With K-12 education requiring over forty percent of a reduced state budget, increased pressure is being put on our local school districts to fund education. Currently, funding is done by the property owners who can ill afford additional taxation.

House Republicans offered a new solution (HR 1264) that would have given the voters in Georgia the right to decide whether or not to eliminate all school property taxes with a 3% statewide sales tax.

Think of all the people in Georgia who receive the benefits of our education system who do not pay property taxes but will buy goods that are taxable.

The resolution never got out of the democratic controlled committee.

Preserving Traditional Family Values:

The Problem:

Although Republicans overwhelmingly championed Georgia’s right to vote on recognizing marriage as only between a man and a woman, Democrats consistently opposed this effort the same way they have blocked other traditional family issues.

The Commitment:

A Republican House majority will consistently support traditional family values by passing legislation which

– Gives Georgia communities the ability to post the Ten Commandments in prominent public locations.

– Improves healthy delivery options for Georgia’s moms.

– Allows faith based groups to deliver social services more effectively and efficiently than bureaucratic agencies.

The Facts:

The vote on SR 595, the constitutional amendment allowing Georgians to vote on defining marriage as between only a man and only a woman, only passed the House by three votes (122 with 120 needed to pass a constitutional amendment) (first vote failed 117 – 50, 49 democrats). Therefore it is critical that you elect representatives this fall with a strong commitment to traditional family values.

In the Georgia House the Democrats would not even allow an open debate on allowing local governments to voluntarily post the Ten Commandments. Four House Bills (1537, 1609, 1403 and 1348) were passed by the Rules Committee but never were allowed to come to the floor for a vote.

Issues as simple as giving Mom’s full disclosure on medical procedures involving the life of the unborn and informing them of all their options were squelched once again when HB 23 never received a hearing in the House Judiciary Committee.

Democrats supported allowing local governments to force private businesses and organizations to give same sex partner benefits via amendments by the Democratic Whip (HB 1258). Republicans killed the amendments.

Traditional family values will reflect our desire that all Georgia citizens, from the womb to the tomb, babies and elderly be served with fair representation and protection like everyone else.

Education Success in Georgia:

The Problem:

With high drop-out rates, increasing diversity, low SAT scores, poor parent participation and unruly classes we have to give teachers the tools to maintain discipline and administrators flexibility to streamline operations. Democrats fought Republican legislation to correct these problems for the past two years.

The Commitment:

Better accountability, more local control and improved discipline in school, including measures to allow unruly and law breaking teens to loose their drivers license, a punishment which teens would want to avoid.

The Facts:

House Republicans offered two bills (HB 1190 and HB 1193) supporting Governor Perdue’s efforts to significantly improve our schools by offering local districts more flexibility for more performance accountability.

The Barnes Education Reform Act of 2000 offered highly restrictive mandates/laws that treated all districts the same (one size fits all) even though the learning issues were vastly different district by district.

Though HB 1190 passed in the last moments of the ending day, the bill only offered short term band aids to correct the deficiencies of the Barnes law due to foot dragging on the part of the Democrats. Unfortunately a major opportunity for positive change was lost till next year.

Democrats supported social promotion by voting to not count the third grade test towards promotion.

If you elect a Republican House you can be sure that we will move quickly to change what ails our schools by:

o Attracting and keeping the most qualified teachers by offering incentives for performance and keeping our commitment to pay the incentives.

o Maintain competitive salary structure.

o Get creative in attracting experienced teachers into low performing schools

o Implement class sizes based upon historical school performance for high performing schools while implementing lower early elementary class sizes.

o Pass NO unfunded mandates for local taxpayers to pickup.

o Allow individual schools the flexibility to tailor remedial programs in math and reading to what their needs are instead of the state mandate.

o Establish order in the classroom by providing more sanctions that address discipline problems.

o No social promotion.

Quality Health Care:

The Problem:

Out of control lawsuits and a lack of affordable insurance are combining to make it difficult for Georgians to see a doctor, get emergency services and access quality healthcare. Democrats killed efforts to reform our legal system and measures to make basic health insurance more affordable.

The Commitment:

We will introduce legislation to comprehensively reform the legal system to protect our citizens by insuring the availability of quality healthcare across Georgia.

The Facts:

Testimony before legislative hearings to improve patient access to quality health care indicated that in this decade approximately 1/3 of Georgia's trauma units have closed in significant part due to increasing law suits.

More and more, especially in rural areas, the availability of specialists such as neurosurgeons, orthopedic surgeons and OB/GYN's who will delivery babies are in short supply or nonexistent.

In the Georgia Physicians Workforce Survey almost 20% of all Georgia doctors reported a reduction in performing “high risk procedures’. “High Risk” could mean something as supposedly routine as reading a mammogram.

This year the Republican Senate passed a significant tort reform measure.

The Democratic controlled House never even allowed a vote on a tort reform measure.

The Senate passed bill would have eliminated joint and several liability so that a defendant found to be a certain percentage responsible would only be held liable for that percentage. (Current law provides that a defendant found 1% responsible can be held 100% liable.)

It addressed vanishing venue, which would help prevent the practice of bringing a "dummy defendant" into a case simply to establish a more plaintiff-friendly court venue.

It strengthened the expert witness rule and extended these requirements to the affidavit used to bring cases.

It eliminated liability for hospitals with regard to independently contracted health care providers who are not employed by the hospital but rather work on contract.

Finally, it prohibited non-economic damage pain and suffering awards for a patient who comes through the emergency room, but has no prior relationship with the hospital and whose pre-existing condition is unknown.

HOPE Scholarships:

The Problem:

In 2004 the HOPE Scholarship Commission released findings indicating that HOPE funding would run a deficit in 2007. Despite their recommendations minimal progress was made to shore up the future of the HOPE scholarships.

The Commitment:

Republicans pledge to carefully monitor and make necessary reforms to save this important program for our students.

The Facts:

Georgia college enrollment and tuition are projected to increase and lottery funds expected to either remain the same or decrease (because of competition from border state lotteries).

The Governor's Office of Planning and Budget informed members of the General Assembly that there is a good chance that HOPE revenues will not be sufficient to fund current HOPE expenditures.

If you elect a Republican House we will:

· Stop attempts to tie HOPE to family income.

· Preserve the merit-based focus of the HOPE Scholarship program. The original purpose of HOPE was to encourage academic achievement and excellence. There were no needs-based criteria established for eligibility.

· Restore the constitutional purpose of lottery proceeds (HOPE scholarships, Pre-K and technology) by not diverting funds for capital outlays projects.

Stopping Illegal Immigration:

The Problem:

Illegal immigration is harming our state and nation by taxing our resources in schools, health and social services and criminal justice system. While legal immigrants have been the backbone of our country’s growth for centuries, the fast growing rate of illegal immigration is harming our communities and our nation.

The Commitment:

Republican control of your legislature will insure an aggressive attempt to curb this problem and assure all Americans of their Constitutional rights.

The Facts:

In the 2003 Session Democrats attempted to give aliens, living in a Caribbean basin free trade zone, the right to have a Georgia driver’s license. Republicans in the House led the fight to defeat the bill (HB 578) 105 to 64. The 65 votes were all Democrats. Not only that, they came back the next day and asked the House to reconsider its action. That motion was defeated also.

In the 2004 Session Republicans offered two bills (HB 1349 and HB 1634) to begin addressing the problem. Both bills complemented the federal 2004 CLEAR Act, the law aimed at controlling illegal immigration.

HB 1349 added the resources of state and local police to the overstretched INS by giving local and state jurisdictions the power to apprehend arrest, detain or transfer to federal custody any illegal immigrants. It also established the law supporting arrest and trial for various criminal and sexual offenses to keep law breaking illegal aliens off our streets.

HB 1634 required that Georgia governments not employ any illegal immigrants.

Both bills died in Democratic controlled committees.

Jeff is Honored in 2005

Representative Jeff Brown named Legislator of the Year – 2005

The following statewide organizations have so honored Jeff:

Service Provider Association on Developmental Disabilities

“2005 Outstanding Legislator of the Year”- For dedicated service to people with disabilities

Georgia Gerontology Society Legislative Award

In recognition of your consistent support for aging issues which benefit older Georgians

Georgia Alliance of Community Hospitals – 22nd Annual Meeting

“Legislator of the Year” – In recognition and appreciation for his outstanding leadership and support for Georgia’s Community Hospitals and healthcare issues

Georgia Association of Training Employment Supports

“Legislator of the Year” - In appreciation for your dedicated service and outstanding leadership in supporting Georgia citizens with disabilities.

Georgia Association of Homes and Services for Children

“Legislator of the Year”

Also in 2005 Jeff was honored by these organizations:

The Historic Chattahoochee Commission

In recognition of his resolute and vigorous support for Heritage Tourism needs of Legislative District 69 and the Chattahoochee Valley

Georgia Hospital Association

“Leadership Award” - For outstanding leadership in promoting sound healthcare public policy that benefits patients, hospitals and communities

Georgia Association for Primary Health Care

2005 Legislative Appreciation Award

"for outstanding support of the state's community health centers and their mission of providing quality, comprehensive health care services at affordable costs to underserved and uninsured Georgians."

Specific Press Release of the above and photos follow:

Representative Jeff Brown Recognized As “Legislator of the Year” by GATES

Dave Miller, Chairman of the GATES Government Affairs Committee, presents award to Representative Jeff Brown

Atlanta, Georgia, July 20, 2005 — Representative Jeff Brown was recently awarded the Legislator of the Year Award by the Georgia Association of Training, Employment and Supports (GATES) at their annual conference at Callaway Gardens. Brown, representing the 69th District, has been a leader and outspoken advocate of people with disabilities during his time in elected office. GATES, an association of community providers that prepare people with disabilities for employment, honored Representative Brown for his leadership and support of people with disabilities.

Representative Jeff Brown, representing the counties of Troup, Heard, and Carroll, chairs the Health Subcommittee of the House Appropriations Committee. During difficult years for the state budget, this subcommittee is regularly given the wrenching task of balancing the budgets of those organizations whose mission is to provide services to the state’s most vulnerable citizens. In difficult times, Representative Brown has been known for thoughtful approach to addressing these challenging issues. Such attention to complex policy areas allows him to recognize when human need must be balanced with fiscal prudence. Representative Brown is a leader for enacting fiscal policy that invests in the people of Georgia, while simultaneously balancing the state’s budget.

In making the presentation, Dave Miller, Chairman of the GATES Government Affairs Committee, said, “Rep. Brown recognizes that state spending for employment training for people with disabilities is an investment in the future of Georgia’s long-term economical well-being. The beneficiaries of this state investment today are the workers and earners of tomorrow.”

Brown, the owner of an employee search firm, understands the specific employment and training needs of the disability community. He additionally has often noted the value of what the Department of Labor offers both the disabled and non-disabled communities.

GATES is the largest statewide association in Georgia representing community providers that serve Georgia’s citizens with severe disabilities and their families. GATES members, which include Goodwills and Easter Seals, organize around the basic premise supporting the right of every individual in Georgia with a disability having the opportunity to live a quality, independent life.

Press Release from Georgia Association of Training, Employment and Supports

***

Representative Jeff Brown Awarded Legislator of the Year Award by GAHSC

Atlanta, Georgia, June 20, 2005 — Representative Jeff Brown awarded Legislator of the Year Award by the Georgia Association of Homes and Services for Children (GAHSC) at their annual conference in Hilton Head. GAHSC is Georgia’s oldest and largest association of children and family service providers in the State of Georgia. Representing over 180 licensed programs that serve at-risk children in Georgia, they serve children at risk by strengthening the agencies that serve them.

“Representative Jeff Brown, representing the counties of Troup, Heard, and Carroll has been a terrific advocate for children and the aged. He serves on the House Health and Human Services Committee, the House Rules Committee and the House Ways and Means Committee. He also chairs the Health Subcommittee of the House Appropriations Committee.

It is in his capacity as Chair of the Health Subcommittee for Appropriations, that his reputation for careful listening to the needs of children and thoughtful action that won him acclaim. He advocated for increased funding of services for Georgia’ s severely emotionally disturbed foster children. He fought against child abuse with his advocacy for Child Advocacy Centers.

Representative Jeff Brown is a true friend to children and families. No other legislator is more deserving of the esteemed award than this Representative from LaGrange,” said Normer Adams , Executive Director of the Georgia Association of Homes and Services for Children.

Press Release from Georgia Association of Homes and Services for Children.

Constituent Assistance

District 69 includes the Bowdon, Burwell, Lowell, Oak Grove, Old Camp, Roopville, and Tyus precincts in Carroll County. The Centralhatchee, Cooksville-Corinth, Ephesus, Franklin, Glenloch, Roosterville, Southwest, and Walnut Hill precincts in Heard County are included in the district. And the district also includes the Troup County precincts of Armory, East Vernon, Hollis Hand, Long Cane, McLendon, and Northside.

I am eager to assist the citizens of District 69 as much as I can. If you have a concern, need, or suggestion, please do not hesitate to let me know by contacting my secretary: 404-463-2247. If you are unsure of your district number, click here: Secretary of State.

Pages

Any student 12 years of age or older may serve as a Page for one legislative day at the state capitol. Students assist in legislative business on the floor of the House. It is an amazing opportunity for students to see how legislative government functions, to meet their legislators, and to learn about the process. The legislative day typically lasts from 10:00 am to 2:00 pm, and parents are responsible for transportation. Students must report to the Page Desk on the third floor of the capitol by 9:00 am, followed by a short orientation session. Students are paid $10 for their service just prior to lunch, and each Page receives a certificate that excuses them from school. If you are interested in being a Page, contact the secretary in my legislative office.

Tour Groups

If you would like a tour of the state capitol or would like to bring a group to tour, please contact my office and I will arrange a special visit. For information about the facilities, maps, and background on the capitol, visit the Capitol Education Center.