Water, immigration, taxes addressed at breakfast

The Lincolnton-Lincoln County Chamber of Commerce's "Breakfast with our Legislators" was held Thursday, December 6, at the Lincoln County United Methodist Church Fellowship Hall. Pictured are: (l-r) Reagan Williams, representing Congressman Paul Broun; Jennifer Hayes, representing United States Senator Saxby Chambliss; Nancy Hohlwein, chamber president; State Representative Barry Fleming; and Nancy Bobbitt, representing United States Senator Johnny Isakson.

Water, veterans, illegal aliens, and taxes were among the topics discussed at the legislative breakfast held Thursday, December 6, in the Lincolnton United Methodist Church Fellowship Hall.

"Breakfast with our Legislators" is sponsored annually by the Lincolnton Lincoln County Chamber of Commerce.

This year's special guests were Jennifer Hayes, representing United States Senator Saxby Chambliss; Nancy Bobbitt, representing United States Senator Johnny Isakson; Reagan Williams, representing Congressman Paul Broun; and State Representative Barry Fleming.

Following a buffet breakfast, catered by Bountiful Baskets, and the invocation delivered by Rev. Lanis Lewis, Nancy Hohlwein, chamber president, recognized local dignitaries in the audience including Walker Norman, chairman of the Lincoln County Board of Commissioners; Commissioner Darrell Henderson; Commissioner Larry Collins; Commissioner Allen Walker; Brenda Danner, tax commissioner; Bruce Beggs, clerk of superior court; Dr. Randall Edmunds, school superintendent; and Dwaine Biggerstaff, mayor of the City of Lincolnton.

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 Jennifer Hayes from Senator Saxby Chambliss' office.

In her comments, she noted that the senator had just returned from his sixth trip to Iraq where he spent Thanksgiving with the troops. "He was honored to have the opportunity to spend the holiday with the men and women, who are so bravely defending our freedom, and was impressed to see the improvements that have been made in security.

"Two of the senator's goals in visiting Iraq were to get a first-hand account of the progress being made and send a message to the prime minister that our patience is wearing thin," Hayes continued. "It is imperative for the Iraqi government to step forward."

Hayes then related a story Senator Chambliss told, which illustrated the caliber of soldiers serving the United States. "One woman, whom he met while he was there, told him she would like to extend her stay in Iraq because she wanted to enable her fellow soldiers to have more time at home before having to come to Iraq to relieve her. He was very humbled by her statement."

The representative went on to say, "Senator Chambliss has full confidence in General David Petreus (commander of the multi-national task force in Iraq) and believes that morale is higher than he's ever seen it. He asks that we all keep the troops and their families in our thoughts and prayers during this holiday season."

In other items of interest, Hayes said Senator Chambliss wants to reauthorize the No Child Left Behind Act. "He wants to make a good program better.

"The senator also hopes to resume consideration of the Food and Energy Security Act of 2007, likewise known as the Farm Bill. He wants to work together on a bipartisan basis to pass the Farm Bill as soon as possible," according to Hayes.

Following Hayes on the program was Nancy Bobbitt, representing Senator Johnny Isakson.

During her presentation, Bobbitt addressed the Southeast's water woes. "The governors of Alabama, Georgia, and Florida met with several senators to discuss a temporary plan to reduce the flow of water to Florida from Lake Lanier. The flow reduction plan has already been implemented by the United States Fish & Wildlife Agency. The next meeting between the three governors has been scheduled for the week of December 17."

She further indicated that the Senate overrode the presidential veto of the Water Resources Development Act (WRDA), which will provide $127,000,000 for water infrastructure projects in Georgia that deal with water storage, storm water management, and flood control.

Concerning immigration, Bobbitt pointed out that Senate Bill 330, which was introduced by Isakson, will prohibit implementation of its guest worker program until the Department of Homeland Security informs the president and Congress that the border security provisions in the legislation are fully funded and operational.

The border security provisions include:

.. Manpower - The bill authorizes the hiring of 14,000 new full-time border patrol agents as well as 2,500 additional port of entry inspectors and 250 new deputy United States marshals.

.. Detention beds - The bill authorizes detention facilities with an additional 20,000 detention beds to end the practice of "catch and release."

.. Barriers - The legislation calls for additional barriers such as fences, roads, and/or underground sensors where appropriate.

.. Unmanned Aerial Vehicles - The bill allocates more than $450 million to acquire and maintain a squadron of unmanned aerial vehicles, with high-tech sensors and satellite communication to allow coverage on the border by an unmanned vehicle 24 hours a day.

.. Biometric ID - The bill establishes a biometric secure identification card program so employers can verify an immigrant's status.

"Once the border security provisions are implemented, Senator Isakson's bill will give individuals, who are here in the country illegally, one year to come forward and confess that they have come to our country illegally," Bobbitt explained. "These individuals will then be required to clear the terrorist watch list and a criminal background investigation as well as prove that they or the head of their household is employed.

"After these criteria have been met, these individuals will receive a twoyear temporary, probationary work permit, renewable as long as they abide by the law and remain employed. They must likewise complete an approved assimilation program that includes English and civics lessons within those first two years."

As far as taxes are concerned, Bobbitt said Senator Isakson introduced the Tax Code Termination Act, which will create a commission to analyze reform options and report its findings to Congress. The commission would then review the current tax code, with respect to its impact on the economy, families, and the workforce; its compliance costs to taxpayers, small businesses, and corporations; and the Internal Revenue Service's ability to administer the current code.

The group would also consider whether income tax could be replaced with a flat tax or a fair tax and whether tax systems used in other countries could provide more efficient and fair methods of taxation in the United States. The commission would likewise identify the transition costs associated with any change to the present federal code.

Senator Isakson is in favor of replacing the tax code with a flat tax, a fair tax or a similar plan.

Regarding veterans' affairs, Bobbitt indicated that the senator supports the Veterans Healthcare Empowerment Act, which would allow veterans, with service-connected disabilities, to go to any hospital or medical clinic of their choice.

In closing, Bobbitt noted that last month, President Bush signed into law legislation to rename the Augusta VA for former congressman Charlie Norwood.

The next speaker was Reagan Williams, representing Congressman Paul Broun.

"Georgia is experiencing the worst drought in our state's history," said Williams. "The dry, hot weather combined with the management of our river systems have left water supplies at a critical level. This drought threatens the supply of drinking water and the health of our constituents as well as the economic vitality and stability of our state."

He indicated that during a recent meeting between Congressman Broun and President Bush at the White House, the congressman presented the president with an overview of the negative effects the drought is having on water supplies throughout the state. He also requested that the president instruct the United States Army Corps of Engineers to take immediate steps to improve reservoir management in the state.

Following the meeting, the president responded to Broun's request by instructing his administration to take action. "Since then, the corps has submitted new interim reservoir management rules for the Fish & Wildlife Agency to review," noted Broun's representative. "Hopefully, this will help alleviate some of our problems."

In other remarks, Williams pointed out that Congressman Broun has joined Congressman Marsha Blackburn to introduce the Charlie Norwood Clear Law Enforcement for Criminal Alien Removal Act (CLEAR) of 2007. "This act, which will enhance local, state, and federal efforts to enforce immigration laws, is modeled on legislation introduced by Charlie Norwood in the 108th, 109th, and 110th Congresses."

According to Williams, the act provides for:

.. Clear authority for local agencies to enforce immigration laws.

.. Improved sharing of information between local and federal agencies.

.. Increased detention space.

.. The denial of State Criminal Alien Assistance Program (SCAAP) funding to "sanctuary cities."

.. The inclusion of immigration violators in the National Crime Information Center (NCIC) data base.

In conclusion, Williams indicated that he will soon be back in Lincolnton to help simplify the grant management process for those who are interested. "We can help you find and apply for over 900 grant programs from 26 federal agencies," he stated, adding that over $360 billion in grant funds are awarded annually to state and local governments, academic institutions, non-profit organizations, businesses, and so forth.

According to Williams, "We are rolling out our initiative to improve access to grant services right here in Lincoln County. Congressman Broun wants his office to be a simple, unified source for finding, applying, and managing grant opportunities."

Wrapping up the program with his remarks was Representative Barry Fleming.

"This is the last time I will address you as your state representative because I have stepped down to run for the office of 10th District congressman," said Fleming. "Thank you for all you have done. It's been a pleasure to represent Lincoln County."

According to the representative, "The upcoming session of the General Assembly promises to be quite busy. One of the biggest issues we will face is property taxes. Is there a way to provide tax relief and still fund government?"

He explained that things were different when property tax was first established. Years ago, the economy revolved around land and agriculture; now, the focus is more on sales and merchandise.

Fleming further noted that 60 percent of property tax revenues are used to fund education. "We need tax relief. I will do my part to bring relief to the property owners in the state. The latest thought is to begin slow and work to ease the burden on property owners by using sales tax to help fund education."

In a question from the floor, the representative was asked if the tax plan will take illegal immigrants into consideration.

"When you pay property tax or sales tax, you pay a share of the load," he responded. "Since it's easier to avoid paying sales tax, the new proposal is fairer. It will capture a lot of what is not being paid by people who are here illegally or are doing something illegal."

The people of Georgia will have the final say on any proposal to abolish property tax. The earliest the issue could appear on the ballot is November of 2008.

In his comments on the drought, Representative Fleming said, "We plan to pass a water plan to address the lack of water and help communities deal with this issue as well as better manage their resources.

"There is the perception that we have an abundance of water in the Savannah River, and this is simply not true," the legislator continued. "With all of my fiber, I will oppose an interbasin transfer. It's not environmentally sound. As opposed to an interbasin transfer, we need to build more reservoirs - that's why we have as much water as we do."

He went on to state that Georgia receives 50 trillion gallons of rainfall a year and utilizes only 1.5 trillion - the rest is flowing into the ocean. "If we built more reservoirs, we could capture more water, and we wouldn't have to worry about being in the dire straits we are in now.

"We also need to conserve more water, particularly in Atlanta," Fleming added.

A member of the audience asked why is the Savannah River so full and Clark's Hill Lake so low.

Fleming said it is because the corps does not do a good job of releasing water. "The problem is the rules and regulations need to be changed."

In his remarks, County Commission Chairman Walker Norman pointed out that Lincoln County's economic future relies on the development of the lake. "With only one county separating the two basins, an interbasin transfer concerns me. Sixty percent of the state's population live in the 21 or 22 counties surrounding Atlanta. The vote is there to transfer water. Eventually, Georgia will have to vote to do this. What can we do?"

In his response, Representative Fleming said, "How do you beat an idea? You beat it with a better idea, and that idea is to build more reservoirs."

In other discussion, accountant Marcene Powell commented on the initiative to fund the government using sales tax revenues. "I am concerned about a new taxation system coming under the Georgia Department of Revenue. We need to be sure things will be managed properly, and the department of revenue leaves a lot to be desired."

"Some states have contracted with companies to privatize certain revenues," said Fleming. "We're looking at this for Georgia, which means we may end up with better customer service."

Speaking from the audience, School Superintendent Randall Edmunds asked if state capital outlay funding for education will remain the same.

Fleming said he expects it to increase with the growth of the state.

The last comment from the floor came from Gerry Dukes, who, speaking on behalf of all of the kidney patients in the area, asked the legislative panel to support the Kidney Care Quality and Education Act of 2007. The act deals with Medicare reform to cover the rising costs of renal disease.

At the conclusion of their presentations, Fleming and all of the representatives of the various legislators were rewarded with a round of applause from the audience. They also received a bag of fresh, stone-ground grits, courtesy of the Lincoln County Historical Society.