Bill Mauldin
Issues
State house - district 126
Well here it is, a short list of a few of the issues of the day, but by no means all. But before you proceed further, I have an important disclaimer. I am NOT a candidate for the faint of heart. I am NOT politically correct, nor do I sugarcoat our problems as a state. What you will find, however, is that I am a well-informed straight-shooter who will tell you what you need to hear, whether you want to or not. Ask me a question, get an honest answer.
Water
More than transportation issues, taxes, or education, this is the most important thing facing the state of Georgia over the next few years. Without an adequate water supply Georgia will not grow, period. For over 20 years now our state has been wrestling with Alabama and Florida over the water rights to the Lake Lanier Basin and Chattahoochee River, and we have yet to reach an agreement. All that has been accomplished is a federal court order to stop taking water from Lanier, and an expenditure of many millions of dollars in public funds.
And yet, why is it so hard to see the answer? The answer is to build our reservoirs on rivers and waterways that are located, in their entirety, within the state boundaries. If we were to build larger reservoirs on either the Oconee or Ocmulgee Rivers, then we no longer ingringe on the water rights of our sister states. A pumping system would carry water to Metro Atlanta to continue growing the industrial and commercial growth in that area. Likewise, the new or expanded reservoirs would jumpstart the quality growth in Central Georgia of industrial, commercial, and residential development.
Immigration
This hot topic is tied up with every critical issue out there in our state and nation today. Want to talk about unemployment, then let's discuss the thousands of illegals who are working within Georgia. Want to talk about excess spending and declining tax reveues, then let's talk about illegals who use public services, yet pay nothing in taxes. Want to talk about increase in crime, then let's talk about the influx of hispanic gangs with ties to the drug trade.
It is important to secure the rights of legal citizens to good jobs, healthcare, and education, and that is made possible by strict regulations and enforcement of laws that are already on the books. Make illegal immigrants "persona non grata", and show them that Georgia is not the free ride they are looking for. Likewise we shouldn't allow our jails to be tied up with illegals who are sucking up our tax dollars for non-violent offenses. If the state department won't deport them, then we can at least give them a free ride to the state line.
Healthcare
We should vow now to repeal ObamaCare in full. The Democrats in our Congress seem to have won, or have they? With this election and the next, we should see a complete return of Conservative values in Washington. Real health care reform would include the uncoupling of health insurance from employment, the ability to purchase insurance across state lines, the ability to legally purchase a la carte (or "non-Cadillac") health insurance, along with further medical malpractice limits. We should also pledge to pass legislation to make eradication of cancer the nation's top national health priority. Some 20 percent of Americans die from this disease. We should attack it head-on would, much as this country tackled and eradicated diseases like Polio and Smallpox. We can foster a once-in-a-generation push in research and development that would make America the envy of the world -- and would benefit the entire world as well.
The solutions to healthcare are not government run hospitals (ask a vet about the quality of the VA), nor is it mandatory coverage or face fines. Small business must be protected from federal intrusion, and free choice and private enterprise must remain the primary focus for our efforts. Before, the primary focus was prescription drugs, but now look how private competition has driven down prices to make generic drugs affordable for all.
Taxes
If you are an American taxpayer, then this picture represents you. It is increasingly hard to believe that this country was created solely because our forefathers sought lower taxes, and wanted representation when new tax laws were passed. At the time the average American paid roughly 2% of his income to the Crown. Today we pay roughly 35% to the Federal government we created to replace the Crown. Feel cheated? If so then you are among the millions in this country who work hard and pay their taxes, only to be disgusted when they see how their hard earned money is wasted.
There are problems in our state regarding our tax codes, and how we collect them. It is long past due for a overhaul of a state tax policy that drives local businesses, every day, to incorporate their business in other states with more lenient tax laws, thus devoiding ours of needed tax revenues. There is also need for an overhaul of an inefficient sales tax policy which denies local government the opportunity to collect their own sales taxes, and cut out the middle man called the State. It may also be time to consider a sales tax that would gradually eliminate our income tax on individuals and corporations. This would be a financial boon to families and companies, and also cut the size of our state Department of Revenue.
Now current legislators are loathe to transform a tax policy that today operates as smoke and mirrors, and disguises where tax revenue sources come from and how the money is spent. The sales tax changes all that and gives the taxpayer the power. You see, with a sales tax, much like the Fair Tax, you know how much revenue the government takes in and how much comes out of your pocket, and Atlanta can be held more accountable for how it is spent.
Likewise, you also trim a bloated and costly beauracracy called the Department of Revenue and you also ensure that EVERYONE pays their fair share, from the middle class worker, to the welfare recipient, to the illegal immigrant. And want to see this economy grow and business thrive? Lower the corporate tax rates and you will see a complete turnaround in the fortunes of this state, and will see business moving in, and not moving out.
The State Budget
It is time to make amends for the sins of the past. In 8 short years we have seen the budget of the state of Georgia expand greatly, and we are now reaping the results. For too long now legislators have been used to revenue increases, and spent every penny instead of saving for a rainy day. Loans were taken on revenue projections that didn't panm out, and we are still paying interest on these loans. It is a bed THEY made, WE are lying in, and WE have to pay for.
Ethics
When it comes to true ethics reform, sadly, the people of Georgia don't expect to receive too much. True ethics reform will come in the shape of an Ethics Commission who's funding is independent of the General Assembly. It will come through more restrictions on campaign gifts, meals, and contributions that come from PAC's and corporations. It will come from term limits which restrict members of the General Assembly to 8 consecutive years at a time.
Education
Now I will be the first to say that throwing more money at schools will not fix the problems. but, by the same note, neither will taking more money away. Who's fault is it that our schools are being hit with rising costs in insurance premiums, pensions, technology, and building costs, all the while facing an increasing number of students who demand more than we did as did students? Let's just say that we are all to blame. But it is a problem we have to fix if we want to stay in the forefront of growth and industry.
Gone are the days when an ignorant workforce guaranteed cheap labor and industrial growth, those jobs have gone overseas, and good riddance. Today we are fighting for industries in the bio-medical, aerospace, a technology fields, and these call for an educated and skilled workforce. Now is not the time to point fingers and blame, but the time to pull together and find ways to make sure that every future generation is better educated than the last.
Jobs
In this economy, this is the number one priority today. But how do we fix a stagnant economy and job market? It is not through government welfare or work programs, but through a combination of all the measures I have discussed in these issues pages. We're talking long term and sustainable job growth, not short term quick fixes that are costly and don't work.
Want to create jobs? Solve our illegal immigrant problem which currently hold thousands of Georgia jobs. Re-invigorate our industries with tax breaks and reformed tax codes. Don't push healthcare mandates on small businesses that cant be afforded. Set forth a sound energy policy for this state that will revamp our power grids and bring exploration and innovations to our natural resources. Give our schools the abilities to teach a generation of students who will be on par with the world's finest, or better. See that our ports continue to be some of America's best, and that our airports link to every corner of the globe. With these, and a sound transportation policy, the jobs will come.
Transportation
This is THE biggest item that has made Georgia prosper through her history. It was the Georgia General Assembly that in the 1830's had the forsight, and provided the funding, which brought the railroad to our state. Within 10 years we had THE largest railroad system in the world, and our states population and industrial output tripled within 2 decades. The 1950's saw a similar boom as Gov. Talmadge and the General Assembly approved thousands of miles of paved roads and bridges, and ushered in a new era of prosperity that continues today.
The last session of the General Assembly saw the passage of a much anticipated bill giving regions of our state the ability to introduce sales tax options to pay for new improvements in transportation. This legislation may not be enough to keep us on par with other states and nations, and continue the growth we have taken for granted. We must also be farsighted enough to look to the technologies of tomorrow, and shape plans that will embrace them. Rapid rail lines will be an ideal way to link the far corners of our state, and a second airport to service Metro Atlanta, is not far in coming. We must provide the means so that ALL of our fair state will share in the bounty of tomorrow.
