State Representative Calvin Hill

Or not. That is the question that might be answered by Georgia voters next year if Representative Geisinger gets his way. He is attempting to put the question of Parimutual wagering on horse racing on the ballot as a constitutional Amendment.  According to his plan, all proceeds would go to such things as the H.O.P.E. Scholarship and trauma care. Additionally, the industry could eventually employ up to 10,000 people throughout the state.

That is only one of the interesting bills that are proposed for the Georgia General Assembly to consider as we reconvene for the last half of the 2011-2012 Legislative Session. I hope that you will take the time to follow any Bills of interest this year and let me know your thoughts on any of them. It is my honor to represent you and knowing what you think about any piece of legislation enables me to do my job a little bit better.

You can go to our main website, www.legis.ga.gov and from there watch live or archived meetings of the House or Senate, and most of our committee meetings. Georgia was the first state in the country to create this ability, so you do not have to leave the comfort of your home to see what we are up to. You may always provide your thoughts to me by email, This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it or calling my office at 404-656-0129.

One of the other newly introduced bills you might want to watch this year would be HB668. This Bill would require drug testing of people who want to get assistance from a state agency – such as welfare. There is sure to be some heated committee meetings on that one!

Not to be outdone, Rep. Scott Holcomb will be introducing HB 677 which would require drug testing of members of the General Assembly. The same test that we might be asking of welfare recipients. As he is only asking that we be tested every couple of years, there would be plenty of opportunity to try to smuggle drugs into the country in your underwear like Legislators used to do. Closer to home, Representative Byrd introduced HB 679, the Constitutional Carry Act of 2012, redefining the right to bear arms laws in Georgia.

Look for these and many other new and exciting Bills and Resolutions to be “cussed and discussed” throughout the last few months of session. I am sure that you will find your Cherokee Legislative Delegation to be in the midst of the fray. Please join in with your opinions so we can truly represent you.

December 10, 2011 is the date that tens of thousands of Americans express their thanks for the people that have given the intimate sacrifice to their country throughout the years. Wreaths Across America places wreaths on graves at Veteran's Cemeteries across the country and formally salute them at 12:00 noon, EST.

Major Calvin Hill has led the fundraising efforts of the CAP throughout the county for the Georgia National Cemetary in Canton. If you would like to contribute in any amount to this worthy cause, please send your donation to: Wreaths Across America, 145 Mountain Brook Dr. Canton, GA 30115. There is no time limit. Wreaths cost $15.00 each or 3 for $ 30.00.

Georgia National Cemetery, Canton, December 2011

It has become painfully obvious that our federal government has almost become gridlocked on any legislation that is driven by political idealism and party positions. Bi-partisanship is, unfortunately, ruling the day and there we no longer have a President with the desire or ability to lead – but rather the desire and ability to criticize the Republican party whenever he does not like the way things are going. The failure of the “Super Committee” this weak highlights his latest failure to step up and lead. Anybody with any political experience knows that they would have presented a plan to Congress if he has stepped in and made them work it out.

A scholar from the Institute for Policy Innovation declared the official death of the Super Committee this way:

November 22, 2011 Nov. 22: A Lone Gunman and the (Budget) Crime of the Century

On Nov. 22 we recognize the tragic loss of an American icon, one that became a symbol of hope for millions of Americans, as well as others around the world, that Washington could do better. That we could begin to shape a future that was better than the past and move forward knowing that we were not asking what our country could do for us, but what we could do for … ourselves.

I am talking, of course, not about JFK, but about the tragic death of the Super Committee.

News accounts of its waning days indicated that the Super Committee tried mightily to reach a deal. Both sides identified some concessions they were willing to make; Camelot might be in sight. But it wasn’t to be.

There are conspiracy theorists who believe lots of people were responsible for the failure. Count me in the “lone gunman” category. An out-of-touch, left-leaning individual running for reelection killed it.

He has decided that demonizing higher-income families and demanding that they pay higher tax rates is a political winner for him in 2012, even if it devastates his party—as it did in 2010.

Others may have wanted a deal; he didn’t, unless it included not just increased revenues—which some Republicans were apparently willing to concede—but higher tax rates, which Republicans would not accept.

The dream of a bipartisan solution is dead. Now we’ll see if the gunman can get away with his crime.

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Today’s PolicyByte was written by IPI Resident Scholar Dr. Merrill Matthews.

PolicyBytes is published by the Institute for Policy Innovation and distributed via email, as well as through the website at http://www.ipi.org PolicyBytes may be reproduced or quoted with appropriate attribution, which should include the name PolicyBytes, and either the name "Institute for Policy Innovation", or the acronym "IPI". Media inquiries should be directed to This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it

ATLANTA – Representative Calvin Hill officially opened the 5^th Annual Freedom Fighter’s Open/Operation Santa Claus golf tournament with special guest, Col. Michael Steele. Col Steel was the Company Commander of the Rangers in the Somalia Operation Gothic Serpent that was made into the book and movie BLACK HAWK DOWN.

Proceeds from this tournament will support Georgia based troops and their families while they are deployed. Most of the participants are veterans of our armed forces and many of them represent the special operations units of their respective service branch.  Former Army Ranger Christian Stevens is the organizer of this annual event.