
Vote in the 2018 General Election
Make sure your voice is heard on General Election Day, November 6th. Elections are an important way to contribute to your community and voice your opinion about your district. Research everyone running so that you can know the most about their platforms and what they believe in. If you don’t know where your voting location, go to this address www.mvp.sos.ga.gov/MVP/mvp.do, input your information and find exactly where to vote.
Mark your calendar for these important voting dates that are coming up:
- October 9th: Last day to register and be eligible to vote in November General Election
- October 15th – November 2nd: Early Voting
- November 6th: Last day to vote
- Register to vote: bit.ly/VoterRegistrationGA
We have some great candidates running in the November election. Brian Strickland from District 17, Pete Peterson from District 4, and Dale Rutledge from District 109. I support all three of these candidates and I look forward to the great things they will do for their districts.
Read MoreSchool Bells Are Ringing Again!
It is that time again! It is time to go back to school for many Georgia counties.
- Newton County Schools begins THIS Friday, July 31st!
- Henry County schools begin this Monday, August 3rd!
- Butts County schools begin Wednesday, August 5th!
Just a friendly reminder that this weekend is sales-tax free for school-related items — Friday, July 31 through Saturday, August 1!
Children really are our future, and it is important for their success to be nurtured and encouraged to learn continually. A well-educated youth makes for a well-rounded adult, who can make informed decisions. I hope everyone has a fantastic school year!
Read MoreFireworks Display at Avondale Park in Jackson
Photo Credit: Shutterstock.com
The official start of summer is still about two weeks away, but here in Georgia, it definitely feels like summer has been upon us for months now. With the summer season comes fun times with family, friends, time off for vacation, and many patriotic themed holidays. One such holiday, and probably the most widely celebrated in the United States, is the Fourth of July, or Independence Day.
This is an important celebration for America in that it commemorates the Continental Congress approving the final wording of the Declaration of Independence in 1776, after several grueling days of deliberation. To celebrate this joyous event in our nation’s history, many people often have parades or fireworks displays and Jackson is no exception. There will be a fun fireworks display on July 4th when it gets dark (weather permitting), and it will be fun for the whole family. For more information, please call Butts County Parks and Recreation at: (770) 775-8228.

Congratulations to Rock Springs Medical Clinic!
The Georgia Senate recognized the Rock Springs Medical Clinic in Milner, GA with Senate Resolution 344 on Thursday, March 19th. Sen. Burt Jones, R-Jackson, along with Lt. Gov. Casey Cagle, Sen. John F. Kennedy, R-Macon, and Sen. Marty Harbin, R-Tyrone all presented the bill to the Senate. The resolution recognizes Dr. W. Stephen Taunton, the clinic’s Medical Director, Bobbi Riley, the Administrative Director, and Linda Taunton, the Pharmaceutical Director, in addition to a staff of 60 dedicated volunteers.
For those who are unfamiliar, here is a bit of history on this amazing clinic. Established in 2008, The Rock Springs Medical clinic provides free healthcare and counseling services to roughly 5,000 uninsured middle Georgians who live in 81 cities. The volunteer staff includes licensed physicians, and nurses for medical needs as well as dieticians for health education and counselors for mental health, assisted by clerical staff and volunteers. This clinic is staffed by a skilled team of medical professionals, including: pharmacists, pharmacy technicians, licensed physicians, nurses, dietitians and counselors assisted by clerical staff and volunteers. Manufacturers work directly with the pharmaceutical director to keep the clinic pharmacy stocked. I am very proud that this clinic is around, and hope to see it serve our community for many years to come. Congratulations to this amazing clinic!
Source: www.jacksonprogress-argus.com
Photo credit: Morguefile.com
Compact for a Balanced Budget Signed
April 12, 2014 Governor Deal signed HB 794, the Compact for a Balanced Budget Paulette Rakestraw Braddock and I sponsored in the State House and Hunter Hill carried for us in the State Senate. As the first State to enact the Compact, Georgia will serve as the Chair at the Constitutional Convention under the Compact. This a tightly drawn law. It limits all delegates appointed by each state to the Compact to adopting only the amendment language contained in the Compact. You can read exactly what is being proposed as the balanced budget amendment on page 3 of the Compact. The amendment is exceptionally well-drafted: forcing Congress to adopted balanced budgets, establishing a debt limit, forcing the President to prioritize spending if spending comes within 98% of the debt ceiling, requiring a 2/3 majority for Congress to raise any existing taxes so that cutting spending, eliminating tax exemptions, or shifting to a consumption-based tax like the Fair Tax are the preferred approaches over raising taxes in order to achieve a debt-free future for generations of Americans to come. This was a historic moment in Georgia’s and hopefully our Nation’s history. I would be remiss if I did not extend a special thank you to Julianne Thompson for her testimony during hearings and grassroots leadership, to Nick Dranias of Goldwater Institute for his legal advice and brilliance in constructing the Compact, and Chip Napolitano of the Compact for America for his passion and drive for fiscal liberty.
Press Release 5/13/13
Bill Signings Conclude Successful Legislative Session for Rep. Welch
ATLANTA-State Representative Andy Welch (R-Locust Grove) wrapped up a successful 2013 legislative session after Governor Deal signed into law eight bills that Rep. Welch sponsored, cosponsored, or amended.
“I want to thank Governor Deal for his support in signing all of these bills into law,” said Rep. Andy Welch. “It was a highly successful legislative session, and I look forward to continue to be of service to the citizens of Henry, Butts and Newton Counties.”
Governor Deal signed into law House Bills 94, 160, 179, 182, 187, 276, and 499, as well as Senate Bill 158. Rep. Welch sponsored House Bills 94 and 179. He cosponsored House Bills 160,182, 187 and 499. While Rep. Welch did not sponsor House Bill 276, he did sponsor significant amendments to the bill prior to its passage. Rep. Welch also carried Senate Bill 158 in the House.
Read MoreMarch 8, 2013 Weekly Update
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March 1, 2013 Weekly Update
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Weekly Newsletter February 22, 2013

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11Alive Interview on HB 138, EBT Card Abuse
11Alive conducted an interview on HB 138. Previously 11Alive had aired a story about the fraud and abuse dealing with the EBT cards. You can find the interview here by clicking.