JANUARY FEBRUARY2016

JAMESAN INSIDE VIEW INTO ’S NEWS, POLITICS & CULTURE

COLUMNS BY CHARLES BULLOCK // CHRISTINE DERISO // BRYAN GINN // RANDY EVANS // MAC McGREW REG MURPHY // GARY REESE // DANA RICKMAN // MATT TOWERY // LARRY WALKER // REP.

DEPARTMENTS Publisher’s Message 4 Floating Boats 6 ON THE COVER The state Senate Chamber in the Georgia Capitol FEATURES Looking Into the Future: The 2016 Legislature 8 JAMES by Matt Towery P.O. BOX 724787 “Popular Vote” Approach ATLANTA, GEORGIA 31139 19 404 • 233 • 3710 Gives Georgia More Presidential Clout by Charles S. Bullock, III

PUBLISHED BY INTERNET NEWS AGENCY LLC New University President Forges Strong Vision for Augusta 23 by Christine Hurley Deriso

CHAIRMAN MATTHEW TOWERY

CEO & PUBLISHER PHIL KENT COLUMNS [email protected] The 2016 Session: CHIEF OPERATING OFFICER LOUIE HUNTER It’s In the Speed Mode 11 ASSOCIATE EDITOR GARY REESE by Randy Evans ADVERTISING OPPORTUNITIES PATTI PEACH [email protected] New Georgia Mental Health Program MARKETING REPRESENTATIVE MELANIE DOBBINS Reaches the Unreachable 12 [email protected] by Gary Reese CIRCULATION PATRICK HICKEY [email protected] Georgia’s Philadelphia College of Osteopathic Medicine: A Decade of Growth 14 CONTRIBUTING WRITERS CHARLES S. BULLOCK, III by Bryan Ginn CHRISTINE HURLEY DERISO BRYAN GINN It’s Time for the Georgia Veteran RANDY EVANS 17 MAC McGREW Income Tax Exemption Bill REG MURPHY by State Rep. Jesse Petrea GARY REESE DR. DANA RICKMAN A New Year & New Resolutions MATT TOWERY 21 LARRY WALKER for Education in Georgia REP. JESSE PETREA by Dr. Dana Rickman Weathering Financial Ups and Downs 25 VISIT INSIDERADVANTAGE.COM by Mac McGrew SUBSCRIBE TO OUR DAILY INTERNET NEWS SERVICE $17.50/MONTH & RECEIVE JAMES FOR FREE Georgia On My Mind 27 CHECK OUT OUR SISTER PUBLICATION: by Larry Walker SOUTHERNPOLITICALREPORT.COM College of Coastal Georgia’s Incredible Growth 29 DESIGN & LAYOUT by Reg Murphy BURTCH HUNTER DESIGN PUBLISHER’S MESSAGE

Addressing Policy Issues Requires Leadership, Courage

he 2016 General Assembly commenced license tests for permanent residents are given in 11 foreign T with Gov. , House Speaker languages. They should be given in English— especially David Ralston and Lt. Gov. Casey Cagle since all road signage is in English. (The amendment has outlining legislative priorities. Special interest groups, common-sense exceptions for trade, tourism, court often represented by lobbyists, are weighing in on these interpreters, etc.) Another example is veterans’ legislation and other topics. So is the average Georgian, especially that state Rep. Jesse Petrea explains in a column. It through social media. A wide range of these policy issues exempts military pensions from the income tax with an are covered in this James, as well as by our parent offset that adds a new 28-cent tax on cigarette packs. Pro- company InsiderAdvantage which oversees a daily life advocates are also pushing legislation that could cover internet news service. (Check out insideradvantage.com women with such services as free pregnancy tests, and get a subscription, if you haven’t already!) ultrasounds and education programs. Veteran journalist Cindy Morley operates out of the Addressing the great issues of the day requires InsiderAdvantage/James office across from the state leadership and courage. Lawmakers “in the arena,” as former Capitol. She is part of our team which includes writers President Teddy Roosevelt said, can expect to be “bloodied.” Baker Owens and Jim Kingston. The InsiderAdvantage It reminds me of a compelling speech by U.S. Supreme Court daily morning email, by special arrangement, also Justice Clarence Thomas. The Georgia native spoke of his publishes legislative dispatches by respected Morris News naivete when, as a black Republican, he passionately Service reporter Walter Jones. And we feature a variety of questioned such “black” issues as racial preferences and other writers and opinion columns from a broad political welfare. Thomas recalled being smeared by “politically spectrum every day on our website. correct” enemies. “Those who come to engage in debates of Education is a big priority, so check out Dr. Dana consequence, and who challenge accepted wisdom, should Rickman’s article on the “top ten” issues to watch regarding expect to be treated badly,” he said. changes and opportunities in this vital field. This magazine The justice, however, went on to quote author Bea will solicit articles throughout 2016 featuring various Peach Himmelfarb: “We must not allow our desire to be decent State colleges. James publishes a popular July-August and well-mannered people to overwhelm the substance of Education Issue that rates Georgia’s public and private our principles or our determination to fight for their institutions of higher learning but we intend, in every issue, success.” Thomas said: “Active citizens … are branded to publish articles on education reform at all levels. mean-spirited, racist, Uncle Toms, homophobic, sexist, et What are other big issues for the legislative session? cetera. To this we often respond, if not succumb, so as not They involve whether to pass the Religious Freedom and to be constantly fighting by trying to be tolerant and non- Restoration Act (and in what form) and addressing casino judgmental. That is, we censor ourselves. This is not gambling, healthcare reform, medical cannabis expansion civility. It is cowardice. …” and transportation/infrastructure. (The legislative overview For those engaging in passionate debates over hot- column by Dentons attorney Randy Evans is a “must-read.”) button legislative issues, these are thought-provoking There are also bills that don’t receive much publicity words from a courageous, principled Georgian. but have merit. One is a constitutional amendment designating English as the official language of government. It is already a state law (as in 30 other states) but has loopholes that need to be closed. For example, driver’s

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The Georgia Association of Latino Elected Officials $516.5 million – $47.7 million ahead of last year’s record. (GALEO) and New York-based LatinoJustice are threat- Bottom line: The Lottery boat continues to be …RISING ening lawsuits against Gwinnett and Hall counties to pro- vide Spanish ballots, voter guides, poll workers and web- Richard Hyde, a one-time Atlanta policeman who has site information, citing a federal Voting Rights Act provi- served in recent years as the highly-respected investigator sion. Robert Vandervoort of the Washington-based for the state Judicial Qualifications Commission, has ProEnglish notes that a U.S. citizen is required to be now been appointed by Gov. Nathan Deal to be a member English-proficient, and questions why bilingual ballots of that judicial review board. Dozens of judges across the are needed at all. He says this latest attack on English as state have been removed from office for misconduct by the the tie that binds all Americans underscores the need for JQC as a result of Hyde’s investigations. He also performed the proposed constitutional amendment (S.R. 675) desig- yeoman work probing the Atlanta public school test cheat- nating English as the official language of Georgia’s gov- ing scandal as well as DeKalb County government corrup- ernment, and why GALEO’s ship should be…SINKING tion. Hyde will be a well-informed, no-nonsense JQC mem- ber, which means that the reputation of the panel, current- The University System Board of Regents approved a ly somewhat drifting, should be…RISING merger between Georgia State University and Georgia Perimeter College, making GSU the largest college in the The Washington D.C.-based Fordham Institute cites state (approximately 53,000 students). The cost-saving Atlanta as one of the “Top 10 Friendly” American cities merger process was a quiet one, as both sides pushed it for parental school choice— which includes charter through with virtually no opposition. For Georgia State, schools, private school vouchers and public magnet another big, if quiet move sees its ship…RISING schools. Yet Verdaillia Turner, president of the left-lean- ing Georgia Federation of Teachers, says “that is like say- While there’s a lot of excitement that Georgia State ing Chicago is the most murder-friendly city in the University and private developers led by Atlanta-based nation.” For such a ridiculous comparison, for which she Carter have been named the winning bidders for convert- has drawn scathing criticism, Turner and the anti- ing Turner Field into a mixed-use community and football parental choice lobby in Georgia is…SINKING stadium, there was a recent bump in the road. The University System Board of Regents, which would need to Gov. Nathan Deal— a former judge and prosecutor— approve the plan and how it is to be funded, was inexpli- received the Champion of Justice Award from the cably surprised by the announcement. A Board spokesman Georgia Trial Lawyers Association. President Darren tersely commented that ”there is substantial work that Penn said: “Deservedly, Governor Deal received wide remains ahead”— meaning there are many questions and praise for signing House Bill 17— the Hidden Predator complexities about how much and where all the funding Act— into law. Because of his support for this measure, would come from (and how much from taxpayers, if any?). our courthouse doors have been unlocked for victims of The Regents met in early January to discuss these issues, childhood sexual abuse. In addition, he has a strong track but some fear the plan could be…Drifting record of appointing highly-qualified judges to openings in our courts, has championed reforms to our criminal and The Georgia Lottery Corp. says Fiscal Year 2016 2nd- juvenile justice systems and has extended protections to quarter profits are the largest 2nd-quarter profits ever and some of our state’s most vulnerable citizens, including the second largest transfer to education in a single quarter. our seniors.” Especially for these accomplishments, the The 2nd-quarter profits transferred to the state treasury’s governor’s boat continues to be…RISING Lottery for Education Account totaled $262.6 million, sur- passing last year’s 2nd-quarter transfer by over $21.6 mil- A political revolution occurred in Savannah with the elec- lion. (This revenue funds the popular HOPE scholarship tion of Mayor Eddie DeLoach, a white Republican who and pre-kindergarten programs.) It is especially gratifying defeated a Democrat incumbent in a city with a 55 per- to note that lottery profits for the first half of fiscal year 2016 cent black population. High-profile City Council incum- are the highest in the corporation’s history, reaching bents were also ousted in favor of reformers. Crime was the biggest issue and enough voters across the political 6 JAMES spectrum felt the defeated mayor didn’t properly address rising crime. Perhaps now the city’s boat can be…RISING MORE POWER SOURCES MEANS LOWER ENERGY COSTS.

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While it may appear that my every day is occupied anti-discrimination language will have to be added to get this staring out at the sailboats from my home in Saint thing through; or legislators will move to Speaker David Petersburg, I’m actually still in Atlanta a great deal of the time Ralston’s pastor-based alternative. It has too much GOP sup- as I prepare to cover my last election cycle and continue to port in polls not to likely make it through in some form. But give “senior” advice to those who seek it at Hall, Booth, Smith if I were running a campaign (which I don’t anymore) in a (as well as to my colleagues at InsiderAdvantage). GOP primary I would bombard any incumbent with mes- Phil Kent has everything moving well at InsiderAdvantage, sages that they “expanded the rights of those of the Islamic which gives me the opportunity to spend a few days a month faith.” While in my mind it doesn’t matter a bit I’m guessing staring at the sunset. And sometimes having more physical dis- that would be a hard one to answer and a potential crusher tance makes things a bit clearer. at the polls. And you can’t expand rights for Christians with- Here’s my take on the polls and politics of the 2016 out including all religions hence the problem in the hands of Georgia General Assembly. a craft opponent with money.

Casino Gambling. The biggest issue is casino gam- Justice Reform. The governor’s proposed reforms to bling and I give it a much greater chance of passage than do help lessen the crazy “throw them in jail forever” laws I helped many pundits. My view remains that while Gov. Nathan Deal make law in the early 1990s will pass and for good reason! may be philosophically opposed to it, he and his crew have First offenders need the chance to reenter society without a known about this effort for years and will be unlikely to stop permanent scar. what appears to be a popular concept— at least based on the Atlanta Journal-Constitution statewide poll results. The gover- Medical Marijuana. Rep. is pushing the nor has nothing to do with its passage as a referendum (which envelope, but he has public opinion on his side. The “victory” must be placed on a general election ballot). Where he has of allowing limited use of the liquid form which passed last plenty say is in the enabling legislation. Deal could rightfully year, found immediate roadblocks due to regulations restricting say he opposes the referendum but the will of the people can- the ability to carry substances into the state. Again Governor not be thwarted. That’s where the potential funds for educa- Deal is said to have concerns, likely propelled by state law tion (such as the HOPE Scholarship) would propel this whole enforcement and judicial powers. But the polls are overwhelm- concept towards reality. Does anyone believe that virtually ing. My guess is that Deal, or those very close to him, might every lobbying and governmental affairs firm in the state have political goals that go beyond the governor’s current and (mine excluded) has been put on retainer to push these bills final term as governor. That means we can likely look for some if in fact the governor is determined to kill it off? These firms additional movement on the medical marijuana front. (and those not involved) raised most of Deal’s re-election funds. My guess is it passes after a lot of talk and clamor. We If Republicans want some free advice— coming from a will poll this for Fox5 WAGA-TV once the fight starts and see GOP legislator of a different era— the best thing they could where things stand. I know it seems dead but, like the lottery do is to quit regulating everything that isn’t nailed to the years earlier, things “happen” to come to pass. This has much ground. Sadly, the GOP takeover has been accompanied by a greater odds than the pundits are giving it. proliferation of laws designed to regulate virtually every aspect of our lives. Open government, transparency, and less Religious Freedom Bill. The percentage of voters government regulation were the mantra of the GOP before it who favor it slips to below 50% in the AJC poll once respon- took control of government (both statewide and in many dents are given a scenario of it being used as a way to dis- Georgia cities and counties) in recent years. And they wonder criminate against LGBT Georgians. Well, if you think the why Donald Trump is leading in the polls by a mile for the numbers drop there, just see what happens when you ask GOP presidential nomination in this state! respondents how they feel about the legislation’s “rights” extending to those of the Islamic faith! We did last year for Matt Towery is a nationally syndicated columnist, pollster, author Fox5 and support melted away. My guess is a heavy dose of and attorney. He is the author of the new book Newsvesting: Use News and Opinion to Grow Your Personal Wealth. 8 JAMES

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uring the weekend before the 153rd Georgia General That is not to say that these issues receive no attention. Assembly gaveled open, news media and pundits However, the real movers and shakers under the Gold Dome rolled out worn old notes from years gone by to predict make sure that what needs to get done does get done without what will happen this year. Oddly enough, when comparing derailing the overall progress of the state. each year’s predictions to the previous year’s prognostications, But there are a few things that make the 2016 General they always appear amazingly similar (if not the same). Assembly different, putting it on the brink of a new direction of In part, that is because some items are permanent fixtures on sorts. First, every member of the General Assembly is up for re- the Georgia legislature’s agenda. For example, the one job that election this year. Candidly, most of the races will be decided the General Assembly must always do is adopt a budget. In lean on qualifying day when no one else even qualifies to run against years (which in recent memory has been most years), it is a most incumbents. Those elections are over right then. particularly painful process since Georgia’s Constitution mandates Others find out then whether they will have any opposition that the Georgia budget must be balanced every year (unlike the at all— either in the primary or general election. There will be federal budget which can— and steadily does— involve large a few who get either primary or general election opposition. Yet deficits continually adding to the ever growing federal debt.) most won’t for one