Loading... 
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
\
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 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
