It has been my utmost honor to serve you in the State Legislature for past 6 years. Over that time I have learned the value of experience and hard work under the Gold Dome. The issues I remain committed to are the same ones you elected me with in 2006; Education, Transportation and Fiscal Responsibility.
In addition to these important issues, we all realize many people in our community are experiencing difficulties. While government does not, nor should it, create jobs; it is our responsibility to get out of the way and let businesses do what they do best-grow and expand. Only when the economic environment is conducive to small business growth, will our economy grow. That is why I am excited to sit on the Small Business Development and Job Creation Committee.
Representative Sean Jerguson, R – 21
Holly Springs, Hickory Flat, Woodstock, Sixes and Bridgemill
TRANSPORTATION AND COMMUNITY
With two major projects in progress in Cherokee County, Representative Jerguson has worked tirelessly to improve our transportation corridors. Sean is committed to working with the city and county, along with the state, to ensure these types of projects continue in Cherokee County.
“Our transportation corridors form the backbone of commerce in our communities and our state. It is imperative that we develop a working solution to address the gridlock that prevents us from succeeding over the coming decades. ”
√ Sat on the oversight committee for transportation improvement; helped ensure that widening Hwy 140 was top priority
√ Worked with City of Woodstock to ensure Ridgewalk exit broke ground (ongoing project)
√ Instrumental in ensuring the bridge expansion & funding for Sixes Rd. Bridge widening (ongoing project)
√ Establishment of a Mechanism Unlocking Federal Funding for Local Transportation Projects
√ Increased Oversight for Georgia DOT to Insure Compliance and Responsible Planning
√ Increased Penalties for Repeat DUI Offenders
FUTURE INITIATIVES:
• Continue working with county to four lane main arteries throughout county
• Providing Tools for Local Government to Address Transportation and Infrastructure
EDUCATION
The foundation of Economic Development and Job Creation is education. We must insure a quality education at all levels for every student in Georgia to compete in both the local and Global Market. I will work to engage parents, educators and employers in identifying the educational needs of our Students. Together, we will find REAL solutions that will prepare our children to achieve academic excellence and success in the work place.
“As a former educator, I understand that all children learn differently. While the General Assembly has accomplished many positive reforms for Georgia’s children, more is left to be done. I will continue to work diligently to promote parental involvement, transform the state funding formula to preserve local dollars, and enhance options for students at all levels.”
√ Special Needs Scholarships,
√ Transform state funding formula to preserve local dollars (Reforming QBE formula)
√ Implementation of the Incentives for Educational Excellence (IE2) Program
√ Increased Amount of HOPE Scholarships
FUTURE INITIATIVES
• Make Education on the U.S. Constitution Mandatory
• More career oriented technical schools
• Ensure that every child in Cherokee County has a menu of options when it comes to education
• Charter School Constitutional Amendment (In progress right now)
• Continue to Fight Against Redistribution of Local Education Dollars
FISCAL RESPONSIBILITY
The budget of Georgia is 20% lower than it was 3 years ago. Representative Jergusons conservative leadership has helped to limit government spending and cut red tape. Sean Jerguson has authored and co-sponsored meaningful legislation like Zero Based Budgeting and “Sunset” legislation that requires all state agencies to be evaluated on a timely basis to make sure that they are operating productively and efficiently while maximizing every taxpayer dollar.
“Bringing tax relief and fiscal reform to Georgians, I will continue to work towards the goals of lowering taxes and holding government accountable for its actions.”
√ Co-sponsored Sunset legislation to reduce government waste and ensure that state government runs efficiently while maximizing every taxpayer dollar (HB 456)
√ Co-authored and fought for Zero Based Budgeting to ensure every department has to incrementally show the Legislature every penny of spending and not just the previous years recommendation (HB 33)
√ Reduced regulations and cut red tape (Red Tape Initiative, Small Business and Job Creation Committee Member)
√ Local Freeze on Assessments for Homesteaded Properties in Cherokee County for County Property Taxes
√ State Spending Required to be Included in a Searchable Internet Database To Insure Transparent Government
√ Balanced the State Budget by cutting government spending 20%
FUTURE INITIATIVES
• Comprehensive Tax Reform – our tax system should be flat and fair; it should not pick winners and losers
• Eliminate unnecessary taxes and fees to allow small businesses to thrive
• Government Agencies Held to Stricter Accountability
• Strengthening of Verification Standards for Receiving State Funds
TRANSPARENCY & ETHICS
Since Republicans took over in 2003, transparency and ethics have been at the forefront of our agenda. Lobbyists, who had been allowed on the floor of the chamber were immediately relegated to the hallways. Caps were added to the amount of money one could give to a candidate running for office and all donations and expenditures were brought online with a more convenient, accessible and transparent website that was open to the public.
Speaker Ralston strengthened these laws in 2010 adding shortened disclosure periods and adding local officials to the list of those who must disclose on the Georgia Government Transparency website. Fines were increased for those in noncompliance.
“Every dollar I receive or spend, has been, and will continue to be open to the public on the Georgia Government Transparency website. In fact, my campaign is committed to going a step further; every amount will be fully disclosed — not just amounts over $100.00″
