Members of the Bipartisan Policy Center's National Transportation Policy Project Call for New Approach to Transportation Funding

/PRNewswire/ -- A new report released today, authored by two members of the Bipartisan Policy Center's (BPC) National Transportation Policy Project, called on the Administration and Congress to change their approach to transportation policy saying that "the nation can no longer afford to support poorly targeted investments when the needs are so great and public resources are so constrained." The report authors, Douglas Holtz-Eakin and Martin Wachs, spoke at a press conference to release the report in Washington, D.C.

"The future of transportation policy is central to economic policy. Despite what has long been argued, investments in transportation infrastructure are not guaranteed to create jobs and simultaneously grow the economy. We must ruthlessly focus on economic growth, immediately and in the future," said Dr. Holtz-Eakin. "The need for investment is clear: our roads are deteriorating and our transportation systems are not equipped to handle increasing capacity. Still, we cannot devote additional dollars, much less borrowed dollars, to transportation programs that provide an uncertain number of jobs and no lasting economic benefit."

The report, Strengthening Connections Between Transportation Investments and Economic Growth, outlines three specific policy changes the Administration and Congress can make to ensure that scarce public dollars are spent wisely and, at the same time, create employment opportunities in the short-term and contribute to the nation's economic recovery in the long-term.

First, the report recommends that no new funds be allocated to existing transportation programs if they provide questionable job-creation, unclear long-term benefits or if the programs are solely an effort to increase short-term employment. Second, investments should be directed to programs that are both "shovel-ready" and provide long-term benefits. These investments can help ease unemployment while also building the nation's economic future. Finally, federal transportation investments should not be constrained by the silos and restrictions that dominate the federal government's existing surface transportation program. "Instead of focusing on how the money is spent – that is, on whether funds go to operations versus capital or to highway versus transit – the focus must shift to the outcomes being achieved with a particular expenditure," said the report. "If the most pressing outcomes at this point in time relate to job creation and long-term economic recovery, both of those outcomes should drive decisions about how to allocate federal resources and measure progress."

"In addition to addressing long-term transportation-related objectives including safety, energy independence, and environmental sustainability, Congress should consider investments that result in higher productivity," said Dr. Wachs. "These investments will improve economic well-being by increasing connectivity and accessibility to jobs while reducing congestion. Ideally, there is an approach to transportation investment that advances both goals - enduring productivity gains and immediate job creation. To do this, there must be flexibility within the system to pursue the highest returns on spending."

The BPC's National Transportation Policy Project is a group dedicated to reforming federal surface transportation policy in a way that ensures federal investments are held accountable for demonstrating results toward the achievement of national goals. Its members include former Republican and Democratic members of Congress, local-elected officials, business and civic leaders, and transportation stakeholders and experts. The project released its blueprint for surface transportation reform, Performance Driven: A New Vision for U.S. Transportation Policy, in June 2009.

"We have repeatedly argued that not all transportation investments are equally effective, and that future transportation spending must be driven by considerations of economic merit and guided by clearly articulated federal goals, including economic growth, metropolitan accessibility, environmental protection and energy security, and safety," said JayEtta Hecker, Director of Transportation Advocacy at the BPC. "The report released today emphasizes the need for long-term returns rather than just short-term gains."

Read the full report at http://bipartisanpolicy.org/library/research/transportation-investments.

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The Libertarian Party of Georgia Welcomes Changes To Handling Drug Offenders, Favors Decriminalization Instead of Growing Government

In his inaugural speech, Governor Nathan Deal addressed an issue that the Libertarian Party of Georgia has long been aware of, the unusually high number of residents currently tracked by the Department of Corrections. “One out of every 13 Georgia residents is under some form of correctional control,” said Deal, adding that the total operational cost of the Georgia Department of Corrections is approximately $3 million a day. According to the Atlanta Journal-Constitution, the state of Georgia has about 53,000 residents currently in jail, and 1,500 of those have a prevailing offense of possession of methamphetamine, crack, or cocaine. Reducing the number of nonviolent drug offenders currently in the state’s custody would dramatically reduce the operating costs of the corrections department.

The program the Governor has in mind to reduce these numbers is an expansion of the state’s 28 drug courts, one of which his son, Hall County Superior Court Judge Jason Deal, is in charge of. While it is true that the operating costs of the drug courts are drastically lower than the operating costs of processing the same offenders in the state’s prisons (a report from the Department of Audits in 2005 lists that savings as $10,293 per individual), the expansion of the courts themselves is an expansion of the state’s government, an expansion that would cost money to establish, and one that the Libertarian Party of Georgia opposes.

“Decriminalization of simple possession of marijuana does not equate to legalizing the substance,” explained the Libertarian Party of Georgia’s Executive Director, Brett Bittner. “Decriminalization would be treated by our legal system in a manner similar to a speeding ticket, where the offender, possessing less than a predetermined limit, would be required to pay a fine before his or her court date. The removal of six words from Georgia's Official Code would keep officers from arresting those in possession, judges from adjudicating bail hearings, county jails from being overrun with those who await trial, and allow the police, courts, and prisons to do what they were designed to do, which is find and keep the violent criminals behind bars.”

Reducing the number of Georgia residents behind bars for nonviolent offenses is a move the Libertarian Party supports, but not in a way that expands the current reach of the state’s government. Their position is that decriminalization would be more effective in that reduction, while also reducing costs as well as the size and scope of government in the state.

The Libertarian Party is Georgia’s third largest political party and the only party in Georgia promoting fewer taxes, less government and personal liberty for all Georgians. To learn more, please visit www.LPGeorgia.com

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Secretary of State Kemp Reminds Voters of Early Voting Period in State House Districts 136 and 178 Special Elections

Georgia Secretary of State Brian Kemp reminded voters today that early in-person voting has started for the Tuesday, February 15 Special Elections to fill the vacancies in state House Districts 136 and 178. Early in-person voting ends on Friday, February 11. The deadline to request a mail-in ballot is Friday, February 11; mail-in ballots must be received by the voter’s county elections office by the close of polls on Election Day.

The elections are non-partisan Special Elections with no party primary. However, each candidate’s party affiliation, if any, will be listed on the ballot.

The election for state House District 136 will occur in Crawford County and portions of Bibb, Houston, Lamar, Monroe, Peach and Upson Counties. The election for state House District 178 will occur in Brantley and Pierce Counties and a portion of Wayne County.

Secretary Kemp reminded voters to utilize the Secretary of State’s My Voter Page (MVP) voter education website before participating in the Special Election. The MVP website allows voters to view their sample ballot, find the early voting locations in their county and their Election Day polling location, check their registration status, track the status of their mail-in ballot and more. The MVP website can be accessed at www.sos.ga.gov/mvp.

Secretary Kemp also encouraged Georgians to assist his agency with preventing election fraud. The Stop Voter Fraud website allows Georgians to report questionable election activity online or via the Stop Voter Fraud hotline. Citizens who witness questionable election-related activity can submit a Stop Voter Fraud form at www.sos.ga.gov/StopVoterFraud or call the Secretary of State’s Voter Fraud Hotline at 877-725-9797.

Voters who cast their ballot early in-person or on Election Day will be required to show one of the following forms of photo ID:

· A Georgia driver’s license, even if expired;

· Any valid state or federal government issued photo ID, including a free Voter ID Card issued by your county registrar or Georgia Department of Driver Services (DDS);

· Valid U.S. passport;

· Valid employee photo ID from any branch, department, agency, or entity of the U.S. Government, Georgia, or any county, municipality, board, authority, or other entity of this state;

· Valid U.S.. military photo ID; or

· Valid tribal photo ID.

If a voter does not have one of these forms of photo identification, they can obtain a free voter ID card at their county registrar’s office or the Georgia Department of Driver Services. Photo identification is not required when voting by mail. For additional information about Georgia’s photo ID requirement please visit www.GAPhotoID.com.

Polls will be open from 7:00 a.m. to 7:00 p.m. on Tuesday, February 15.

Brian Kemp was sworn in as Secretary of State in January 2010. Among the office’s wide-ranging responsibilities, the Secretary of State is charged with conducting efficient and secure elections, the registration of corporations, and the regulation of securities and professional license holders. The office also oversees the Georgia Archives and the Capitol Museum.
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Georgia Tax Reform Report a Taxpayer Protection Pledge Violation

/PRNewswire/ -- Today Americans for Tax Reform announced that a vote in favor of the recommendations of the 2010 Special Council on Tax Reform and Fairness for Georgians would violate the Taxpayer Protection Pledge, as it constitutes a net tax increase. 55 Georgia lawmakers, including Governor Nathan Deal, House Speaker David Ralston, and Senate Majority Leader Chip Rogers have signed the Pledge, a written promise to constituents to oppose and vote against or veto all tax increases.

While the Council proposes some pro-growth reforms, such as the gradual reduction of personal and corporate income tax rates, they are more than offset with net tax increases. The income tax reductions amount to roughly $750 million in savings for Georgians, but tax increases on groceries, tobacco, communications services, the Internet and other services approach $2 billion. ATR believes that tax reform is a noble goal, but not when it constitutes a net revenue increase for state government.

ATR President Grover Norquist issued the following statement:

"In its current form, last week's tax reform proposal should be a non-starter for fiscal conservatives in the Georgia Legislature. While tax reform is indeed a laudable goal, it should not be presented in a way that increases the net burden on taxpayers and raises even more money for state government. Unfortunately, this report recommends just that.


"A significant reduction in marginal tax rates is long overdue in Georgia, which is wedged between two states – Tennessee and Florida – that levy no personal income tax at all. But if the goal is to use such reductions to mask bigger tax increases on groceries, tobacco, and a variety of services, it is not even worthy of a conversation.


"This is akin to shards of glass in a delicious creme brulee. It is a bit of desirable tax reform ruined by an overall tax hike. Thankfully, Taxpayer Protection Pledge signers run state government in Georgia. Because they have taken tax increases definitively off the table, I am confident that we can move past this initial foray into tax reform and begin a serious conversation about reducing the size and scope of state government in Atlanta." 

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Taxing the Internet

Remember the days when state taxes were not paid when you ordered that favorite item online?  It seems like times are changing.  How soon before all states tax the internet?  What do you think about this?

Internet Tax Bill Passed in Illinois

/PRNewswire/ -- The Internet Tax Bill (HB 3659) was passed in the Illinois Senate on January 5, by the House of Representatives on January 6 and brought to the Governor, who may sign it into a law as early as Friday, January 7.

The tax legislation relates to out-of-state merchants like Amazon.com and Overstock.com that do not have a physical presence in Illinois but have relationships with Illinois advertisers and publishers like CouponCabin.com. By this law, these merchants are deemed to have a presence (nexus) in Illinois and are therefore required to collect Illinois sales tax.

The goal of this is to increase tax revenue for the state, but what has happened in the four states that have passed similar laws (New York, Colorado, North Carolina and Rhode Island) is that instead of collecting sales tax, these merchants have severed their relationships with publishers in that state. Twelve other states have rejected similar legislation.

Statement from Scott Kluth, Founder and President of CouponCabin.com:

"Needless to say, we are disappointed by the passing of the legislation today. It was disheartening that both Houses passed this bill in 30 hours without a full and fair opportunity for the voice of Illinois small businesses to be heard. CouponCabin has been rapidly growing for the past several years; in fact, in November, we were only 12% behind Groupon's monthly traffic. For the third straight year, our staff has doubled in size and has already grown by 12% in the first week of 2011. Unfortunately, this bill will do significant harm to our growth by cutting our business by nearly one-third. Chicago has been an amazing home for CouponCabin for more than seven years. We are grounded in the community with our business and our charitable work and have no plans to leave. We hope the State will see that this bill will fail to achieve its revenue-raising goal, and instead cause drastic hardship for small businesses like ours. We know from other states' experience that the tax revenue does not materialize. Should this bill become a law, Internet affiliate jobs will be lost with no increase in state revenue. The other states that have passed this are moving to repeal it for this exact reason. We hope consideration will be given to the impact on small businesses before this bill becomes a law."

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Libertarian Party of Georgia Announces Legislative Priorities for 2011 General Assembly Session

The Libertarian Party of Georgia announced their focused priorities for the 2011 legislative session. With four major areas of focus, Tax Reform, Budget Process Reform, Election Reform, and defeating the Prescription Monitoring Act, the third largest political party in Georgia lays out how they hope to influence the legislative session that begins January 10th. Available on the Party's website, LPGeorgia.com, a four page document outlines their focus for the session.

"Georgia faces serious problems in the areas of taxation and spending, and the people of Georgia deserve serious solutions," said the Party's Legislative Director, Jeff Sexton. "The Libertarian Party of Georgia is committed to offering those solutions, working to allow voters genuine choices at the ballot box including the recall of officials the voters deem are not living up to expectations."

With a heavy focus on reforming taxation and budgetary processes, the Libertarian Party of Georgia demonstrates their commitment to lowering taxes for Georgians and limiting the size and scope of government. Urging the elimination of the corporate income tax, reform of SPLOST regulations, and lower tax rates with fewer exemptions make up the bulk of their Tax Reform proposals.

As one might expect, the Party also advocates for greater access to the ballot for all candidates, noting the strictest ballot access laws in the nation status that Georgia has received in recent years. They propose a bill similar to one introduced last session by Alan Powell (R-Hartwell), Rusty Kidd (I-Milledgeville) and Mark Hatfield (R-Waycross), which eliminated the need to collect petition signatures in order appear on the ballot. Such a bill would allow independent and "third party" candidates the same access to the ballot as their Republican and Democratic counterparts.

"Our focus is to make Georgia a better state," said Brett Bittner, the Executive Director of the Libertarian Party of Georgia. "We see these areas as places to accomplish that. Lower taxes, more choices, and smaller government are issues from which every Georgian can benefit, and we're working to achieve those objectives in our focused efforts this legislative session."

The Party also notes that they support the sale of alcohol on Sundays and oppose enacting the health care legislation, passed last year by the Federal Government, in Georgia.

The Libertarian Party is Georgia’s third largest political party and the only party in Georgia promoting fewer taxes, less government and personal liberty for all Georgians. To learn more, please visit www.LPGeorgia.com

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Westmoreland Stands Firm on Pledge to Cut Spending, Opposes Massive Funding Bill That Maintains Unsustainable Spending Levels

After months of uncertainty and three continuing resolutions, today the House of Representatives passed yet another continuing resolution to fund the government through March 4, 2011. The legislation continued funding for the federal government at the current levels. Westmoreland opposed the legislation for its failure to cut spending to pre-stimulus levels.

“I made a promise to my constituents that I would fight to decrease federal spending and pay off the deficit,” stated Westmoreland. “This country cannot continue down the unsustainable path it is on without serious repercussions for our children and grandchildren.”

Each year, Congress must pass 12 appropriations bills to fund the federal government for the following fiscal year. Even though they currently hold a majority in both the House and the Senate and also have control of the White House, Democrats have been unable to fully fund any of the 12 appropriations bills for the 2011 fiscal year, which began October 2, 2010.

“I still cannot understand how congressional Democrats – who still maintain control of both the House and the Senate – have failed for the fourth time to pass responsible appropriations bills for the 2011 fiscal year,” stated Westmoreland. “Tough decisions need to be made in Washington and this whole idea of continuing to pass the buck is simply unacceptable to me. Once this legislation expires next March, I look forward to working with my colleagues to pass a fiscally responsible funding bill for the federal government for 2011 and return the proper legislative process for spending measures for the 2012 fiscal year.”

The legislation has passed both the Senate and the House and will now be sent to the president for his signature.

Libertarian Party of Georgia Congratulates New State Election Reform Council Member David Shock

Georgia Secretary of State, Brian Kemp, announced this week the establishment of an Elections Advisory Council. This council was established in order to review the Georgia Election Code and State Election Board Rules. After reviewing these two sets of regulations, the Council will make suggestions in order to improve them. Particular attention will be paid to issues that will increase the efficiencies of state, county, and local governments, as well as cost-saving measures.

This Council includes members of the Democrat and Republican parties, as well as Independents, and Libertarian David Shock, an Associate Professor of Political Science at Kennesaw State University. "I want to thank Secretary of State Brian Kemp for creating the Elections Advisory Council composed of individuals representing the diverse geographic regions and political views of Georgia. As a member of the council, I hope to provide constructive feedback to help build a better electoral system in this state," said Shock, who joins other experienced elections officials and community leaders on the council.

"I commend Secretary Kemp for including a voice from the Libertarian Party of Georgia, especially one so well-respected and intelligent as David Shock," stated Brett Bittner, the Party's Executive Director. "I think that he realizes how important it is to have input from across the political spectrum and from all facets of government to provide the people of Georgia with the results that are the goal of this council. My hope for the Elections Reform Council is a recommendation for greater access to the ballot for all candidates, regardless of party affiliation, and more choice for the voters of Georgia, as a part of the reforms presented."

The Libertarian Party is Georgia’s third largest political party and the only party in Georgia promoting fewer taxes, less government and personal liberty for all Georgians. To learn more, please visit www.LPGeorgia.com

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Defeat of DREAM Act Gives Hope for True Immigration Reform in New Congress

/PRNewswire/ -- Dan Stein, president of the Federation for American Immigration Reform (FAIR), called the defeat of the DREAM Act amnesty "an important victory for the American people in their long-standing quest to achieve immigration reform that serves the public interest." Today's procedural vote in the Senate effectively blocks the lame duck 111th Congress from granting amnesty to millions of illegal aliens.

Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid (D-Nev.) and House Speaker Nancy Pelosi (D-Calif.) attempted to use the lame duck session to approve a broad amnesty that is opposed by the majority of American voters. With more than 20 percent of its members no longer accountable to the American people, the House approved the DREAM Act amnesty earlier this month with no hearings, little debate, and no opportunity for members to offer amendments. In the Senate, Majority Leader Reid introduced multiple versions of the bill in a desperate attempt to gain votes while employing every parliamentary maneuver possible to defy the will of the American people.

"FAIR is heartened that senators rejected this cynical attempt by the congressional leadership to take advantage of the lame duck session to pass legislation that lacked public support in during the preceding 22 months," said Stein.

The DREAM Act would have granted amnesty to an estimated 2.1 million illegal aliens who could meet minimal eligibility requirements. Beneficiaries would have been eligible for government loans and assistance to pursue post-secondary education. According to the Congressional Budget Office, passage of the DREAM Act would have added significantly to the federal deficit once beneficiaries became legal permanent residents.

While the DREAM Act offered generous benefits to illegal aliens, the legislation offered nothing to the American people except greater competition for jobs, educational opportunities, and increased public costs. The bill included no provisions designed to improve enforcement of American immigration laws.

"The defeat of this unwarranted and expensive amnesty bill clears the way for meaningful efforts to implement true immigration reform in the new Congress," Stein stated. "With the DREAM Act and other amnesty proposals off the table, the 112th Congress will have an opportunity implement immigration reforms that place the interests and concerns of the American people ahead of those of illegal aliens.

"As the 112th Congress approaches, there is broad public and bipartisan consensus about many long overdue immigration policy reforms. Most importantly, the new Congress must ensure that our nation's borders are secure and that laws against illegal aliens living and working in the United States are enforced. Implementing these reforms would benefit American workers and taxpayers, and enhance our national security. The American people see no reason why these needed reforms should be held hostage to granting amnesty to the people who broke our laws," said Stein.

"We congratulate the 41 members of the Senate who blocked this shameful attempt by the leadership to use dozens of defeated and retiring members of Congress to pass harmful legislation that the American people clearly oppose," concluded Stein.

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Westmoreland Votes in Favor of Pay Raise for Troops, Funding for Pentagon

Language in the Defense Department Authorization Bill Also Provides for Columbus Veteran to Receive Much-Deserved Distinguished-Service Cross

Today, the House of Representatives passed the Ike Skelton National Defense Authorization Act for 2011, a bill that will provide funding for the Department of Defense for the 2011 fiscal year. This legislation was devoid of controversial language repealing ‘Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell’ or providing funding for abortions in military hospitals contained in the Senate version. Congressman Westmoreland supported the bill.

“I am pleased the House was finally able to pass a clean Defense Department authorization bill,” stated Westmoreland. “Not only does this bill include a much-deserved pay raise for our military personnel, it also increases funding for much-needed missile defense and additional funding for our troops serving on the front lines in Iraq and Afghanistan. If there is one thing we must do in Congress, it is to make sure our military receives the necessary funding to keep our troops as safe and secure as possible and keep Americans safe from harm.”

The bill also awarded Captain James C. Copley from Columbus, Georgia, the Distinguished-Service Cross for his acts of valor on May 5, 1968 as commander of Company C of the 1st Battalion, 50th Infantry, attached to the 173rd Airborne Brigade during an engagement with a regimental-size enemy force in Bin Dinh Province, South Vietnam. The army has a three year limitation on awarding Distinguished-Service Cross, so an act of Congress was needed to ensure Captain Copley received his deserved honor. Congressman Westmoreland worked with Senator Chambliss to include language to waive the statute of limitation and award Captain Copley the medal.

“I am proud to be able to finally honor Captain James Copley for his bravery and valor during his service in Vietnam,” stated Westmoreland. “While under heavy gunfire, Copley opted for an exposed position to facilitate the evacuation of friendly forces. During that evacuation, he suffered a severe gunshot wound that tore through his throat and back. However, he refused medical evacuation and continued his mission until all friendly forces were rescued. His unwavering bravery in the face of danger is a true credit to this country.”

The bill must still be passed by the Senate and signed into law by the president to take effect. On December 18, 2010, the government will run out of funding when the current continuing resolution expires, including the Defense Department, unless another continuing resolution is passed. Westmoreland encourages the Senate to pass this clean Defense Department authorization so we can ensure our troops receive the funding they need to defend our country.