NEWS Archive
Governor Perdue Signs Controversial Georgia Power Bill Friday, April 24, 2009Brock Clay Weekly Report Cobb County Commission Chairman Sam Olens Enters 2010 Race for Attorney GeneralAfter weeks of speculation that he might run for Governor in 2010, Cobb County Commission Chairman Sam Olens announced on Monday that he would run for Attorney General in 2010. Olens is also currently the chairman of the Atlanta Regional Commission. Olens stated his resolve to remain commission chair until sometime next year, and also to serve out his term at the ARC, which ends in December of 2009. He also stated that he intended to campaign only one day a week until he becomes a full time candidate sometime next year, emphasizing his belief in the importance of doing the job he currently has in front of him.Olens, running as a Republican, joins current Democratic candidates State Representative Rob Teilhet (D – Smyrna) and former Dougherty County District Attorney Ken Hodges. State Senator Judson Hill (R – Marietta), State Representative David Ralston (R - Blue Ridge), and State Representative Ed Lindsey (R – Atlanta) are also rumored to be considering running for the post. House Speaker Pro – Tempore Mark Burkhalter (R – John's Creek) and Congressman Lynn Westmoreland (R - GA) Decline To Enter 2010 Governor’s Race; Johnson rumored to enter raceThis week, State Representative Mark Burkhalter (R – John's Creek) also declined to run for governor in Georgia’s 2010 elections. Burkhalter has been elected three times by his peers in the State House of Representatives to serve as the Speaker Pro – Tempore, the chamber’s second in command. Burkhalter cited his desire to continue molding the Republican majority in the Georgia House, as well as focusing on keeping his business on track in a rough economy.Congressman Westmoreland had been the object of much speculation as a potentially game changing candidate for Governor, much like former Governor Roy Barnes on the Democratic side. However, the Congressman from Coweta County issued an announcement this morning stating his intention to remain in Congress. Congressman Westmoreland based his decision largely on the effect a statewide campaign would have on his family, as well as the potential impact he can have as a leader in the upcoming redistricting process in Washington. He pledged his strongest support to help the Republican nominee for Governor. Friday afternoon, rumors began to circulate that State Senator Eric Johnson (R - Savannah), formerly the President Pro - Tempore of the Senate and currently a candidate for Lt. Governor, will make a major announcement over the weekend. Johnson has also been the object of much speculation as a potential gubernatorial candidate. State Representative Robin Shipp (D - Atlanta) Resigns State House SeatState Representative Robbin Shipp has resigned her post in the General Assembly in anticipation of a potential conflict of interest with her new position as a Fulton County prosecutor. State law prohibits lawmakers from also serving as state government employees, and the Fulton County District Attorney’s Office belongs to the Georgia judicial branch. Shipp has served in the Georgia House for one term, and currently sits on the House Health and Human Services, Industrial Relations, Judiciary, and State Planning & Community Affairs committees.Governor Sonny Perdue Signs Georgia Power Funding Measure, Fulton County Taxpayer’s Foundation SuesThis week, Governor Sonny Perdue signed the controversial Senate Bill 31, which allows Georgia Power to charge customers a nuclear fee on their monthly power bills before the nuclear reactor is actually complete. The lawsuit from the Fulton County Taxpayer's Foundation alleges that the bill is actually against the Georgia Constitution, which requires that all revenue legislation originate in the State House. According to the lawsuit, the legislation is illegal because it originated in the State Senate.Governor Sonny Perdue signed the legislation without fanfare or comment on Tuesday. A Georgia Power spokesman stated his confidence that the lawsuit would be unsuccessful.To date, Governor Perdue has signed the following pieces of legislation:Senate Bills: 8, 24, 26, 31, 47, 76, 79, 110, 111, 122, 165, 193 , 196, 198, 210House Bills: 29, 46, 49, 59, 63, 64, 121, 141, 145, 226, 237, 243 , 245, 254, 308, 313, 330, 343, 344, 368, 371, 427, 436, 453 , 464, 581Governor Sonny Perdue Approves ARC Funding for MARTADuring a bill signing press conference on Wednesday, Governor Sonny Perdue offered his blessing on a solution to MARTA’s ongoing struggle to continue operating successfully. MARTA is required by Georgia law to spend half of their revenue on capital expansion, and has to date been unsuccessful in pushing for legislation to remove that requirement. MARTA’s budget comes from revenue raised on sales taxes from Fulton and DeKalb Counties. Several weeks ago, the leadership of the Atlanta Regional Commission (metro – Atlanta’s MPO) offered MARTA $25 million in federal stimulus money to fund their strapped operations budget. In return, MARTA will give the ARC $25 million out of their $65 million capital reserve fund. Perdue spoke of the arrangement as an “excellent example of both entities working together.”This arrangement between MARTA and the ARC effectively removes any speculation on the need for a special session to deal with MARTA’s financial challenges.Lockheed Announces Resignation to Fate of F – 22 FighterEarlier this week, Lockheed’s Chief Financial Officer Bruce Tanner announced that the company would not fight the Pentagon’s plan to phase out construction of the F – 22 fighter. Mr. Tanner cited reasons including Lockheed’s feeling that their opinions had been given a fair hearing by the Pentagon, and that it was in the best interests of the nation’s largest defense contractor to accept the Pentagon’s decision.Senator Johnny Isakson Amends Legislation to Create 9/11 Style Commission to Examine Cause of Economic ChallengeU.S. Senator Johnny Isakson (R – Georgia) moved a step closer to success in his recent push to create an independent commission in the mode of the 9/11 Commission to investigate the origins of the economic struggles that began in the United States last summer. Isakson has been working on a bipartisan effort with Senator Kent Conrad (D – North Dakota) to create the commission. Isakson described the Financial Markets Commission’s role as an “objective evaluation of where mistakes were made” in the financial crisis that began last year. The legislation passed Wednesday evening on a vote of 92 – 4 as an amendment to another piece of mortgage and securities fraud legislation.Legislator of the WeekRep. Allen Peake (R – Macon) was elected to the Georgia House of Representatives as a lifelong resident of Macon, Georgia. Allen attended Auburn University and earned a Bachelor’s of Business Administration from Mercer University. Allen also attended Dallas Theological Seminary. Naturally a diehard Auburn fan, he later earned his license as a certified public accountant.Allen previously served as the CEO of the 10th largest franchise restaurant company in the United States, operating over 130 restaurants in 3 different states, including Shoney’s, Popeye’s, Fazioli’s, Church’s, and Captain D’s. Allen now owns four Cheddar’s Casual Cafés and 12 Captain D’s in Macon, Warner Robins, Columbus, and Savannah. Allen believes in the Christian principal that the best leaders serve others. As a result, one of his biggest pet peeves at the Capitol is legislators and lobbyists who forget their job as a public servant, and think more highly of themselves than they should.Allen values building trust based relationships with his peers in the state legislature. He also enjoys serving on the Ways and Means Committee, where he never lacks entertainment from Chairman Larry Oneal’s one liners and Vice Chairman Chuck Sims’ morning reports on the House Journals. He also enjoys hearing stories from long time lobbyists, who also offer a wealth of knowledge about the Capitol and Georgia’s state government. Allen’s views his greatest legislative accomplishment as his work this past session on House Bill 457, which provided for additional protection for Alzheimer’s and dementia patients who might be manipulated as a result of their mental impairment.In his spare time, Allen enjoys competing in amateur golf tournaments and scuba diving. In 2005, he qualified for the U.S. Mid Amateur Golf Championship. He enjoys contemporary Christian music, particularly Third Day and Casting Crowns. Allen’s political hero is the late United States President Ronald Reagan, because Reagan stood for his convictions, no matter what his opposition said.Allen’s philosophy in life is contained in Psalm 16:11 – “In HIS presence is fullness of joy.” In other news...This week, former Republican Presidential nominee and U.S. Senator John McCain (R – Arizona) drew opposition in his next primary race. Chris Simcox, one of the founders of the popular immigration activist group Minutemen, cited his intention to run against McCain based on McCain’s “failure to protect the nation’s border.”This week, the Supreme Court of the United States took steps to clearly define how law enforcement officials can search an individual’s car after an arrest. Justice John Paul Stephens wrote for the five vote majority that police may only search an arrestee’s car without a warrant if the individual could reach for a weapon, or if it’s reasonable to believe that there is evidence in the car to support the crime at hand.Today in HistoryIt is traditionally believed that on April 24 in 1184, the Greeks entered Troy in the infamous Trojan horse…In 1800, President John Adams issued an order establishing the United States Library of Congress…In 1898, the United States declared war on Spain…In 1953, Winston Churchill is knighted by Queen Elizabeth II of England…In 1990, the Hubble Space Telescope was launched……and in 2005, Cardinal Joseph Ratzinger is inaugurated as the 265th Pope of the Roman Catholic Church, taking the name of Pope Benedict XVI.Have a great weekend!SMThere are no simple solutions to working with the public or government. At Brock Clay, we integrate our services across lobbying, grassroots and public relations in order to create comprehensive solutions to complex problems. Whether we need to set up a town hall meeting, start a letter-writing campaign, work the halls of the Capitol or create a press release, we will find the right way to meet the challenge. As Harry Truman said, “It is amazing what you can accomplish if you do not care who gets the credit.”
