Tuesday, February 19, 2013
The delegation on Monday shared with residents what bills they are supporting or introducing during the 2013 legislative session.
Cherokee County's legislative delegation on Monday was greeted with about 50 residents who filed into the Cherokee County Historic Courthouse in downtown Canton to hear what pieces of legislation they plan to champion. Lawmakers during the session, which is already halfway over, shared with the audience which bills they've endorsed, sponsored or introduced. The forum was hosted by the Cherokee County Republican Party. State Senator John Albers (R-Roswell) was not able to attend the forum. State Rep. Calvin Hill (R-Hickory Flat) State Sen. Barry Loudermilk (R-Cassville) State Rep. Mandi Ballinger (R-Canton) State Sen. Brandon Beach (R-Alpharetta) State Rep. Michael Caldwell (R-Woodstock) State Rep. John Carson (R-Marietta) State Rep. …
Tuesday, February 5, 2013
The Cherokee County School Board sat down last week with most of the Cherokee legislative delegation to discuss the board's legislative priorities.
Members of the Cherokee County legislative delegation and the Cherokee County School Board came together late last week to discuss the school board's 2013 legislative priorities as well as to discuss what the state's plans were to shore up education funding. With the exception of Michael Geist, the entire school board attended last week's meeting with the delegation. Both State Rep. John Carson (R-Marietta) and State Sen. John Albers (R-Roswell), both of whom represent the southeastern corner of the county, also did not attend the meeting. The priorities, which were approved by the board last month, are: School board members asked members of the delegation if they would commit to ensuring each of the four points would be addressed during…
The Cherokee County Board of Commissioners will discuss a proposal in the state legislature that would allow counties and cities to collect a fraction of a percent of a Special Purpose Local Option Sales Tax.
A proposal to allow counties to call for voters to consider approving fractional pennies on a Special Purpose Local Option Sales Tax will be discussed by the Cherokee County Board of Commissioners during its meeting on Tuesday. The board's meeting will start at 6 p.m., following its 3 p.m. work sesssion at the county administration building. State Rep. John Carson (R-Marietta), who represents the extreme southeastern portion of Cherokee County, is sponsoring a bill in the Georgia State House that would allow counties to impose the SPLOST at less than one percent. Cherokee County Commission Chair Buzz Ahrens, who said the commission has asked the Cherokee legislative delegation at least three times to push such a bill, said the legislation…
Sunday, January 20, 2013
Cherokee State Rep. Calvin Hill (R-Hickory Flat) has released his committee assignments for the 2013 legislative session.
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Sunday, January 20
The Committee on Assignments announced House committee assignments for the Georgia General Assembly 2013-2014 term. State Representative Calvin Hill (R-Hickory Flat) was tapped to chair of the newly re-organized Code Revision Committee. "I’m honored that Speaker (David) Ralston and the Committee on Assignments has appointed me to chair the Code Revision Committee as I have always been more interested in reducing the number of laws on the books rather than try to create more, something that I believe most Georgians would agree with," Hill said. "This is an ideal position for me and I will be working closely with the Speaker and his staff to accomplish this goal of reducing the size of state government." Additionally, Hill was appointed …
Friday, January 18, 2013
What do you think Georgia legislators should tackle during its 40-day session?
With the Georgia General Assembly kicking off its legislative session today, which of these topics should be their priority, and why? Tell us what you think in the comments!
Sunday, December 30, 2012
The Canton resident will become the newest member of the Georgia House of Representatives once the Georgia General Assmebly's 2013 legislative session starts in January.
Political newcomer Mandi Ballinger of Canton will soon take office as the first state representative in the newly created Georgia House District 23. The district is new to Cherokee County and covers western Cherokee, ranging from the southwest portion up to north Canton and extending the northwest corner. Ballinger, 37, has a bachelor of business administration in finance from Kennesaw State University. She and husband Eric Ballinger have one son Henry, 6 and they attend St. Peter Chanel in Roswell. Ballinger discussed her plans for her new role with Patch. 1. Now that the dust has settled, how do you feel about starting this new position? I am excited to get to work. Everyone in the (state) house has been very welcoming to me a freshman…
Thursday, December 27, 2012
The Woodstock state representative-elect is gearing up to serve his first term in the Georgia House of Representatives.
At age 23, Woodstock resident Michael Caldwell is the youngest state legislator elected to the Georgia General Assembly, which will convene on Jan. 14 for its 2013 session. But that doesn't phase the representative-elect from the House District 20 seat, which covers most of Woodstock and Towne Lake. Caldwell is ready to serve the residents who elected him to the seat, but noted he's "humbled" by the support he's garnered in his new capacity. Caldwell defeated State Rep. Charlice Byrd (R-Woodstock) during the July Republican primary. It was his second time in as many years challenging Byrd in the Republican primary for the seat. He later defeated Democratic challenger Lillian Burnaman in the Nov. 6 general election. Caldwell, regional …
Monday, January 2, 2012
Here's your roundup of top stories from Patches in Cobb, Cherokee, Douglas, Bartow and Paulding counties for Jan. 2.
For more on these stories, click on the following links:
Sunday, January 1, 2012
Georgia's new laws for 2012 also include a 75-cent fee for prepaid cellular service.
The new year brings the next phase in Georgia’s anti-immigration law, a new fee for prepaid cellphone service and the prospect for golf carts rolling through city streets statewide. Most laws in Georgia go into effect when they are signed by the governor or July 1, the start of the state’s fiscal year, but Jan. 1 has some legislative significance—particularly if you’re a doctor with a 7-year-old child and you want to drive your golf cart to the hospital where you employ more than 500 people in a drought-stricken area that hopes for a tech-driven economic revival. Read Patch’s rundown of the legal meaning of today, and it will all make sense (click on each bill number to read the full legislation). H.B. 87, the Illegal Immigration Reform …
Frank Jones
12:55 pm on Tuesday, February 5, 2013
The county has all of the taxing authority that they need...It's called Property Taxes. Instead of using their authority and doing their jobs (yes, the Commissioners are employees hired and paid to make tough decision), the County Commissioners want to pass the buck to the citizens of Cherokee County increase taxes. Nice! Of course, Mr. Ahrens will proclaim that raising property taxes is bad for … more ›