. Under this legislation, the number of professional learning units (PLU) teachers are required to earn in order to keep their teaching certificate will be cut in half.

The legislation also establishes a Certification and Professional Learning Task Force to review certificate renewal requirements and make recommendations on how to better cultivate an education system that improves teaching and student learning. The task force will consist of 16 members, including representatives from the state’s K-12 and higher education systems

Other Bills that Unanimously Passed the Senate

Senate Bill 387 provides career counseling and advisement for students in grades 6 through 12. This bill is a vital step for Georgia to qualify for specific federal funding to aid its financially struggling school systems

Senate Bill 392 will require educational institutions to verify that motorized transportation of students are properly licensed and certified.

Healthy Georgians Act of 2010 allows individual and group health plans to include and operate wellness programs. These programs encourage people to exercise, quit smoking, and adopt other healthy lifestyle habits so that they’ll have less medical problems in the future.

Senate Bill 427 creates the Georgia Foundation for Public Education. The bill establishes the foundation as a public, tax-exempt, charitable instrument of the state that will be able to solicit and accept financial contributions to support educational excellence in Georgia schools.

I appreciate your support throughout the 2010 legislation session. It is an honor to serve you.

Please contact me with questions or concerns.

Best Regards,

Don

Dear Neighbor:

For the last nine or ten months the Georgia National Guard has been in Afghanistan. As many of you know that has been close to my heart because my son is one of those 300,000 soldiers in Afghanistan. In the next few weeks, their mission should be completed, and I would ask you for their prayers for their safe return to all of their families.

Georgia General Assembly News

This week the Georgia General Assembly returned from working recess; ready to face the challenges ahead. The Senate Chamber was filled with a sense of duty and readiness to take on the hard work ahead.

Government Transparency

Senators tackled government transparency with vast support of SB 381. This legislation requires the Governor’s Budget Report to contain a comprehensive account of all fees collected and administered. There are over 1,800 fees written in state law and such a large sector of the budget should be included in the governor’s report so all Georgians are afforded the ability to view these specifics.

Extending Employee Contracts

A bill was passed that expands the deadline school boards have to offer employee contracts from April 15 to May 15. School boards are dealing with declining budgets and need additional time to determine the number of staff that can be hired for the next school year. The bill only extends the deadline over the next three years.

Consumer-Focused Reform Passes Insurance Committee

The Senate Insurance Committee passed three consumer centered bills that aim to improve health care services for Georgians. The first bill allows individual and group health plans to include and operate wellness programs. These programs will encourage people to exercise, quit smoking, and adopt other healthy lifestyle habits so that they will have less medical problems in the future.

The second bill makes several changes to common health insurance practices, first by prohibition insurance companies from canceling health insurance “rescissions” based upon their allegation that the original application contained an error or omission. It also extends health insurance converge benefits to dependents up to age 25, regardless of whether they are full-time students, and eliminates annual and lifetime camps on insurance policies.

The third bill ignites competition and uniformity between states. This directs the insurance commissioner to identify at least five neighboring states with insurance laws and regulations that closely mirror Georgia’s, and allow these out-of-state health plans to be offered here. This bill drew the most debate from insurance companies and health associations, who all shared concerns that health insurance companies and their products would not be subject to the same regulations and would make it difficult to enforce consumer protections.

Property Tax Assessments

A Senate bill passed on Thursday which requires counties to send an annual assessment notice to all property owners. The annual assessment notices allows individuals to more easily understand and appeal their property assessment. It will include an estimated property tax mount that will show a comparison to the previous year’s amount and an explanation of how to appeal. This bill aims to deal with the appeals process and provide more oversight to the Board of Equalization by the superior courts. It also provides qualified, impartial appraisers for the mediation process. The county will be required to show calculation and evidence of proper assessment during the appeals process.

Town Hall Meetings At the Buford and Lawrenceville Town Hall Meeting, Senator Balfour and Senator Unterman joined together to inform constituents on the recent issues facing Georgians. Although, many issues were discussed, the budget remained the number one concern. Senator Balfour metaphorically explained, “Not only have we cut the fat from the budget, but we have cut the tissue as well. We are now down to the bone. In other words, which leg would you like me to take?” He further questioned constituents, “When there are zero dollars to give, how much can we afford to give you? We are trying our best to balance the budget efficiently, but cuts will continue.”

I appreciate your support throughout the 2010 legislation session. It is an honor to serve you.

Please contact me with questions or concerns.

Best Regards,

Don

Dear Neighbor:

Last week marked the second week of the two week budget recess that began after the 20th day of the 40-day session. During this week’s recess, the Georgia General Assembly continued their attempts to reasonably balance the budget.

Congressman John Linder Retires
“On February 27th, 2010 Congressman John Linder announced his retirement at the dedication of the new Gwinnett County GOP Headquarters. Linder was one of Newt Gingrich’s top lieutenants when he was U.S. House speaker, and most recently has been an advocate (paired with radio commentator Neal Boortz) for a sales tax to replace the federal income tax.”

To read more about Linder’s career and retirement click: http://www.politico.com/news/stories/0210/33639.html

Senator Balfour Makes it Official

“With veteran Republican congressman John Linder’s announcement he will not seek re-election, Republican State Sen. Don Balfour confirmed that he will seek the Republican nomination for the 7th Congressional District of Georgia.” “Elections should be about leaders standing up to defend conservative principle,” said Balfour. “I am running to be the voice of principled conservative leadership for the 7th District.”

To read the full article, click: http://www.peachpundit.com/2010/03/01/balfour-makes-it-official/

Recession Tightens Grip on State Revenues

“The recession can now claim another troublesome record: state tax collections shrank at the end of 2009 for a fifth consecutive quarter, the longest period of continuing state revenue declines since at least the Great Depression, according to a new report. Over all, state tax collections fell to $134.5 billion in the last quarter of 2009, a 4.1 percent drop from the $140.2 billion collected during the same period a year earlier, according to the report, which will be released Tuesday by the Nelson A. Rockefeller Institute of Government.”

“The revenue decline comes despite the tax increases imposed by many states since the recession began. With less tax money coming into state treasuries and expenses for programs like Medicaid continuing to mount, many states will probably be forced to consider further tax increases, spending cuts and layoffs — actions that some economists warn could put a drag on the nation’s fragile economic recovery.”

To read the full article published in the NY Times, click: http://www.nytimes.com/2010/02/23/us/23states.html?ref=us

Town Hall Meetings At the Buford Town Hall Meeting, Senator Balfour and Senator Unterman joined together to inform constituents on the recent issues facing Georgians. Although, many issues were discussed, the budget remained the number one concern. Senator Balfour metaphorically explained, “Not only have we cut the fat from the budget, but we have cut the tissue as well. We are now down to the bone. In other words, which leg would you like me to take?” He further questioned constituents, “When there are zero dollars to give, how much can we afford to give you? We are trying our best to balance the budget efficiently, but cuts will continue.”

Another Town Hall Meeting will be held by Senator Balfour and Senator Unterman for Gwinnett County. The purpose of this meeting will be to provide legislative updates and to discuss the issues that the citizens of Gwinnett County find most important. The next meeting will be held Thursday, March 11th 2010 at 7PM at Lawrenceville City Hall in the council chamber. Please plan to join us.

I appreciate your support throughout the 2010 legislation session. It is an honor to serve you.

Please contact me with questions or concerns.

Best Regards,
Don

Senator Don Balfour’s

2010 Legislative Session Weekly Update

Week 7

Dear Neighbor:

The week marks the first of two weeks that the Georgia General Assembly will adjourn to take a closer look at balancing the budget. Because we have a tremendous amount of shortfalls in revenue, we are creating new ways to save money in every department and in every agency in the state of Georgia.

Georgia 2010 Governor Race

“An InsiderAdvantage survey Tuesday of registered voters who stated that they would vote in the Republican primary for governor if it were held today shows John Oxendine with a continued strong lead among the field of candidates. However, InsiderAdvantage CEO Matt Towery cautioned: “As to be expected, 45 percent of the voters have no opinion or are undecided. In other words, the race will become ‘real’ when the candidates hit the airwaves later in the year.” Nevertheless, Towery said that Oxendine’s numbers “clearly give him an advantage in that he will have to spend less money to become better known than the other candidates.”

“The survey has a sample size of 580 respondents and is weighted for age, race and gender. The margin of error is plus or minus 4 percentage points. The poll was conducted along with Rosetta Stone Communications, and first appeared on WSB-TV, where Towery is the ABC affiliate’s political analyst.”

The results:

Oxendine, 25%
Handel, 10%
Deal, 9%
Johnson, 7%
Scott, 3%
McBerry, 1%
Undecided or no opinion, 45 percent.

Eric Johnson Comments on Unemployment

“Senator Eric Johnson, Republican candidate for Governor, commented on the Georgia Department of Labor report that the state’s unemployment rate has risen to 10.3 percent.” “Today’s unemployment numbers reinforce my desire to make jobs my first priority, my second priority, and my third priority. I am absolutely committed to becoming The Jobs Governor,” said Johnson.

“Johnson believes that every issue he will face as Governor, falls in one of three categories: Issues that will help create new jobs, issues impeding the creation of new jobs, and issues that must be resolved because they distract us from our priority of creating jobs.” “I have traveled this great state for over a year listening to the people. I know they want a governor who will focus on jobs and I am ready, willing and able to do just that,” said Johnson.

To read the full press release click: http://littlelink.webtrouble.com/?F2WY

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Oxedine’s Insurance Contributions

“State Rep. Austin Scott (R-Tifton) introduced legislation that makes it illegal for the state insurance commissioner to accept campaign contributions from executives of companies regulated by his office. The bill is in response to months’ of reporting by The Atlanta Journal-Constitution and other media outlets that current Insurance Commissioner John Oxendine has collected more than $2.6 million from employees and owners of insurance and small-businesses that Oxendine regulates. The AJC has also reported that Oxendine has, over the past decade, taken more than $2.6 million from employees and owners of insurance and small-loan businesses that he regulates.”

To read the full articles published in The Atlanta Journal Constitution click: http://littlelink.webtrouble.com/?YuVJ

Handel Refuses to Take Furlough Day

“House budget writers this morning criticized former Secretary of State Karen Handel for refusing to take furlough days as mandated by lawmakers and the governor, a situation they plan to rectify now. While going over the proposed 2010 amended state budget, Appropriations Committee chairman Ben Harbin (R-Evans) said he has been working with current Secretary of State Brian Kemp. Kemp has agreed to take the required six furlough days, Harbin said. But while most other state employees will have taken six unpaid days off from July 1 through June 30, employees in the secretary of state’s office will have to take six over the next few months, if this budget is approved.”

To read the full article published in the Atlanta Journal Constitution click: http://littlelink.webtrouble.com/?6iIJ

Agreement with State Benefits Deal’s Firm

“U.S. Rep. Nathan Deal, a Republican candidate for governor in 2010, personally intervened with Georgia leaders to preserve an obscure state program that earns his company nearly $300,000 a year. Deal on three occasions in the past year and a half met with state Revenue Commissioner Bart Graham to question proposed changes Graham wanted to make in the way Georgia inspects rebuilt salvaged vehicles.”

To read the full article click: http://littlelink.webtrouble.com/?uf2X

Town Hall Meetings

Senator Balfour will join Senator Unterman in hosting town hall meetings for Gwinnett County. The purpose of these meetings will be to provide legislative updates and to discuss the issues that the citizens of Gwinnett County find most important. The next meeting will be held Thursday, March 11^th 2010 at 7PM at Lawrenceville City Hall in the council chamber. Please plan to join us.

I appreciate your support throughout the 2010 legislation session. It is an honor to serve you.

Please contact me with questions or concerns.

Best Regards,

Don

Senator Don Balfour’s

2010 Legislative Session Weekly Update

Week 6

Dear Neighbor:

With only 20 more days left of session, we are officially half way done. This week the Georgia Assembly continued their efforts to help better the state of Georgia. Below are some of the issues that were discussed.

Creation of New Economic Development

On Tuesday, the Georgia State Senate voted in favor of creating an economic development council of state lawmakers to evaluate all state-funded activities that support Georgia’s economic development strategy. The council will be comprised of Senate and House legislators and will be charged with reviewing current goals, tax exemptions and credits, as well as the Department of Economic Development’s activities and expenditures and other entities.  The council will also analyze legislative proposals relating to economic development, as well as researching legislation and policies from other states.

Currently, economic development initiatives are scattered throughout the budget and across agencies.  A sound economic development strategy will generate new opportunities and make Georgia an attractive business destination.  Additionally, an ongoing review of state rules, regulations and red tape will further position the state as a prime location for growing businesses.

State Wide Alert System for Law Enforcement

A Senate bill was introduced as a state-wide alert system to speed the apprehension of violent criminals who kill or seriously injure local, state, or federal law enforcement officers. Similar to the Amber Alert Law, a Blue Alert Law would activate the Georgia Department of Transportation message boards and other state messaging systems to notify the public when a police officer has been killed or seriously injured and the perpetrator is at large.

Legislative Recess

After Thursday, the General Assembly will adjourn until March 8, while budget writers try to reconcile the governor’s budget. This is NOT a vacation. Instead we will be working every day to ensure a balance of the budget. The constitution requires it and the people expect it. We will be taking extraordinary steps that have never been taken to get the budget done right.

“We are at the edge of an abyss right now, and just like the families that are managing their budget, we must manage ours,” explains Senator Balfour. “In 2006 we were working with revenue of over $17 billion, likewise, in 2007 we were working with revenue of over $18 billion. Today we are forced to reexamine the budget that has declined -10.8% from 2007. The state of Georgia has experienced great shortfalls in revenues; therefore, we have to take a significant amount of time to balance the budget accordingly.”

Town Hall Meetings

Senator Balfour will join Senator Unterman in hosting town hall meetings for Gwinnett County. The purpose of these meetings will be to provide legislative updates and to discuss the issues that the citizens of Gwinnett County find most important. The first meeting will be Thursday, February 25^th 2010 at 7PM at the Buford City Hall in the commission chamber. The second meeting will be held Thursday, March 11^th 2010 at 7PM at Lawrenceville City Hall in the council chamber. Please plan to join us at one, or both, of these town hall meetings.

I appreciate your support throughout the 2010 legislation session. It is an honor to serve you.

Please contact me with questions or concerns.

Best Regards,

Don

Senator Don Balfour’s

2010 Legislative Session Weekly Update

Week 5

This week the Georgia Legislature completed four days in the Chamber. We have 23 days remaining in Session. While moving forward with the business of Georgia, many issues were discussed:

Legislation Targets Campaign Money

“State Representative Austin Scott on Thursday introduced legislation that makes it illegal for the state insurance commissioner to accept campaign contributions from executives of companies regulated by his office. The bill is in response to months of reporting by The Atlanta Journal-Constitution and other media outlets that current Insurance Commissioner John Oxendine has collected more than $2.6 million from employees and owners of insurance and small-loan businesses that Oxedine regulates.”

“The existing law has not proven sufficient to prohibit this type of conduct in some cases, most notably by our current insurance commissioner,” Scott said.

To read the article published in the AJC click here: http://littlelink.webtrouble.com/?7w33  

State Bank Loan Renewal

A House Bill that was introduced on the third day of session was passed out of the House on Monday. The bill received unanimous support from the Senate’s Banking and Finance Committee. Its intention is to help Georgia consumers, real estate developers, large borrowers, and state banks. This bill brings state laws regarding lending limits to a single borrower into alignment with federal code. It allows state banks to renew a loan to a borrower that has made all payments on time, even if the market value of the asset has declined. Georgia business will continue to work with Georgia banks. Consumers benefit by not having to change lenders and banks benefit by keeping performing assets and healthy lending relationships.

Legislation Introduced to Change Teachers’ Pay Structure

Governor Sonny Perdue has introduced legislation, SB 386, requiring the State Board of Education to adopt a performance based salary schedule.  There will continue to be a minimum salary schedule for ALL teachers, but teachers in the performance pay system will also be eligible for additional pay increases based in part on their students’ academic improvement.

  The performance-based salary schedule will apply only to current teachers who choose to opt into the new system and all new teachers.  All other current teachers will continue to be paid based on their years of experience and the advanced degrees they have earned. The new salary schedule will not adopted by the State Board of Education until 2013, giving the state sufficient time work with school systems and teachers to work out the intricate details of this plan.

Town Hall Meetings

Senator Balfour will join Senator Unterman in hosting town hall meetings for Gwinnett County. The purpose of these meetings will be to provide legislative updates and to discuss the issues that the citizens of Gwinnett County find most important. The first meeting will be Thursday, February 25^th 2010 at 7PM at the Buford City Hall in the commission chamber. The second meeting will be held Thursday, March 11^th 2010 at Lawrenceville City Hall in the council chamber. Please plan to join us at one, or both, of these town hall meetings.

I appreciate your support throughout the 2010 legislation session. It is an honor to serve you.

Please contact me with questions or concerns.

Best Regards,

Don