News

Last week I “Set the Record Straight” when I responded to various distortions Dock Davis, my Democrat opponent for District 69 Georgia House of Representatives, made in three articles in this paper September 19th, 26th and October 3rd. This week I am responding to his October 10th, 17th and 24th articles. His October 10th article entitled, “Improving our Farm Economy,” concentrated on poultry production. While I do not disagree with most of his comments the farm economy is substantially larger than poultry production (for three summers I worked on a farm and now own one). He has very little to say about our largest industry, which like others is under siege.

The October 17th article entitled, “Managing our Water” had a number of suggestions that have already been rejected as impractical, call for huge expenditures by state government or restrict individual freedoms. Unlike Dock, I have been one of the most involved state legislators in water issues. I have arranged meetings for a world leader in water management, Dr. Aris Georgarakos, with Governors Barnes and Perdue and Lt. Governor Taylor. The Sierra Club and Georgia Conservation of Voters have endorsed me in this election largely because of my involvement in water issues.

The State is in a water crisis because for the 130 years of Democrat control they have ignored the problem or spent too much effort feeding the out of control growth of Atlanta to the detriment of the rest of the state.

Carroll County needs a West Georgia Regional Reservoir. Dock did not mention this. The Chattahoochee River and West Point Lake need less pollution from Atlanta and higher lake levels achieved through working with the Corps of Engineers and implementing better water management and conservation. House Bill 237, that I was very involved with, has set up a water study committee to address exactly this. While I support our RDC’s they are not equipped to take on this highly complex issue as Dock suggested.

Dock’s October 24th article, “How to Preserve Jobs in Our Country,” is a favorite theme of the mine. Please go to my website www.repjbrown.org.under Issues the article titled “Economy: Are We Our Worst Enemy?” written July 16, 2003. Also, I ran a business for Roger Milliken, who was/is the primary mover for “Made in the USA.” Additionally, we have spent a lot of time in the legislature on economic development issues. Further, I have served on the LaGrange Industrial Development Authority for 5 years. This organization over the past 30 years has brought world-class manufactures to LaGrange. Finally, I own a small company with 100 employees (see www.comp-search.com) Comprehensive Search. Small companies such as mine are creating 70% of all new jobs in the USA.

Dock spent most of the article describing the problems that we all know too well in regard to the suddenly emerging world economy. The only thing he says he would do as a legislator is make companies like Inflation Systems, which recently announced it is closing its LaGrange plant, “reimburse the local government if they move their operations oversees.”

While it is devastating for those losing their jobs at least they had these jobs for 14 years. Financially the community certainly is better off, even with the tax breaks, than if we had not been successful recruiting them. They had a 10 year phase of county and school taxes and purchased electricity, gas and water from the City of LaGrange (LaGrange does not have a city real estate tax because of profits from its utilities).

Now for the law of unintended consequences. Most of us who are involved in recruiting companies believe that if the legislation Dock proposes were to become law we would lose these companies to other states who do not have such a law. Unfortunately, Dock has had minimal experience in industrial recruitment and doesn’t understand how intensely competitive it is. It’s the old story, “be careful what you ask for because you may get it.” One of the things we need to do is work more closely with local companies on retention and expansion. We lost sight of this as we concentrated on recruitment. Craig Lessor, Governor Perdue’s appointment as Commissioner of Department of Economic Development, recently spoke at a Carroll Chamber of Commerce Early Bird Breakfast (Dock was not there) and said retention and expansion of our companies will become a priority of his department. Good News!

Agriculture, Water and Jobs are three of the most important issues facing the legislature. Glib generalities are not the answer!

For more information call Representative Jeff Brown at (800) 881-9942 ext 203.

Brown Releases Radio and TV Ads for the General Election

October 2004

Text of Ad:

Hello I’m Jeff Brown

It has been my honor to serve you in the Georgia House of Representatives

The House of Representatives will introduce legislation in the upcoming session. Our commitment to Georgia for:

	Property Tax Relief
	Preserving Traditional Family Values
	Education Success in Georgia
	Quality Healthcare that is Affordable
	Preserving the Hope Scholarships
	Stopping Illegal Immigration

I ask for your vote so I can continue to use my experience, knowledge and contacts to better represent you.

Thank you

Press Release: Responding to Dock’s Distortions

October 13, 2004

The distortions of truth by my opponent, Dock Davis, are the worst I have seen in my 14 years as an elected official (4 years as LaGrange City Councilman and 10 years as a Representative in the Georgia House). Much of this has come through articles he has written for the last three weeks in this paper. I appreciate The Carroll Star News for running this article to correct Dock’s distortions.

His first article on September 19^th “Inspiring the Lives of Georgians” primarily attacked the Governor by distorting what he is trying to do for the economic prosperity of Georgia. I agree with Dock that we must have smart growth. This has been my position for 14 years and for the last five as a member of the LaGrange Industrial Development Authority, and is why I am endorsed by the Sierra Club and the Georgia Conservation Voters. My wife of 38 years, Shirley, shares these values as she serves on the LaGrange Board of Appeals and Zoning.

In that article Dock totally distorted the legislation we passed in 2004 to set up statewide water planning. He says the legislation is designed to give Atlanta all the water it needs. Because of my leadership on water issues this legislation also involves quantity and quality for communities south of Atlanta.

The personal attacks on me started in the September 26^th issue entitled, “How to Provide for Seniors.” Misquoting, and only taking several sentences from a study I chaired on how to reduce Medicaid expenses by reducing the quality of care, he said I favor putting seniors in HMOs. First, our report suggested disease management and case management for the sickest of the sick of the Medicaid population (1.2 million Georgians are on Medicaid which is totally paid for by your state and federal taxes). The sickest of the sick are 4.5% of the 1.2 million on whom we spend 45% of the total Medicaid budget per year, or about 2.5 billion dollars. Second, disease management and case management are not HMOs. Third, the majority of our seniors are not on Medicaid. Finally, the health outcomes of those who receive disease management and case management improve. Dock has no plan to cut the almost $500,000,000 per year increase in Medicaid cost.

Senior issues have been a key area of emphasis for me in the legislature. I have served on the Human Relations and Aging Committee in the Georgia House of Representatives for 10 years. Further, I chaired a subcommittee on Prescription Drugs for Low Income Seniors. Georgia Cares grew out of this.

In Dock’s October 3^rd article entitled “Improving Public Education,” he really increased the distortion. Let me set the record straight. I favor vouchers only when a child is in a failing school for 2 years. Most of these vouchers would allow the child to attend another public school. Apparently Dock feels a child trapped in such a school should have to stay there.

Further, I am not “adamantly opposed” to smaller class sizes. However, what we have already enacted is costing us one billion dollars per year more. Most teachers I talk with, if given the choice of going from 20 to 18 students in their class or removing disruptive students and putting them into an alternative class, would go for the removal. Also, for certain classes, technology will better serve the educational outcomes than smaller class sizes.

Next Dock says I favor an increase in sales tax to replace property taxes for schools. WRONG AGAIN! What I do strongly believe is that there is too much of a dependency on property taxes and that they must be reduced; especially for low-income seniors. We are actively looking at four options, and until we have fully investigated the consequences of all four and perhaps others and I have heard from you, I am not supporting any solution but instead committed to a reduction in property taxes.

There are a number of other distortions in that article, but space prohibits me from responding. Go to my website www.repjbrown.org to see the full text of the articles he misquotes. You can call me at (800) 881-9942 ext. 203.

Dock and I both support public education. Like him, many of my family and relatives have been teachers and administrators. I have a master’s degree in education and taught for one year. The difference is Dock distorts my record on public education with no plan of his own.

For more information call Representative Jeff Brown at (800) 881-9942 ext 203.

NRA awards Brown an A rating and its endorsement

October 6, 2004

National Federation of Independent Businesses endorses Brown

October 5, 2004

Brown addresses members of the Troup County Republican Women

September 14, 2004

At their monthly luncheon, Representative Jeff Brown addressed members of the Troup County Republican Women. Brown offered his vision for the district, thoughts on the upcoming election, and opinions on broad political issues. Brown appreciated his, as usual, warm reception, as well as the involvement that the women have in politics by exercising their civic duty to make informed decisions. Click here for the September 15 article in the LaGrange Daily News.

Brown's alma mater features him in its alumni magazine

September 2004

Brown visits Heard and Troup County Schools

August 25, 2004

Representative Jeff Brown visited with school administration officials and teachers at Heard County Elementary School, Heard Middle School, Heard County Comprehensive High School, and Unity Elementary School on August 25, 2004. He discussed education concerns in Georgia's schools along with State Superintendent of Schools, Kathy Cox, as part of her Border Tour 2004. "I was impressed with the schools and proud of these dedicated teachers and administrators who devote themselves to educating our future," Brown said of his visit, "and I appreciate the warm welcome from the schools." Brown continues to promote local control of education and empowering teachers to handle discipline issues in the classroom as he campaigns for re-election. Cox congratulated Brown as the only legislator who has been with her on her tour of the border school districts.

Brown wins the Republican Primary

July 20, 2004

The Primary Election was a convincing victory. Brown won 70% of the district vote, and he won all three counties despite never before representing two of them (Carroll and Heard)). His Republican opponent, Wayne Seabolt who conducted a positive campaign, called to pledge his support following the election.

Turning the the General Election, the race ahead will be tough, and the ramifications are enormous. On the verge of a Republican majority that promises to give Governor Perdue and the Senate an ally for tort reform, ethics reform, improved public education, etc., (all of which were blocked by the Democrat-controlled House in the past session), District 69 can not afford to lose this seat. Volunteers are critical! Contact the campaign to help.

Times-Georgian Newspaper Endorses Brown

July 17, 2004

Carroll County's largest newspaper endorsed Jeff Brown, citing his "impressive knowledge of issues such as healthcare, water, education and the economy." The paper recognized Brown's awareness of issues important to Carroll County in addition to far-reaching tax policies, business recruitment, tort reform, performance-based budgeting, and local control of education.

(For information, see Times-Georgian)

LaGrange Daily News Endorses Brown

July 17, 2004

Based on his expertise on healthcare concerns, his advocacy for West Point Lake, and his continuous support for smaller government and less taxes, the LaGrange Daily News endorsed Jeff Brown. The paper points out his accessibility to his constituents and his hard work for local concerns.

(For information, see LaGrange Daily News)

National Rifle Association of America Endorses Brown

July 14, 2004

Sierra Club Sends Letter to Members Explaining its Endorsement of Brown

July 1, 2004

Georgia Conservation Voters

PRESS RELEASE

For immediate release June 30, 2004

Contact: Jason Rooks, (404) 522-8144 or Julie Stuart, (770) 329-4213

Georgia Conservation Voters Endorses Jeff Brown in Primary Election

The Georgia Conservation Voters is pleased to announce its endorsement of incumbent Representative Jeff Brown for election to the Georgia General Assembly in 2004. Representative Brown has demonstrated a history of commitment to a clean and healthy environment, and is the best candidate for Georgia’s environment in his primary race for the House seat in the 69^th District.

Earlier this year, the Georgia Conservation Voters presented Representative Brown with an Environmental Leadership Award to acknowledge his outstanding leadership in meeting the extraordinary challenges posed to Georgia’s environment during the 2004 legislative session. Jason Rooks, executive director of the Georgia Conservation Voters, announced the endorsement last week. “With Representative Brown’s help, we were able to prevail once again in our fight to preserve our natural resources. He understands the balance between growth and protecting our water and land for future generations.”

“I am excited that the conservation community is behind me in this race,” says Brown. “I appreciate the great importance of conserving our state’s natural resources and will continue my work to protect them for my constituents and for all of Georgia’s children.”

###

Sierra Club Endorses Jeff Brown, recognizing his efforts for a clean and healthy environment

June 18, 2004

Georgia Right to Life endorses Jeff Brown, recognizing his pro-life commitment

June 7, 2004

Brown Names Campaign Manager

May 13, 2004

Representative Jeff Brown has named Elizabeth Montgomery as his Campaign Manager for his reelection campaign to House District 69. Brown said that “since I have both Republican and Democratic opposition, I will be mounting a very aggressive campaign for both the July 20 Primary and the November 2 General elections. Elizabeth has the talent, loyalty, time, and wherewithal to organize the campaign to demonstrate my record and my platform.”

Elizabeth graduated from LaGrange High School in 2000. She graduated with honors from Emory University in May 2004 with a degree in Political Science. Her political experience includes internships in England, Belgium, and Washington, DC. Moreover, she assisted Brown for four years as his Legislative Aide during the legislative sessions at the capitol.

Elizabeth will be organizing volunteers, maintaining Brown’s schedule, providing contact with the press, and coordinating events to discuss the issues in the district. Elizabeth says she is “eager to discuss the concerns of the district with the citizens of Carroll, Heard, and Troup Counties, and to demonstrate Representative Brown’s record as an experienced, accessible, and conservative leader.”

Brown has served in the House for ten years. He has been a leader in healthcare, water, and education issues. He is also a likely candidate for a committee chairmanship if elected in November. Brown owns a local business, and he has been married to wife Shirley for 38 years with one son Greg.

For more information, contact Representative Jeff Brown at (706) 884-3232 ext 203, email jeff@repjbrown.org, or visit his website www.repjbrown.org.

Representative Jeff Brown to Seek Reelection

April 22, 2004

Atlanta - Representative Jeff Brown (R) LaGrange announced today that he will seek reelection to the Georgia House of Representatives representing District 69. 20,643 citizens from Troup (Armory, East Vernon, Hollis Hand, Long Cane, Mclendon, and Northside precincts), 9,449 from Heard (Centralhatchee, Cooksville-Corinth, Ephesus, Franklin, Glenloch, Roosterville, Southwest, and Walnut Hill precincts), and 15,209 from Carroll Counties (Bowdon, Burwell, Lowell, Oak Grove, Old Camp, Roopville, and Tyus precincts) make up this district.

Brown was first elected to the House is 1994 when he defeated a five term incumbent Democrat. Prior to that, he was the first Republican elected to the LaGrange City Council in 1990.

Brown serves as Republican Chairman of the Health and Human Services Committee and is also on the Public Utilities and Telecommunications and Human Relations and Aging Committees. He is a Team Leader for the Republican House Policy Caucus. As a member of the Conservative Policy Caucus, he supports legislation that decreases the size of government, lowers taxes, empowers the family, supports free enterprise, and increases personal responsibility. Organizations such as Georgia Right to Life, National Federation of Independent Businesses, National Rifle Association, and the Georgia Chamber of Commerce repeatedly rate his voting record very highly.

Among other legislative initiatives next year, if elected, he will push for further property tax relief, increased financial stability of the HOPE Scholarship program, improved public education results with an emphasis on removing disruptive students, tort reform, economic development resulting in new jobs with above average income, and removing illegal immigrants.

With a good probability of the Republicans becoming the majority party in the House next year, Brown feels that he will be named a committee chairman. Regardless, he plans to continue to be a leader for a statewide water management plan and sponsor legislation to improve water quality, with both of these efforts positively impacting the Chattahoochee River and West Point Lake. Several environmental organizations have recognized Brown’s efforts with awards.

Another area of Brown’s focus has been healthcare. He chaired a task force to recommend Medicaid savings to the Governor, resulting in $500,000,000 of proposed savings. Also, he chaired a subcommittee looking at prescription drugs for low-income seniors. Reducing healthcare costs while improving outcomes and increasing personal responsibility for one’s health are among his ongoing priorities. The Medical Association of Georgia and the Georgia Hospital Association have awarded Brown’s involvement in healthcare issues.

Brown is President of Comprehensive Search, a human resources firm based in LaGrange with employees in 26 states and Canada. Prior to that, he was Business Manager for Milliken.

He is an Elder at the First Presbyterian Church in LaGrange. Present community involvement includes appointed member of the LaGrange Industrial Development Authority, High Tech Task Force, West Georgia Technical College Foundation, and West Point Lake Advisory Committee. Also, he is a member of Rotary International. Brown has a B.A. in Political Science and M.Ed. in Counseling.

Brown is married to Shirley Scott Brown, who is very involved in community activities. Also, she serves on the Board of Comprehensive Search and is President of Brown and Brown Properties. They have a son Greg who moved back to LaGrange in 2002, and is Manager of New Business Development for Comprehensive Search. Further, he is a Senior High Youth Fellowship Advisor at First Presbyterian, Vice President of the Troup County Young Republicans, and was recently appointed to Leadership Troup.

Brown says, “I believe two key responsibilities of a legislator beyond being his or her constituents’ representative are to communicate and to listen.” In regard to communicating, Brown writes a weekly column while the legislature is in session, regularly appears on radio and television, and is always available to the media. These articles are on his website at www.repjbrown.org. Additionally, white papers, links to other sites, etc. are there.

In regard to listening, Brown is available by email (jbrown@legis.state.ga.us), phone 706-884-3232 ext 203 (or when in session at 404-656-0177), and by mail (316 S. Lewis Street, LaGrange GA 30240 or 501 Legislative Office Building, Atlanta GA 30334). “I assure you that you will be heard and I will respond,” says Brown.

In conclusion, Brown says, “I want to represent all of the citizens of District 69 in the Georgia House of Representatives. The best indication of what I, or any other candidate, will do is what we have done in the past. I invite you to examine my record as an elected official for 14 years.”