Georgia Magazine - March 2011 - (Page 20)

What kind of Georgia do you want to leave to your children and grandchildren? Tell us about the commission formed to discuss major tax reform in Georgia. We decided in the House last session that the best time to look at things like this is when times are tough. When times are good, we get complacent. … We are re-examining the tax code by forming the Special Council on Tax Reform and Fairness for Georgians to look at this. I hope their ideas will help Georgia in creating jobs. Lt. Gov. Casey Cagle, left, and Speaker Ralston, right, welcome Georgia’s 82nd Governor, Nathan Deal, to the Georgia House of Representatives. HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES What is your view on a regional transportation tax plan, and do you think Gov. Nathan Deal will be supportive of it? I’m excited about Gov. Deal’s leadership and look forward to his administration. I know him to be a man of character and integrity and predict the people of Georgia will be pleased with him as their governor. I’m supportive of the regional plan. It empowers local citizens of Georgia, allowing us to decide on a Your father was clerk of court for Gilmer County for almost 30 years. What did he think of your pursuit of politics? Unlike me, he never lost an election, and he used to jokingly remind me of that! He was proud of my political career. I grew up in a home that valued public service and was taught it was honorable and a good thing, not something where you enriched yourself, but a calling to serve others. That was instilled in me and my brothers. We talked about current events around the supper table. My father treated everybody fairly and equally… I always was amazed at how his reputation for having integrity and being honest and fair was as great, if not greater, after a 28-year career than when he started. That’s quite a legacy to live up to, but a good goal to have. ed. … They have become good corporate citizens of Georgia and play an integral role as partners with local government and business in terms of economic development. How would you sum up your first year as speaker of the Georgia House? Exciting, challenging. I think it was a fairly good year. I think the measuring stick would be where we were as a statehouse when I was elected to where we are now. There was upheaval, uncertainty, unease, a leadership vacuum. Three weeks away from the legislative session, we were staring at the largest budget shortfall in the state’s history since the Great Depression. It looked daunting at times. I believed the House had the ability to meet the challenge. I know what these members are capable of What do you feel EMCs have doing. The members unified, we rolcontributed to Georgia, and how led up our sleeves and went to work, do they continue to be relevant in tackled some tough issues. … I did today’s state economy? not feel that the people of Georgia The EMCs were critical in bringwanted us to pass hundreds of new ing electric energy to rural Georgia. laws, but I felt like they wanted us to Over the years, their role has expand- do a few things, and do them right. 20 More online at www.georgiamagazine.org Speaker Ralston welcomes young Aaliyah Rucker who was at the Capitol to lend her support to legislation prohibiting texting while driving. GEORGIA MAGAZINE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES http://www.georgiamagazine.org

Table of Contents for the Digital Edition of Georgia Magazine - March 2011

Georgia Magazine - March 2011
Contents
Viewpoint
Mailbox
Picture This?
Georgia News
Calendar
Currents
Georgia’s Energy Outlook
Special Energy Report
A Balancing Act
Right on Key
Around Georgia
Georgia@Home
My Georgia
Gardens
Georgia Cooks
Snapshot

Georgia Magazine - March 2011