Letter to Paulding teachers and residents from Will Avery

[willavery]

It was announced yesterday that the Paulding County School District will not be offering contract renewals to any first or second year teachers within the school system. This decision will not just affect the lives of nearly 300 valuable teachers and support staff, but most importantly, it will affect the quality of education that our children receive. This year, class sizes are already at 32 students per class, which puts our students and their futures in jeopardy. How much will class sizes have to increase in order to accommodate these layoffs? How far will these decisions set our county back? Right now, not only do we not know the answers to these questions, but the possibilities are frightening!

We must keep in mind that we cannot blame our local school board for this decision. They are simply reacting to budgets handed down to them from our leaders in the Gold Dome. These are Georgia leaders who currently are making decisions that put the state of education in Paulding County in harm's way. These are the officials that we have elected to represent us in Atlanta and who must be held accountable for the decisions that are currently affecting education in our county.

As the husband of a teacher and the son of teachers as well, I know the value of education. I also understand the problems that teachers are facing right now: having to teach in fear that their job will not be available in a few weeks, having to teach more students with less resources provided to them, and having to spend more out of their own pockets just to buy classroom supplies.

We must work to protect education, to keep it funded, and to keep it sacred. As your next state representative from Paulding County, these are the things that I promise to do.

 

Always,

Will Avery

Candidate District 19

770-508-8823

[afriendlygeek]

I am the father of two kids and also the husband of a teacher, so I am very concerned about education. I wondering if you have any ideas about other areas of the state budget could be cut to provide more funding for education?

[Jughaid]

A breath of fresh air! Good to see you in the race, Will!

[willavery]

I am the father of two kids and also the husband of a teacher, so I am very concerned about education. I wondering if you have any ideas about other areas of the state budget could be cut to provide more funding for education?

 

I personally believe that talking about or implementing carte blanche budget cuts from the state level is premature, especially considering that all revenue options have not been explored. There were several possible pieces of legislation out during this past session that would have worked to raise state revenue without increasing taxes on individuals or small business.

 

For example, authorizing state and local governments to collect sales taxes that citizens already pay, which would drastically increase state revenues. In addition, we should look at many of the highly abused corporate and special interest tax exemptions that no longer serve the purpose for which they were created.

 

We also need to focus on cutting pork spending at the state level. I am just as much of a college football fan as anyone here, but the amount of money that the state is spending on the new college football hall of fame could go along way toward funding education at both the K-12 and higher ed levels. Also, for some reason strange reason, the state of Georgia has a brand new horse park in Perry, Georgia, which was largely subsidized by state funds.

 

There are just a few areas that should have been explored before budget cuts were made.

 

 

[afriendlygeek]

 

For example, authorizing state and local governments to collect sales taxes that citizens already pay, which would drastically increase state revenues.

 

 

Who is collecting the sales tax now? I thought the state received the state portion and local government received the local portion. If they are not receiving it, where is the money going?

[willavery]

Who is collecting the sales tax now? I thought the state received the state portion and local government received the local portion. If they are not receiving it, where is the money going?

 

Often it is not reported by businesses. Dubose Porter (who is running for Governor, and who was one of the creators of the HOPE scholarship) proposed House Bill 356.

 

You go into a store. You buy something. You pay sales tax.

At that point, in Georgia, two things may happen to the sales tax money you just paid. One, the business that received the sales tax money from you will send it to the state. Or two, the business owner will keep the sales tax money for his own personal use. You see the problem.

Alabama has already implemented a point of sale bill and they found 1 billion extra dollars in unreturned sales tax to help them through their economic downturn.

[surepip]

Delta Airline I believe still receives a rather generous fuel tax credit, something to the tune of $500,000,000 a year.

 

And we have Sonny's Bass Bonanza project as well.

 

Paramutual betting has still not gotten any daylight.

 

The bottom line, and I won't stay in here long as I have no dogs in this fight any longer, is our kid's education should be the top priority, not something following on the heels of other pork projects or tax breaks.

[afriendlygeek]

Often it is not reported by businesses. Dubose Porter (who is running for Governor, and who was one of the creators of the HOPE scholarship) proposed House Bill 356.

 

You go into a store. You buy something. You pay sales tax.

At that point, in Georgia, two things may happen to the sales tax money you just paid. One, the business that received the sales tax money from you will send it to the state. Or two, the business owner will keep the sales tax money for his own personal use. You see the problem.

Alabama has already implemented a point of sale bill and they found 1 billion extra dollars in unreturned sales tax to help them through their economic downturn.

 

Wow. I hope they jailed the business owners for cheating the system. That's not fair to the citizens nor the other businesses that play by the rules.

[willavery]

Delta Airline I believe still receives a rather generous fuel tax credit, something to the tune of $500,000,000 a year.

 

And we have Sonny's Bass Bonanza project as well.

 

Paramutual betting has still not gotten any daylight.

 

The bottom line, and I won't stay in here long as I have no dogs in this fight any longer, is our kid's education should be the top priority, not something following on the heels of other pork projects or tax breaks.

 

 

Delta's tax exemption is huge! The figure you reported is pretty accurate from what I understand. There are other exemptions as well that need to be looked at.

 

Will Avery

 

 

 

[MaineGal]

Will,

 

 

Thank you for coming to Pcom and posting with us. I have lived here for 4 years, and I havnt fully got involved with state and local politics, but I will be sure to pay attention to you! Please, if you havnt already, read some of the posts from parents in our county. People are upset, confused, and angry. And its not just parents and teachers. Children are upset. As the mother of a 4th and 6th grader, I have many years left to go with the schools in this county. I know that you cant please everyone all the time, but it seems that most people posting are pretty much on the same page. We dont want our children to pay the price for their entire lifetimes because of poor decisions.

 

Again, thanks for your attention.

 

Sincerely,

One of many concerned parents

[willavery]

Will,

 

 

Thank you for coming to Pcom and posting with us. I have lived here for 4 years, and I havnt fully got involved with state and local politics, but I will be sure to pay attention to you! Please, if you havnt already, read some of the posts from parents in our county. People are upset, confused, and angry. And its not just parents and teachers. Children are upset. As the mother of a 4th and 6th grader, I have many years left to go with the schools in this county. I know that you cant please everyone all the time, but it seems that most people posting are pretty much on the same page. We dont want our children to pay the price for their entire lifetimes because of poor decisions.

 

Again, thanks for your attention.

 

Sincerely,

One of many concerned parents

 

I can honestly say that I understand your fear, your frustrations, and your disgust at what we all see happening. Like I said, my wife is a teacher, both of my parents were teachers, my grandfather was a teacher in the same South Georgia school that my dad taught at, so i come from a long line of educators.

 

I can honestly tell you that I am scared as well. I have a 14 month old daughter who may never know what it is like to go to a world class school. That honestly terrifies me. Our school system is part of what has made America such a great place to live. The fact that no matter where you come from, who your parents are, you have an opportunity to make something of yourself.

 

Right now, politicians look at education as an easy way to fix budget problems. However, what they are not thinking about is the fact that children and the education system did not cause our current financial problems. My question is why should they have to pay for it?

 

I would encourage anyone that would like to talk with me personally to give me a call, or shoot me an email. I hope to get a chance to talk to all of you.

 

Will Avery

770-508-8823

will@averyforgeorgia.com

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

[Dreamwriter]

For some reason, this page is all messed up as a large space is present before the next post.

 

Anyhow, here is my take on the matter.

 

I am a Republican and I can agree that what we are seeing all over the state with the schools being shut down and teachers being laid off and it is terrible.

 

I can also agree that the state could have cut more.

 

However, this problem with the schools is not just affecting GA, it is all over the country and some areas are worse. Having said that, nothing will change until Obama and the Democrat controlled Congress enact “real” economic stimulus, halt the bailouts, halt the health care bill that we cannot afford, halt the waste and cut the spending.

 

Revenue is down from the federal level down the local level. You cannot just grow money for services that we have enjoyed and schools are of no exception. The national debt is worsening every single day with no end in sight.

 

People have less to spend than ever. People have lost their jobs and homes which equals lost revenue for the state and the county. One cannot spend, spend, and spend without increasing revenue. It is a very basic economic fact that when debt increases, spending must be cut not increase.

 

The so-called Obama tax cut was a complete joke. It served no purpose because it was way too small and did little and the impending tax increases beginning next year will make matters worse. Increasing taxes is the wrong path and will lead to worsening economic conditions.

 

Therefore, although I feel the state could have done much better at cutting expenses, something the Federal government is not doing, what we are facing now with the schools and everything else will not change unless Washington gets it and when it does, then the state governments better get it as well.

 

I would say this past Georgia session was probably the hardest these men and women who represent us have ever done. When only so much money is available, there is only so much juice you can squeeze out of an orange.

 

That is my partial take on the matter.

[avalon]

Hi Will. What ideas or means do you have in mind to propose,that have not been thought of before to better fund education, given the budge short falls we have now? We need concrete solutions so that our kids don't suffer. Thanks! Avalon

[willavery]

For some reason, this page is all messed up as a large space is present before the next post.

 

Anyhow, here is my take on the matter.

 

I am a Republican and I can agree that what we are seeing all over the state with the schools being shut down and teachers being laid off and it is terrible.

 

I can also agree that the state could have cut more.

 

However, this problem with the schools is not just affecting GA, it is all over the country and some areas are worse. Having said that, nothing will change until Obama and the Democrat controlled Congress enact "real" economic stimulus, halt the bailouts, halt the health care bill that we cannot afford, halt the waste and cut the spending.

 

Revenue is down from the federal level down the local level. You cannot just grow money for services that we have enjoyed and schools are of no exception. The national debt is worsening every single day with no end in sight.

 

People have less to spend than ever. People have lost their jobs and homes which equals lost revenue for the state and the county. One cannot spend, spend, and spend without increasing revenue. It is a very basic economic fact that when debt increases, spending must be cut not increase.

 

The so-called Obama tax cut was a complete joke. It served no purpose because it was way too small and did little and the impending tax increases beginning next year will make matters worse. Increasing taxes is the wrong path and will lead to worsening economic conditions.

 

Therefore, although I feel the state could have done much better at cutting expenses, something the Federal government is not doing, what we are facing now with the schools and everything else will not change unless Washington gets it and when it does, then the state governments better get it as well.

 

I would say this past Georgia session was probably the hardest these men and women who represent us have ever done. When only so much money is available, there is only so much juice you can squeeze out of an orange.

 

That is my partial take on the matter.

 

 

 

 

I don't disagree with you. I am not very happy with the bailouts of banks and corporations. Some companies need to fail for the health of the economy. We need to focus on what helps the people: larger tax cuts for the middle class for example. Most small business owners are firmly in the middle class, and these are the people that employ people. Give money back to people, rather than banks who are the ones who helped create the beginnings of what we are in right now

 

[willavery]

Hi Will. What ideas or means do you have in mind to propose,that have not been thought of before to better fund education, given the budge short falls we have now? We need concrete solutions so that our kids don't suffer. Thanks! Avalon

 

Avalon,

 

Unfortunately, right now budgets have been passed. There is not much that can be done right now. However, what we can do is make sure funding is restored next year, rather than maintaining current budget levels, or cutting them further. Next legislative session, we can elect leaders that will help find solutions, like the ones I spoke of earlier.

 

One of my biggest fears is that once money is taken away, as it has been, it will never find its way back, even when revenues increase. I want to focus on making sure the funding comes back ASAP.

 

[NewsJunky]

Sounds like you are taking it up the pecking order but you have stopped at the state. Why didn't you take it to the next step and question what part the Feds and Obama's policies play in the budget crunches virtually ALL of the States are experiencing? Just how do you think you could do it better when the funds aren't there.

[willavery]

Sounds like you are taking it up the pecking order but you have stopped at the state. Why didn't you take it to the next step and question what part the Feds and Obama's policies play in the budget crunches virtually ALL of the States are experiencing? Just how do you think you could do it better when the funds aren't there.

 

 

 

Most of the decisions made about education funding are made at the state level, with decisions on implementation of funds made at the local level. The federal government has very little to do with education decision. Hence why some states have better school systems than others.

 

My point is that the more funds could have been there if certain bills were not killed in committee. Such as house bill 356, which I mentioned earlier. The session, the decision was made not to entertain these streams of revenue that do not increase taxes. I don't know why they never came to a vote. I think it might have something to do with the fact that they were bills proposed by Democratic representatives in a General Assembly where any bill can be passed or killed without a single Democratic vote.

 

I do thank you for asking these questions though.

 

Will Avery

 

[lotstodo]

It was announced yesterday that the Paulding County School District will not be offering contract renewals to any first or second year teachers within the school system. This decision will not just affect the lives of nearly 300 valuable teachers and support staff, but most importantly, it will affect the quality of education that our children receive. This year, class sizes are already at 32 students per class, which puts our students and their futures in jeopardy. How much will class sizes have to increase in order to accommodate these layoffs? How far will these decisions set our county back? Right now, not only do we not know the answers to these questions, but the possibilities are frightening!

We must keep in mind that we cannot blame our local school board for this decision. They are simply reacting to budgets handed down to them from our leaders in the Gold Dome. These are Georgia leaders who currently are making decisions that put the state of education in Paulding County in harm's way. These are the officials that we have elected to represent us in Atlanta and who must be held accountable for the decisions that are currently affecting education in our county.

As the husband of a teacher and the son of teachers as well, I know the value of education. I also understand the problems that teachers are facing right now: having to teach in fear that their job will not be available in a few weeks, having to teach more students with less resources provided to them, and having to spend more out of their own pockets just to buy classroom supplies.

We must work to protect education, to keep it funded, and to keep it sacred. As your next state representative from Paulding County, these are the things that I promise to do.

 

Always,

Will Avery

Candidate District 19

770-508-8823

 

How? By raising taxes? Which Taxes? By cutting other important programs? Which State funded programs will you cut that will yield over $30 Million for Paulding County and similar percentages state wide?

 

Every politician in Georgia will likely have said the same thing as you just did by this November, but nobody else seems to know the secret formula that will preserve education funding without breaking the back of the taxpayer or seriously compromising other critical functions of Government. We are all in this together, and every department within State Government has shouldered a larger portion of this recession than education. The taxpayers are tapped out. It sucks. We know. And if you are in possession of that secret plan, we would like to hear the specifics, rather than seemingly unfulfillable campaign promises.

[VoicesInMyHead]

I personally believe that talking about or implementing carte blanche budget cuts from the state level is premature, especially considering that all revenue options have not been explored. There were several possible pieces of legislation out during this past session that would have worked to raise state revenue without increasing taxes on individuals or small business.

 

For example, authorizing state and local governments to collect sales taxes that citizens already pay, which would drastically increase state revenues. In addition, we should look at many of the highly abused corporate and special interest tax exemptions that no longer serve the purpose for which they were created.

 

We also need to focus on cutting pork spending at the state level. I am just as much of a college football fan as anyone here, but the amount of money that the state is spending on the new college football hall of fame could go along way toward funding education at both the K-12 and higher ed levels. Also, for some reason strange reason, the state of Georgia has a brand new horse park in Perry, Georgia, which was largely subsidized by state funds.

 

There are just a few areas that should have been explored before budget cuts were made.

 

I will be totally honest in saying that I know nothing about you, Mr. Avery... this thread is my very first introduction to you. But, I would like to get to know you.

 

It concerns me that cutting spending was the third point you made, behind revenue. Like the rest of us citizens, we cut spending first and can't just go ask for more money from our providers anytime we find we're running in the red. Can you explain why cutting spending was the third item in your reply?

Edited May 6, 2010 by VoicesInMyHead

[Jughaid]

How? By raising taxes? Which Taxes? By cutting other important programs? Which State funded programs will you cut that will yield over $30 Million for Paulding County and similar percentages state wide?

 

Every politician in Georgia will likely have said the same thing as you just did by this November, but nobody else seems to know the secret formula that will preserve education funding without breaking the back of the taxpayer or seriously compromising other critical functions of Government. We are all in this together, and every department within State Government has shouldered a larger portion of this recession than education. The taxpayers are tapped out. It sucks. We know. And if you are in possession of that secret plan, we would like to hear the specifics, rather than seemingly unfulfillable campaign promises.

Do you have anything positive to say? Maybe if we work together we can hammer out something that works. All this negativity is not good for anything or anybody. Has any other candidate for this position offered a plan or even opened themselves up to this sort of feedback?

[lotstodo]

Do you have anything positive to say? Maybe if we work together we can hammer out something that works. All this negativity is not good for anything or anybody. Has any other candidate for this position offered a plan or even opened themselves up to this sort of feedback?

To my knowledge, no other candidate has claimed to have the answer. An entire building full of Georgia Representatives were unable to fully fund education at anywhere near 2007 levels. I am asking just what that answer is beyond "I support education and will straighten out those in Atlanta". That is why I opened with the one word sentence "How". I trust that Mr. Avery should be prepared to answer that question. We are talking about a lot of money, far beyond "pork". The State has been in the throes of this recession for 3 fiscal years now, and beyond the small headline making earmarks like fishing and halls of fame, that together add up to a relative pittance, I would like to know how Mr. Avery can obtain $30 million for Paulding and similar amounts statewide.

[willavery]

I will be totally honest in saying that I know nothing about you, Mr. Avery... this thread is my very first introduction to you. But, I would like to get to know you.

 

It concerns me that cutting spending was the third point you made, behind revenue. Like the rest of us citizens, we cut spending first and can't just go ask for more money from our providers anytime we find we're running in the red. Can you explain why cutting spending was the third item in your reply?

 

I was not mentioning things in order just to let you know. It was just a stream of consciousness list of ideas. Please do not make too much of that. Cutting unnecessary spending is key, but it is by no means the only solution. It will take a multi-faceted approach.

 

How? By raising taxes? Which Taxes? By cutting other important programs? Which State funded programs will you cut that will yield over $30 Million for Paulding County and similar percentages state wide?

 

Every politician in Georgia will likely have said the same thing as you just did by this November, but nobody else seems to know the secret formula that will preserve education funding without breaking the back of the taxpayer or seriously compromising other critical functions of Government. We are all in this together, and every department within State Government has shouldered a larger portion of this recession than education. The taxpayers are tapped out. It sucks. We know. And if you are in possession of that secret plan, we would like to hear the specifics, rather than seemingly unfulfillable campaign promises.

 

I did post solutions that do not involve raising taxes earlier in the thread.

 

 

 

[NewsJunky]

Most of the decisions made about education funding are made at the state level, with decisions on implementation of funds made at the local level. The federal government has very little to do with education decision. Hence why some states have better school systems than others.

 

My point is that the more funds could have been there if certain bills were not killed in committee. Such as house bill 356, which I mentioned earlier. The session, the decision was made not to entertain these streams of revenue that do not increase taxes. I don't know why they never came to a vote. I think it might have something to do with the fact that they were bills proposed by Democratic representatives in a General Assembly where any bill can be passed or killed without a single Democratic vote.

 

I do thank you for asking these questions though.

 

Will Avery

 

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Funds aren't there and you can't just make them appear. I don't see your arguments and fault finding have much validity.

[willavery]

Funds aren't there and you can't just make them appear. I don't see your arguments and fault finding have much validity.

 

I point is that funds could have been there without raising taxes on anyone. House Bill 356 could have gone a long way to raising revenue without raising taxes on a single sole. Eliminating parts of Delta airline's fuel tax exemption would not hurt either.

 

These are all decisions that could have easily been made, but weren't! It is time to think about new leadership.

[She_Dreams_in_Digital]

I applaud your nobility Will and would like to stress that I'm very encouraged to learn that you understand the importance of our school systems and the need for funding to increase educators and support staff numbers rather than cutting them. My spouse is an educator also and the issue personally affects us.

 

What I have not heard so far is a specific plan you have or a plan proposed by another that you would support to steer us in the right direction. We all agree that cutting teachers is a VERY bad idea. But forgive me for being callous when I say that I'm just hearing more "rah rah let's change the government campaign promises" that frankly we are all disgusted with hearing given the current presidential and congressional administration.

 

Very clearly the root cause of reduced state budget is......(all together everyone) that the state is not collecting as much in tax revenue as in years past. Now why is that? Very simply again, because we have the largest rate of unemployment, property foreclosures, business closures and failings that we've had in decades.

 

Again, this can be reversed by following conservative fiscal plans that must originate from the federal level to severely slash income taxes, small business taxes etc. and eliminate wasteful government spending (like the recently passed government healthcare bill) With more disposable income in their pockets once taxes are reduced drastically then people will (like they have for centuries) SPEND more money on goods and services which in turn drives up demand which in turns drives up the need to hire more workers to meet that demand which in turn accelerates business growth and VOILA! You have more taxes coming in because you have more people earning wages to tax (DUH Obama!)

 

Better yet, do away with the IRS totally and then replace it with the FAIRTAX and sit back and watch government budgets SOAR. Their treasure chests will be overflowing then and look how much money we could pour into the education system then!

 

Whew....(outta breath). Will, I say all that to ask will you support the FAIRTAX to replace our current system?

[NewsJunky]

I point is that funds could have been there without raising taxes on anyone. House Bill 356 could have gone a long way to raising revenue without raising taxes on a single sole. Eliminating parts of Delta airline's fuel tax exemption would not hurt either.

 

These are all decisions that could have easily been made, but weren't! It is time to think about new leadership.

 

Yeah, just when the airlines are in trouble and fuel is going up you want to make it harder for them to stay in business. Just how would having Delta do less business at the Airport in Atlanta help our revenue problems?

[willavery]

I applaud your nobility Will and would like to stress that I'm very encouraged to learn that you understand the importance of our school systems and the need for funding to increase educators and support staff numbers rather than cutting them. My spouse is an educator also and the issue personally affects us.

 

What I have not heard so far is a specific plan you have or a plan proposed by another that you would support to steer us in the right direction. We all agree that cutting teachers is a VERY bad idea. But forgive me for being callous when I say that I'm just hearing more "rah rah let's change the government campaign promises" that frankly we are all disgusted with hearing given the current presidential and congressional administration.

 

Very clearly the root cause of reduced state budget is......(all together everyone) that the state is not collecting as much in tax revenue as in years past. Now why is that? Very simply again, because we have the largest rate of unemployment, property foreclosures, business closures and failings that we've had in decades.

 

Again, this can be reversed by following conservative fiscal plans that must originate from the federal level to severely slash income taxes, small business taxes etc. and eliminate wasteful government spending (like the recently passed government healthcare bill) With more disposable income in their pockets once taxes are reduced drastically then people will (like they have for centuries) SPEND more money on goods and services which in turn drives up demand which in turns drives up the need to hire more workers to meet that demand which in turn accelerates business growth and VOILA! You have more taxes coming in because you have more people earning wages to tax (DUH Obama!)

 

Better yet, do away with the IRS totally and then replace it with the FAIRTAX and sit back and watch government budgets SOAR. Their treasure chests will be overflowing then and look how much money we could pour into the education system then!

 

Whew....(outta breath). Will, I say all that to ask will you support the FAIRTAX to replace our current system?

 

I am surprised you got all of that out in one breath. As I have posted several times in this thread, there are solutions that were brought up during this past session that no one is even aware of (read toward the top of the thread). I in no way support raising taxes on anyone at the state level. The fair tax is a great idea on paper, but it is pointless in my opinion to address it at the state level.

 

Revenues are down, that is a fact, the source of which is debatable. In my opinion, it mostly comes from bank corruption and exploitation of those of us who work hard everyday just to get by. I in no way support the way the Obama administration addressed the bailout issue. That money could have been better spent being handed back directly to the people.

 

 

[surepip]

Yeah, just when the airlines are in trouble and fuel is going up you want to make it harder for them to stay in business. Just how would having Delta do less business at the Airport in Atlanta help our revenue problems?

 

Why are we not offering these same sort of incentives to other airlines ? Is the state budget supposed to underwrite Delta Airlines so they can pay their board members almost the same amount in bonuses which they received in tax credits ?

 

What about other businesses then ?

 

Times are tough and giving Delta a half a BILLION dollars in tax credits seems a bit much based on the overall economic situation here in Georgia, don't 'ya think?

 

It is time to rein in the outrageous stuff and get frugal.

 

How about a new state measure requiring all lobbyist donations to any politician to be matched by a double donation into the state coffers ? If United Health wants to donate $10,000 to Rallston, then they have to match that with $20,000 to the state. Based on what our representatives under the Gold Dome collect annually, that could be one hell of a lot of money.

 

You think our Legislature would get behind this ?

[lucky64]

It was announced yesterday that the Paulding County School District will not be offering contract renewals to any first or second year teachers within the school system. This decision will not just affect the lives of nearly 300 valuable teachers and support staff, but most importantly, it will affect the quality of education that our children receive. This year, class sizes are already at 32 students per class, which puts our students and their futures in jeopardy. How much will class sizes have to increase in order to accommodate these layoffs? How far will these decisions set our county back? Right now, not only do we not know the answers to these questions, but the possibilities are frightening!

We must keep in mind that we cannot blame our local school board for this decision. They are simply reacting to budgets handed down to them from our leaders in the Gold Dome. These are Georgia leaders who currently are making decisions that put the state of education in Paulding County in harm's way. These are the officials that we have elected to represent us in Atlanta and who must be held accountable for the decisions that are currently affecting education in our county.

As the husband of a teacher and the son of teachers as well, I know the value of education. I also understand the problems that teachers are facing right now: having to teach in fear that their job will not be available in a few weeks, having to teach more students with less resources provided to them, and having to spend more out of their own pockets just to buy classroom supplies.

We must work to protect education, to keep it funded, and to keep it sacred. As your next state representative from Paulding County, these are the things that I promise to do.

 

Always,

Will Avery

Candidate District 19

770-508-8823

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Oh the blaming game. No one told the BOE to spend the money foolishly. And nice touch with the money button at the end of your post.

[WHITEY]

Sounds like you are taking it up the pecking order but you have stopped at the state. Why didn't you take it to the next step and question what part the Feds and Obama's policies play in the budget crunches virtually ALL of the States are experiencing? Just how do you think you could do it better when the funds aren't there.

NewsJunky Are you aware that the State used about one billion this yesr in stimulus funds in the budget process , And the stimulus provided over 11 million to the PC BOE last year, Had this not happened their would of been massive lay offs last year at the BOE

[lotstodo]

<snip>

 

 

I did post solutions that do not involve raising taxes earlier in the thread.

Indeed you did, and as far as they go, they should be looked into, but none of them can possibly amount to even a small portion of the literally billions of dollars that would be required to bring funding back to pre recession levels. I appreciate the fact that there are still a few in State Government that will ask for and potentially get the new parks, and the halls of fame. This is a small abuse, but it does indeed have to stop. I am also skeptical that changing the tax collector (HB356) to either the local municipality or a collection agency from the State DOR will somehow generate nearly a billion dollars, or a staggering 6% overall state revenue increase, in otherwise unreported and unpaid sales tax. For the life of me, I can't logically make that connection.

 

Take all of this together, and you have far less than what we need to restore education funding. 2007 State funding for education was some $9.5 Billion, or 53% of the overall budget. Today's funding is 55% of the budget. State funding for Education was cut some 14.8% this year, painful indeed, but the third smallest percentage decrease behind the Judicial and Driver's Services Departments. I point this out not to minimize the problems faced by education, but to point out that the pain is more than universally shared throughout state government.

 

I applaud your support for education. Hard decisions must be made next year, even in light of a 3% estimated increase in revenues for FY 2011 which may or may not come to pass. What we need is a well thought out plan to guide us through the next few years that will balance the entire budget and cause what, for the lack of a better word, would amount to the least overall damage to all the necessary functions of our Government at all levels, and we need to do this without balancing that budget on the backs of the taxpayers. We have a revenue and expenditure problem just like the rest of the country. Implementation of HB1405, designed to study our revenue problems, will certainly be a good start.

 

Maybe I was somewhat harsh in the tone of my first post, but the citizens of the State of Georgia and Paulding County are tired of empty unsubstantiated promises from our elected officials as well as our candidates. With all due respect, we have heard every candidate say that they support education and low taxes, and every challenger blame the pain of the recession on the incumbents in the statehouse. Just for once it would be refreshing to hear a well thought out specific plan for Georgia and the 19th District in the coming years.

 

Everybody is getting the short shrift these days.

[Jughaid]

Gonna have to raise taxes and cut spending. Not one or the other. It's both.

[Cabe]

Most of the decisions made about education funding are made at the state level, with decisions on implementation of funds made at the local level. The federal government has very little to do with education decision. Hence why some states have better school systems than others.

 

My point is that the more funds could have been there if certain bills were not killed in committee. Such as house bill 356, which I mentioned earlier. The session, the decision was made not to entertain these streams of revenue that do not increase taxes. I don't know why they never came to a vote. I think it might have something to do with the fact that they were bills proposed by Democratic representatives in a General Assembly where any bill can be passed or killed without a single Democratic vote.

 

I do thank you for asking these questions though.

 

Will Avery

 

 

So, you'll just blame the republicans and be done with offering up other solutions. Got it.

 

While I appreciate that you have addressed this current "hot button" issue, I don't believe education funding is the root of the problems facing the 19th district. Education seems to be your primary focus. Why start your political career with State Representative? Why not lend your expertise to the Board of Education? State School Super? Why are you beginning your political career with such lofty goals? What else can you bring to Paulding County? What solutions can you offer the County's largest employer employees who will be unemployed?

 

I point is that funds could have been there without raising taxes on anyone. House Bill 356 could have gone a long way to raising revenue without raising taxes on a single sole. Eliminating parts of Delta airline's fuel tax exemption would not hurt either.

 

These are all decisions that could have easily been made, but weren't! It is time to think about new leadership.

 

That one bill seems to be your focus? It didn't pass. What else do you have?

 

Oh, and the 19th district didn't have any leadership during this last session!!! We sent an inexperienced person who gained us nothing and couldn't be bothered with learning and attending to every vote. So, yes, we need new leadership. What will we gain by sending yet another person with zero political experience?

[willavery]

So, you'll just blame the republicans and be done with offering up other solutions. Got it.

 

While I appreciate that you have addressed this current "hot button" issue, I don't believe education funding is the root of the problems facing the 19th district. Education seems to be your primary focus. Why start your political career with State Representative? Why not lend your expertise to the Board of Education? State School Super? Why are you beginning your political career with such lofty goals? What else can you bring to Paulding County? What solutions can you offer the County's largest employer employees who will be unemployed?

 

 

 

That one bill seems to be your focus? It didn't pass. What else do you have?

 

Oh, and the 19th district didn't have any leadership during this last session!!! We sent an inexperienced person who gained us nothing and couldn't be bothered with learning and attending to every vote. So, yes, we need new leadership. What will we gain by sending yet another person with zero political experience?

 

Well to answer your question about unemployment and new jobs, I think we need to offer tax credits for small businesses that hire new employees. We should also over credits for businesses upgrading their equipment to newer items. We also should encourage industry to move into the county, possibly by rezoning foreclosed subdivisions (something we have no shortage of here in the county) into industrial zones. The land is sitting there useless right now, and it is cheap. We don't we create new industrial areas with these abandoned pieces of property?

 

To address your question about why chose to start my political career here. To be honest, I don't want to be a career politician. I want to have my family and see my daughter grow up. Career politicians are often what creates the massive corruption we see everyday, and I am just as upset about this as anyone. However, at this moment in time, I think that it would be in the best interest of all parties involved to seek this office. This is not my first rodeo. For the past 6 months, I have been at the Capitol two or three days a week, talking to representatives and trying to convince them to pass of of these pieces of legislation that could help offset at least some of the budget shortfalls.

 

I would love to talk to any of you personally. Feel free to call me anytime.

[WHITEY]

Indeed you did, and as far as they go, they should be looked into, but none of them can possibly amount to even a small portion of the literally billions of dollars that would be required to bring funding back to pre recession levels. I appreciate the fact that there are still a few in State Government that will ask for and potentially get the new parks, and the halls of fame. This is a small abuse, but it does indeed have to stop. I am also skeptical that changing the tax collector (HB356) to either the local municipality or a collection agency from the State DOR will somehow generate nearly a billion dollars, or a staggering 17% overall state revenue increase, in otherwise unreported and unpaid sales tax. For the life of me, I can't logically make that connection.

 

Take all of this together, and you have far less than what we need to restore education funding. 2007 State funding for education was some $9.5 Billion, or 53% of the overall budget. Today's funding is 55% of the budget. State funding for Education was cut some 14.8% this year, painful indeed, but the third smallest percentage decrease behind the Judicial and Driver's Services Departments. I point this out not to minimize the problems faced by education, but to point out that the pain is more than universally shared throughout state government.

 

I applaud your support for education. Hard decisions must be made next year, even in light of a 3% estimated increase in revenues for FY 2011 which may or may not come to pass. What we need is a well thought out plan to guide us through the next few years that will balance the entire budget and cause what, for the lack of a better word, would amount to the least overall damage to all the necessary functions of our Government at all levels, and we need to do this without balancing that budget on the backs of the taxpayers. We have a revenue and expenditure problem just like the rest of the country. Implementation of HB1405, designed to study our revenue problems, will certainly be a good start.

 

Maybe I was somewhat harsh in the tone of my first post, but the citizens of the State of Georgia and Paulding County are tired of empty unsubstantiated promises from our elected officials as well as our candidates. With all due respect, we have heard every candidate say that they support education and low taxes, and every challenger blame the pain of the recession on the incumbents in the statehouse. Just for once it would be refreshing to hear a well thought out specific plan for Georgia and the 19th District in the coming years.

 

Everybody is getting the short shrift these days.

ltd I hope that you will take the opportunity to meet with and talk with Will Avery in the near future,maybe even attend a debate if the opponent will debate with him,He is very committed and articulate candidate, who really has the State of Georgia and Paulding County at heart. I hope that all of The 19th District will listen to the total platform of Will Avery, And his opponents.

I intend to attend the Republican debate of the Candidates,I do know Mr Stout credentials, And paulette past votes and actions as a former member of the PC BOE speaks for themselves, However Steve Golden is a newbie on the scene, And I feel that he is one of the good ole boys since he was/is from the developement community and we all know what his interest will be.

[lotstodo]

Gonna have to raise taxes and cut spending. Not one or the other. It's both.

Quite honestly, with the revenues at 4.9% of reported personal income, and a tax code that dates back many years, we may find a few targeted areas where an increase is appropriate, and where a painful tax may be supplanted by a less egregious form of revenue generation. These should be highlighted by the reform commission. But we can not rely on tax increases in a recession. It simply doesn't work. Just like you and I, the Government at all levels must get used to spending only what they make, and borrowing carefully. It is the producer that pays for government, not the other way around. Every dime that Government spends, it had to first take from the citizen. Leaving as much of that money as possible in his pocket is always preferable to bureaucrats and political hacks picking the winners and losers with his hard earned cash.

[Cabe]

Well to answer your question about unemployment and new jobs, I think we need to offer tax credits for small businesses that hire new employees. We should also over credits for businesses upgrading their equipment to newer items. We also should encourage industry to move into the county, possibly by rezoning foreclosed subdivisions (something we have no shortage of here in the county) into industrial zones. The land is sitting there useless right now, and it is cheap. We don't we create new industrial areas with these abandoned pieces of property?

 

To address your question about why chose to start my political career here. To be honest, I don't want to be a career politician. I want to have my family and see my daughter grow up. Career politicians are often what creates the massive corruption we see everyday, and I am just as upset about this as anyone. However, at this moment in time, I think that it would be in the best interest of all parties involved to seek this office. This is not my first rodeo. For the past 6 months, I have been at the Capitol two or three days a week, talking to representatives and trying to convince them to pass of of these pieces of legislation that could help offset at least some of the budget shortfalls.

 

I would love to talk to any of you personally. Feel free to call me anytime.

 

Careful. Some of that sounds republican. maybe you should add term limits to your platform.

[lotstodo]

ltd I hope that you will take the opportunity to meet with and talk with Will Avery in the near future,maybe even attend a debate if the opponent will debate with him,He is very committed and articulate candidate, who really has the State of Georgia and Paulding County at heart. I hope that all of The 19th District will listen to the total platform of Will Avery, And his opponents.

I intend to attend the Republican debate of the Candidates,I do know Mr Stout credentials, And paulette past votes and actions as a former member of the PC BOE speaks for themselves, However Steve Golden is a newbie on the scene, And I feel that he is one of the good ole boys since he was/is from the developement community and we all know what his interest will be.

I look forward to hearing the specifics of Mr. Avery's and all the candidate's platforms and their views on how to better represent the fiscal and social values of the citizens of the 19th district.

[VoicesInMyHead]

I was not mentioning things in order just to let you know. It was just a stream of consciousness list of ideas. Please do not make too much of that. Cutting unnecessary spending is key, but it is by no means the only solution. It will take a multi-faceted approach.

 

I did post solutions that do not involve raising taxes earlier in the thread.

 

I know it wasn't a "list of priorities", but it was a stream of consciousness response. Little things like that can often show what people are really thinking. I do hope that it was purely random, though.

Edited May 6, 2010 by VoicesInMyHead

[NewsJunky]

NewsJunky Are you aware that the State used about one billion this yesr in stimulus funds in the budget process , And the stimulus provided over 11 million to the PC BOE last year, Had this not happened their would of been massive lay offs last year at the BOE

 

You mean the stimulus money that my Grandchildren will be paying back? If we had better policies on the Federal level we might have more tax revenue because folks could open businesses and our residents would have jobs and be able to pay taxes. Did you ever consider that if the bail outs and stimulus packages had not happened we would already be climbing out of this?