Double digit increase best in 24 months - $48.2 million or 46 percent

State revenues took a jump in one of the two months normally associated with the Christmas buying season gaining 10.9 percent over December of 2009 for a total for the month of $1.55 billion or up $152.8 million.

I don’t recall a month anywhere near this increase for at least the past two years when virtually every month was under the same month a year before. Later in the column, we will try to put this six-month trend in perspective, but December certainly topped any expectations. Read More»

A new year means new and old challenges, some changes and looking at the 2012 budget and millage rates. So, as always, a lot to do.

Here we go again, as reported in The Citizen, Georgia House Speaker Ralston has intervened into the operation of the Transportation Roundtable because he had concerns over getting the tax passed. It resulted in Mayor Reed, of Atlanta, being put on the Executive Committee. So much for the legislature not getting involved in the process after passage of the bill. Read More»

With the recent flip of the calendar from 2010 to 2011, it is almost time for the Georgia General Assembly to convene again for its annual 40 day session beginning on Jan. 10.

I wanted to take the opportunity to give a preview of some of the prominent issues that will be considered by the state House and Senate this year. Before I do that, however, I would like to wish all of the readers of this column a very blessed and happy new year. I would also like to again say thank you to the citizens of Fayette County for giving me the opportunity to serve our home in the state House. Read More»

Things are a little slow this week, but we're gearing up for the new year - City Hall Closed on Friday, Christmas Tree Recycling is January 8, gas golf cart ban back on January 20 agenda, and status reports on the South 74 Baseball/Soccer Complex traffic signal efforts and the City Manager search. Read More»