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Dear Friends:
We are now moving into the home stretch of the session! The House will be in session every day this week, will recess the following week, and will be in session for the final two days on Tuesday, April 12th and Thursday, April 14th.
A few items expected to be on the agenda this week are tax reform and Sunday sales of alcohol legislation.
I appreciate so many of you who have reached out to me during the session with questions, concerns, and opinions about pending legislation. Please continue to contact me in these final days of the session. I appreciate your input.
Sincerely,
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Cross Over Day Highlights | |
Cross Over Day was March 16th and I was thrilled to join the Young Democrats of Georgia for lunch during their full day of lobbying.
Below are summaries of some of the bills that passed the House on Cross Over Day. As you may know, a bill must have passed one chamber in order to be enacted as law this year.
HB 234 and HB 322 - tax breaks for profitable corporations
HB 234 would extend the sales tax exemption for aircraft parts, mostly enjoyed by Gulfstream in Savannah. The tax break takes away an estimated $7 million annually from our schools and other essential services. I voted against this bill.
HB 322 would extend the sales tax exemption on jet fuel for Delta Air Lines, which will take $20 million out of our state budget for FY 2012. I voted against this bill as well.
While I believe strongly in tax incentives that attract new jobs to our State, I don't believe in unaccountable corporate welfare. We received no data that these cuts created a single job in Georgia. Further, both companies posted huge profits last year, demonstrating that our kids' schools need this money more than these companies.
HB 265 - creation of a Special Council on Criminal Justice Reform for citizens of Georgia
This bill would create a Special Council on Criminal Justice Reform for citizens of Georgia. The bill also creates the Special Joint Committee on Georgia Criminal Justice Reform.
The Special Council would study Georgia's current criminal justice structure and report its findings and recommendations for legislation by January 9, 2012. There would be 11 members, with each being nominated by each branch of the government and one from each party. The Special Joint Committee would have 17 members and the Chairman of the House Judiciary Non-Civil Committee would introduce legislation based on recommendations of the Council during the 2012 session. I was proud to support this bill.
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Latest on HOPE | |
The changes to the HOPE scholarship continue to be in the news. Check out a column highlighting some of my speech against the cuts here.
I'm extremely disappointed in the cuts to HOPE and promise to continue to fight to have the cuts restored. In the meantime, I encourage all students and parents to visit www.gacollege411.org to explore other loan, grant, and scholarship options to fill in the gaps left by HOPE. I know that all the gaps cannot be filled, but this website may provide some help. It is a one-stop-shop for loan, grant, and scholarship information in Georgia. |
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Celebrating Lockheed | |
I was proud and honored to present resolutions celebrating Lockheed Martin's 60th Anniversary (above) and commemorating the retirement of Lee Rhyant, Executive Vice President and General Manager of Marietta's Lockheed Plant (below). Lockheed is among the top Cobb County employers and we are fortunate to have it in the District.
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What's happening near you | |
Upcoming events
*Next town hall meeting
Please join us for the next town hall meeting, which will include a wrap up of the legislative session on Tuesday May 3rd at 7pm at the Smyrna Community Center.
*Please note this is a date change. There will be no town hall meeting on April 4th*
*Cobb County Jefferson Jackson Dinner
Please join me on April 2nd for the annual Cobb County Jefferson Jackson Dinner. The event begins at 5:30pm at the Doubletree Hotel Atlanta NW 2055 South Park Place Atlanta, GA 30339. Carol Porter will be the guest speaker. Tickets are $75. Please visit www.cobbdemocrats.org for more information.
Jobs Act Tour visits Atlanta on March 30th
Meet with leaders from the Small Business Administration, give input on new regulations, and learn how you can take advantage of new tools, including (1) getting an SBA loan, (2) competing for federal contracts, (3) finding a mentor or ounselor or training, and (4) starting or increasing exports. The event is March 30th at the Loudermilk Center (40 Courtland Street NE, Atlanta). For more information and to RSVP, click here.
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White House administration visit | |
Along with fellow young professionals, I was honored to host Michael Blake, Associate Director for The White House Office of Public Engagement, one of the youngest members serving in the Executive Office of the President, during his visit to Atlanta. Mr. Blake spoke of the importance of civic engagement and encouraged us all to get busy so we can win the future!
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Alzheimer's Awareness Day at the Capitol | |
I was happy to visit with Smyrna resident Jim Williams during Alzheimer's Awareness Day at the Capitol. Jim is a Volunteer Legislative Ambassador for the Georgia Alzheimer's Association.
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If you need me
please call or email
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At the Capitol:
511 Coverdell Legislative Office Building
Atlanta, GA 30334
404.656.6372
stacey.evans@house.ga.gov
In the District:
P.O. Box 2523
Smyrna, Georgia 30081
770.710.4087
stacey@staceyevans.org
www.staceyevans.org
Standing committees:
Children and Youth
Interstate Cooperation
Judiciary
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Let's talk | |
If you have a neighborhood, church, PTA, civic, or other group meeting and would like an update on what is happening under the Gold Dome, please give me a call or send me an email. I'd be happy to attend.
I also welcome you to visit me at the Capitol for a tour or just a visit! |
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Page for the day
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The Georgia House of Representatives Page Program offers students age 12 and over an opportunity to visit the Capitol.
Come be my page for the day. You will assist the entire House by taking notes onto the House floor from constituents, lobbyists, and other officials, all while seeing your government in action!
For more information please contact my office.
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Homestead exemption filing deadline nearing
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Homeowners have until April 1 to apply for Homestead Exemptions for this tax year. Applications not received by the deadline will be processed and applied the following year. The applicant must occupy the property and his or her name must appear on the deed in order to qualify. Homeowners must apply for all exemptions for which they are eligible; exemptions are automatically renewed thereafter unless there is a change in ownership or eligibility. Homeowners must notify the Tax Commissioner's Office if they are no longer eligible for an exemption.
It is not necessary to reapply if the home has been refinanced. Most new property owners will be mailed a tax exemption brochure after the first of the year. Tax bills are mailed on Aug. 15 and payment is due within 60 days to avoid late charges. Applications and payments must be received or U.S. Postmarked (metered postmark not accepted as proof of timely mailing) by the filing or payment deadline to be considered timely. Applications, detailed information, tax bills and year round online bill pay are available at cobbtax.org or by calling 770-528-8600.
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Jobs Corner | |
Peachtree Planning seeks account executives:
Since inception in 1987, Peachtree Planning has become a premier firm focusing on understanding the specialized and dynamically changing needs of both its executives and clients. Peachtree Planning Corporation currently has more than 155 account executives and close to 2.5 billion dollars in assets under management.
If you are individuals interested in high performance careers that will enable you to assist clients in achieving their financial goals, please contact Laura Butterworth , 404.260.1678 for more information.
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