Issues

“I will be mindfully aware of the Jeffersonian principle when reviewing all bills that come before me; that government is best which governs least.” – Josh Clark

Zero-based budgeting

I believe we can cut spending and lower taxes without cutting critical services by implementing zero-based budgeting. Every state department should have a comprehensive budget review every three years by an outside auditing firm that reports to the legislature. It’s ridiculous that departments only request increases over the previous year budget while the prior budget is automatically approved. Every department should have to justify its entire budget rather than just the increases. This will identify and eliminate waste while allowing us to prioritize our spending.

Just as you and I have to tighten and review our budget so should the government. You and I can’t just demand a pay raise during these difficult times and neither should the government.

I will never forget whose money I’m a steward of and whom I work for. Before spending a dollar I’ll ask myself:  “Would the tax payers want their money spent this way?”  I will apply the same thriftiness that was ingrained in me growing up on a farm as the oldest of 10 children to the job of State Representative.

I also support a Taxpayer Protection Act limiting our budget growth to no more than the sum of the rates of inflation plus population growth. All budget surpluses would go to reduce debt, build up a rainy day fund, and reduce taxes. If our state held to this policy during the good years, we’d be fiscally sound rather than dealing with serious budget shortages.

Economic Development/Job Growth

While there are many great things about our state it’s disturbing that our unemployment levels exceed the federal rate. We need to foster a more business friendly environment by simplifying regulatory compliance, phasing out corporate tax rates, and providing further tax credit incentives for employers who hire the unemployed.

As a small business owner I realize that small businesses are the bedrock of our economy. In fact, 80% of new jobs in GA are created through small businesses. We must be more proactive at creating a business friendly environment that encourages the start up of new businesses and attracts high paying jobs to Georgia.

Water

As a Lake Lanier property owner you can be assured I will fight both for Lake Lanier’s water levels and our drinking water. So far we’ve spent in excess of $77 million over the past two decades and we’ve lost the battle. We must work quickly in the Legislature to insure our drinking water by reducing the red tape associated with development of new reservoirs. At the same time we must put together a comprehensive plan for water management and collection of the trillions of gallons of rain water that fall on our state. We must tackle this issues head on with a long term perspective rather than just worrying about the next election. After all, Georgia’s future depends on it.

Transportation

I will make my voice heard at the Capitol for fair distribution of DOT funds to our district. If we are to remain a desirable district to live in, we must address the traffic issues that are grid locking our district. Having some of the longest commute times in the nation puts us at a disadvantage when trying to attract relocating corporations. I will fight to make sure transportation dollars are spent here, in the traffic choked suburbs of Metro Atlanta, and not building rural “roads to nowhere” for non-critical economic development plans.

Education

As a father of four children I am concerned about our state’s education system and I believe quality education is the foundation for economic prosperity in our state. Our district is blessed with some of the best schools in the state, statewide however our education system is ranked at the bottom of the nation. Georgia is 46th in the nation for high school dropouts. Statistics show that a high school dropout is 77% more likely to get caught up in criminal and welfare systems. We are failing our children and creating a financial burden for the state. I am passionate about giving more local control to parents and teachers, not bureaucrats in Atlanta. Remember, the definition of insanity is doing the same thing repeatedly and expecting different results.

Health Care

We are facing one of the most serious threats to individual freedom and our free market system with the proposed Obama Health Care Plan. For the past decade I have taught seminars on health and wellness around the country and I have always believed that as individuals we must be responsible for own health. All we have to do is take lessons from the countries that have passed socialized medicine and it’s clear that in the long run it stifles innovation and costs lives. There are problems that need to be dealt with but government is rarely the answer and oftentimes the problem.

At the state level I believe among other things we should reduce or eliminate taxes on health care, open state borders and pass more comprehensive tort reform. I think it’s troublesome that my wife’s grandfather, a second generation surgeon who has a day named in honor of him in Griffin, GA, had to retire because he could no longer run a profitable practice due to the exorbitant price of malpractice insurance. The silver lining is that he now spends his time on medical missions around the world but for many others this is not an option. Good doctors should not be thrown out of work because of the threat of frivolous lawsuits.

10th Amendment/ State Sovereignty

I believe in a strict adherence to the Constitution and as such we must stand up to the Federal Government by joining other states in enforcing state’s rights! We must let it be known we will not be tread on by the Federal Government and we will exercise our state’s rights under the 10th amendment which states:

The powers not delegated to the United States by the Constitution, nor prohibited by it to the States, are reserved to the States respectively, or to the people.

If we continue down the path of uncontrolled expansion and mandates from the federal government, pretty soon the states will be little more than agents responsible for the extraction of federal taxes from its citizens.

Illegal Immigration

Illegal immigration is costing Georgia taxpayers 1.6 billion while at the same time we’re cutting hundreds of millions of dollars in educational funding resulting in teacher lay-offs. If elected I will support an anti-illegal immigration bill similar to the one passed in Arizona. I have actually read Arizona’s bill (unlike some of the politicians who are criticizing it) and it goes no further than enforcing current federal immigration laws already on the books. We need someone who is willing to fight for Georgia and tackle the difficult issues.

As an American I support all nationalities residing here legally and even serve on the board of a Spanish ministry, however, I believe we must respect and enforce state and Federal immigration laws. People of all nationalities are welcome as long as they come legally, abide by our laws and pay their fare share of taxes. In addition to the financial burden and security risk it also opens the door for illegal immigrants to be taken advantage of by those seeking their own benefit.

Fair Tax

I strongly support the National Fair Tax. Our current tax system is grievous and burdensome. The cost of compliance is growing out of control and costing us jobs as corporations move out of this county.

At the state level I will work to eliminate our state income tax and replace it with a state fair tax. Replacing our income tax with a sales tax would put us on an even playing field with our neighboring states Tennessee and Florida.

Family Values

As the oldest in a large family of 10 with four children of my own now, you can bet that I will stand for family values. Government’s role is to protect our God given right to life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness. As such, I am staunchly

- Pro Life
- Pro 2nd Amendment
- Pro Family