Politics News

Shafer’s Waste Reduction Act Passes Out of Committee

liz.flowers — Tue, 27 Jan 2009 18:30:21 -0700

Johns Creek Sen. David Shafer presented Senate Bill 1, the “Waste Reduction Act,” which would implement a system of zero-based budgeting for state government.

“The fundamental problem with Georgia’s budget process is that rather than starting from zero, it begins with the assumption that all current state spending should automatically be carried over,” said Shafer. “The General Assembly spends the entire session debating how much extra to spend in the upcoming year and not looking at programs that were approved years or decades earlier.”

GA’s Infrastructure Woes Could Lead to Further Economic Downturn

liz.flowers — Sat, 24 Jan 2009 10:34:24 -0700

With Georgia ranked among the top 10 for mortgage foreclosures, unemployment claims up 174 percent from the previous year and state leaders trying to figure out how to close a $2.8 billion dollar state budget gap, a funding crisis may well turn into a years-long financial catastrophe. It could hammer the state’s ability to attract and maintain business for the year to come.

Senate Regulated Industries and Utilities Holds Hearings on Winter Fuel Sources

liz.flowers — Wed, 10 Dec 2008 20:11:17 -0700

State Sen. David Shafer (R-Duluth/Johns Creek), chairman of the Senate Regulated Industries and Utilities Committee, recently held a hearing at the Capitol to address winter fuels energy and how to prepare Georgians for winter home heating.

"As the winter season begins, it is even more important that Georgians have a reliable supply of affordable energy,” said Shafer.

Creek Leeks

liz.flowers — Fri, 31 Oct 2008 11:40:47 -0700

More than 150 people turned out for a Johns Creek fundraiser to support Georgia Republican gubernatorial candidate and current state Insurance Commissioner John Oxendine.

The Wed., Oct. 30 event, held at the Atlanta Athletic Club, raised more than $25,000 at the door. Not too shabby considering the election won’t be held until 2010, there is a recession going on, and a presidential race is just days away.

Down-Ballot Voting Matters -- A Lot

liz.flowers — Thu, 30 Oct 2008 09:25:47 -0700

More than any fall season television network drama, this year’s presidential election has kept us tuned in for months. From the heated presidential primaries, the summertime conventions, messaging, counter-messaging, advertising, veep choices, and other tactical maneuverings, Georgians are fired up about the big race now only days away.

Advance voting in North Fulton, which is permitted in limited locations through Oct. 31, produced long lines in the cold weather. There were hundreds of people in line at the Spruill Library located off Old Alabama Road.

JC’s Burkhalter on CSPAN

liz.flowers — Tue, 26 Aug 2008 13:59:10 -0700

Johns Creek’s Mark Burkhalter was featured Tuesday on CSPAN2 in his capacity as sub-committee chairman of the “Reforming Government to Serve the People” for the Republican National Party Platform Committee, a component of the Republican National Committee.

Burkhalter joined Republican colleagues to hammer out the party platform, leading up to the Republican Convention that will be held Sept. 1-4 in Minneapolis, Minn.

Delegates convene every four years at convention time to discuss policy issues.

First Democratic Candidate Expected to Enter 2010 Governor's Race

liz.flowers — Sat, 23 Aug 2008 07:44:43 -0700

Insider Advantage, a Georgia polling and news organization, is reporting that David Poythress will announce Monday that he’s a Democratic candidate for governor in 2010.

Poythress is expected to make the announcement is the annual conference of the Peace Officers Association of Georgia at Jekyll Island.

Poythress formerly served as Georgia’s Secretary of State and as Commissioner of Labor, and most recently as Adjutant General – the commander of the Georgia National Guard.

Sen. David Shafer Leads Energy Hearing

liz.flowers — Thu, 14 Aug 2008 07:48:21 -0700

State Sen. David Shafer (R-Duluth), chairman of the Senate Regulated Industries and Utilities Committee, held a hearing this week at the capitol to address the state’s current energy challenges and how to move forward to meet those needs in the most efficient way for Georgians.

“We need to develop a comprehensive strategy for affordably meeting our energy needs without relying on unstable or terroristic foreign governments,” said Shafer.

Political Dashboard

liz.flowers — Mon, 11 Aug 2008 18:17:06 -0700

Atlanta Mayor Hopeful Pulls Out of Race
Cites care of parents as reason

Atlanta City Council President Lisa Borders, the top contender for Atlanta Mayor in 2009 with the most amassed campaign funding, withdrew from the race today, citing family health concerns.

Borders issued the following letter to her supporters.

August 11, 2008

I apologize for sending this message to you electronically, but I wanted you to know of this decision as soon as possible.

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RNC Announces 2008 Platform Subcommittees

liz.flowers — Sat, 09 Aug 2008 13:44:13 -0700

Today, RNC Chairman Robert M. Mike Duncan, Platform Committee Chairman U.S. Rep. Kevin McCarthy (CA-22) and Platform Committee Co-Chairman U.S. Sen. Richard Burr (R-NC) announced the subcommittee structure and leadership for the 2008 Platform Committee.

"This esteemed group of Republican leaders and national convention delegates will be integral to ensuring that our Party creates a forward-looking platform that is rooted in our core values and principles," Duncan said.

Expanding Opportunity to Promote Prosperity subcommittee:

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