Ralston predicts ‘Fast and Furious’ 2014 legislative session

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Speaker of the House Rep. David Ralston updated Fannin County on what to expect at the 2014 legislative session that begins Jan. 13.
Speaker of the House Rep. David Ralston updated Fannin County on what to expect at the 2014 legislative session that begins January 13.

Georgia House Speaker Rep. David Ralston was keynote speaker at the annual Legislative Breakfast held Dec. 18 at Family Connection.

Ralston gave an update on what to expect in the 2014 legislative session; then took questions from the audience.

From his vantage point as the presiding officer Georgia House Speaker Rep. David Ralston was keynote speaker at the annual Legislative Breakfast held Dec. 18 at Family Connection.

Ralston gave an update on what to expect in the 2014 legislative session; then took questions from the audience.

From his vantage point as the presiding officer of the House of Representatives in charge of upholding the rules of the House, calling bills up for discussion and/or a vote, Ralston knows what’s coming up, the bills that are most likely to be considered and their chance of becoming law. He is considered by many as Georgia’s top lawmaker. Ralston said the upcoming legislative session will begin Jan. 13, 2014 and had two words to describe what it will be like, “FAST” and “FURIOUS.

He explained that’s because a new federal law passed last year changed the dates of the election calendar. Until this year, Georgia’s primary election has been in July with a runoff in early August.

With the new election laws in place, the primary election will be May 20 with a runoff in mid July.

The problem with that schedule for Georgia’s legislators is that many are running for re-election this year and the law stipulates that they can’t raise money while serving under the Gold Dome. And that means that everyone from the governor on down is looking for a quick end to the 40-day session. Many legislators will also be facing primary elections in May, giving some lawmakers a mere two months to fundraise and campaign.

The date change for the primary election will probably be the first piece of legislation that’s likely to pass. Lawmakers need to move Georgia’s primaries to May to align them with the federal calendar.

“People ask me what the biggest issue is going to be this session.

The first biggest issue will be the budget. The second biggest issue will be the budget. The third biggest issue will be the budget. The budget drives the economy. Some years we’ve had to cut but this year we are blessed in that the economy has seen a fairly modest but sustained economic recovery and our revenue has been up since late spring 2011 every single month except one,” he said.

From Left: Commission Chairman Bill Simonds, McCaysville Mayor Thomas Seabolt, Superior Court Judge Roger Bradley, Chief Magistrate Court Judge Ronald Newton, Post Two Commissioner Larry Sosebee.
From Left: Commission Chairman Bill Simonds, McCaysville Mayor Thomas Seabolt, Superior Court Judge Roger Bradley, Chief Magistrate Court Judge Ronald Newton, Post Two Commissioner Larry Sosebee.

Ralston relayed a bit of history. “When I became Speaker four years ago yesterday, the challenge I had was where we were going to cut and how much we had to cut. Now, I’m finding out as we’re getting money that the people that were cut are all coming back wanting money; wanting cuts restored and increases in spending. We’re not going to be able to fill all those requests and needs in one year. But we’re going to take a look at a measured, responsible approach to the budget.”

Proud of his district, his state and the legislative process, the Speaker said the legislators probably don’t get enough credit for one thing they’ve always done.

“In Washington, they have not passed a budget in over six years. In Georgia, we pass one in 40 days every year–a balanced budget–and we’ve done that the last four years without increasing Georgians taxes.”

Ralston said something citizens could be proud of is that Georgia is one of only eight states that has a AAA bond rating by bond markets on Wall Street. “That’s an indication of how we manage your finances as a state.”

Another thing the Speaker is very proud of is the state’s focus on economic development; relating how over 175,000 jobs have been created in the private sector since January 2011.

According to Ralston, a major announcement is forth coming about a big manufacturing company that will be relocating to Georgia from the northeast.
“We’re beating all the other states in the southeast when we compete head to head. We have other big prospects out there that has the potential to enhance our economy in Ga. What this does is when we create jobs, we add to the tax base which adds to what we’re able to do for our infrastructure, education, public safety, and other things we need and want to do as a state. So the economy is going to be a very interesting issue this session.”

Ralston cautioned the audience about listening to “everything you might hear about what we’re doing,” adding that a lot of issues will get a lot of headline coverage on TV that simply might not happen.

The first question asked of the Speaker was whether there was anything in the works that might help this area.

“I am always going to bat for this part of the state. The big problem here is the infrastructure and more than that transportation. Until we get suitable East-West access, we’re going to be handicapped.We have North-South, but in terms of development, until we get East-West, we are at a disadvantage and not competitive with other areas.”

Ralston mentioned that all but three areas defeated the Transportation Improvement Act (T-SPLOST) in 2012 and the state would need to look at alternatives.

Judge Bradley wondered why industry was favoring Ga. when he didn’t think the labor market would be cheaper here than adjoining states and wanted to know “what are they finding here that is favorable to them?”

District Attorney Alison Sosebee and Commission Chairman Bill Simonds.
District Attorney Alison Sosebee and Commission Chairman Bill Simonds.

The Speaker clearly warmed to this topic. “First, we are a Right to Work state which puts us in a different position than Tenn. (for example).

Boeing left Washington state for SC and is now looking for another major facility outside Washington state.”

Ralston added that another huge advantage is that Georgia is Work Force Ready.

“We have the greatest untold success story in our education system–and that’s our technical colleges. Employers who come to Ga. tell us that they come because of our technical colleges. We have a work force that makes them ready to go to work on day one.”

The other advantage Ga. has is tax reform passed in 2012 that eliminated sales tax from energy use in manufacturing, which makes Ga. more competitive.

“Because of that, we have landed 15-20 major industries, including Caterpillar coming back from Japan; Baxter International Engineered Flooring; Toyota Tires to Cartersville, and more. Education and tax reform has helped us,” he answered.

Another question concerned Georgia becoming “Hollywood South.” While the statement brought some laughter from the audience, Ralston was quick to agree that was the case.

“We are Number 2 in the nation in movie making. We have a study being done right now–but it’s really difficult to determine why we are attracting so many production. We know it’s not the stars (themselves) that are helping us economically. It’s the purchases the actors, the crew and others who come with them, make–at the gas stations, in the grocery stores. The general manager of Home Depot in Fayetteville said that 30 percent of their revenue comes from the movie industry. It could be the film tax credit we passed in 2012; it could be a lot of things.

“Pinewood Studios that makes the James Bond and Harry Potter movies–big hits– is doing a lot of work here. Another studio was looking for a place and it came down to Georgia and California–and we won.”

Ralston also mentioned the “Need for Speed” segment that was filmed at the Swan Drive-In and said there could be others. Jokingly, he said the film tax credit was a big deal and he had made the remark that, “It could be in jeopardy if more movies don’t come to Blue Ridge and Ellijay!”

On a serious note, Ralston said he believes the attraction for production companies is the coast, the mountains, being urban, people…things Calif. doesn’t have is a big part of Georgia’s economic picture.

About solar energy and wind power, the Speaker said he didn’t see much future in wind power for Ga. but there was some interest in solar.

On Medicaid, he said Ga. was one of 25 states that did not expand Medicaid and that there were no regrets. According to his knowledge, Ralston said Ga. would be taking a hit of $320-340 million in this budget because of the population increase and other factors related to the Affordable Care Act.

“One thing I have learned is that we can’t reverse entitlement programs. And that’s a problem we don’t need. We did look into the expansion of Medicaid and it was pretty scary in terms of liability and the budget.”

photo4 Mountain Education Charter School Counselor Chris Martinez and Executive Director Vicki VanDeilen of North Georgia Crisis Network.
Mountain Education Charter School Counselor Chris Martinez and Executive Director Vicki VanDeilen of North Georgia Crisis Network.

The last question for the Speaker concerned funding for behavioral and emotional health (Highland Rivers) which is about 50 percent less in this area than the rest of the state. Ralston said he is aware of the problem; it’s a high priority and they are working on it. He was reminded that Fannin County had need for this funding.
Ralston closed by thanking the audience for their confidence in him; reminded them that the Fannin Sentinel published his contact information every week and it is on his website. He urged them to call his office at 404-656-5020 “if you need me.”

The purpose of the Legislative Breakfast was to get an update on legislation and for nonprofits to tell their three main accomplishments in 2013 and three needs for 2014. Most of the agencies listed funding as a need. Agencies represented by individuals included: Kathy Henson (DFCS); Beth Daniels (GA MT Health); Chris Martinez (MEC); Howell & Elaine Bruce (Community volunteers, Feed Fannin and Family Connection Board); Melanie Dillon (Highland Rivers); Amanda Callihan (Flag adult Education); Jane Kimsey and Catherine Sugg (Family Connection Board and Feed Fannin); Carol Green (Dept. of Labor); Jonathan Ray and Rachel Burnett (Family Connection/Regional-Local); Connie Galloway (Feed Fannin); Vicki VanDeilen (North GA Crisis Network); Jim Simpson (Faith Presbyterian Church); Carl Riggs (GA Mt Health, Representative Affordable Care Act, others); Dianne Scoggins (CASA); Shannon Carroll (GA State Patrol).

The Breakfast was organized by Family Connection Executive Director Linda Mahan who presented the slide show of nonprofits, and Board Member Brenda Crawford who moderated discussion and introduced guests.

Elected officials in addition to Speaker David Ralston, were Superior Court Judge Amanda Mercier and Judge Roger Bradley, Judge Snead, District Attorney Alison Sosebee, Chief Magistrate Judge Ronald Newton, Clerk of Court Dana Chastain, Fannin County Commission Chairman Bill Simonds, Post Two Commissioner Larry Sosebee, McCaysville Mayor Thomas Seabolt.

Read the story on fanninsentinel.com.

Georgia Family Connection is a statewide network with a Collaborative in all 159 counties.