Environment
Never in our state's history has there been a greater need
for strong leadership. The world as we know it is rapidly changing.
We must decide what of the old we will cling to and protect and what of the new we will embrace and support. It is clear that protecting our environment while supporting economic expansion will remain a challenge that deserves to be on the top of our priority list. Our candidate believes that Georgia can continue its strong economic growth without sacrificing our environmental treasures. Buddy's record is clear. He has been endorsed by theSierra Cluband received The Georgia Environmental Council's Legislator of the
Year Award in January 2004.
Education
Education will always be important to Georgians. Our current method of funding education in Georgia is outdated and simply does not work anymore. It is time to completely overhaul our method of funding public schools in this state. We must take care that a shift away from local funding to state wide funding does not bring with it a loss of local control of our schools. Our children will be better served when local school boards make day to day decisions about how schools are operated. Buddy worked for more than ten years to
bring a technical college campus to Liberty County. His support for
adult technical education is recognized statewide.
We will take whatever measures necessary to preserve and protect the HOPE SCHOLARSHIP.
Taxes
Buddy sponsored and passed legislation to reduce property taxes by increasing homestead exemptions. He fought for and passed legislation to stop "back door" tax increases by limiting increases in property assessments. His vote and support helped eliminate taxes on groceries, medical supplies ,and children's school supplies. He worked and voted to reduce taxes on retirement income,automobiles, and estates. He voted against taxes on saltwater fishing and
Internet sales.
Transportation
Transportation is an important local issue.We must focus our efforts to secure state funding for a bypass around Hinesville. The community and its local elected officials must agree on a
plan and work together to move forward. This bypass will help
eliminate a number of dangerous stretches of roadway and save lives in the process. Now is the time to move forward on this project.
Budget Cuts
When revenue falls, tough budget cuts are necessary. However, Buddy
has never believed in across the board cuts to solve budget problems.
Those less able to care for themselves, the very young and the very old, must be considered first. We can find places to cut the budget without abandoning our older citizens in nursing homes.
