For Immediate Release: February 17, 2006 CONTACT INFORMATION michelle hitt 404.656.5020 mhitt@actmajority.com
SPEAKER COMMENTS ON SESSION HALF WAY POINT
ATLANTA--Georgia Speaker of the House Glenn Richardson (R-Hiram) today issued the following statement on the half way point of the 2006 legislative session:
"Yesterday, I issued a challenge to my colleagues in the House `lead, follow or get out of the way.' Republicans are leading and I am confident Georgians will be happy with the work we are doing," Richardson said. "This time last year a lot of speculation still existed as to what type of leadership Republicans would provide. I believe our actions continue to serve as the best evidence that we are here to lead and that we share the common-sense, conservative values of the people of this state.
"Georgia families are our first priority and legislation we passed has demonstrated that fact. We strengthened our laws against sexual predators and sex offenders increasing penalties and monitoring dangerous criminals; we passed a tax cut on natural gas bills that consumers are seeing in the bank now; we opened up the Peace Officers' Retirement Fund to those who were previously denied participation; we gave parents the ability to monitor their children's school activities; we put more money in our classrooms; and with bipartisan support, we passed a bill allowing the display of historical documents including the Ten Commandments in state government buildings.
"Recognizing that businesses of all sizes bring jobs and economic vitality to our state, we also passed legislation to help businesses thrive in Georgia. With competition heating up over the future home of the NASCAR Hall of Fame, we have passed several tax incentive packages to help bring the museum and the jobs it will create to Georgia. And as Atlanta continues to grow, we want to make sure that our hometown airline grows with us. That is why we passed a bill allowing Delta Airlines to take previously earned tax credits that they have not been allowed to use. Creating jobs for Georgians is important and this legislature will continue to be business friendly.
"Overall, I am pleased with the work of this legislature and the good things we are doing for Georgia. The next few weeks will continue to be productive as we move forward on the budget, eminent domain, and immigration reform."
Georgia House of Representatives | Office of the Speaker | Room 332 State Capitol | Atlanta, Georgia 30334 404.656.5020 | 404.656.5644 fax