Friday, May 18,
2001
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Lieutenant governor preaches gospel of growth By JOHN
THOMPSON
Lt. Gov. Mark Taylor brought his message of prosperity to the Fulton Industrial Business Association Wednesday morning and asked the business leaders to continue making the state better. An audience of nearly 100 listened intently as Taylor preached a gospel of growth, tempered with improving several programs in the state. Taylor said he was quite proud of several job initiatives that have been completed during his tenure. He pointed to the state Legislature's approval of nearly $250 million in property tax cuts this year, giving credit for the cuts to Gov. Roy Barnes. He predicted that during next year's election, the opposition will be calling for even more tax cuts. But Taylor said the state walks a very fine line in trying to provide services, while still being fiscally responsible. He said the just-completed General Assembly session found the money to give teachers a 4.5-percent pay raise, while other Southern states have not been as successful. Florida has not approved any teachers' raises this year, he said, adding that Alabama is actually planning to cut educators' salaries. Georgia has made an all-out effort to combat the perception that it does not focus on education, Taylor said, adding he wants to make sure those efforts continue. He also explained the state's per capita income had just surpassed the national average for the first time in the state's history. He wants to make sure the income keeps rising. "I don't ever want us to be considered a backward Southern state again," he said. Taylor said the state has assumed a very pro-business attitude in the last few years and is offering more incentives for businesses to locate here. Incentives are now offered for national or international headquarters, along with companies that plan to put $1 million worth of computer hardware into a new business. "We want a computer chip manufacturer to locate here," he said. Through proceeds from the state lottery, the state now has 4-year-old kindergarten available to all students, along with HOPE Scholarship money for higher education. For students who want to pursue higher education at a technical school, there is a technical school within 35 miles of everybody in the state, he said. Education represents the key to the state's future prosperity and level of safety, Taylor said. He believes more funds need to be allocated to prevention programs to keep students away from drugs and gangs, he said. He supports new theories for education, including charter schools, and urged the business leaders to get more involved with innovative education programs. As he closed his comments, Taylor told the business leaders to call him with their concerns, so the state could make it easier for everyone to prosper in the economy.
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