Legislative issues covered at annual chamber breakfast

The Lincolnton-Lincoln County Chamber of Commerce’s “Breakfast With Our Legislators” was held Thursday, December 7, at The Lincoln Center. Pictured are: (l-r Nancy Hohlwein, project chairman for the chamber; Amelia Brown, representing Congressman Charlie Norwood and State Senator Jim Whitehead; Amanda Gay, Miss Lincoln County; State Representative Barry Fleming; Brittany Perkins, Junior Miss Lincoln County; and Nancy Bobbitt, representing United States senators Johnny Isakson and Saxby Chambliss.

Taxes and tort reform were among the topics discussed at the legislative breakfast held Thursday, December 7, at The Lincoln Center.

“Breakfast With Our Legislators” is sponsored annually by the Lincolnton Lincoln County Chamber of Commerce.

Following a buffet breakfast, Nancy Hohlwein, project chairman for the chamber, recognized the local officials in attendance as well as the special legislative guests including Nancy Bobbitt, representing United Sates senators Johnny Isakson and Saxby Chambliss; Amelia Brown, representing Congressman Charlie Norwood and State Senator Jim Whitehead; and State Representative Barry Fleming.

Serving as greeters for the occasion were Amanda Gay, Miss Lincoln County, and Brittany Perkins, Junior Miss Lincoln County.

The first member of the legislative panel to speak was Nancy Bobbitt, representing senators Isakson and Chambliss.

In her remarks, she noted that the senate is working on an agriculture appropriations bill that features an amendment providing for emergency drought assistance.

“Also, House Republican leaders are working on a continuing resolution that will extend government operations through February 15,” said Bobbitt. “There is a chance that a $136 billion veterans’ affairs spending bill will be attached to the resolution. Support is almost unanimous for this bill which funds housing, health care, and other benefits for the military, veterans, and their families.”

An energy security bill is likewise under discussion. The purpose of this legislation is “to enhance the energy independence and security of the United States by providing for exploration, development, and production activities for mineral resources in the Gulf of Mexico and for other purposes.”

In closing, Bobbitt touched on the topic of immigration, saying that President George Bush has signed legislation that will authorize the installation of up to 700 miles of double-layered fencing along the Mexican border.

Following Bobbitt on the program was Amelia Brown, representing Congressman Norwood and Senator Whitehead.

During her presentation, Brown gave the audience an update on Congressman Norwood’s medical condition. “Doctors found a spot of cancer on the congressman’s bile duct, which is a normal side effect of the medication he has to take in connection with his lung transplant. He will have to undergo chemotherapy. However, he is feeling well and ready to get going.”

In other remarks, she said, “The House isn’t doing much of anything this week. The vote on the budget will be taken in January. This year, Congressman Norwood plans to focus on immigration issues and healthcare for the citizens of Georgia.”

In comments from the floor, Dr. Randall Edmunds, superintendent of Lincoln County Schools, stated, “One-third of the land in Lincoln County is owned by the United States Corps of Engineers — the timber sold from corps land is not taxed. I urge Congressman Norwood and Senator Chambliss to support impact aid pay- ments and if they can, change the legislation to allow some of the proceeds from the sale of timber on corpsowned land to come back to Lincoln County.”

It was noted that Norwood has attempted to get some of the corps land released but ran into roadblocks put up by environmentalists.

In her report from Senator Whitehead, Brown told the audience about the “Georgia Speaks” website that allows citizens to give senators feedback and suggestions via the Internet. The address is .

She went on to say that the senator, who serves as chairman of the Homeland Security Committee, recently visited the Georgia Ports Authority in Savannah. “Senator Whitehead indicated that this is a weak point for Georgia — security is poor.”

In conclusion, she said Whitehead works hard for economic development and is very excited about the things going on in the district.

The next speaker was Representative Barry Fleming.

At the outset of his remarks, he said, “There are a lot of great things about Lincoln County. You have good leadership here — they do a good job for you. They are doing a lot of pro-active things to plan for the growth that will occur in the future. I’m pleased to see local governments trying to prepare for this.”

Fleming then shared some of the strides made during the last legislative session. They included:

Tax relief — More tax relief was passed than in the preceding decades.

Tort reform — This was instituted to cut back on frivolous lawsuits. “We have gotten to the point where doctors are leaving the state,” Fleming said.

The legislature strengthened criminal laws, especially those dealing with sexual predators who prey on children. “If a sexual predator gets out of jail, he probably won’t want to live here,” according to the representative.

The General Assembly adjusted the “terribly gerrymandered Congressional districts.” “The map looked like a bug hit a windshield — one district went all the way from Athens to Savannah,” stated Fleming. “Now the districts are more contiguous and community-based.”

In further items of information, Representative Fleming discussed upcoming issues in the legislature. Some of these appear below:

The budget — “We have a good revenue stream,” said Fleming. “Now we’re looking at ways we can better help meet the needs of Georgians.”

Taxes — “Should we move to more of a sales tax base?” he asked. “The state sales tax is four cents. There are so many exemptions that we could cut back to one cent and still get the same amount of money. Sales tax reaches everybody; whereas, income tax penalizes those who are doing well.”

Water issues — “We have a good flow of water in the Savannah River Basin — we don’t want to transfer water to other basins for environmental reasons,” said the representative. “Also, we need to provide resources for the coming growth in this area.”

During the question-and-answer session that ensued, School Superintendent Edmunds pointed out that state funding designated for textbooks and maintenance and operations has decreased. “We have had to use more state dollars.”

In response, Representative Fleming said, “I believe the best government is the government closest to the people. I think there should be fewer restrictions on how state money can be spent at the local level.”

The panel also heard from Lincoln County Sheriff Gerald Lawson who expressed his concern about the number of inmates housed locally who should be in a mental hospital. “This puts a tremendous liability on the sheriff’s office and the county. We do not have the capability to address these issues.”

Fleming said he did not know the answer.

Also speaking from the floor was Lincoln County Commission Chairman Walker Norman who said the county has not paved a road going on three years. “We spend all of our SPLOST (Special Purpose Local Option Sales Tax) money on resurfacing. Last year, we spent $300,000 just patching holes.”

Representative Fleming indicated this issue might be address using sales tax revenues. “There is a movement to deal with local transportation issues in this manner,” he said.

At the conclusion of the questionand answer session, closing remarks were delivered by Nancy Hohlwein.

The breakfast was catered by the Home Cafe.