Senator Chance Co-Sponsors “Taxpayer Protection Act”

State Senator Ronnie Chance (R-Tyrone) has Co-Sponsored Senate Resolution 20 - “Taxpayer Protection Act of 2011.” The proposed Constitutional Amendment would limit how many tax dollars the state of Georgia can spend in any given year.

“This measure will guarantee that Georgia never over steps its bounds when spending the taxpayer’s money. The Taxpayer Protection Act is the responsible thing to do. This legislation will protect the taxpayers and force legislators to keep spending in check,” said Senator Ronnie Chance.

“Senator Chance understands that the money we spend in government is not ours, it’s the taxpayers. He also understands that we need to keep government the size it needs to be. The Taxpayer Protection Act will protect future generations of Georgians from government growing too large,” said Senate Majority Leader Chip Rogers, the sponsor of the Resolution.

Senate Resolution 20 would restrict the state from spending any money in excess of the previous year budget adjusted for inflation and population. Any additional revenue beyond the spending limitations would be required to go into the Rainy Day fund until it reaches a point of 15% of the previous year spending. Once the Rainy Day Fund is at 15% additional revenue would be used to slowly phase-out the state income tax.

The Amendment was approved Wednesday by the Senate Finance Committee in a unanimous bi-partisan vote.

Sen. Ronnie Chance, Feb. 24th Update

This week, the Georgia General Assembly reached the 20th Legislative Day, which marks the halfway point of the 2009 Legislative Session. The Legislature has been working hard to ease the problems caused by the global economic crisis, and thus far the Senate, House, and Governor are all working together. A good example of this is the Homeowner Tax Relief Grants (HTRG).

Early this session, the Governor proposed the elimination of funding for the HTRG because of budget concerns. The money for these grants was approved last year, and local governments had already factored them into their bills. Had the legislature not acted, many citizens across Georgia would have received an additional property tax bill for several hundred dollars.

However, I am pleased to report that we have successfully saved the grants. The House and Senate, acting quickly, passed legislation that the Governor has already signed to ensure funding for these grants will occur. It was very important to secure these grants in these difficult economic times.

Below are a few updates on bills moving through the legislature:

An Effort to Create Jobs for Georgians

This week, Republican Leadership in the Georgia General Assembly continued work on a package to stimulate the economy through the private sector. The "Jobs, Opportunity, and Business Success Act of 2009" will provide tax incentives to create real, long-term jobs in Georgia.

The bill includes the following:

$500 credit towards the unemployment insurance tax for each eligible employee hired.
$2,400 Income tax credit for each eligible employee hired. This credit will be available to those who hire an employee that has been unemployed for at least 60 days and remains employed for at least 24 months at a rate above the average weekly rate of unemployment benefits as determined by the DOL.

Start a "new business" holiday. This component would create a one year "holiday" on new filings for LLC's, Limited Partnerships and For Profit Companies.

Elimination of the State Inventory Tax on all Georgia businesses.

Elimination of the Sales Tax Deposit.

Gradual elimination of the Corporate Income Tax. This is a gradual elimination of the Corporate Income tax beginning in 2012 and phased over 12 years. Beginning in 2012, the tax rate will be reduced by .5% each year over 12 years. We are avoiding short-term revenue loss to the state while signaling a pro-business, pro-jobs plan for the future.

Senate Votes to Strength Food Safety in Georgia

The Senate passed Senate Bill 80, which imposes stricter guidelines on food testing for processing plants in response to the nationwide salmonella outbreak that was linked to a South Georgia peanut butter plant.

The legislation requires that food processing facilities report suspicions of contaminated food, food testing and retention of testing results to the Department of Agriculture. This bill provides the Department access to any food processor's testing records for the presence of contaminants.

The Commissioner of Agriculture is also directed to establish requirements for regular food testing. Processors are to report positive finds of contaminates within one business day of the discovery directly to the state. The bill also gives the Commissioner the right to test any food if there are reasonable grounds to suspect contamination.

SR 1: The "Taxpayer Protection Amendment"

This measure passed by the Senate would require any additional state revenue collected in future years to be appropriated in the Amended Budget in the following priority: 1. Satisfying the state's student enrollment increases; 2. Funding of the Revenue Shortfall Reserve until the fund reaches 10 percent of the previous year's budget.; 3. Any remaining surplus would be put towards outstanding debt and/or providing taxpayer relief. If passed and signed by the Governor, the resolution would go before voters as a proposed constitutional amendment on the November 2010 ballot before becoming law.

Illegal Aliens in Georgia Prisons

The Senate Veterans, Military and Homeland Security Committee passed SB 136 which decreases the costs and expenses of operating state prisons by deporting many of the illegal aliens in our prison system. SB 136 requires the Department of Corrections and the State Board of Pardons and Paroles to participate in the U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement Rapid Removal of Eligible Parolees Accepted for Transfer (REPAT) Program. In an effort to crack down on the increasing population of illegal immigrants living in Georgia, the bill expedites the deportation process of aliens incarcerated or eligible for parole. Aliens who participate in this program would waive any right to appeal their conviction and would be required to serve the remainder of their prison term without parole if they are caught in Georgia illegally again.

Thank you for your interest. Please contact me if I may be of assistance at (404) 463-1366 or at ronnie.chance@senate.ga.gov.
---
www.FayetteFrontPage.com
Fayette Front Page
Community News You Can Use
Fayetteville, Peachtree City, Tyrone
www.GeorgiaFrontPage.com
www.ArtsAcrossGeorgia.com
---

Georgia Right to Life Endorses Senator Ronnie Chance

The Georgia Right to Life Political Action Committee announced its endorsement of Senator Ronnie Chance in his reelection effort.

Georgia Right to Life thanked Senator Chance for his commitment to the protection of the human life.

Georgia Right to Life endorsements are based on responses to candidate surveys, voting history and evaluation of candidates’ and their commitment to the cause of Life. Georgia Right to Life stated to Senator Chance “As a candidate who has demonstrated a willingness to stand for the sanctity of life, we are especially pleased to commend you and look forward to working with you during the next Georgia General Assembly.”

“I am honored to have the support of Georgia Right to Life and its members,” said Senator Chance.

Senator Chance represents the 16th Senate District that includes all or part of Fayette County, Lamar County, Pike County, and Spalding County. Having spent his entire life in Fayette County, Senator Chance understands the traditions and values of the families in the 16th District.
---
www.FayetteFrontPage.com
Fayette Front Page
Community News You Can Use
Fayetteville, Peachtree City, Tyrone
www.GeorgiaFrontPage.com
www.ArtsAcrossGeorgia.com
---

Senator Chance Honored with Pathfinder Award

The Brain and Spinal Injury Trust Fund Commission presented its annual Pathfinder Award to Senator Ronnie Chance of Tyrone, GA. Senator Chance is being honored by the Brain and Spinal Injury Trust Fund Commission for his commitment to Georgians with traumatic brain and spinal cord injuries.

The Commission’s executive director Craig Young and Commission Chairman Rusty Kidd presented the award to Senator Chance in Senate chambers on Wednesday.

Rusty Kidd said, “The Commission is proud to present Senator Chance with our Pathfinder Award. Senator Chance has been an outstanding proponent and friend to persons with traumatic brain and spinal cord injuries. His support of the Commission and Georgians with disabilities is to be highly commended.”

The Pathfinder Award was painted by Allen London, an Atlanta artist who suffered a traumatic brain injury in a motor vehicle crash in 1994.

Senator Chance represents the 16th District, which includes all of Pike and Lamar Counties and parts of Fayette, Monroe and Spalding Counties.
---
http://www.fayettefrontpage.com/
Fayette Front Page
Community News You Can Use
Fayetteville, Peachtree City, Tyrone
http://www.georgiafrontpage.com/
http://www.artsacrossgeorgia.com/
---

Fall Football and Family Fun Day

You and your family are invited to join us in supporting
State Senator Ronnie Chance
(Republican, Tyrone)
at his Fall Football and Family Fun Day!

Saturday, September 13, 2008
12:30 p.m. - 3:30 p.m.
500 Aviation Way
Hanger B4
Peachtree City Airport
Peachtree City, GA 30269

Featuring Special Invited Guests
Governor Sonny Perdue
and
U.S. Representative Lynn Westmoreland

Food and Drinks Provided
Special Football Viewing Area Included
All Members of the Family are Invited!

R.S.V.P. to Billy Kirkland at rsvp@five-points.net or 678.458.7355
by September 8th

There is no cost to attend
If you would like to make a contribution to Senator Chance's re-election campaign, please bring a check to the event or mail to:
Chance for Senate
P.O. Box 267
Tyrone, GA 30290

State law requires us to make our best effort to collect and report the name, mailing address, occupation, and name of the employer for individuals contributing in excess of $100 per election cycle. Personal and corporate contributions up to $2300 per election cycle are allowed. Contributions are not deductible for tax purposes.

http://www.chanceforsenate.com/
Paid for by Chance for Senate

Senator Ronnie Chance Holds 4th Annual Golf Tournament

PLEASE JOIN GOVERNOR PERDUE'S FLOOR LEADER
STATE SENATOR RONNIE CHANCE
AT HIS 4th ANNUAL GOLF TOURNAMENT!
Monday, September 15, 2008
Whitewater Creek Golf Course
175 Birkdale Drive, Fayetteville, GA 30215
8:30 a.m. - Registration, Meet & Greet
10:oo a.m. - Shotgun Start
TOURNAMENT LEVELS:
Tournament Sponsor: $1500 (includes sponsor recognition, hole sponsorship, team of four players)
Team of Four: $1000
Hole Sponsor: $500
Individual Player: $300
Individual Constituent Player: $200
Other Donation: _________

Lunch is included and prizes will be awarded post-tournament!
For more information, Please call:(770) 969-9155
Or email:
rsvp@five-points.net
Registrations may be faxed to: (770) 969-9755
To make a contribution online, please visit:
www.chanceforsenate.com
Donations and registrations may be mailed to:
Chance for Senate
P.O. Box 267
Tyrone, GA 30290
---
www.fayettefrontpage.com
Fayette Front Page
Community News You Can Use
Fayetteville, Peachtree City, Tyrone
www.georgiafrontpage.com
www.artsacrossgeorgia.com
---