I have just learned that many of you are on my mailing list more than once.  As a result, you’ve received the same emails from me several times a day.  I am so sorry, I have acquired emails over the past several weeks from several sources and I did not check for duplicates.

My intention was to send you only one email. 

Sincerely,

Bill Brown

For Immediate Release: August 22, 2008
Contact: Bill Brown
 678 229-4153
 Bill@ElectBillBrown.com]

Bill Brown stands with homeowners
Woodstock, Ga – Bill Brown, joined with Democrats in the Georgia House of Representatives today to call for more taxpayer protection in tough economic times. Yesterday, House Democrats pledged to protect $428 million in homeowner tax relief grants that Governor Perdue wants to eliminate.

“Homeowners in Cherokee County are already overburdened with property taxes,” said Bill Brown. “We are seeing the effects of years of fiscal irresponsibility and poor budget priorities. Unfortunately, Sean Jerguson has been a steadfast supporter of those misguided policies.”

“You can’t balance the budget on the backs of property owners while leaving the tax breaks in place for special interest groups,”said Bill Brown. “In the General Assembly you can count on me to stand with my fellow Democrats for fiscal responsibility.”

For more information on Bill Brown visit www.ElectBillBrown.com or call 678 229-4153.

Problem: too many vehicles on the roads, rush-hour traffic jams

Solutions – short term:

• Improve traffic flow by coordinating traffic lights

Get cars off the roads by

• Expanding commuter bus service to Atlanta and points south from Woodstock, Canton

• Offering tax-credits to commuters on public transport

• Encouraging telecommuting – tax incentives to companies

Benefits: by offering these tax incentives, we can take cars off the road immediately, but that is not all. 

• We will reduce the amount of emissions polluting our air and preventing us from getting Federal Money to expand our roads. 

• Residents of Woodstock, Holly Springs and Canton will see immediate savings in fuel cost.  I spend $70/week commuting to Mid-Town, if I could telecommute I could keep more of that money and spend more locally.

• An expanded bus line is more attractive to commuters.  We currently only offer 4 trips into and out of Atlanta each day.  By increasing the number of buses during the day, we can get even more cars off the road.

Solutions – long term:

Invest in upgrading/expanding regional infrastructure

• Better roads

• Public transit system – expanded bus service, light rail system

• Attract business investment/local employment by investing in water resources, sewer system, power grids, digital infrastructure, better schools – well-educated/trained workforce

Benefits:

• Once we accomplish these long term goals, we can attract business investment/local employment reducing the need to commute south to Atlanta.

Problem: strained health care delivery system, lack of trauma care

Solutions:

• Review needs and resources in view of high population growth

• Establish County and regional planning

• Establish funding formula for trauma care (legislation)

• Ensure that any regional trauma care network includes Cherokee County

Problem: explosive enrollment growth, steep cuts in state funding, high local taxes

Solutions:

• Increase state funding growth to match enrollment growth

• Review state mandates on our educational system and ask the questions, “does this still make sense?”  If not, remove it.

• Push for cost-based state funding formula for unfunded/under-funded mandates

• Fully restore state austerity reductions

• Maintain local control