Message to the Georgia House Republican Caucus: Dump Richardson!!!
This past legislative session is probably one of the most embarrassing for the state of Georgia. The Govenor, Lt. Govenor, and Speaker of the House promised tax cuts for Georgians with grand plans to return money to the taxpayers. Fast forward to the end of the 2008 session and we have nothing. Speaker Richardson had his “GREAT” tax plan that would remove the state property tax burden and distribute the tax burden on about 175 services in the state.
The plan was a failure. Richardson couldn’t get most people from his own party to support his tax plan. The House proposed an ad valorum tax removal while the Senate proposed an income tax cut. Neither chamber could come to an agreement on tax relief, so it pretty much died for this session. I find it amazing that a Republican-controlled Senate, House, and Governorship would rather allow political in-fighting to take precident over the interests of the citizens of Georgia. Not all the blame can or should be laid before the feet of the Speaker. However, I do believe that the Speaker is a liability more than an asset.
I believe that the Speaker’s biggest blunder was the fall-out after the DOT board elections. I believe that the Speaker showed himself to be a control freak who wanted to put his own croynies in power rather than working to move Georgia forward. He has made quite a few enemies in his own party and I would be willing to bet that most Georgians are not thrilled with him. The best advice I would give to the Republican Caucus in the State House would be to not re-elect him as Speaker and choose a competent leader who is willing to work for the benefit of the citizens of Georgia.
Tags: Georgia GOP, Georgia State House, No Tax Cuts For You
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June 25, 2008 at 12:35 pm
Well said! Very well said.