tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14376093.post4852173646991996355..comments2023-11-03T10:47:51.717-04:00Comments on GEORGIA WOMEN VOTE!: Speaking of Ending It...Amy Mortonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07788827541049928217noreply@blogger.comBlogger7125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14376093.post-84808723371895165152007-09-11T05:12:00.000-04:002007-09-11T05:12:00.000-04:00if the dem caucus had been held in dubose' barn, i...if the dem caucus had been held in dubose' barn, i would have been invited, it didn't happen, yet.Vichttps://www.blogger.com/profile/01818080987390770336noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14376093.post-69068285958987426302007-09-10T08:42:00.000-04:002007-09-10T08:42:00.000-04:00Yes, I enjoyed reading about Mr. Hamrick's $4000 t...Yes, I enjoyed reading about Mr. Hamrick's $4000 trips this summer. That's just this summer alone. Oh, but he did turn down an invite to Hawaii. According to him that was a bit much. (eyes rolling)Button Gwinnetthttps://www.blogger.com/profile/03435875008430423570noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14376093.post-89059476192972236942007-09-09T21:46:00.000-04:002007-09-09T21:46:00.000-04:00This year, Reps. Oliver, Porter, Hugley and Smyre ...This year, Reps. Oliver, Porter, Hugley and Smyre were the sponsor of HB888 bill that capped lobbyist spending at $25.00. The text of the bill is here:<BR/><BR/>http://www.legis.state.ga.us/legis/2007_08/fulltext/hb888.htm<BR/><BR/>The bill went nowhere, but they were all sponsors. Now, I am suggesting that bill or no bill, the Democratic caucus simply start following the rules contained in the bill. How about we take the "Just Say No" approach to reforming a system that is rigged against the average citizen?<BR/><BR/>By the way, I did check the reports of lobbyist expenditures on Symre and Porter, and while there was some, it was very little compared to other legislators. I think the largest $ amount on Porter's disclosure was a $200 donation a lobbyist made on his behalf to the high school football team in Dublin. There was one dinner at $106.00 and a $75.00 tie, but the handful of other expenditures were right around $50 or less. Looks like Smyre accepted even less. The lobbyist disclosures are available on the State Ethics Commission website.<BR/><BR/>Still, my wish is that Democrats would bite the bullet and accept zero, none, nada. When most of the perks are being dolled out to GOP members, what better time to take such a stand? With the GOP pushing locals aside in decisions about taxation, it's a great time to shine a bright light on the issue of who, really, should be in control of government. <BR/><BR/>And, Track, oerhaps you have the "inside track" ;) on info on legislator's 'activities' because all I have heard on those two, I'd have to put in the catagory of rumor-something I'm careful not to state as fact unless I've got the goods. But, I feel your pain.Amy Mortonhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/07788827541049928217noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14376093.post-55710000637486484932007-09-09T20:12:00.000-04:002007-09-09T20:12:00.000-04:00If you would know how government works these day.....If you would know how government works these day...just follow the dollar...Tinahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/16764566800701618387noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14376093.post-23691397477253201392007-09-09T20:08:00.000-04:002007-09-09T20:08:00.000-04:00Sure, GA Dem's should be the party that says no lo...Sure, GA Dem's should be the party that says no lobbyists gifts over $50 bucks. Elected officials can pay for their own damn meals, their own damn trips.<BR/><BR/>GA Dem's should day we are the party of ethics in governance, and we don't need afilthy stinking penny from lobbyists.<BR/><BR/>But for GA Dem's to do so, that would mean DuBose and Calvin would have to make a stand and have some cajones...and that ain't happening.<BR/><BR/>They should also ban married legislators from sleeping with hotie lobbyists...even though it would affect the extracirricular activities of Glenn Ricahrdson and Ben Harbin.Open+Transparenthttps://www.blogger.com/profile/02248529568051717909noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14376093.post-323463149234447162007-09-09T17:19:00.000-04:002007-09-09T17:19:00.000-04:00My point is that if there were limits on the amoun...My point is that if there were limits on the amounts all lobbyists could spend, then the University system could spend a whole lot less and still be on equal footing with other industries. The fact that they are among the biggest spenders underscores the problem with the system at the Capitol. There are two levels to lobbyist spending-what an industry or entity pays the lobbyist and what the lobbyist spends directly or via their employer on legislators for tickets, dinners, trips and other perks. That's the part that needs to be capped.Amy Mortonhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/07788827541049928217noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14376093.post-31201084128833681852007-09-09T16:31:00.000-04:002007-09-09T16:31:00.000-04:00I'm too low down in the ranks to really know first...I'm too low down in the ranks to really know first hand about the lobbying the University System does. <BR/><BR/>Without such lobbying, I doubt the legislature would approve the new buildings (which is even a tenth of what we want). Most of those were vetoed by Governor Perdue. Maybe we need to start lobbying him as well. Its ironic that most of the regents were appointed by the governor who rejects their recommendations.Sneezyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/16465167890146557844noreply@blogger.com