NEWS Archive
Johnson and Deal Enter Governor's Race Friday, May 1, 2009Brock Clay Weekly ReportSenator Eric Johnson (R – Savannah) Announces Gubernatorial CampaignOn Monday, Senator Eric Johnson (R – Savannah), announced that he would be running for Governor in 2010. Johnson has served in the State Senate since 1992, serving as the minority leader and eventually as president pro – tempore. Johnson had previously announced his intention to run for lieutenant governor, but after popular incumbent Lt. Governor Casey Cagle announced he would not run for governor, and numerous other state leaders declined to enter the governor’s race in Cagle’s stead, Johnson became a popular choice for many. As a result, U.S. Rep. Jack Kingston (R – GA), a good friend of Johnson’s from Savannah, has declared that he will not run for governor but will instead seek re-election to the United States Congress. Kingston had also been the target of much speculation as a possible candidate for governor.Congressman Nathan Deal Announces Intentions to Run for GovernorU.S. Rep. Nathan Deal (R – GA) has announced that he will run for Governor in 2010. Deal has represented the 15 counties of Georgia’s 9th Congressional district in Congress for 17 years. He served in the Georgia State Senate for 12 year prior to that. Deal’s base will be in Northeast Georgia, where his name ID is highest. In Congress, Deal served on the Committee on Energy and Commerce and was the ranking member of the Subcommittee on Health. He is a graduate of Mercer University.Deal’s potential successors include State Senator Lee Hawkins (R – Gainesville), former DOT Board Member Mike Evans, State Rep. David Ralston, State Rep. Tom Graves (R – Ranger), and former Senate Majority Leader Bill Stephens.Lt. Governor Casey Cagle Undergoes Successful Back Surgery On Monday, Lt. Governor Casey Cagle underwent successful surgery at Emory Healthcare to repair a degenerative condition in his spine. A Republican from Gainesville, Cagle was considered a rising star in the Georgia Republican Party and shocked many two weeks ago when he suddenly withdrew his name from the 2010 governor’s race, citing health concerns. Dr. John Heller described the procedure as “technically exacting,” but anticipated a full recovery, pending successful healing after several bone grafts the procedure required.Cagle is seeking another 4 – year term as Georgia’s Lt. Governor.Senator Judson Hill (R – Marietta) to Run for Re-electionSenator Judson Hill (R – Marietta) has announced his decision to run for re-election. Hill had been considering a run for Attorney General in 2010 on the Republican ticket. Representative Melvin Everson Runs for Labor Commissioner Rep. Melvin Everson (R-Snellville) declared his intentions this week to run for Georgia Labor Commissioner. Current Labor Commissioner Michael Thurmond (D) has not announced his intentions for 2010, but it is rumored he is looking to run for a higher office (such as lieutenant governor).Supreme Court of the United States Hears Section 5 CaseThis week, the Supreme Court of the United States heard oral arguments in the case of Northwest Austin Municipal Utility District Number One v. Holder, which challenges the constitutionality of Section 5 of the Voting Rights Act of 1965. Section 5 requires pre - approval by the United States Justice Department of any changes in election law in 9 states, including Georgia, and parts of 7 others. Governor Sonny Perdue and U.S. Rep. John Lewis (D – Georgia) have both filed amicus briefs in the case. Lewis argues for continuing the provisions of Section 5, but Perdue, along with U.S. Rep. Lynn Westmoreland (R – Georgia), argues that racial progress in Georgia makes Section 5 outdated.State Board of Education Approves Stimulus MoneyOn Tuesday, the Georgia State Board of Education voted to authorize a total of $660 million in stimulus funds to be sent to local boards of education. $324 billion of those funds are for special education students, of which $10 million is for preschoolers. $336 million of the funds are for low income students. Local districts have to submit a budget to the state school board before the money can be used, according to state schools Superintendent Kathy Cox.Education Task Force Recommends Tough StepsAn education task force appointed just over a year ago by Governor Sonny Perdue has recommended findings from a national report called “Tough Choices or Tough Times.” The sweeping reform proposals range from changes in teachers compensation to restructuring the university and technical college systems. The task force was chaired by former University of Georgia President Charles Knapp and former legislator and current Board Member of the State Technical College System Dean Alford. The report was released by the National Center on Education and the Economy, and centered around a critique of Georgia’s ability to prepare children for a competitive career in a tough global marketplace. Perdue spokesman Bert Brantley said the governor is very serious about considering the recommendations in the report and is looking at all options for education improvements.U.S. Representative John Lewis (D – GA) Arrested(/u>U.S. Representative John Lewis was arrested on Monday with four other members of Congress in Washington after refusing to leave the area outside the Sudanese Embassy. Lewis joined Reps. Jim McGovern (D – Mass.), Donna Edwards (D – Minn.), and Lynn Woolsey (D – Calif.). The group crossed a police line during a protest against the humanitarian policies of Darfur, a regional government of the African country of Sudan.Lewis later paid a fine of $100 and was released.Governor Sonny Perdue Signs LegislationFeatured Bills:House Bill 217 – this legislation permits pharmacists and nurses to order and dispense flu shots as long as there is a protocol agreement with a physician. It also allows the Governor broader emergency powers if a pandemic influenza is declared by the CDC.House Bill 229 – this legislation provides that any student in a physical education course will receive an annual fitness assessment. HB 68, HB 69, HB 71, HB 86, HB 93, HB 101, HB 117, HB 149, HB 156, HB 157, HB 173, HB184 , HB 210, HB 227, HB 302, HB 312, HB 315, HB 452, HB 475, HB 476, HB 477, HB 528, HB 529, HB 549 , HB 552, HB 575, HB 608 HR 279 SB 13, SB 14, SB 27, SB 30, SB 44, SB 48, SB 61, SB 80, SB 151, SB 170, SB 172, SB 177 , SB 207, SB 240 SR 257, SR 294 Legislator of the WeekSenator Chip Rogers (R – Woodstock), was educated in the Cobb County school system, and received his undergraduate degree for the Georgia Institute of Technology. He is an avid Georgia Tech Yellow Jacket fan, and received his graduate degree from Georgia State University. He is a small businessman with involvement both in real estate and broadcasting. In his spare time, Chip enjoys spending time with his wife Amy, and their four children: Emma, Quinn Reagan, and Sara.Chip was elected the president of the Georgia State Senate’s 2005 – 2006 freshman class, after serving in the Georgia State House from 2003 – 2005. He quickly rose through the ranks of the Senate to become the Senate Majority Leader in 2008. He takes great pride in the fact that Georgia spends fewer tax dollars today per capita than on the day when he took office.Chip enjoys listening to Christian contemporary music like Third Day, and his favorite movie is Mel Gibson’s Braveheart. His political hero is James Madison, and his favorite quote also comes from the late President Ronald Reagan: “No arsenal, or no weapon in the arsenals of the world, is so formidable as the will and moral courage of free men and women.”Chip serves on the Senate Banking and Financial Institutions, Economic Development, Insurance and Labor, Reapportionment and Redistricting, Rules, and Appropriations committees. One of his least favorite daily activities as a legislator is running back and forth to the ropes to talk to lobbyists. Chip enjoys the antics of some of his Senate colleagues, particularly Senator Jeff Mullis (R – Chickamauga). He said the funniest thing he’s seen as an elected official was watching Senator Jeff Mullis eating a Krispy Kreme donut in the Senate well while debating obesity. Chip and his family attend First Baptist Church of Woodstock. In Other NewsAmerican based gym chain Equinox has reported a 15% increase in gym memberships since the American economy took a turn for the worst.Daily circulation at The Atlanta Journal-Constitution has dropped almost 20% to 261,828, while Sunday circulation decreased 7% to 462,011.This week, I.B.M. Corporation announced that they were developing a super computer codenamed Watson, who would face its ultimate test by competing against humans on Jeopardy. While the date of the contest has yet to be decided, it’s clear that the computer will not be connected to the internet during the competition.Verizon Wireless, Inc. and Apple Inc. are reportedly in talks that could result in Verizon offering the iPhone as early as next year.Today in HistoryOn April 30, 1492, Spain gave Christopher Columbus his commission of exploration…On April 30, 1789, Georgia Washington stood on the balcony of Federal Hall and took the oath of office to become the first President of the United States…On April 30, 1803, the United States bought the Louisiana Territory from France for $15 million…On April 30, 1945, German Fueher Adolph Hitler took his own life in a bunker…On April 30, 1993, the World Wide Web is born at CERN…On April 30, 1995, former President Bill Clinton becomes the first U.S. President to visit Northern Ireland.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.”
