GOP Culture of Corruption in the News Again

GOP Culture of Corruption in the News Again

Just when some thought the scandal of the week would be Fox5’s Dale Russell’s investigative report about the hunting trip involving Governor Perdue and four key legislators, quotes from 2003 in Fortune Magazine by Insurance Commissioner John Oxendine caused a bigger stir.

When speaking to a conference of auto-insurance managers, Oxendine made these shocking remarks:

“I am not a professional regulator; I am a politician…. I’m going to do what I think is going to get me reelected.”

“You need to realize that you have to find a way to always make me look good in front of the voters.”

“I’m the incumbent. You all are going to give me money because you’re afraid not to.”

This last comment came when he was making it clear that individuals in the insurance industry are not barred from making contributions to his campaign even though their companies are prohibited from supporting the campaign of the constitutional officer who is supposed to regulate them.

Oxendine did not deny the authenticity of the quotes but claimed that the magazine took his words out of context.  Click here to read the industry newsletter that Fortune used as the basis of their article.  This latest revelation comes on the heels of the refusal of the PACs from Alabama who funneled $120,000 to his gubernatorial campaign to comply with the ethics commission’s subpoenas.  Last week, a leading GOP blogger called for Oxendine to resign and withdraw from the race for Governor.

Back to the hunting trip – another example of politicians not following the spirit of the law.  Atlanta’s Fox5 detailed outings to a rural hunting preserved belonging to Southeastern U.S. Insurance (SEUS), including flights on a private plane.  Formerly owned by Clark Fain, the recent failure of SEUS is currently under criminal investigation.  The Governor and four legislators claim that no state business was discussed during their trip; however, SEUS did provide the Georgia Department of Labor with workers’ compensation coverage and also had business relationships with local governments in GA.  We may never know what was discussed, but it just doesn't look right.

The voters of Georgia are tired of politicians finding loopholes to evade gift limitons, lobbyist disclosure requirements and campaign finance and ethics laws.  For me, being Governor will be a ‘round the clock job - 24 hours a day and seven days a week.  If I’m traveling on state business, my schedule and details of the funding will be published.  If I am taking some personal time off, it will be on my dime.  As your Governor, you can trust me to conduct the people’s business in the bright light of day.
 

Legislature Headed in the Wrong Direction

Before their two-week recess, the Senate took action on the midyear budget and moved forward the Governor’s plan to use funds from the Georgia Environmental Facilities Authority (GEFA) to plug a $300 million hole in the state budget for 2011.

The midyear budget adjustment includes three more days of furloughs for teachers and state employees between now and the end of June.  As I’ve said before, I wouldn’t balance the budget on the backs of these dedicated government employees.  There are millions of dollars of special interest tax breaks that I would pause or eliminate before calling for furloughs.

Governor Perdue wants to raid the GEFA water and sewer bond money to cover $288 million of the 2010 budget shortfall.  I share the concerns of most local elected officials – this is the wrong way to balance the budget.  The GEFA fund is the only source of bond funding for many cities and counties who are working to improve their water management in the face of our water crisis.  The state government already pushes too many unfunded mandates down to local governments; we just can’t afford to cut off this path to solutions to our water problems.


Talking Transportation at the Depot

Elizabeth and I enjoyed visiting with our long time friend Ovis Stephens at the Cordele/Crisp County Fish Fry at the Freight Depot in downtown Atlanta.  In addition to hearing more positive responses to my pledge to not take a paycheck until the state unemployment rate reaches 7%, I had several good conversations about Cordele becoming an inland port.  As a part of the discussion of how to best take advantage of the tremendous growth of the Port of Savannah, I have often advocated for the expansion of rail service away from Savannah to inland destinations like Cordele.  The community leaders in Crisp County understand the need for creative transportation solutions to expand the economic benefit of increased shipping beyond the coastal area.

 
West Georgians Understand Link between Education
and Growing Our Economy

I enjoyed the opportunity to speak to the West Georgia Trial Lawyers Association in Carrollton.  Like so many of their neighbors, these small business owners are greatly concerned about returning Georgia to prosperity.  They know that the next Governor must find solutions to our state’s transportation problems, and they expressed their concerns about our water crisis.  I assured them that I understand the needs of the communities downstream from Atlanta.  They also responded well to my plans to transform public education in Georgia, especially my commitment to turning our state’s classrooms into 21st Century centers of learning.  I’d like to thank Jon Greer for this speaking opportunity and for making me feel so welcome.

 
Breakfast with Advocates of Strong Action on Water Crisis

Rather than an evening reception at the Depot, members of the Georgia Water Coalition hosted an early morning breakfast for legislators.  Elizabeth and I were pleased to hear that the legislators seem to be responding positively to Governor Perdue’s better-late-than-never, good-first-steps water legislation.  I hope this group’s efforts to strengthen these measures are successful.

As your Governor, I will immediately take the bold steps needed to create a culture of conservation that will give us the leverage we need to negotiate a successful water agreement with our neighboring states.  Click here to see my water plan.  It’s always a pleasure to visit with these champions of sound stewardship of our state’s most precious natural resource, and I thank Chris Osbourne for the invitation.


Campaign Trail Is Not Always Smooth

The weather created some campaign obstacles recently.  The snow storm caused a number of cancellations to my schedule.  I had planned an extensive visit to Macon to meet with community leaders and the VFW conference.  Concerns about overnight freezing temperatures caused the Gwinnett Democrats to cancel their monthly breakfast.  I thank Mike Berlon, Gwinnett Dems chair, for allowing me to reschedule for April.  The good news of the snowy Valentine’s weekend was that I got to spend some quiet time with my wonderful bride and our granddaughter Victoria who spent her winter break with us.


Another Hero Falls in Afghanistan

Sadly, another Georgian has given his life in the line of duty.  Jason H. Estopinal of Dallas was killed last Monday in Helmand province in Afghanistan.  Estopinal was a proud member of the 2nd Battalion, 2nd Marine Regiment, 2nd Marine Division, II Marine Expeditionary Force out of Camp Lejeune, N.C.  Elizabeth and I ask you to join us in praying for the family of this brave Marine.

All the best,

David Poythress