Our own Herb West nominated for lifetime achievement award for our Congressional District
The New Day
News from the Democratic Party of Georgia
Big turnout predicted tomorrow
The Democratic Party of Georgia is predicting a larger-than-normal turnout for Georgia's February 5th Democratic Presidential Primary. Reports from around the state indicate a surge in early and absentee voting, and the turnout trend should continue on election day as well.
Across Georgia, people are talking about the strength of the Democratic candidates, and excitement about the election is high. Please encourage all of your friends, family, and coworkers to vote in the Democratic primary on February 5th.
Thousands turn out for Jefferson-Jackson Dinner
Over five thousand Democrats from all over Georgia were in attendance at the Democratic Party of Georgia's annual Jefferson-Jackson Dinner on January 30. Senator Hillary Clinton (D-NY) spoke to the crowd, telling Democrats, "Who says we can't turn Georgia blue?" Senators Barack Obama and John Edwards were also invited to the event. Senator Obama could not make it, due to a scheduling conflict, and Senator Edwards suspended his campaign before the Jefferson-Jackson Dinner.
In addition to hearing from Senator Clinton, Democrats also paid tribute to two outstanding "Georgia Giants," Senator Max Cleland and Congressman John Lewis. Senator Cleland was given his award by former Governor Roy Barnes, while Congressman Lewis was presented with the award by his colleague, Congressman Charlie Rangel (D-NY). Both Cleland and Lewis were also honored with a special video tribute by Senator John Kerry (D-MA).
This year's Jefferson-Jackson Dinner also featured the first-ever Thomas B. Murphy Lifetime Achievement Awards, named after the long-time Speaker of the Georgia House, who passed away recently. Recipients of the Lifetime Achievement Awards, one from each of Georgia's 13 congressional districts, were nominated for the award by their congressional district chairs. The 2008 Thomas B. Murphy Lifetime Achievement Award winners are:
Senator Tim Golden, 1st Congressional District
Carol R. King, 2nd Congressional District
Ernest Broadwell, 3rd Congressional District
Elliott H. Levitas, 4th Congressional District
Odessa P. Wheeler, 5th Congressional District
Bill Teasley, 6th Congressional District
Mike Berlon, 7th Congressional District
Joni Woolf, 8th Congressional District
Hoyt Robinson, 9th Congressional District
Herb West, 10th Congressional District
Gene Richardson, 11th Congressional District
Maxine Goldstein, 12th Congressional District
Sandra Hardy, 13th Congressional District
From beginning to end, it was a great night for Georgia Democrats, and the largest such event in the party's history.
(Photos by Chatham Democrats and Oglethorpe Democrats.)
Better schools, lower taxes; the Democratic plan
Georgia Democrats are proposing two bills to put a stop to school cuts and take the burden of $1.5 billion in property tax shifts off local government. The Democratic plans provide fiscally sound property tax relief by fully funding the Quality Basic Education (QBE) Act.
"This is immediate, effective tax relief without shifting the burden to local governments," said Rep. Jamieson (D-Toccoa). "It creates no new taxes." Under the first bill sponsored by Rep. Jamieson, counties who lower local property taxes can tap into $300 million this year in state education funding.
Accompanying that bill is legislation sponsored by Representative Kathy Ashe (D-Atlanta) that mandates the state to fully fund the Quality Basic Education Act for the first time in over 20 years. This will ensure that K-12 public education is adequately funded and the state no longer shifts the burden to local property owners.
To read more about the Democratic plan for better schools and responsible tax reform, click here.
Democrats respond to "State of the State" address
Georgia Democrats issued a sharp response to Governor Sonny Perdue’s annual State of the State address recently, calling for Republicans to put their internal fights aside for the good of the state, and introducing the framework of an alternative to a controversial tax plan introduced by the Speaker of the House.
Representative Kathy Ashe (D-Atlanta) delivered the address before a crowd of Democrats, including members of the General Assembly. In the response, Ashe stressed that the Democratic agenda comes from their constituents and, “our shared values.”
The response covered a broad range of issues, from affordable health to transportation to Georgia’s water crisis, but education topped the list. “We believe that we should reduce class sizes and make Georgia’s teachers the envy of America,” Ashe said, calling on the Governor and the General assembly to make, “a financial promise to our public schools that matches our words, and emphasizing reading, math, science, discipline, character, and above all, preparation for a 21st Century global economy.”
Ashe also previewed a tax plan to be offered by Democrats. “Our plan restores much-needed funding to our public schools, and eases the strain on local governments, giving them the freedom to do what their constituents demand, keep our obligation to our children, and reduce property taxes.”
The Democratic plan proposes to fund the Quality Basic Education Act for the first time in over 20 years.
To read the full text of the response, click here!
Three year-olds could go to pre-K
Georgia’s children could soon be more prepared for the classroom and do better in school under a plan proposed by House Democrats. State Representative Mary Margaret Oliver (D-Decatur), Representative Stephanie Benfield, (D-Decatur) and Rep. Kathy Ashe (D-Atlanta) have introduced legislation that would provide for a field study on expanding the popular Pre-K program to cover three year-olds. The criteria for this expanded Pre-K program would be set by the Georgia Department of Early Care and Learning.
“All experts say the earlier you prepare children for school the better they do so why shouldn’t the state of Georgia expand Pre-K,” said Rep. Oliver. “I believe thousands of parents would take advantage of this wonderful program for their children at three years-old and the state of Georgia would have a brighter future with a more prepared student.”
“The Pre-K program helps teach children that learning is fun and they take that through the rest of their education. Other states start their Pre-K program at three years-old and their students have higher test scores too. Not doing this puts Georgia at a disadvantage,” said Rep. Benfield.
According to Rep. Ashe, “The Georgia Lottery, which funds our Pre-K program, has a $600 million surplus and we can at least study expanding the program to cover three year-olds. Taking a successful program and making it more successful would be a win win for the state of Georgia.”
Georgia is only one of two states that spend no general revenue on early childhood development. Most states fund their Pre-K program with taxpayer dollars and last year the Georgia Lottery had a $600 million surplus.
Volunteers needed: Phone banking & election protection
Help make a difference in 2008! We need volunteers in two areas right now. You can help county parties all over Georgia grow with our Grassroots Georgia phone banking program.
We also need volunteers to help make sure very vote counts by participating in our election protection program. Volunteer shifts are available for both the party building and election protection programs. Volunteer hours are Monday through Friday, 10:00 a.m. - 8:00 p.m.
For more information, or to sign up, please contact Kelli at 678-278-2109 or via email at kelli@georgiademocrat.org.
National Organizing Event - Saturday February 16!
Join Democrats from around the state and the country to learn more about our 2008 Grassroots Strategy to take back the state and the White House!
If you are interested in Hosting a House Party or Attending a House Party on Saturday, February 16th, please email Ted Terry or call 678-278-2103.
News from the Democratic Party of Georgia
Big turnout predicted tomorrow
The Democratic Party of Georgia is predicting a larger-than-normal turnout for Georgia's February 5th Democratic Presidential Primary. Reports from around the state indicate a surge in early and absentee voting, and the turnout trend should continue on election day as well.
Across Georgia, people are talking about the strength of the Democratic candidates, and excitement about the election is high. Please encourage all of your friends, family, and coworkers to vote in the Democratic primary on February 5th.
Thousands turn out for Jefferson-Jackson Dinner
Over five thousand Democrats from all over Georgia were in attendance at the Democratic Party of Georgia's annual Jefferson-Jackson Dinner on January 30. Senator Hillary Clinton (D-NY) spoke to the crowd, telling Democrats, "Who says we can't turn Georgia blue?" Senators Barack Obama and John Edwards were also invited to the event. Senator Obama could not make it, due to a scheduling conflict, and Senator Edwards suspended his campaign before the Jefferson-Jackson Dinner.
In addition to hearing from Senator Clinton, Democrats also paid tribute to two outstanding "Georgia Giants," Senator Max Cleland and Congressman John Lewis. Senator Cleland was given his award by former Governor Roy Barnes, while Congressman Lewis was presented with the award by his colleague, Congressman Charlie Rangel (D-NY). Both Cleland and Lewis were also honored with a special video tribute by Senator John Kerry (D-MA).
This year's Jefferson-Jackson Dinner also featured the first-ever Thomas B. Murphy Lifetime Achievement Awards, named after the long-time Speaker of the Georgia House, who passed away recently. Recipients of the Lifetime Achievement Awards, one from each of Georgia's 13 congressional districts, were nominated for the award by their congressional district chairs. The 2008 Thomas B. Murphy Lifetime Achievement Award winners are:
Senator Tim Golden, 1st Congressional District
Carol R. King, 2nd Congressional District
Ernest Broadwell, 3rd Congressional District
Elliott H. Levitas, 4th Congressional District
Odessa P. Wheeler, 5th Congressional District
Bill Teasley, 6th Congressional District
Mike Berlon, 7th Congressional District
Joni Woolf, 8th Congressional District
Hoyt Robinson, 9th Congressional District
Herb West, 10th Congressional District
Gene Richardson, 11th Congressional District
Maxine Goldstein, 12th Congressional District
Sandra Hardy, 13th Congressional District
From beginning to end, it was a great night for Georgia Democrats, and the largest such event in the party's history.
(Photos by Chatham Democrats and Oglethorpe Democrats.)
Better schools, lower taxes; the Democratic plan
Georgia Democrats are proposing two bills to put a stop to school cuts and take the burden of $1.5 billion in property tax shifts off local government. The Democratic plans provide fiscally sound property tax relief by fully funding the Quality Basic Education (QBE) Act.
"This is immediate, effective tax relief without shifting the burden to local governments," said Rep. Jamieson (D-Toccoa). "It creates no new taxes." Under the first bill sponsored by Rep. Jamieson, counties who lower local property taxes can tap into $300 million this year in state education funding.
Accompanying that bill is legislation sponsored by Representative Kathy Ashe (D-Atlanta) that mandates the state to fully fund the Quality Basic Education Act for the first time in over 20 years. This will ensure that K-12 public education is adequately funded and the state no longer shifts the burden to local property owners.
To read more about the Democratic plan for better schools and responsible tax reform, click here.
Democrats respond to "State of the State" address
Georgia Democrats issued a sharp response to Governor Sonny Perdue’s annual State of the State address recently, calling for Republicans to put their internal fights aside for the good of the state, and introducing the framework of an alternative to a controversial tax plan introduced by the Speaker of the House.
Representative Kathy Ashe (D-Atlanta) delivered the address before a crowd of Democrats, including members of the General Assembly. In the response, Ashe stressed that the Democratic agenda comes from their constituents and, “our shared values.”
The response covered a broad range of issues, from affordable health to transportation to Georgia’s water crisis, but education topped the list. “We believe that we should reduce class sizes and make Georgia’s teachers the envy of America,” Ashe said, calling on the Governor and the General assembly to make, “a financial promise to our public schools that matches our words, and emphasizing reading, math, science, discipline, character, and above all, preparation for a 21st Century global economy.”
Ashe also previewed a tax plan to be offered by Democrats. “Our plan restores much-needed funding to our public schools, and eases the strain on local governments, giving them the freedom to do what their constituents demand, keep our obligation to our children, and reduce property taxes.”
The Democratic plan proposes to fund the Quality Basic Education Act for the first time in over 20 years.
To read the full text of the response, click here!
Three year-olds could go to pre-K
Georgia’s children could soon be more prepared for the classroom and do better in school under a plan proposed by House Democrats. State Representative Mary Margaret Oliver (D-Decatur), Representative Stephanie Benfield, (D-Decatur) and Rep. Kathy Ashe (D-Atlanta) have introduced legislation that would provide for a field study on expanding the popular Pre-K program to cover three year-olds. The criteria for this expanded Pre-K program would be set by the Georgia Department of Early Care and Learning.
“All experts say the earlier you prepare children for school the better they do so why shouldn’t the state of Georgia expand Pre-K,” said Rep. Oliver. “I believe thousands of parents would take advantage of this wonderful program for their children at three years-old and the state of Georgia would have a brighter future with a more prepared student.”
“The Pre-K program helps teach children that learning is fun and they take that through the rest of their education. Other states start their Pre-K program at three years-old and their students have higher test scores too. Not doing this puts Georgia at a disadvantage,” said Rep. Benfield.
According to Rep. Ashe, “The Georgia Lottery, which funds our Pre-K program, has a $600 million surplus and we can at least study expanding the program to cover three year-olds. Taking a successful program and making it more successful would be a win win for the state of Georgia.”
Georgia is only one of two states that spend no general revenue on early childhood development. Most states fund their Pre-K program with taxpayer dollars and last year the Georgia Lottery had a $600 million surplus.
Volunteers needed: Phone banking & election protection
Help make a difference in 2008! We need volunteers in two areas right now. You can help county parties all over Georgia grow with our Grassroots Georgia phone banking program.
We also need volunteers to help make sure very vote counts by participating in our election protection program. Volunteer shifts are available for both the party building and election protection programs. Volunteer hours are Monday through Friday, 10:00 a.m. - 8:00 p.m.
For more information, or to sign up, please contact Kelli at 678-278-2109 or via email at kelli@georgiademocrat.org.
National Organizing Event - Saturday February 16!
Join Democrats from around the state and the country to learn more about our 2008 Grassroots Strategy to take back the state and the White House!
If you are interested in Hosting a House Party or Attending a House Party on Saturday, February 16th, please email Ted Terry or call 678-278-2103.
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