Yesterday the AP released a review of the Governor’s staff raises.   Last Thursday through the weekend, the Governor flew twelve General Assembly members and members of the press corp. out to New Orleans. Meanwhile, the General Assembly has proposed cutting teacher’s pensions, and raising our taxes for transportation.

Protip: Don’t do this all at once.

This is my eleventh legislative session, and while I have so much faith in Georgia’s future and confidence in the talent growing from this red clay, the leadership seems to be horribly out of touch with the basics of tact and honest brokering.  It has led me to question, “Is this legislative session to become a lesson in what NOT to do?”

Now I despise taxes.  I live and run my business in Atlanta and the layers of taxation that exist within this great city are both depressing and totally gratuitous.  Yet, I fully support revamping the transportation funding structure AND fully funding it through the increase of local taxes.  I just need legislators to be honest with me.  Don’t insult my intelligence with telling me my taxes will not increase- have the balls to assert why this investment is necessary and let the argument stand on its own merit.

School choice is a topic close to my heart, and I support the Governor’s attempt at addressing education in our state by looking to innovative methods such as the Opportunity School District.  Yet, I have ZERO tolerance for undercutting our teachers and their retirement.  Our teachers deserve the best benefits possible after dealing with our kiddos from day to day.  They offer our future citizens their infinite patience- a virtue I was never blessed with- and in turn, our Senators are proposing to cut their nest eggs, just for funsies??  What??

To further add insult to injury, no one seemed to find a better time to vacay in the Big Easy and bump the salary budget of the Governor’s staff and appointees?  I mean, REALLY?

In Southern circles, the unwritten rules of timing and manners is understood to be an imperative for executing success in both business and social arenas.  More times than not, these circles often overlap and a misstep in one or the other may provide poor returns and social isolation.  We shall see as Georgians take to the polls following this session.  Leadership now has the unique opportunity to lead Georgia in the intricate dance of positive policy changes and good governance.  Unfortunately instead, Georgia’s toes are being stepped upon by the poor timing of a partner with no rhythm.

 

“Timing has a lot to do with the outcome of a rain dance”-Anonymous