WEEKLY LEGISLATIVE REPORT – March 2, 2007
More Gwinnett commissioners, better representation
By Rep. Hugh Floyd
Gwinnett County is Georgia’s second-largest in population and continues to grow every year. A county commission with only four districts might have been sufficient 30 years ago, but not any more.
As Sen. Don Balfour (R-Snellville), chairman of the Senate Rules Committee pointed out, our district commissioners now each represent about 150,000 people and, as he said, “it won’t be long before that’s 250,000 people.” Those four districts now more closely resemble congressional districts rather than those for county commission, which is supposed to be, along with city councils, the level of government closest to the people.
As a means of providing closer representation and therefore better service to the citizens of Gwinnett County, I am sponsoring legislation that would expand the county commission by two members, who would each represent a “superdistrict” that overlays the boundaries of two of our current districts, giving everyone, in effect, two county commissioners representing them, rather than one.
Another positive benefit of this proposal would be the elimination of the so-called “district courtesy” voting policy in which commissioners automatically defer to one another on rezoning votes within one’s district. This policy is informally but consistently followed and has the potential to give too much power to special interests, rather than the good of the whole county.
This proposal has received strong positive feedback from a number of my colleagues in the Gwinnett legislative delegation, county officials and city officials. It is an idea whose time has come.
The General Assembly is now in recess for two weeks, an attempt to give the federal government more time to fully fund the $131 million shortfall in the PeachCare for Kids Program, which will have a major impact on finalizing the annual state budget.
While the full legislature is in recess, lawmakers will be working on pending bills and resolutions at the committee level. Lawmakers are scheduled to reconvene on March 19 for the 28th day of the 40-day session, which according to a newly adopted schedule will stretch into at least mid-April.
Under legislation approved unanimously by House members, Georgians will be able to take advantage of two different sales tax holidays again this year.
If, as expected, HB 128 is approved by the Senate and signed into law, the first tax-free period will be Aug. 2-5, during back-to-school shopping. During that weekend, consumers would not have to pay local or state sales taxes on school supplies under $20, computer equipment $1,500 or less and clothing items under $100. With the state sales tax at 4 cents on a dollar and 1 to 3 cents locally, a shopper could see savings of $75 to $135 on a $1,500 computer.
Another holiday established in the bill applies to energy efficient products, with the government’s energy efficient star sticker that cost $1,500 or less. They also have to be purchased for noncommercial home or personal use. This holiday period would be Oct. 4-7.
Georgia’s sales tax holidays have become popular shopping periods, helping boost sales for retailers throughout the state.
Legislation has been introduced that would move up the date of Georgia’s presidential preference primary from March 4 to Feb. 5, 2008, behind only the Iowa caucuses, and the New Hampshire, Florida and South Carolina primaries. HB 487 also changes the provisions for winning Georgia’s primaries and elections from a simple majority to a 45 percent-plus plurality. Currently, candidates need 50 percent to win outright in primaries and general elections.
The bill’s sponsors suggest that moving the date of Georgia’s presidential preference primary ensures that Georgia will play a prominent role in choosing the nation’s next president. But there is concern about the plurality provision, as some would argue that any Georgia political leader who wins with less than a simple majority of votes lack any sort of mandate for political leadership, and therefore does not represent the wishes of a majority of citizens.
On a personal note, I want to thank all of you for your thoughts and prayers following the tragic death of my sister-in-law, Deborah Newsome Floyd of Clyo, Ga., near Savannah on Wednesday, February 28. This is a very difficult time for our family, and your support means the world to all of us.
- Rep. Hugh Floyd (D-Norcross) represents the 99th District (Gwinnett County) in the Georgia House of Representatives. Contact him at 611 Coverdell Office Building, Atlanta, GA 30334; by phone at 404-656-0314 or by e-mail at hughfloyd@mindspring.com.
