To Rep. Matt Ramsey: Ref: SB 458 — Thanks for the note, but adding the word “may” doesn’t do it for me.

I am not too happy to have anyone else in a position to unilaterally raise my tax burden, including politicians in Fayette County.

If I understand the wording as you explained it, the bill still denies citizens due process and property. Fayette County, using some unknown method, may decide to allow out of county students into our schools.

This is simply shifting the robbery to another jurisdiction. What public entity would make this decision for our citizens?

I would say that if the bill doesn’t include a mandatory county-wide referendum provision before out of county students are allowed into our county schools, then it will not be acceptable to me. The citizens should decide if they want their taxes increased for this reason.

I assume as our representative you will keep the citizens of District 72 fully informed as this bill makes its way out of committee onto the House floor. I have copied the editor of The Citizen so you may let us all know how you will do this and specifically how they can inform themselves.

With draft bills like SB 458, it appears that citizens need to keep a close watch on what the legislature is doing.

I believe it is your job to help all of your constituents to become watchdogs over the legislative process.

As our elected representative, my expectations are that you will not fail to uncover, fight and help defeat bills that expand the role of government in our lives. We have quite enough government.

And please don’t thank the committee chairman and committee on my behalf.

James Wingo

Fayetteville, Ga.

login to post comments