Today's news from GAGOP Presidential Preference Primary Date Set

Secretary of State Brian Kemp announced yesterday that Georgia’s Republican Presidential Preference Primary will be held on Tuesday, March 6, 2012. Also known as “Super Tuesday,” Georgia will join at least 10 other states across the country to hold what will be one of the largest and most vital days of the entire GOP primary process. Also, in accordance with the rules of the RNC, Georgia’s 76 delegates will be allotted proportionately to the candidates based on votes garnered in the primary election. Release: Georgia Republican Party Chairman Everhart Statement on Georgia’s Presidential Preference Primary  Nearly two weeks after President Obama sent his $450 billion jobs bill to Congress with the inspiring message “Pass this Bill,” Mr. Obama has still failed to rally up enough support for the measure – in his own Party. Senate Majority Whip Dick Durbin (D-IL) conceded this week that the Senate Democrats do not have enough votes to pass the President’s bill, even though they hold the majority in the chamber.

2012 GA GOP Convention Schedule

GAGOP Convention Schedule: The 2012 GAGOP Convention schedule is as follows:

Mass Precinct Meeting – February 18, 2012

County Party Meeting – March 10, 2012

District Party Meeting – April 14, 2012

GAGOP State Convention (Columbus, GA) – May 18-19, 2012

Also, the 2013 State Convention will be held at the Classic Center in Athens, GA on May 17-18, 2013.

Weekly e-Newsletter from Senator Isakson

Dear Friends,

Jobs are the number one issue on the minds of Americans and burdensome government regulations are one of the reasons employers aren’t hiring. I have been a long-time advocate for a moratorium on federal regulations in order to stimulate job growth and have repeatedly challenged the Obama administration over numerous rules and regulations they have issued since January 2009 across various agencies, including the Environmental Protection Agency and the National Labor Relations Board.  

The number one thing the federal government can do to create private sector jobs in the United States is to quit imposing burdensome regulations on businesses. Therefore, this week, I cosponsored legislation that would call for a one year “time-out” on all new federal regulations to give businesses a break from costly, job-killing regulations and provide a more predictable environment to foster expansion and growth.  

Specifically, the Regulatory Time-Out Act, S.1538, imposes a one-year moratorium on “significant” new rules issued from Executive Branch agencies and independent regulatory agencies from going into effect if those rules would have an adverse impact on jobs, the economy, or our international competitiveness. “Significant” rules include those costing more than $100 million per year. Exempt from the “time-out” are rules that foster private sector job creation.

Additionally, I have cosponsored the Regulation Moratorium and Jobs Preservation Act of 2011, S.1438, that would prohibit any federal agency from taking any significant regulatory action until the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) reports a monthly unemployment rate equal to or less than 7.7%. “Significant” rules include those costing $100 million or more or adversely affect the economy, productivity, competition, jobs, the environment, public health or safety, small entities, or state, local, or tribal governments or communities.

Existing overreaching regulations and the threat of more regulations in the future are leaving businesses on the sidelines as they wait for a more predictable regulatory environment in which to invest their capital. I am pleased to support these pieces of legislation because they would go a long way in supporting job growth and stimulating our economy.

Send Free Trade Agreements to Congress

I mentioned this last week in my newsletter, and the fact remains the same this week: there is one person in America who is stopping job creation by not letting our pending free trade agreements with Columbia, Panama and South Korea come to the floor of the House and Senate, and that is the President of the United States.  

On Wednesday, I participated in a colloquy on the Senate floor to explain how bypassing the trade agreements, Congress would promote private-sector job growth without adding to the national debt. Georgia’s unemployment rate alone is over 10 percent. The American people cannot wait until after November 2012 for job growth.

According to the U.S. International Trade Commission, the three trade agreements could increase U.S. exports by more than $12 billion. The Congressional Research Service predicts that the South Korea agreement alone would create 280,000 American jobs.  If we pass these free trade agreements, unemployment in Georgia will go down and we will have more prosperity.

Bipartisan Support for Super Committee

On Thursday, I joined a bipartisan group of 36 senators in a press conference to encourage members of the congressional “super committee” to seek the broadest possible bipartisan agreement to address the nation’s deficits and debt. The group, composed of 18 Republicans, 17 Democrats and one Independent, asked the “super committee” to “go big” when making cuts in government spending. The group, which has now grown to 37, agreed to a statement of principles that will be shared with members of the Joint Special Committee.  

The bipartisan, bicameral 12-member “super committee” was appointed to identify $1.5 trillion in budget savings over 10 years, in addition to the nearly $1 trillion in savings included in the debt-ceiling legislation. However, the Bipartisan Policy Center’s Debt Reduction Task Force (“Domenici-Rivlin”), the National Commission on Fiscal Responsibility and Reform (“Simpson-Bowles”), and the Senate’s own Gang of Six independently concluded that any meaningful and comprehensive solution should achieve at least $4 trillion in debt reduction if it is to reassure the financial markets, restore public confidence and create the foundation for long-term economic growth.

I am very encouraged to see 37 members of Congress, from both sides of the aisle, come together and in a supportive manner, encourage the “super committee” to come up with a comprehensive plan that reduces the debt by $4 trillion over a decade. Both parties contributed to our $14 trillion debt, and it is going to take Republicans and Democrats working together and finding common ground to get us out of this predicament. Failure to make these cuts is not an option. Our children’s and grandchildren’s futures are on the line, and they are counting on us to get it right.

Allow Responsible Homeowners to Refinance Mortgages at Current Low Rates

On Wednesday I testified before the Senate Banking Committee regarding the Helping Responsible Homeowners Act, S.170, that I introduced with Senator Barbara Boxer, D-Calif., to explain how it would boost economic growth and keep more Americans in their homes by helping up to 2 million non-delinquent homeowners refinance their mortgages at historically low interest rates.

Millions of responsible homeowners are current on their mortgage payments, but “underwater” on their homes because the value of their home is now less than the amount they owe on it. In fact, according to CoreLogic, 22.7 percent of all American homeowners with a mortgage are underwater. This legislation would save American families thousands of dollars and result in up to 54,000 fewer defaults, producing a net savings up to $100 million for Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac. Interest rates for 30-year home mortgages are currently at 4.12 percent, the lowest rate in 60 years. Yet of the 27.5 million mortgages guaranteed by Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac, more than 8 million still carry an interest rate at or above 6 percent. By removing the barriers that have kept these responsible homeowners trapped in higher interest rate loans, it would put thousands of dollars back in the pockets of struggling families and have a direct impact on the housing market.

Better Schools Mean Better Jobs

On Wednesday, I joined several of my fellow members of the Senate Health, Education, Labor and Pensions Committee, Lamar Alexander, R-Tenn., Richard Burr, R-N.C., and Mark Kirk, R-Ill., to announce that we are introducing a series of education bills to improve No Child Left Behind. On Thursday, I participated in a colloquy on the Senate floor regarding this important matter.

No Child Left Behind has built a foundation upon which many children, including students from low-income families, are performing at higher levels in the areas of math and reading. Although we have made progress since its implementation almost a decade ago, it is very important that we take the next steps to continue improving education in America. 

Much has happened over the last 10 years, and it is time to transfer responsibility back to states and communities. Since No Child Left Behind was enacted in 2002, 44 states have adopted common core academic standards, two groups of states are developing common tests for those standards, and more than 40 states are developing common principles for holding schools accountable for student achievement. These bills will accomplish the overall goal of infusing excellence into the nation’s public schools by challenging states to do better, and helping states raised standards in an environment where they are not told what to do by Washington, but are instead free to set, and meet, those standards themselves. The legislation would maintain No Child Left Behind requirements for reporting student performance in reading, math, and science. 

By reauthorizing No Child Left Behind with the important changes contained in our legislation, we will be making a critical investment in the future of our children and our country.  More specific information about these bills can be found on my website.

What’s on Tap?         

Next week, Majority Leader Harry Reid, D-Nev., has indicated the Senate will begin debate on Trade Adjustment Assistance legislation that will hopefully move the stalled free trade agreements forward in the Senate.

Sincerely,

GAGOP Playbook – Morning Report

Today’s Big Thing: For the first time since 1923, a Republican will represent New York’s 9^th Congressional District in the United States Congress. This seat, as you may remember, once belonged to then-Representative Anthony Weiner, and was an 11 point victory for Barack Obama in 2008.

In electing Republican Bob Turner, the people of New York sent an unmistakable rebuke to President Obama. This election was a referendum on the President and his failed policies, and is yet another sign pointing towards a sound defeat of the Democrats in 2012.

From the Associated Press & NPR: “It sounded improbable on the surface that a New York City congressional district where Democrats have a 3-1 registration edge and have held office for nearly a century could even come close to electing a Republican to the U.S. House. But voter frustration over the sour economy and President Barack Obama's policies made the improbable a reality… and portends a perilous national environment for Obama as he prepares to seek re-election next year.”

The Republican candidate in another special election, this one for Nevada’s 2^nd Congressional District, also won last night by a substantial margin.

The GAGOP congratulates Representative-elects Bob Turner (NY-9) & Mark Amodei (NV-2)!

In other news, Georgia’s Representative Hank “Guam” Johnson has announced that he will sponsor the “Full Faith & Credit Act,” a piece of legislation that will seek to eliminate the federal debt ceiling. This is not only reckless, but could also imperil our nation’s credit by giving the President & Congress a limitless taxpayer-funded spending spree. While the debt ceiling may be inconvenient for the Democrats as they attempt to run our nations deficit to unforeseen heights, it is a safeguard that we simply cannot do without. For more information on this bill, click here.

Meanwhile, when it rains, it pours for Barack Obama as his disapproval rating reaches a new high of 55% and his economic disapproval rating rises even higher to 62%.

Quote of the Day: Representative-elect Bob Turner: "We've been asked by the people of this district to send a message to Washington. I hope they hear it loud and clear. We've been told this is a referendum. Mr. President, we are on the wrong track. We have had it with an irresponsible fiscal policy which endangers the entire economy."

GAGOP Media Briefing

In the Headlines…

                        Atlanta Business Chronicle: Regents send FY ’13 budget plan to governor (Click here to read more)

AJC: Opinion: Can U.S. government grow sustainable jobs? No. (Click here to read more)

Macon Telegraph: NRA to Macon: Don’t try gun ban (Click here to read more)

Atlanta Business Chronicle: Nearly 100 Ga. communities to vote on Sunday sales (Click here to read more)

Savannah Morning News: Editorial: Georgia politics: Democratic party poopers (Click here to read more)

Tweetable: Georgia

@RepTomPrice: A #BalancedBudget Amendment would be an invaluable asset in the battle to ensure that Washington lives within its means.

@SenatorIsakson: Isakson Cosponsors Legislation to Impose 'Time-Out' on Obama Administration from Issuing Expensive, Job-Killin… (cont) http://deck.ly/~blDWz

@TomGravesGA9: My Op-Ed in today's AJC explaining why the federal highway program should be given back to the states. http://fb.me/158LZEs51

@RepPaulBrounMD: "Manufacturing is the industry hit the hardest by regulatory costs, with per-firm costs at $688,944. But all... http://fb.me/13KrNfvQO

AthensGA_GOP: @kempforsos will speak at Athens GOP Fall Fest. We'll also have a straw poll for the 9th District #gapol #gapolitics athensgop.com/p/2011-athens-…

                        Tweetable: National

@RNCResearch: Threadbare Coattails: Obama’s Failed Presidency Drags Democrats To Defeat In New York And Nevada. http://bit.ly/n6B7H0

@ReincePriebus: Congratulations to Cong.-elect Turner on his landmark victory in #NY9! Tonight the voters overwhelmingly rejected the Obama agenda.

@NRCC: Republicans have carried the day with twin victories in New York and Nevada! Congrats! #NV02 #NY09

@GOPLeader: 14 million Americans are out of work; that's equivalent to the population of Pennsylvania. We've got to work together #4jobs

@RNC: Emails: Obama White House Monitored Huge Loan to 'Connected' Firm http://abcn.ws/qdvfG4 #Solyndra

@SpeakerBoehner: Economists: eliminating excessive govt regs, threat of tax hikes a better alternative #4jobs growth http://j.mp/r4XmMt @GOPoversight

Letter from Congressman Woodall

Under the recently-passed Budget Control Act, Congress has guaranteed that the House and Senate will each consider a Balanced Budget Amendment before the year is through.  That said, time is passing quickly, and I want to make sure that I hear all of your thoughts and concerns about this important policy decision before we move forward.  Your feedback is incredibly valuable to me, and you should have every opportunity to provide it. 

 

This is why I am inviting you to participate in a Balanced Budget Amendment Telephone Town Hall Meeting this Wednesday, September 14, from 7:00PM until 7:30PM.  

 

Our nation still faces a mass of economic uncertainty due in large part to the $4 trillion that has been added to this nation's debt in the past 31 months—the most rapid increase we have experienced in our nation's history.  I talk to Americans every day who are scared about our nation's economic future.  As Americans, we can turn that fear into hope by finding the strength to make the necessary decisions today.  We can change the course of history today by bringing fiscal discipline to America in the form of a Balanced Budget Amendment. 

 

Not only would a Balanced Budget Amendment provide a permanent solution for restoring fiscal balance in Washington, but it would also grow America's economy without increasing the size of government.  A Balanced Budget Amendment demands that Congress clear the way for economic growth by reducing the burden of ruinous federal debt that is plaguing individual Americans, their families, and their businesses.  More "stimulus"—the new word for deficit spending—will not grow this economy.  America's job creators do not need Washington in order to succeed; they need Washington to get out of the way and simply protect their freedom to succeed.

 

Under a Balanced Budget Amendment, Washington and the American people would have no choice but to make the needed spending, taxing, and policy tradeoffs that are so often avoided today.  You know as well as I do that passing legislation is not enough.  We cannot rely on the occasional responsible President and Congress.  What one Congress can do, another Congress can undo.  It's time to take fiscal reform to the next step and pass a Constitutional Amendment that forces Congress to spend only as much as the American taxpayer is willing to give.

 

Again, my Telephone Town Hall Meeting will be this Wednesday, September 14 from 7:00PM – 7:30PM. Click here for call-in details.

 

With the proposed Balanced Budget Amendment coming down the pipeline, we need to stay in touch about how this piece of game-changing policy will affect America and the Seventh District. 

 

The Seventh District's commitment to freedom is second to none, and I am proud to serve on your behalf.  In 1995 the BBA passed the House and failed by just one vote in the U.S. Senate.  Imagine what this nation would look like today if America had found that one vote fifteen years ago.  Working together, we can ensure that America succeeds this time around. 

 

Thank you again for all that you do.  I look forward to being in touch again soon.

Sincerely,

Rob Woodall
Member of Congress

GA GOP Mornng Report

Today’s Big Thing: Tonight, eight of the Republican Presidential Candidates will take the stage at the Reagan Library in California for the next in a series of 2012 GOP Debates. The debate is slated to begin at 8:00pm ET, and can be watched on MSNBC or live online at POLITICO.  

Nationally, the American people are cautiously awaiting President Obama’s Joint Address to Congress on Thursday evening. While the exact measures to be proposed during his “jobs” speech are yet to be seen, it is almost certain that the President will call for substantial spending ‘stimulus’ to spur our economic recovery (sound familiar?). It seems that either way, this will be too little, too late for Mr. Obama, who seems more concerned with his re-election figures than our nation’s economic well-being.

The Republican National Committee released a web video this morning as a preface to tomorrow night’s national address entitled “Sound Familiar?” Says the RNC: Same words, same speeches, same filed policies. It’s time to change direction and defeat Barack Obama in 2012. Watch the video here.

Finally, for your viewing pleasure- POLITICO: The Incredible Shrinking Obama.

“The once-muscular presidency of Barack Obama has undergone a dramatic downsizing – in power, popularity, prestige and ambition – to the point where even Obama die-hards are starting to question his ability to right the economy or win reelection.”

GAGOP Media Briefing

In the Headlines…

Athens Banner-Herald: Butterworth to head Georgia National Guard (Click here to read more)

GPB: Republican Supermajority On Horizon (Click here to read more)

Columbus Ledger-Enquirer: Editorial: Teacher incentives: Governor might be onto something (Click here to read more)

AJC: Georgia’s primary date yet to be set (Click here to read more)

Human Events: Georgia Redistricting to Benefit GOP (Click here to read more)

Tweetable: Georgia

@RepPhilGingrey: To learn more about legislation passed by the House to eliminate excess regulations #4jobs, click here: http://1.usa.gov/rh4F4y

@TimEchols: industrialinfo.com - Georgia Power: Contractor Issues Fixed, Construction of Vogtle 3 and 4 is 'On Track': http://bit.ly/rniZcvvia @AddThis

@BrettHarrell: Congrats @MelvinEverson on promotion and appt to Dir Ga Comm for Equal Oppty by Gov Deal #gagop #gapol #welldeserved

@SueGAGOP: It is a shame that @BarackObama continues to choose prime-time speeches over real economic solutions. Americans deserve better. #gagop

@Georgia_AG: En route to Baxley for my first stop on a 4 day trip to South GA! #gapol

                        Tweetable: National

@GOPWhip: 62% of Americans disapprove of POTUS approach to #jobcreation. #GOP passed 11 bills that will help grow econ. http://wapo.st/qbntWu

@RNCResearch: POLITICO: The Incredible Shrinking Presidency http://bit.ly/qjpbeL

@SpeakerBoehner: GOP reaches out to @WhiteHouse on job creation, while economists, ed boards weigh in against more ‘stimulus’ spending http://j.mp/ok9AEs

@NRCC: Obama Has Zero to Say About Zero Jobs http://ow.ly/6kdCc #madeinwdc