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Legislators outline 2007 agenda

By Stephen Milligan
The Walton Tribune

Published December 3, 2006

MONROE — Seeking to share legislative successes while looking for public opinion, Walton County’s elected state officials stopped by last week for a special legislative listening session.

Sponsored by the Georgia Chamber of Commerce and held at the Walton Career Academy on Wednesday, the event brought state representatives Jeff May and Len Walker, state Sen. John Douglas and state Sen.-elect Bill Cowsert to Monroe to talk about the issues they felt were facing the state and Walton County.

Among the various issues addressed, the lawmakers focused especially on illegal immigration and tax reform.

“We’re looking at significant tax reform this year,” May said. “Hopefully we’ll find something easier on individuals as well as businesses.”

Douglas, who campaigned in part on his belief in eliminating the state income tax, said he would move forward in attempting to remove the yearly tax.

“We’re looking at a constitutional amendment that would eliminate the state income tax and part of the state property tax,” Douglas said. “This would put us on an even keel with Florida and Tennessee, neither of which have a state income tax.”

Instead of the income tax, Douglas instead advocates an increase in the state sales tax — from 6 percent to 9 percent — in an effort to tax those currently not covered by the income tax.

“This allows us to capture those who aren’t paying taxes now,” May said, including illegal immigrants. “It also lets us catch interstate travelers, people at the airport. It’s a new source of revenue.”

Illegal immigration was a sensitive issue as well, not only for the lawmakers but for citizens who attended the meeting, and Douglas said that others around the state are also intent on doing more about the problem.

“This was the number one issue I heard, was illegal immigration,” Douglas said. “People are frankly sick and tired of paying the way for people who are here illegally. Whether it’s hospital care, emergency services or public schools, people are tired of it and want something done.”

Douglas is helping to sponsor bills that would directly fight against illegal immigration, including one that would require anyone applying for a vehicle tag to have a legal driver’s license. Douglas is also interested in increasing prison time for illegal immigrants.

“The federal government has basically abdicated its role, so people want the state to step in,” Douglas said, but added the state only has so much power over illegal immigration. “These are band aids we are putting on the problem, because the federal government has ultimate authority on immigration.”

Both Walker and Cowsert also spoke on the issues they felt were important, including health care and the certificates of need necessary for hospitals.

With the 2007 legislative session quickly approaching, Douglas said that they are ready to fight for Walton voters and their values.

“We’re going to continue to attack tough issues, apply down-home logic to the problems,” Douglas said.