Perdue lists top legislative agenda

Governor Sonny Perdue, flanked by Lt. Governor Casey Cagle, and House Speaker Glenn Richardson, makes a point to reporters during a press conference at Columbus Municipal Airport, Thursday, Jan, 10, 2007. (Photo: Dave Bender)

Governor Sonny Perdue, Lieutenant Governor Casey Cagle and House Speaker Glenn Richardson jetted into Columbus Thursday morning.

The trio laid out their plans for the upcoming legislative session during the barnstorming stopover, part of a two-day, cross-state marathon.


Perdue, flanked by Cagle and Richardson, listed his agenda:

“Focus on the primary issues that concern people: healthcare, transportation, jobs, education, and certainly water's been on all of our minds.”

Columbus Mayor Jim Weatherington said Perdue “hit all the right buttons,” in his remarks encouraging local input for the statewide water plan.

State representatives and other city officials were also on hand for the half-hour visit.

Perdue and company flew on to Cartersville and Gainesville from Columbus.

Click here for more GPB News coverage of Perdue and state issues.

Cobb citizens have face time with Cagle

Lt. Gov. Casey Cagle hosted a town hall meeting in Cobb County Thursday night, where questions ranged from education to immigration to taxes.

Cobb County officials, the Republican establishment, and citizens with pet peeves—-about 60 people in all--came for a little face-time with Georgia's second-in-command.

Cagle offered his views on changing Georgia's tax system:

"I would like to do away with all state income tax," he said to laughs. "But there are social services and there are needs that the state has."

He says the legislature is considering abolishing property taxes, but raising the sales tax, and expanding it to services like legal advice and lawn-mowing.

Cagle praised the state's new immigration law as "the right thing to do."

He told a PTA member that he was "lukewarm" on vouchers because he feared they could hurt public schools.

Listening sessions like this one are often politicians' preludes to big runs for higher office.

Cagle says that is not his case.

Lt. Gov wants to hear from voters

Politicians' listening sessions are often preludes to big runs for higher office. Before Hillary Clinton declared her candidacy for U.S. Senate, she listened her way across the state of New York.

But Lt. Gov. Casey Cagle says that's not his situation. He just wants to be the accessible type of leader that voters can reach out and touch. He will hold a town hall meeting in Cobb County tonight.

"We're doing everything we can to make life better for Georgia citizens and this is one of the products, one of the ways—to be on the front lines and listen to people," Cagle said. "I believe if we work hard, are diligent in our actions, and try to find real solutions to issues of challenge in our state, then we'll be rewarded at whatever path we choose."

Cagle says there's no set agenda for his town hall meeting, but he hopes to hear people's thoughts on education, traffic and health care. During his first legislative session as lieutenant governor, Cagle championed a bill that created charter school systems. He says he'll focus on transportation and health care next session.

If you want to go:
What: Town Hall Meeting Hosted by Lt. Gov. Casey Cagle
When: Thursday, July 12 from 7:00 - 8:00 PM
Where: Cobb County Commission Building
100 Cherokee Street
Marietta, GA 30090
Located on the Second floor of building A

Perdue to lead delegation to Europe

Some of Georgia’s top elected officials are going to Europe.

Governor Sonny Perdue is leading what he is calling an economic development and diplomatic mission. The state delegation will include Lieutenant Governor Casey Cagle, State Senator Eric Johnson, business and civic leaders.

They leave June 18th and will go to six countries … including the United Kingdom & Northern Ireland, France, the Czech Republic, Germany and Belgium.

The governor says the delegation will meet with European heads of government. He says they will focus on industries such as aerospace, automotive and life sciences.