SR796 will do two things to directly reduce the tax burden of Georgia Citizens. First it will limit the amount a city, county or school board can increase the assessed value of your home. The current way local governments raise revenues is by decided that your $100,000 house is now worth $200,000 and double tax bill. This is perfect for big government Republicans because they can raise revenues without ever voting to raise taxes. SR796 would limit reassesments to 2% for residential and 3% for commercial property. The most a $100,000 house could be reassesed to is $102,000.

The other aspect of SR796 is that it will limit revenue growth without voter approval. If this passed the most a county commission or city council can raise tax is by inflation plus new construction. Any additional increase in taxes would require a voter referendum. And unlike the deficit laden federal budget, local budgets must be balanced. By capping revenue growth, they also cap spending growth – a critical component missing from GOP rhetoric the past few years.

SR796 is a Constitutional Amendment and will go before the voters in November as a ballot question. It passed the Senate with the 2/3rd majority needed. House Democrats, looking to score partisan points are threatening to vote against the measure. That is why EVERY VOTE COUNTS! Please call or email your state representative THIS MORNING and tell them you want property tax relief.

ATLANTA, GA, March 04, 2008 – The Republican Liberty Caucus of Georgia, a grassroots organization promoting individual freedom, limited government and fiscal responsibility, urges the House Ways & Means Committee to pass Senate Bill 12 – Zero Based Budgeting.

This bill would require during the mid term of a Governor’s term, all departmental spending be assumed to be zero, and that the entire budget must be approved by the General Assembly – not just the increases. This will lead to cutting wasteful or unnecessary line items saving the taxpayers money.

The highlights of the bill:

* SB 12 calls for budgeting accountability for all state agencies on
a regular rotating basis.
* SB12 requires evaluation of each state agency’s core mission to
eliminate agency overlap.
* SB12 requires agencies to provide at least 3 alternative funding
levels and what they could accomplish with each.
* SB12 requires a prioritized budget of each agency.
* SB 12 avoids the appearance of political punishment or favoritism
by establishing a regular schedule of budget analysis.

Like Ron Paul, Jeff Flake is a member of the RLC and Flake and Paul are both members of the liberty caucus in the U.S. House, the genuinely fiscally conservative complement to the much larger Republican Study Committee.

Graves, Scott, Meadows and Collins were stripped of committee assignments as a result of voting in the interests of their constituents, and ultimately against the wishes of Speaker Richardson. The resolution praises the four members as “fine examples of members of the Georgia General Assembly. Representatives who vote their principles and the interest of their constituents.”

“These members answer to the voters back home. That is their constituency,” said RLC-GA Chairman Chris Farris. “The divisiveness coming from the Speaker is creating tension among the Republican caucus. If the leadership in the House expects to govern effectively, then these tactics must stop.”

Whereas Representatives Tom Graves, Martin Scott, John Meadows and Doug Collins are strong fiscal conservatives and members of the 216 Group, and

Whereas, these Representatives voted in what they believed was the best interest of their constituents in a recent secret DOT election, and

Whereas, in the spirit of open Government, these Representatives announced who they voted for on behalf of their constituents, and

Whereas, The Georgia Speaker of the House has stripped these members of their committee assignments because they did not vote for the speaker’s chosen DOT candidate, and

Whereas, Free and Fair Elections – without fear of retribution – are the hallmark of a healthy and functional Republic, be it

Resolved, that the Republican Liberty Caucus of Georgia condemns the actions taken by Speaker Richardson, and be it further

Resolved, that the Republican Liberty Caucus of Georgia calls upon the Speaker to reinstate these members to all the positions of power and privilege to which they were appointed at the beginning of this session, and be it further

Resolved, the Republican Liberty Caucus of Georgia praises Representatives Tom Graves, Martin Scott, John Meadows and Doug Collins as fine examples of members of the Georgia General Assembly. Representatives who vote their principles and the interest of their constituents.

Check our site often for legislative updates. If there is a bill that you want the committee to endorse or oppose please contact Jason Shepherd.

Commentary

Eminent Domain Protection’s No Done Deal

By Jason Pye

This month (May 2007) marks the second anniversary of the infamous Kelo v. New London decision, a case where the U.S. Supreme Court ruled that the taking of private property (the practice known as eminent domain) from an individual or a group of individuals and giving it to a private entity on the basis of economic development is a legitimate function of government.

The outrage against the high court’s Kelo decision was the impetus for legislative efforts across the country. Many of these bills lacked any real substance, however, and did very little to protect property rights. The most effective legislation was passed in Florida, where a new constitutional amendment forbids the taking of private property even to eliminate blight. The Castle Coalition, the property rights arm of the Institute for Justice, described Florida’s law the “model for state legislatures.” more…

http://www.gopliberty.org

Jason Shepherd 770-265-5268 shep1975@aol.com

http://www.georgiayr.org

Republican Liberty Caucus of Georgia and the Georgia Federation of Young Republicans announce the results of the Presidential Primary Straw Poll at the Georgia GOP State Convention

DULUTH, GA, May 19th, 2007 – The Georgia Federation of Young Republican Clubs (GFYRC) and the Republican Liberty Caucus of Georgia (RLC-GA) announced the results of the straw poll held at the Georgia GOP State Convention. Former Senator Fred Thompson of Tennessee won with 44% of the vote. Coming in second with 18% of the vote was native son Newt Gingrich. Rudy Giulani lead the announced candidates with 64 votes or 16%.

“Between Fred and Newt, the unannounced candidates took a majority of the vote. This is clear indication that none of the major candidates resonate with the base of the party” RLC Chairman Chris Farris said, adding “The GOP needs a candidate with credibility in promoting the GOP’s traditional message of limited government, federalism and personal responsibility”.

The final results were:

“Ballot integrity was preserved by requiring voters to surrender their credentials to be marked, ensuring that no one voted twice,” said Cameron Fash, Co-Chairman of the GFYRC.

The Georgia Federation of Young Republicans and the Republican Liberty Caucus of Georgia conducted the straw poll. 431 delegates, alternates and guests cast their votes at those organizations tables at the convention. The Georgia GOP did not conduct an official straw poll.

ABOUT THE REPUBLICAN LIBERTY CAUCUS OF GEORGIA – Founded in 1990 the Republican Liberty Caucus works to advance the principles of limited government, free markets and individual liberty within the Republican Party. The Republican Liberty Caucus of Georgia endorsed 29 pro-liberty Republicans in 2006, 25 of which now serve in office.

ABOUT THE GEORGIA FEDERATION OF YOUNG REPUBLICAN CLUBS – The GFYRC is an officially recognized allied organization of the Georgia Republican Party. Made up of 11 federated chapters across Georgia, the GFYRC seeks to increase party participation by individuals aged 18-40 inclusively.

ATLANTA, GA, May 16, 2007 – The Republican Liberty Caucus of Georgia, a grassroots organization promoting individual freedom, limited government and fiscal responsibility, has awarded State Rep. Steve Davis (R-McDonough) its first annual Courageous Legislator of the Year Award for his strong stance against wasteful spending and his consistently pro-taxpayer record.

Rep. Davis, who was endorsed by the RLC in 2006, was the only member of the State House to vote against the FY 2007 budget. He based his vote on the nearly $200 million in pork barrel projects. After the vote, Davis wrote, “When the state takes the taxpayers’ money and spends those funds on unnecessary or improper expenditures, then it fails in supporting the legitimate functions of government.”

After a budget agreement was reached, Davis voted in favor of returning $142 million back to the taxpayers. He openly criticized the Governor for vetoing the return of the money. He stated, “The true commitment of a conservative would be to veto the budget because the refund was not large enough.” Davis also stood on the principle of fiscal conservatism by voting against the bloated $20.2 billion FY 2008 budget. Representatives Bobby Franklin and Martin Scott stood with him.

Representative Steve Davis has been the light of fiscal conservatism and responsible government under the Gold Dome. We are proud to be able to recognize him as a man of conservative principle and the best friend the taxpayer has in the Georgia General Assembly.

The Courageous Legislator of the Year Award goes to the Senator or Representative who shows the most courage in standing up to party leadership and special interests to do what is right by the people of Georgia. Also nominated this year was State Senator Seth Harp (R-Midland) for introducing legislation to allow local communities to decide whether or not to sell alcohol on Sundays.

The order of Business will be as follows:

• Welcome and what we’ve been up to
• Bylaws committee report and changes
• Officer and Board Elections
• Chair
• Vice-Chair
• Treasurer
• Secretary
• Executive Committee Members
• Legislative Update – Sen. David Shafer (R-Duluth)
• Legislator Awards
• Adjournment

The Convention will be held Friday, May 18th from 3-5pm at the Loafing Leprechaun right next to the Gwinnett Arena. You can register by emailing Chris Farris

I look forward to seeing you there,

Chris Farris
Chairman
Republican Liberty Caucus of Georgia