State Representative Calvin Hill

Thank you for taking the time to look at my website. I hope that you will find it informative. In January of 2013 we will be representing our new House Districts, and mine is renumbered as 22.  It will now include most of the eastern part of Cherokee County and a few precincts of Forsyth and Fulton Counties. Please refer to the links if you would like to see the new Districts and which one you are in.

As we prepare for the upcoming session, we are always looking for ways that we can serve you, the citizens of Georgia, in the best way possible.

Working to help create local jobs through economic development and ensuring quality education for our children and grandchildren are both concepts that are high on my list of priorities. If you have any concerns, questions or even ideas for better legislation, please let me know. I am always here to listen and do whatever is reasonable to assist. Thank you for allowing me to serve as your Representative to the Georgia General Assembly.

Calvin Hill

OF THE THINGS WE THINK, SAY OR DO.
Is it the TRUTH?
Is it FAIR to all concerned?
Will it build GOODWILL and BETTER FRIENDSHIPS?
Will it be BENEFICIAL to all concerned?”

These are the words each and every one of us Rotarians recites at the end of every meeting throughout the world .  As indicated by the lead phrase, they are to be basic ethical principles that we pledge ourselves  to apply ingoing about our every day business. I wonder if mayor Cline, who is, like myself, a past President of the Canton Rotary Club, had the opportunity to apply these principles  to the recent editorial she penned which attacked myself and others using rumors and other wild allegations. She will be one of the first to admit that she never attended or was personally involved in any of the meetings referred to and is relying on 2^nd or 3^rd hand information at the best. And we all know how reliable that is!

It is understandable that public policy discussions involving education may engender emotion, what is not understandable is when a prominent former public official allows herself to ignore all fact for the sole purpose of character assassination against those with whom she disagrees politically.

I was quite surprised to see personal and baseless attacks made in the recent editorial by the former Mayor of Waleska, Marguerite Cline. Her column was nothing more than a collection of wild, unfounded rumors – or outright false statements that cannot be substantiated with any data. Ms. Cline did not even take the time to contact me to find out if there was any truth to these outrageous accusations.

Ms. Cline offered no proof, direct involvement, discussions or questioning of the people she attacked to hear what they had to say. Using such words as “Supposedly” the author can shield herself from any direct accusation while still making an unsubstantiated rumor sound like a fact instead of a falsehood.  This tactic is often used by the media, and I was saddened to see it used by someone I have respected and supported over the years.

If the article had been based on facts, the author would have disclosed that I have supported the Cherokee County School District consistently and have voted for every increase to the education budget every time the opportunity arose.  For example, I contacted the School Board members this past session in regards to a House Bill that would provide a significant increase in funds for Cherokee County and the entire delegation voted for it.

After a meeting with Board members, we took their suggestion on the upcoming constitutional amendment on schools and changed it to ensure that NO LOCAL FUNDING could be used for charter schools whatsoever – unless the Cherokee County School District voted for it AND the citizens of Cherokee also voted to do so.  Does that sound like it is taking money away from the local schools?

In regards to why there is furloughs and layoffs?  Let’s look at the facts. The State of Georgia gave more money last year than ever before – in total dollars and on a per student (FTE) basis - to Cherokee County Schools – a fact that the School Board agrees with in their own stories. So why the budget crunch? With the School Board getting more money last year than ever before from the state, the question might be “where is the money?” So my question is, why is the legislature falsely accused of reducing the budget when the facts show the exact opposite?

The author also conveniently ignored the fact that the delegation held several well-publicized “town hall” meetings and even formed a citizen led Blue Ribbon Committee from across the county to discuss and make recommendations on redistricting and voting methodology for the Board and Board Chair.  Instead Ms. Cline simply claimed “legislators did that without any public input.” The newspaper she writes for covered this process extensively. Either she doesn’t read her own newspaper or she simply wishes to re-write history.

Debates over public policy should be based on fact and logic, not emotion and hyperbole. The citizens and taxpayers of Cherokee County deserve more than personal attacks. As one member of the delegation I can pledge we will continue to offer constructive answers to the real economic challenges we face. If the members of the school administration and their supporters wish to join us in a serious discussion we are ready. If all they offer is continuing personal attacks our entire community will suffer because of it.

Would it not be better if we could actually live by the codes of ethics that we recite every week?

Calvin Hill

Serving the Citizens of Georgia's new 22nd Legislative District

Capitol Office: 404-656-0129

District Office: 678-493-7257

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The Georgia Department of Driver’s Services has begun issuing its most recent generation of Drivers License and ID cards that will comply with the federally required SAFE DL program.

When you apply for a renewal Driver’s License you will need to provide the same type of original identification documents that you did when you applied for the first one.

Georgia Department of Driver Services has implemented the “Secure Driver’s License & ID” program as part of security requirements brought on by the attacks of September 11.  In 2005 the federal government passed legislation providing guidelines by which states must conform.  Rules requiring additional identification for certain renewals is a phase of that compliance.  If DDS failed to implement these changes, federal law would make it impossible for Georgians to use their driver’s licenses or state issued identification to go through airport security, board airplanes, and enter federal buildings

Georgia legislation was passed in 2007 which allowed the DDS Commissioner to promulgate rules and regulations to implement the federal standards.

Once Georgia residents have proven in person they are who they say they are; they can revert back to online license renewals.  It will not be necessary to provide additional identification for every renewal; instead this is a one-time hurdle. Below is a synopsis from the DDS website (www.dds.ga.gov) outlining the procedures:

Beginning July 1, 2012, the Georgia Department of Driver Services will implement additional procedures that enhance the integrity and security of your Driver's License (DL) and Identification Card (ID). These new procedures will require that you bring additional documentation with you when you visit one of our Customer Service Centers (CSC). If you currently hold a valid Georgia DL or ID, you will be issued a Secure ID DL/ID at the time of your next renewal or reinstatement. Those who do not hold a valid Georgia DL or ID, you will be issued a Secure ID DL/ID at the time of your application.

These documents will include the following:

• At least one (1) original or certified document to prove your Primary Identity; and

Note: If your name has changed due to marriage or legal action, you must provide document(s) supporting your name change.

• At least one (1) document to prove your Social Security Number; and

• At least two (2) documents to prove your Residential Address.

Please go to www.dds.ga.gov/secureid for all of the information on what you will need for renewal.

A legislator can be bought for a $101 dinner but not a $99 one, or so liberals would have you believe

Many liberal legislators under the Gold Dome are working in earnest to convince voters that to uphold the highest standards in ethics means legislators will not take a gift over $100 from a lobbyist.  Yet, when given the opportunity to stand for real ethics reform and prevent tax defaulters from holding office, they cowered in the hallways to avoid the vote.  Because of their cowardice, elected officials who fail to pay their taxes can now hold public office and advise on how your tax dollars are spent.

HR 1087 was Real Ethics reform! If passed, it would have amended the Georgia Constitution to make tax defaulters ineligible for public office.  When HR 1087 came up for a vote in 2010, 52 members of the House voted against it, or worst yet, ran away and hid so they would not have to vote.  Now, these liberal runaways are trying to create a smokescreen of a gift cap to further the illusion that they care about ethics.

A gift cap does nothing for ethics reform.  It merely limits the price of dinner or sports tickets to $100.

In the upcoming 2013 Legislative Session, I will once again introduce a Resolution calling for a Constitutional Amendment to make tax defaulters ineligible for public office in the State of Georgia. This will become part of the most comprehensive legislative ethics package in the country.

The question remains, will the liberals continue to use their “gift cap” smoke screen as a diversion or will they join us in working for Real Ethics Reform?

Resources:

HR1087: http://www.legis.ga.gov/Legislation/en-US/Display/20092010/HR/1087

House Vote #795: http://www.legis.ga.gov/Legislation/en-US/vote.aspx?VoteID=7121