Happy New Year! While campaigning door to door for the privilege of serving you I promised to work hard, serve you honorably and report back on the Legislative progress at the Capitol. The 2012 legislative session began Monday, January 9, 2012. Please be on the lookout for regular updates as our session progresses.

Before session began we received some good news. The U.S. Department of Justice approved three new district maps on December 23, 2011.  As you probably remember the need for new district maps came after the 2010 Census, which showed that Georgia’s population has increased by about 1.5 million people in the last ten years.  This increase provided us with a new congressional district and the responsibility of drawing new congressional, state Senate, and state House district maps that are fair and representative of the most up-to-date population data.  In August 2011, we met for a special session to fulfill this responsibility, and in just three weeks we managed to pass maps that received federal approval on the first submission, a major accomplishment that has never been achieved in the history of Georgia since the implementation of the Voting Rights Act.  Now that this task is behind us, in the 2012 session we work on tackling the issues that Georgians care most about, like job creation, and tax reform.

On Tuesday, January 10, Governor Deal approached these issues as he delivered his State of the State Address.  He highlighted his goals for 2012, explaining that education, transportation, security, and jobs are “the stars that we must follow to expand opportunity.”  He also cited several goals that he hopes to see us work towards, one of which calls for a 10 day increase in the Pre-K school year.  Another goal calls for an additional $55.8 million to fund teacher salary increases, which the governor said should be based on teachers’ training and experience.  Both of these changes have the potential of bettering our education system and ensuring that our children are prepared for a bright future in Georgia’s labor market.

Of course, job creation is also a vital part of creating a bright future for all Georgians.  In an effort to combat unemployment, Governor Deal outlined a three part plan for strategic tax reform that will make Georgia a beacon for jobs.   This plan includes an elimination of sales tax on energy used in manufacturing, a sales and use tax exemption for construction materials used in projects of regional significance, and a modernized restructuring of Georgia’s Job Tax Credits and Quality Jobs Tax Credit programs.  With these changes, Georgia will become more competitive in attracting job creators, and we will foster an ideal environment for small businesses to flourish.

On Wednesday I filed HB 670 which would create a Constitutional Guardian Council to review, evaluate and respond to federal legislation that adversely impacts our state rights. Too often as state legislators we forget or don’t take as seriously as we should the fact that we swore an oath to “support, obey and defend” not only the Constitution of the State of Georgia but also the Constitution of the United States as prescribed in Article VI of the sacred document.  One of the biggest surprises of my freshman year was seeing firsthand how the continual overreach of the federal government over the past 100 years directly affects our ability to serve the citizens of this state. Our Founding Fathers understood that it is the nature and disposition of men and governments to amass unbridled power, so in their wisdom they set up a compound republic where the states would provide a check and balance to the natural inclination for the federal government to overstep their delegated powers. The powers granted to the state government (closest to the people) are numerous and indefinite while the powers granted to the federal government are few and defined. Of course, today we see the exact opposite playing out. Alexander Hamilton, in the Federalist No. 85, wrote about how State Legislatures should be ‘trusted’ to hold back an out-of-control federal government “We may safely rely on the disposition of the State legislatures to erect barriers against the encroachments of the national authority.” Look for further updates on this legislation in coming weeks.

The Legislature is in recess next week so that the Appropriations Committee can begin hearings on the FY2012 supplemental budget and the FY2013 budget.  These hearings begin next Tuesday as Monday is the Martlin Luther King, Jr. Holiday.  Governor Deal’s proposed budget can be found at this website. Don’t forget you can always watch us while in session by going to http://www.legis.ga.gov/Streaming/en-US/Both.aspx

You’re my boss and I work for you.  If you have questions or concerns please do not hesitate to contact me.  You can reach me at my Capitol office (404) 656-0325, cell (404)-723-8989, or email

Josh Clark

State Representative, District 98

612-E Coverdell Legislative Office Building

18 Capitol Square

Atlanta, GA 30334

O. 404-656-0325

C. 404-723-8989

www.votejoshclark.com

Assistant: ReJenia.Ford@house.ga.gov

  “Never doubt that a small group of thoughtful, committed people can change the world. Indeed, it is the only thing that ever has” – Margaret Mead