Stephanie Webb

We have received coverage in the metro and national press (and now local press) pointing out what we feel are hypocritical positions by Rep. Calvin Hill.  Rep. Hill, in his response, indicates he’d like to discuss the issues.  So would we!  Not finding a single issue position (just lots of rhetoric) on his website, we thought it would be useful to voters to understand the difference between our positions and Rep. Hill’s. 

On Taxes

Rep. Hill has repeatedly voiced his opposition to any tax increases, but voted significant increases that will burden taxpayers with House Bill 1055, raising “fees” broadly, including: annual pesticide contractor’s fees, fertilizer licenses, commercial feed licenses and registration fees, annual registration of organic products, fees paid by mortgage lenders and brokers, annual registration fees for business, building construction inspection fees and many more.  A summary of the fee increases can be found by clicking here.  The bill itself can be read by clicking here.

These “fee” increases make it tougher for businesses, by increasing their costs.  Unfortunately, most of these costs will be passed on to the consumer. 

Rep. Hill voted for House Bill 307, imposing a tax on hospitals’ net revenues.   Sen. Preston Smith spoke passionately against this bill, and was stripped of his chairmanship of the Senate Judiciary Committee for doing so.  There is little question that this tax will ultimately be passed along to the patients.  This bill can be read by clicking here.

Rep. Hill voted to allow Georgia Power to impose increased rates on its customers to finance the expansion of the Vogtle nuclear plants with his vote for Senate Bill 31.  This was initially estimated to cost consumers an estimated $1.6 billion in financing charges and an additional $400 million in related taxes.   Since passage, there has been speculation that the costs to consumer may be much more.  Click here and here to read about the bill’s passage and subsequent concerns about cost overruns.  The bill may be read by clicking here.

The Webb for Georgia campaign looks forward to reviewing the recommendations of the blue-ribbon panel which was established by the legislature to update the system of taxation in Georgia.  It is only through cooperative effort and significant political will that we can create a 21^st century system that is fair to all Georgians and that creates an environment where economic growth is encouraged.  We also feel that the legislature should adequately fund the Department of Revenue to collect the nearly one billion dollars in unpaid sales taxes.

Click here to read about Jobs and Ethics

The Cherokee Tribune's Ashley Fuller covered the recent candidate forum at Johnston Elementary School in Woodstock:

http://www.cherokeetribune.com/view/full_story/10056406/article-Candidates-sound-off-on-education?instance=home_news_left

CANTON, GA (October 26, 2010)—According to an October 2008 analysis by the nonpartisan Georgia Budget and Policy Institute, “the state has allocated a relatively small amount to smoking prevention activities.  Furthermore, the state’s smoking prevention allocation has declined in recent years, despite increases in tobacco-related revenues and health care costs attributable to smoking.  Currently, Georgia’s smoking prevention spending is far below levels recommended by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and also behind most other states.” 
   The Webb for Georgia Campaign calls on the Georgia Legislature to review this sad policy, and focus on directing adequate funds to preventative and proactive measures to combat this awful addiction.  According to House District 21 candidate Stephanie Webb, Rep. Calvin Hill has received thousands of dollars in contributions and gifts from tobacco companies and their lobbyists.  She stated “while Georgians have the right to make their own health decisions, Rep. Hill carelessly panders to interests that do more harm than good to those same Georgians’ health, for his personal benefit.”