[January 29, 2013] | The 2013 Legislative session began last week on Jan 14. Clerk Robbie Rivers called us to order and Rev. Carl D. Johnson gave our first prayer of the session. Judge Roger Lane administered the Oath Of Office; my wife Marcia was with me, and we used a well-worn Bible my Dad gave us in the ceremony. As I read the words of the Oath of Office, I could not help but to reflect on what they stand for and to remember why we, individually and as a body, are there. ?I do hereby solemnly swear or affirm that I will support the Constitution of this State and of the United States and, on all questions and measures which may come before me, I will so conduct myself, as will, in my judgment, be most conductive to the interest and prosperity of this state?? ??There were more words about being legally eligible to hold office and to be qualified to serve, but these are the words that always stick with me. During the next few months while we are in session, there will be many tasks and decisions to make, some of which will be difficult. Using the Constitutions of our United States and Georgia helps to make those decisions easier. While taking the oath, I also thought of our District and of the many folks who depend on me to make the right decision for all of us: Weighty thoughts for me at that moment.
??We immediately went to work and selected the presiding officers of the House. Speaker David Ralston (R-Blue Ridge) was re-elected with 160 votes. The Committee of Escort was chosen to escort The Speaker to the Speaker?s Stand. Eight representatives besides myself were chosen to do this. The Speaker first thanked the House for his re-election and then talked about how proud he was of the previous session?s accomplishments. He talked about the future and what he saw as the challenges that we will face this year and concluded with his vision. Speaker Ralston challenged the House of Representatives to be greater than the sum of its members. He wants us to face these challenges and then work together to make Georgia a better place to live, a better place to work, and a better place to educate our children. He said that we live in the greatest State in the Union and in the greatest country on earth; and that our future, Georgia?s future, will continue to shine bright. He received a well-deserved standing ovation. It is an honor for me to serve under this great leader.?? Next we elected Speaker Pro-Tem Jan Jones (R-Milton) and other House officers to their posts.??
On Thursday, the House and Senate convened in the House chamber for a joint session to hear Gov. Nathan Deal give the State of the State Address.
Governor Deal?s remarks were titled ?Focus on the Foundations that Strengthen Georgia.? In his address, Governor Nathan Deal first congratulated and welcomed the members of the General Assembly. He went on to say that we were part of ?the process of self-governance, whereby free people entrust to us the responsibility of preserving their freedoms, and that we must confine our actions to those things which our constituents cannot do for themselves,? as defined by our Constitution. The Governor then commented on the tremendous progress that was made last year. Saying ?we have implemented innovative tax reform that incentivizes business growth, passed smart-on-crime Criminal Justice Reform and saved HOPE.? He then challenged us to go forward and focus ?on the proven foundations of growing Georgia, those that keep us steady during times of uncertainty but also during times of prosperity: foremost among those are Public Safety, Education, Healthcare and Economic Development.?
??In the first foundation, Public Safety, the Governor wants us to capitalize on the success of last year?s Criminal Justice Reform Legislation, ?that saves both lives and taxpayer dollars? and continue with Juvenile Justice Reform. He will propose legislation ?designed to produce better results with juvenile offenders and divert them from the adult system.? He will ?emphasize community-based, non-confinement correctional methods for low-risk offenders as an alternative to regional and state youth centers.? He will request $5 million to create an incentive program that encourages communities to utilize these programs. He then said, ?The cost of each bed in a Youth Detention Center is in excess of $91,000 each year. We can continue to improve our State?s Justice Systems while keeping our citizens safe by reserving our prison beds for violent offenders.? ??He added that he will recommend a more stringent Boating Under the Influence Law.
? ? The next foundation for growing a more prosperous Georgia is Education. ?In the Budget for FY 2014, I have added 10 days to the Pre-K school year, thereby restoring it to a full 180 days,? adding that the K-12 Education Budget will not be subject to the 3 percent overall reductions. ?Since employment is a primary goal of education, my budget proposes to focus more funds within our HOPE Grant Program toward occupations where we know jobs are available and shortages actually exist,? That?s Putting Your Money Where The Jobs Are!? He also is recommending a 3% increase in the HOPE Scholarship Program.??
The next foundation he noted was Healthcare. The Governor is recommending ?The Board of Community Health to apply a provider fee for hospitals, just as they currently do for nursing homes.? He said that unless this is done, there will be a $700 million shortfall in the Medicaid Program. He then recommended that we add $2 million in the FY 2014 Budget to further increase the numbers of Healthcare Professionals practicing in the state.
The last foundation Governor Deal addressed was Economic Development. ?The goal I have set for us is to make Georgia the No. 1 place in the country in which to do business.? He recommends $50 million in the bond package to further deepen the Savannah Harbor insuring that Savannah will remain the second largest container port on the East Coast.
??He concluded his remarks by talking about Ethics in Government. Saying, ?The vibrations of distrust will crack even the strongest foundations. There will always be those in the media and elsewhere who thrive on sowing the seeds of doubt and distrust and who will never recant their sinister innuendos and malicious accusations even when they are vanquished by Truth.? He said we can bolster the public trust by establishing clear rules under which elected officials must operate; rules that apply not only to members of the General Assembly but also all elected state and local officials.
Each week I will be reporting on what we do at the Capitol from my view. Please don't hesitate to call my office 706 /656-0188 or email me at rick.jasperse@house.ga.gov with your questions or thoughts on what we are doing at your Capitol.
Thank you for choosing me to represent you in Atlanta at the State Capitol.