This post is weird... I've linked to www.brillantstatesente.com and when you check the link (hover over it with your mouse) it reads both my blog and jerry's site's addresses. Which send you nowhere... WTF?
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As some might know, I have taken on campaign manager for a state senate race here in GA. Jerry Brillant is an amazing candidate. He is a natural. I've met a number of candidates and elected officials... and Jerry Brillant State Senate is the campaign to be on this year.
One problem. You google Jerry Brillant... the home site for Jerry Brillant does not come up. You google Jerry Brillant State Sentate the home site still does not come up. You get some hits and randomness from some of the webpages... but I want them to come direct to the intro page for Jerry Brillant.
Any thoughts or ideas on how to fix this. Voters should be able to find his site. We're going to be buying google ads soon.
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Jim Nichols
A Speculative Fiction
www.JimNichols4.com
Showing posts with label Georgia Politics. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Georgia Politics. Show all posts
Friday, August 22, 2008
Monday, August 18, 2008
37th in the World for health care.... Obama 2008...
Cost of health benefits going up for state workers
Increase will average 7.5 percent for Georgia employees, retirees
By ANDY MILLER
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
First, state employees saw their pay frozen. Now they face a 7.5 percent increase in the cost of their health benefits.
The financial double whammy was completed Thursday when the Department of Community Health approved premium increases for the health plan covering state employees.
The 7.5 percent increase for 2009 benefits is an average. Some employees will see even higher premium boosts, while others, especially those in high-deductible plans, will have a smaller increase.
The state’s growing cost of providing benefits tracks the experience of employers across the nation.
The State Health Benefit Plan covers 690,000 state employees, schoolteachers, dependents and retirees.
As employers’ insurance costs have soared over the years — at higher rates than inflation and wage growth — many workers, in turn, have been forced to pay more in premiums, co-pays and deductibles.
State employees have been socked with a series of premium increases, said Jeff Hubbard, president of the Georgia Association of Educators.
The insurance increases especially hurt lower-paid employees such as custodians and bus drivers, many of whom “work for the benefits,” Hubbard said.
Georgia teachers and state employees were scheduled to receive a 2.5 percent pay raise in July. But because of the state’s fiscal crisis, Gov. Sonny Perdue recently froze the pay of the state’s 110,000 workers. Teachers and school personnel will receive raises.
Hubbard also noted that employees will have fewer choices of health insurers. Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Georgia will not be offered to employees this coming year. Blue Cross has appealed the state’s 2009 contract award to UnitedHealthcare and Cigna, which will cover the majority of employees.
Kaiser Permanente’s HMO option for state employees will be phased out after 2009. Kaiser also is appealing the contract award. In addition, the state is terminating the old-style, fee-for-service benefit option.
By choosing a high-deductible option, workers in other health plans can reduce their premiums, state officials said. The state is controlling health costs by encouraging use of generic drugs, fully covering preventive care, and helping to manage chronic disease, Community Health officials said.
Open enrollment for state employees to choose a health plan begins Oct. 10 and concludes Nov. 10.
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Jim Nichols
A Speculative Fiction
www.JimNichols4.com
Increase will average 7.5 percent for Georgia employees, retirees
By ANDY MILLER
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
First, state employees saw their pay frozen. Now they face a 7.5 percent increase in the cost of their health benefits.
The financial double whammy was completed Thursday when the Department of Community Health approved premium increases for the health plan covering state employees.
The 7.5 percent increase for 2009 benefits is an average. Some employees will see even higher premium boosts, while others, especially those in high-deductible plans, will have a smaller increase.
The state’s growing cost of providing benefits tracks the experience of employers across the nation.
The State Health Benefit Plan covers 690,000 state employees, schoolteachers, dependents and retirees.
As employers’ insurance costs have soared over the years — at higher rates than inflation and wage growth — many workers, in turn, have been forced to pay more in premiums, co-pays and deductibles.
State employees have been socked with a series of premium increases, said Jeff Hubbard, president of the Georgia Association of Educators.
The insurance increases especially hurt lower-paid employees such as custodians and bus drivers, many of whom “work for the benefits,” Hubbard said.
Georgia teachers and state employees were scheduled to receive a 2.5 percent pay raise in July. But because of the state’s fiscal crisis, Gov. Sonny Perdue recently froze the pay of the state’s 110,000 workers. Teachers and school personnel will receive raises.
Hubbard also noted that employees will have fewer choices of health insurers. Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Georgia will not be offered to employees this coming year. Blue Cross has appealed the state’s 2009 contract award to UnitedHealthcare and Cigna, which will cover the majority of employees.
Kaiser Permanente’s HMO option for state employees will be phased out after 2009. Kaiser also is appealing the contract award. In addition, the state is terminating the old-style, fee-for-service benefit option.
By choosing a high-deductible option, workers in other health plans can reduce their premiums, state officials said. The state is controlling health costs by encouraging use of generic drugs, fully covering preventive care, and helping to manage chronic disease, Community Health officials said.
Open enrollment for state employees to choose a health plan begins Oct. 10 and concludes Nov. 10.
--------------
Jim Nichols
A Speculative Fiction
www.JimNichols4.com
Sunday, August 17, 2008
Republican stewardship of the economy... cut taxes then run for the hills when the consequences for that come to pass...
Double whammy awaits some state employees (Macon Telegraph)
The American consumer has been the "Little Engine that Could" for the nation's economy, but the engine is running out of steam. In Georgia, sales tax collections are down, way down, 6.6 percent last month, and it's turning into a trend. Gov. Sonny Perdue had to pull $600 million out of reserves to balance the state's books at the end of June, and the picture continues to be grim. The state is estimating a $1.6 billion shortfall this budget year. And so, out comes the ax, and for most, the cuts will be severe.
State workers, with the exception of teachers, had their raises chopped, but don't think the teachers escaped unscathed. Thursday the Department of Community Health raised the premium due from all employees for health coverage 7.5 percent. Some might call that a salary cut.
Can you imagine what shape cities and counties and school board would be in if Speaker of the House Glenn Richardson's proposal to shift most taxing authority to the state had passed? Where would they find the money to fill the gap left by the state?
School systems are dealing with a 2 percent cut, $153 million, that just so happens to mirror austerity cuts that were supposed to be restored. Makes you wonder. With the governor's effort to pull 6 percent out of the entire budget, all avenues are being explored. Some departments, such as the state Insurance Commissioners Office, will require employees to take a monthly day off without pay. The Department of Technical and Adult Education is considering a four-day school week and eliminating programs. The Georgia Bureau of Investigation is set to close crime labs and is pulling investigators off the street to provide security for the agency's headquarters, rather than paying a private firm. The Georgia State Patrol, already understaffed, may have to reduce its presence on the state's roads even more.
This boiling crisis comes at a time when Georgia is facing monumental growth. Metro Atlanta has 70,000 more residents than it had last year, and there is no end in sight. Most population forecasts have underestimated the number of people expected to move into the state.
Most times growth is a good thing. It means new jobs and opportunities. It also means an increase in the need for state services. Some agencies churn right along in the background. We never notice them until we have to stand in line a little longer at a Department of Driver Services office or find the Labor Department shuttered. However, there are many duties of state government that are essential to quality of life, as well as life itself. If the economy stays in the doldrums for any length of time, hang on.
Charles E. Richardson/for the Editorial Board
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Jim Nichols
A Speculative Fiction
www.JimNichols4.com
The American consumer has been the "Little Engine that Could" for the nation's economy, but the engine is running out of steam. In Georgia, sales tax collections are down, way down, 6.6 percent last month, and it's turning into a trend. Gov. Sonny Perdue had to pull $600 million out of reserves to balance the state's books at the end of June, and the picture continues to be grim. The state is estimating a $1.6 billion shortfall this budget year. And so, out comes the ax, and for most, the cuts will be severe.
State workers, with the exception of teachers, had their raises chopped, but don't think the teachers escaped unscathed. Thursday the Department of Community Health raised the premium due from all employees for health coverage 7.5 percent. Some might call that a salary cut.
Can you imagine what shape cities and counties and school board would be in if Speaker of the House Glenn Richardson's proposal to shift most taxing authority to the state had passed? Where would they find the money to fill the gap left by the state?
School systems are dealing with a 2 percent cut, $153 million, that just so happens to mirror austerity cuts that were supposed to be restored. Makes you wonder. With the governor's effort to pull 6 percent out of the entire budget, all avenues are being explored. Some departments, such as the state Insurance Commissioners Office, will require employees to take a monthly day off without pay. The Department of Technical and Adult Education is considering a four-day school week and eliminating programs. The Georgia Bureau of Investigation is set to close crime labs and is pulling investigators off the street to provide security for the agency's headquarters, rather than paying a private firm. The Georgia State Patrol, already understaffed, may have to reduce its presence on the state's roads even more.
This boiling crisis comes at a time when Georgia is facing monumental growth. Metro Atlanta has 70,000 more residents than it had last year, and there is no end in sight. Most population forecasts have underestimated the number of people expected to move into the state.
Most times growth is a good thing. It means new jobs and opportunities. It also means an increase in the need for state services. Some agencies churn right along in the background. We never notice them until we have to stand in line a little longer at a Department of Driver Services office or find the Labor Department shuttered. However, there are many duties of state government that are essential to quality of life, as well as life itself. If the economy stays in the doldrums for any length of time, hang on.
Charles E. Richardson/for the Editorial Board
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Jim Nichols
A Speculative Fiction
www.JimNichols4.com
Thursday, August 14, 2008
What i'm doing between now and Nov. 5th
If you need to find me between now and the election--I'll more than likely be here:
Jerry Brillant for State Senate district 16.
I am campaign manager and will probably not have as much time as I currently do--do I really have it now?--to blog on this site.
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Jim Nichols
A Speculative Fiction
www.JimNichols4.com
Jerry Brillant for State Senate district 16.
I am campaign manager and will probably not have as much time as I currently do--do I really have it now?--to blog on this site.
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Jim Nichols
A Speculative Fiction
www.JimNichols4.com
Tuesday, August 5, 2008
Whats missing from this article...
So here is an AJC article on the economic woes in GA. Read it and see if you can figure out whats missing... I'll tell you at the end of the post...
GEORGIA'S FISCAL CRISIS
Why no quote from Speaker Glenn Richardson... he hemmed and hawed all session long about how cutting taxes and shifting the rest to sales taxes would just be keen...
hmmmm... would love to hear his thoughts. Or at least someone call his statements to question.
sigh....
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Jim Nichols
A Speculative Fiction
www.JimNichols4.com
GEORGIA'S FISCAL CRISIS
As state cuts back, schools and counties scramble
By JAMES SALZER
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
Published on: 08/04/08
One way or the other, homeowners may wind up paying higher property taxes because of the state's fiscal crisis.
Gov. Sonny Perdue late last week placed a hold on the $428 million homeowners tax relief grant program and cut spending for schools and other programs.
The two moves were part of the plan Perdue and legislative leaders developed to deal with possible $1.6 billion shortfall brought on by the slow economy.
If the economy picks up, some of the cuts may not be needed.
But the hold on the tax relief grants and education cuts have city, county and school officials scrambling to figure out what to do at a time when they say their budgets are already stretched.
One way to make up the lost revenue would be for local governments and schools to pass the cost of the state cuts on to property owners. That could cost homeowners a few hundred dollars more a year in taxes.
"It will be lost revenue to the counties that you can bet will be made up somewhere ... by an increase in property taxes," said Rep. Rob Teilhet (D-Smyrna).
House Majority Leader Jerry Keen (R-St. Simons Island), said cities, counties and school districts shouldn't look first to raise property taxes.
"If the state is going to tighten its budget, maybe the local governments will have to do the same thing," he said. "Every branch of government ought to be looking at ways they can cut back."
With tax collections flagging because of the sluggish economy, Perdue on Friday announced a 6 percent cut in spending for most state agencies. Medicaid, the public health care system for the poor and disabled, and K-12 education were slated for smaller cuts.
Agencies have been told to brace for possible cutbacks of up to 10 percent. They were also told to stop hiring, cut travel and hold off on buying new motor vehicles.
Former Gov. Roy Barnes started the homeowner grant program in the late 1990s to lessen the impact of rising property assessments. Some estimates put the average value of the grant at $150 to $200 a year for homeowners, although it depends on the local tax rate.
It works like this: the state figures out how much it will need to fund what is essentially an expanded homestead exemption. The state then sends that money to counties, which use it to reduce local property tax bills.
Senate Appropriations Chairman Jack Hill (R-Reidsville), said lawmakers didn't really want to go along with the hold on homeowner grants.
"Politically, it's a tough call," Hill said. "For a Republican Caucus that fancies itself as being tax-cutters, this is a hard [decision] to make. But there are no good choices when you're $1.6 billion down."
Perdue was lambasted by Republicans and Democrats alike in 2003 when he proposed limiting the grants because of a budget shortfall that year.
Lawmakers may try to reinstate the grants when they return next year for the 2009 General Assembly session.
But in the meantime, counties are already sending out property tax bills.
Jerry Griffin, executive director of the Association County Commissioners of Georgia said the next step isn't clear.
"It does pose some serious problems for us," Griffin said. "To come back now and say we don't have the money is awkward to say the least. At this point, we don't have a strategy."
Amy Henderson of the Georgia Municipal Association, which represents cities, said local governments have their own financial problems to deal with. For instance, many rely on sales taxes, which are down because of the economy. Fuel prices have hammered local budgets as well. Some cities, like Atlanta, have laid off workers.
"They just don't have the money to make up this shortfall." she said. "Local governments are really having a hard time. When you're talking about cutting budgets, you're talking about cutting services."
Henderson said local governments have a few choices: send out new tax bills; wait and see if the economy improves and lawmakers bring back the property tax grants; or cut spending and use reserves to make up the difference.
Herb Garrett, executive director of the Georgia School Superintendents Association and a former Henry County superintendent, said some school districts don't have the same options. Garrett said after six years of state spending cuts, many are already at or near the state cap of 20 mills of property taxes. And some have drawn down their reserves.
"The ones with healthy reserves can absorb this," he said. "There are some systems that won't be able to handle it."
Why no quote from Speaker Glenn Richardson... he hemmed and hawed all session long about how cutting taxes and shifting the rest to sales taxes would just be keen...
hmmmm... would love to hear his thoughts. Or at least someone call his statements to question.
sigh....
--------------
Jim Nichols
A Speculative Fiction
www.JimNichols4.com
Thursday, July 24, 2008
Amen...
RUNOFF ENDORSEMENT: AUG. 5: Martin the smart Senate choice (AJC)
By Jay Bookman
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
Published on: 07/24/08
The July primary culled the field of potential Democratic Senate candidates from five to two: Jim Martin and Vernon Jones.
Martin is clearly the better choice.
As a Vietnam veteran with a long and admirable career in public service and the law, Martin has the background and credentials to represent Georgia well. As a state legislator, Martin was known as a workhorse, someone who knew the issues and who could work with colleagues to get things done. That same combination of wisdom, hard work and collegiality served Martin well as head of the state Department of Human Services under Democratic Gov. Roy Barnes and then Republican Gov. Sonny Perdue.
Jones, a two-term DeKalb County CEO, is an intelligent man and has been a competent county administrator. Unfortunately, his temperament, judgment and behavior make him a bad fit for higher office. His style is confrontational, and he has shown very little ability or willingness to respect conflicting views. Put simply, Jones would not be good for the U.S. Senate, and the U.S. Senate would not be good for him.
Furthermore, if Georgia Democrats nominate Jones for the Senate, a candidate who bragged publicly about voting twice for George W. Bush, they undermine their own party's broader critique of the Republican record in office. In Republican Saxby Chambliss, Georgia already has a senator strongly supportive of the president's record. If voters are to have a meaningful choice in the fall, Martin must be on the ballot.
—- Jay Bookman, for the editorial board (jbookman@ajc.com)
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Jim Nichols
A Speculative Fiction
www.JimNichols4.com
By Jay Bookman
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
Published on: 07/24/08
The July primary culled the field of potential Democratic Senate candidates from five to two: Jim Martin and Vernon Jones.
Martin is clearly the better choice.
As a Vietnam veteran with a long and admirable career in public service and the law, Martin has the background and credentials to represent Georgia well. As a state legislator, Martin was known as a workhorse, someone who knew the issues and who could work with colleagues to get things done. That same combination of wisdom, hard work and collegiality served Martin well as head of the state Department of Human Services under Democratic Gov. Roy Barnes and then Republican Gov. Sonny Perdue.
Jones, a two-term DeKalb County CEO, is an intelligent man and has been a competent county administrator. Unfortunately, his temperament, judgment and behavior make him a bad fit for higher office. His style is confrontational, and he has shown very little ability or willingness to respect conflicting views. Put simply, Jones would not be good for the U.S. Senate, and the U.S. Senate would not be good for him.
Furthermore, if Georgia Democrats nominate Jones for the Senate, a candidate who bragged publicly about voting twice for George W. Bush, they undermine their own party's broader critique of the Republican record in office. In Republican Saxby Chambliss, Georgia already has a senator strongly supportive of the president's record. If voters are to have a meaningful choice in the fall, Martin must be on the ballot.
—- Jay Bookman, for the editorial board (jbookman@ajc.com)
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Jim Nichols
A Speculative Fiction
www.JimNichols4.com
Tuesday, July 15, 2008
predictions...
AJC is reporting, and everyone I'm talking to locally on the ground, are saying turnout is low. Here are my predictions... this hurts Rand Knight and Vernon Jones in the US senate race (Rand Knights target voters are new voters and liberal voters who are not blue dogs... Vernon Jones has high name ID with low turnout populations...)
In Henry County I think this low turnout hurts Fred Auletta in the Chairman of County Commission race, and Steve Davis in district 109 House race (Fred's honest and realistic approach to transportation is in opposition to Republican activists who tend to be conservative and tend to stray from strong market based approaches to the economy and fixate on a theoretical view of how the economy should work. Trea Pipken is helped because the Republican establishment here in Henry oppose Steve Davis.
For what its worth those are my early predictions.
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Jim Nichols
A Speculative Fiction
www.JimNichols4.com
In Henry County I think this low turnout hurts Fred Auletta in the Chairman of County Commission race, and Steve Davis in district 109 House race (Fred's honest and realistic approach to transportation is in opposition to Republican activists who tend to be conservative and tend to stray from strong market based approaches to the economy and fixate on a theoretical view of how the economy should work. Trea Pipken is helped because the Republican establishment here in Henry oppose Steve Davis.
For what its worth those are my early predictions.
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Jim Nichols
A Speculative Fiction
www.JimNichols4.com
election day blogging
Spoke with Henry County board of election--turnout is low. Get out to VOTE!!!
Also there has popped up an issue about Jim Powell candidate in primary race for Public Service COmmision that I have just found out about today.
The state party asked me to verify the issue going on with Jim Powell for Henry County. Appears notices were posted that Jim Powell was removed from ballot earlier this week by Sec of State--called Henry County Board of elections around 11 am today and they stated that the notice was posted but that the court order was received last night and the notices were pulled and that Jim Powell's name is on the ballot. Appears that some counties still had up the posted notice. Please pass on this info to any who might be able to follow up on this for you locally so that we know whats going on with this issue. Follow ups with your county board of elections would be important.
Out of courtesy I am passing on this message from Jim Powell. Hopefully the media will look into this to find out what and why this has occured.
Please share far and wide so that we find out what the story on this issue is
---------- Forwarded message ----------
From: Jim Powell
Date: Tue, Jul 15, 2008 at 10:27 AM
Subject: Re: go vote--it matters
To: Jim Nichols
Jim - please share far and wide. Thanks.
Friends
In a partisan political move Secretary of State Karen Handel
disqualified me as a candidate on Thursday, July 10th but failed to
notify me. I heard about it on Sunday night from the rumor mill and
called yesterday to confirm the rumor. My attorneys went to the
Fulton County Superior Court and a Judge issued a Stay. After the
election today, I will go back to the Superior Court and formally
appeal Handel's decision. In her decision to disqualify me, Secretary
Handel overturned a Judge's decision (June 24) that had already
determined that I am a resident. This partisan action has received
considerable play in the media and I just wanted to assure you that I
am committed as ever to being elected to the Public Service Commission
in November. In fact, Handel's decision has made me more determined
if that is possible.
So, the good news is that I am still a candidate and I expect to win
today. Thanks for your thoughts and prayers. Please remember to vote
for me today in the Democratic Primary. Your support is very
important to me.
To help clarify the events, my son put up a post on last night that
does a great job at articulating what happened yesterday. Please
check it out: http://www.infoaccelerator.net/blog/post.cfm/close-encounters-with-dirty-georgia-politics
Here is the link to the AJC article:
http://www.ajc.com/news/content/business/stories/2008/07/14/psc_candidate.html
All 159 Election Boards have been ordered to remove all signs, posters
or notices regarding the disqualification. When you go and vote today
please look around to make sure this happened. Should you find any
such sign, poster or notice that addresses the disqualification, I
need to know about it ASAP.
--------------
Jim Nichols
A Speculative Fiction
www.JimNichols4.com
Also there has popped up an issue about Jim Powell candidate in primary race for Public Service COmmision that I have just found out about today.
The state party asked me to verify the issue going on with Jim Powell for Henry County. Appears notices were posted that Jim Powell was removed from ballot earlier this week by Sec of State--called Henry County Board of elections around 11 am today and they stated that the notice was posted but that the court order was received last night and the notices were pulled and that Jim Powell's name is on the ballot. Appears that some counties still had up the posted notice. Please pass on this info to any who might be able to follow up on this for you locally so that we know whats going on with this issue. Follow ups with your county board of elections would be important.
Out of courtesy I am passing on this message from Jim Powell. Hopefully the media will look into this to find out what and why this has occured.
Please share far and wide so that we find out what the story on this issue is
---------- Forwarded message ----------
From: Jim Powell
Date: Tue, Jul 15, 2008 at 10:27 AM
Subject: Re: go vote--it matters
To: Jim Nichols
Jim - please share far and wide. Thanks.
Friends
In a partisan political move Secretary of State Karen Handel
disqualified me as a candidate on Thursday, July 10th but failed to
notify me. I heard about it on Sunday night from the rumor mill and
called yesterday to confirm the rumor. My attorneys went to the
Fulton County Superior Court and a Judge issued a Stay. After the
election today, I will go back to the Superior Court and formally
appeal Handel's decision. In her decision to disqualify me, Secretary
Handel overturned a Judge's decision (June 24) that had already
determined that I am a resident. This partisan action has received
considerable play in the media and I just wanted to assure you that I
am committed as ever to being elected to the Public Service Commission
in November. In fact, Handel's decision has made me more determined
if that is possible.
So, the good news is that I am still a candidate and I expect to win
today. Thanks for your thoughts and prayers. Please remember to vote
for me today in the Democratic Primary. Your support is very
important to me.
To help clarify the events, my son put up a post on last night that
does a great job at articulating what happened yesterday. Please
check it out: http://www.infoaccelerator.net/blog/post.cfm/close-encounters-with-dirty-georgia-politics
Here is the link to the AJC article:
http://www.ajc.com/news/content/business/stories/2008/07/14/psc_candidate.html
All 159 Election Boards have been ordered to remove all signs, posters
or notices regarding the disqualification. When you go and vote today
please look around to make sure this happened. Should you find any
such sign, poster or notice that addresses the disqualification, I
need to know about it ASAP.
--------------
Jim Nichols
A Speculative Fiction
www.JimNichols4.com
Go Vote--it matters
My first yard sign and its for a Republican... go figure
Its election day. Please go out and vote. I agree with all your complaints about the political system... I agree with your contentions about corruption...
Lesser of two evils matters... why? Participation by citizens is a check on corruption and apathy. Red, Blue, Green, and whatever color the libertarians are... I don't care. Vote--it matters.
schip--vetoed... millions of kids don't have health insurance today because the president and Republican leadership said "its too expensive" $20 dollars of my money a year is too expensive? In what world? I would love to buy health insurance but I can't afford it... I can't go to the doctor cause I don't have the money. We rank 37th in the world according to the World Health organization. Its time for change. Its time to join the rest of the industrialized world and have some form of Universal Helath care... Vote: It matters...
Iraq--I have nothing else to say on that one... but I will; 40% of our troops are coming home needing long term physical or mental health care. WE are NOT budgeting for this. Even worse conservatives like John McCain voted against the New GI Bill which would get our soldiers the money to pay for school... he said it would give people incentive to leave after one tour of duty! Some of us think that when young men and women sacrifice for our nation you say thank you rather than forcing them to stay in the military because of stop-loss, or the fact that poor planning and presidential leadership that fails to ask all americans to sacrifice--to cut taxes during a time of war is unheard of. We are failing our troops... we are sending kids off to die... breaking apart families... and people like lynn westmorland would rather pay private contractors who cost far more than letting the military do those jobs themselves--why not give our troops a pay raise rather than increase shareholder profits? Go vote: It matters.
Locally, When you add all the state taxes, county taxes, and local fees the state of GA ranks dead last in taxation. But on every politicians lip you hear talk of the oppressive tax burden. If our kids don't have books in the schools and class size is reaching levels that make educating impossible.. if we are stuck in traffic because we lack infrastructure and public transportation... if we are so far behind in mental health care that the FEDs might take it over because we are killing people... and we would need to double the money we put into the system just to catch up to other states... these are all signs we lack revenue rather than have too much. Vote: it matters
Imagine a world where politicians had the guts to tell people the hard truth... you have to spend money to make money. Vote: it matters.
Here are my recommendations if you live in Henry County. I voted on the Republican ballot because there are some important races so I'll start with that
Chair of County Commision Fred Auletta. He is the only candidate that recognizes failing to fund basic infrastructure in transportation will never resolve the problem. Its unfortunate that republicans and conservative have been blocking efforts to address this issue for years...
State house race district 109: Trea Pipkin. Steve Davis have pushed the conservative agenda to such levels that the Republican establishment here in Henry even rejects his policy. He promotes the conservative policy that promotes the idea of individual responsibility--every man for themselves--rather than a more coherent policy that recognizes we're all in this together and getting people the infrastructure they need protects our economy and empowers people to thrive.
Sheriff: Keith McBrayer. He is the best of the 3 options in the primary; though I look forward to working to beat him in the general election... : )
Rick Williams in district 73--parts of Henry County included. I know Rick very well... he is a political moderate who has the right ideas and vision for where we need to be going.
On the Democratic side: Rand Knight for US senate
Jim Powell for Public Service Commission
State Senate district 44 (parts of Henry) Gail Buckner
I have spoken with every single one of these candidates and I certainly agree with some positions they may hold I believe they are competant and prepared take us in the best direction of those running.
Thats all... go vote... go vote--it matters.
--------------
Jim Nichols
A Speculative Fiction
www.JimNichols4.com
Tuesday, June 17, 2008
cutting my political teeth...
Wanted to post this so that i'd never loose the memory. For some reason I was thinking this morning about the Kevin Madden campaign. The day I drove over to Fayeteville to knock on doors. I called Richard Ray--and I can still see it--it was that fall cold/sunny. And I was telling him... "well Richard, I'm lost in Fayeteville looking for voters."
The first, hardest, and most inspireing 517 votes I ever worked for. It was wonderful and I'll never forget it!
The first, hardest, and most inspireing 517 votes I ever worked for. It was wonderful and I'll never forget it!
Wednesday, April 30, 2008
Here is our recent local press release in Henry County....
Westmoreland says "No" to business innovation
Start-up businesses in the 3rd Congressional District would have a tougher time bringing their ideas to market, if Rep. Lynn Westmoreland had his way.
04/29/08
For Immediate Release: April 29, 2008
Contact: Jim Nichols
770-312-6736
Jim.Nichols@gmail.com
Westmoreland says "no" to business innovation
Local Congressman opposes small business investment
Start-up businesses in the 3rd Congressional District would have a tougher time bringing their ideas to market, if Rep. Lynn Westmoreland had his way. The Republican from Sharpsburg was one of only 43 House members to vote against H.R. 5819,reauthorizing the Small Business and Innovation Research and Small Business Technology Transfer program. The programs provide assistance and funding for small businesses to help them with research and development. Over the five-year span of the reauthorization, the investment in small businesses would cost about $0.17 per capita.
"Independent business is the backbone of the American economy," said Jim Nichols, Chair of the Henry County Democratic Party. "We should be doing more to help small businesses grow into prosperous ventures, not less. Congressman Westmoreland's vote harms entrepreneurs and hinders bipartisanship."
H.R. 5819 passed the House with a overwhelming bipartisan majority of 368 votes.
"People in Henry County are tired of representation that puts politics before prosperity," Nichols said. "We're ready for a Congressman who is pro-economy, and committed to working across party lines, when necessary, for the good of our economy."
http://campaignwindow.com/HenryCountyDems/blog/index.cfm?Fuseaction=ViewBlog&BlogTopicID=3492
www.henrydems.org
Start-up businesses in the 3rd Congressional District would have a tougher time bringing their ideas to market, if Rep. Lynn Westmoreland had his way.
04/29/08
For Immediate Release: April 29, 2008
Contact: Jim Nichols
770-312-6736
Jim.Nichols@gmail.com
Westmoreland says "no" to business innovation
Local Congressman opposes small business investment
Start-up businesses in the 3rd Congressional District would have a tougher time bringing their ideas to market, if Rep. Lynn Westmoreland had his way. The Republican from Sharpsburg was one of only 43 House members to vote against H.R. 5819,reauthorizing the Small Business and Innovation Research and Small Business Technology Transfer program. The programs provide assistance and funding for small businesses to help them with research and development. Over the five-year span of the reauthorization, the investment in small businesses would cost about $0.17 per capita.
"Independent business is the backbone of the American economy," said Jim Nichols, Chair of the Henry County Democratic Party. "We should be doing more to help small businesses grow into prosperous ventures, not less. Congressman Westmoreland's vote harms entrepreneurs and hinders bipartisanship."
H.R. 5819 passed the House with a overwhelming bipartisan majority of 368 votes.
"People in Henry County are tired of representation that puts politics before prosperity," Nichols said. "We're ready for a Congressman who is pro-economy, and committed to working across party lines, when necessary, for the good of our economy."
http://campaignwindow.com/HenryCountyDems/blog/index.cfm?Fuseaction=ViewBlog&BlogTopicID=3492
www.henrydems.org
Tuesday, March 25, 2008
If your in GA! Important transportation bill
I just got a call today from someone at the Sierra Club. We have an important bill coming to the house on Thursday on Transportation funding. We need people to make this call. Don't like sitting in traffic, don't like gas going up and up and up? Make the call today. Ask your Rep. to support the bill.
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For the first time in GA, the proposed Macon-Atlanta-Athens commuter rail line has the potential to become a reality! This session, we are seeing for the first time in the history of our state, a real solution to fund better transit and a more efficient, balanced system. With our projected population growth and worsening air quality, transit is the only way we can get ourselves out of traffic and get on with our lives. RAIL-based transit provides permanent congestion relief and offers countless economic benefits. Please call your Representatives about this issue, and encourage them to vote YES on Thursday to S.R. 845, funding for transit. To find out who your reps are and to read a sample script, please look below. Then, please forward any responses from State Representatives you get so we can work on getting them on board and track votes!
· CALL YOUR REP TODAY TO SUPPORT SR 845 FOR BETTER TRANSIT! This is the first real opportunity we have seen in GA to change our outdated Constitutional definition of transportation as “roads and bridges” to something more effective and effeicient. SR 845, which allows for real funding for transit, has already passed the Senate. SR 845 would support projects like the proposed Macon to Atlanta to Athens commuter rail. We need it to pass the House.
· Link to find your Georgia State Representative: http://www.congress.org/congressorg/officials/congress/?district=05&lvl=C&azip=30309&state=GA
· SAMPLE SCRIPT:
o "Hi Representative (Jones), my name is (Nate) and I'm tired of this terrible traffic. It's killing our state's competitiveness and it's killing us. Atlanta has been ranked worse than Los Angeles as far as traffic-related air quality goes, and we now have the longest projected commute in the United States (http://blogs.usatoday.com/ondeadline/2007/05/list_of_usas_lo.html). Asthma, directly linked to the pollution from cars, is now the number one reason for absenses in Atlanta Public Schools; over 50% of climate-change causing carbon emissions in GA come from vehicle trafffic. I support a better way. I support SR 845 and encourage you to PASS IT NOW. Include support for all forms of transportation, as well as operations expenses and incorporation of the remaining 1% of our current gas tax. Will you vote YES for SR 845 on Thursday? Yes or No. Thank you."
· Please send all contact information (did they say YES? No? Know nothing about it? Want more information?) to erin.glynn@sierraclub.org to we can guage support for this monumental transit funding bill.
---------
For the first time in GA, the proposed Macon-Atlanta-Athens commuter rail line has the potential to become a reality! This session, we are seeing for the first time in the history of our state, a real solution to fund better transit and a more efficient, balanced system. With our projected population growth and worsening air quality, transit is the only way we can get ourselves out of traffic and get on with our lives. RAIL-based transit provides permanent congestion relief and offers countless economic benefits. Please call your Representatives about this issue, and encourage them to vote YES on Thursday to S.R. 845, funding for transit. To find out who your reps are and to read a sample script, please look below. Then, please forward any responses from State Representatives you get so we can work on getting them on board and track votes!
· CALL YOUR REP TODAY TO SUPPORT SR 845 FOR BETTER TRANSIT! This is the first real opportunity we have seen in GA to change our outdated Constitutional definition of transportation as “roads and bridges” to something more effective and effeicient. SR 845, which allows for real funding for transit, has already passed the Senate. SR 845 would support projects like the proposed Macon to Atlanta to Athens commuter rail. We need it to pass the House.
· Link to find your Georgia State Representative: http://www.congress.org/congressorg/officials/congress/?district=05&lvl=C&azip=30309&state=GA
· SAMPLE SCRIPT:
o "Hi Representative (Jones), my name is (Nate) and I'm tired of this terrible traffic. It's killing our state's competitiveness and it's killing us. Atlanta has been ranked worse than Los Angeles as far as traffic-related air quality goes, and we now have the longest projected commute in the United States (http://blogs.usatoday.com/ondeadline/2007/05/list_of_usas_lo.html). Asthma, directly linked to the pollution from cars, is now the number one reason for absenses in Atlanta Public Schools; over 50% of climate-change causing carbon emissions in GA come from vehicle trafffic. I support a better way. I support SR 845 and encourage you to PASS IT NOW. Include support for all forms of transportation, as well as operations expenses and incorporation of the remaining 1% of our current gas tax. Will you vote YES for SR 845 on Thursday? Yes or No. Thank you."
· Please send all contact information (did they say YES? No? Know nothing about it? Want more information?) to erin.glynn@sierraclub.org to we can guage support for this monumental transit funding bill.
Saturday, March 22, 2008
Sunday, March 16, 2008
This is disturbing...
Clayton schools get grim verdict. Clayton County schools are to lose their accreditation Sept. 1st.
Wait... you kick someone off the board for not living in the county! And thats a step in the right direction? THats a technicality! Thats not kicking someone off for not doing their job...
WHat do these kids do?
THe likelihood that this state is going to step in before its too late seems very small. Look at the Grady issue...
Fla., lost accreditation in 1969. The national commission voted to revoke the accreditation of the schools in Hartford, Conn., but the state stepped in and took over at the last minute, Elgart said.
Clayton officials said they weren't surprised by the national vote, but were confident they could overhaul the district in time.
"We're a realistic board and know the situation we're in and know we have to move forward," school board Chairwoman Ericka Davis said.
The board has already taken steps toward improvement, including removing board member Norreese Haynes for not living in the county, Clayton County Commission Chairman Eldrin Bell said.
Wait... you kick someone off the board for not living in the county! And thats a step in the right direction? THats a technicality! Thats not kicking someone off for not doing their job...
WHat do these kids do?
THe likelihood that this state is going to step in before its too late seems very small. Look at the Grady issue...
Thursday, March 13, 2008
Not shocking... but sad...
One of the things I've been shocked by during my session here at the State Capitol is the number of Representatives walking around using economic terms left and right but using them in ways that aren't accurate, misrepresent, or are utterly meaningless to the question at hand. I don't know a whole lot past the econ 101 I've taken, a few economic books I've read, and the econ bloggers I read. On one or two occasions I have scratched the surface of some of their statements by digging around and have found that my suspicions were unfortunately correct.
So when I happened upon this this morning I really wasn't surprised...
I've started to learn to make a distinction between functionality and competency. Just because you are functional in the world doesn't mean you are competent in your field, trade, or line of expertise. It may just mean you jumped through the right hoops and were persistent. That's not to downplay those skills--the ability to adhere to basic norms, and achieve specific tasks and goals in an accountable manner are to be applauded.
But the cautionary tale is that we should know what we know...and know what we don't know--didn't Socrates have something to say about that? And even further the next step of that is to act on what is correct... because action exposes truth--didn't Jesus have something to say about that?
By accepting the complexity and nuances of the world in a more astute manner we can help decrease the harm done with bad information which will allow us to differentiate those who are well meaning but wrong... from those who are ill intentioned, manipulative, and dangerous.
Monday, March 3, 2008
Thoughts on HB 413
crossposted at YDG blog
I don’t think Avery was the only one of us struck by HB 413. The floor debate brought out the worst and the best of the general assembly that day. Some days in the office you have the live feed on as background noise while you go about your work. Some days there are segments of the day where the live feed is the only thing you can focus on–all those pesky tasks and "job responsibilities" seem to want to get put to the side. 413 had all of us in the office glued to our computers.
As a voter I couldn’t help but wonder: why are we even spending time on this issue?
I was appalled listening to Rep. Charlice Byrd say that English is the "language of capitalism" and that keeping the bill from passing was just one "Big government group hug"; that this kind of "state sponsored multi-culturalism... dilutes English and hurts personal responsibility".
I’d hate to be the one to inform her but the language of the markets is one of supply and demand, its one of price, cost, and profit. I’ve been all over the world having spent time in rural places like Valley, Alabama; Rome, Georgia; Mindanao, a providence in the southern Philippine islands; a small market along the road side of some nowhere train crossing in France.
I’ve also spent time in urban metropolises like Los Angeles, Paris, Manila, Berlin.
I’ve seen markets as complex algorithms in the form of graphs charting out bond markets, or housing stats. I’ve seen markets as complex social interactions of producers bringing and bargaining their goods with buyers.
I’ve smelled the stench of an Athens fish market. I’ve seen the sweat on the brow of a hard working farmer in Alabama. I know the beauty of markets, I know the importance of markets; and it makes me mad when leaders in our state use the market system as a bully pulpit for some other issue.
Markets are the same across the globe. And hard work and personal responsibility is the same no matter the language, culture, or class. To make this an issue of personal responsibility or challenging the work ethic of non-english speakers is very disheartening rhetoric to see on the floor of the Georgia General Assembly. In our country we’re taught that hard work gets you rich. Its propaganda, manipulative, and hurts the dialogue we need to get the policies needed for our economy to work for all of us. Kind of along the lines of what billionaire Warren Buffet once said, "If you stick me down in the middle of Bangladesh or Peru, you’ll find out how much this talent is going to produce in the wrong kind of soil."
Mandating that English be the only language that is spoken on any official acts of government has nothing to do with markets and some have done a better job than I pointing out how manipulative making such a claim can be.
Not communicating legal issues about a student in school to their parents in a way that the parent can best understand what’s going on is not a "big government group hug" its protecting and empowering our communities. Its about making sure people aren’t put at risk because they don’t get the proper information communicated to them.
Government is about protecting and empowering. Its about protecting and empowering our citizens, our economy, our state.
I was glad to hear Rep. Doug McKillip speak that day about the impacts on our economy. Situations where we bring in skilled labor be it a driver from the Ukraine who knows his industry and the technology being used, or a Professor from Chile who knows his field. We want our economy to have the best and brightest.
But I was proud to be a Democrat when Rep. Al Williams stepped to the floor and began talking; citing names like William Wilburforce and speaking to the issues of treating other humans with decency and respect. I was so moved I didn’t take notes that well on what he said cause I was jumping up and down saying "he nailed it." To watch a good rhetorical point made, in a poetic and dignified manner on the floor of your state house is a true privilege and pleasure.
When you see mass emails to all the Representatives saying–I kid you not– "Engilish is the language of America"(sic); you worry about what’s going on in our communities, our cities and our counties that has so divided us. I’m glad that 413 was killed that week. But I worry about the underlying issues that make this such a heated issue where the facts at hand are so quickly ignored and the divisiveness and intolerance towards fellow humans is so acceptable.
Conservatives want to make immigration a major issue. Because its a hobgoblin. It divides us and keeps people from working in good faith to create good social policy.
The underlying issues that drive such things are issues that have made me become a proud Democrat. Strengthening our economy, our education system, our communities are policy positions that should make us proud to be Democrats. The votes of support for 413 speak to the need for Democrats like you reading this to get up here and get involved.
We can’t create good social policy without more people getting into the mix. I was saying the other day to someone that I wish I had learned the things I’m learning now at 19 and not 27. But I went on to say that I’m certainly glad I’m learning these things at 27 rather than 37!
Please consider taking some time to intern or help fund other interns, speak with your representatives about issues that matter to you. Build alliances with your friends and neighbors on issues that matter. Network in ways that can respond to the quick nature of policies in the legislature. Roll up your sleeves and sacrifice a little of your time. You’ll learn a lot, you’ll meet some pretty phenomenal citizens who truly care about creating good social policy, and you’ll help be part of the solution rather than part of the problem.
Hey Avery! thanks for stimulating this post...
Saturday, February 16, 2008
Strike all the bad things I said about the Speaker last week
This is good news and good policy:
House Speaker Glenn Richardson opposes the bill [right to life amendment] and has said publicly that he will not allow this bill to pass out of committee,"Now don't get all bent out of shape... I'm not striking anything else... just last weeks comments... [don't go looking through my blog... I'm talking about things I say quietly to myself and/or those around me]
good question from the Columbus Ledger-Enquirer
Could the governor who made fishing tourism the centerpiece of his legislative agenda last year really be a vice presidential contender?
It appears the good Gov-uh-nuh of Georgia is on the short list (at least the media's short list).
But then again politics has often times been about promoting bad leadership up--all to bring in new/better. So who knows...
It appears the good Gov-uh-nuh of Georgia is on the short list (at least the media's short list).
But then again politics has often times been about promoting bad leadership up--all to bring in new/better. So who knows...
Wednesday, February 13, 2008
Its an Obama piece!
Obama showing in Henry spurs local Democrats
She didn't even ask me about the Presidential race! I didn't see that coming....
So yeah at the very least I'm involved door-to-door because Republicans lack leadership!
She didn't even ask me about the Presidential race! I didn't see that coming....
So yeah at the very least I'm involved door-to-door because Republicans lack leadership!
Saturday, February 2, 2008
Chambliss... "We're a strong Military State..."
Isakson and Chambliss endorse McCain. But this quote gives me the willies...
Thats just me...
“We’re a strong military state and we need a strong commander in chief,”We're a strong military state? I can handle being a Republic with a strong military. I can deal with a Democracy with a strong military. But a Military state? To me thats a bad choice of words because I can't follow his principles... it leaves open the possiblity that one of our Senators supports a Military State. I don't believe thats what he meant. But still its a shockingly poor use of language. In a moment when our government currently supports policies considered torture by human rights organizations and does not shirk away from questionable dealings with other countries I am sensitive to how leaders in our State frame our role in the world. Anything with authroitarian leanings or frame-works that leave such roles open to discussion are bad juju in my book and speak of it because I feel conservatives are far too often inviting to frames and language used that can be seen as tolerant of authoritarianism. I'm not saying they are... it just can be precieved that way.
Thats just me...
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