Vote for Mom! Jeannie Babb Taylor for GA House

Till We Meet Again

2006-11-10T10:00:00.000-05:00

Congratulations to Ron Forster for retaining the District 3 State House seat.

This campaign has been a wonderful experience for me personally. I have learned so much during these last six months. This is a win. Whether I run again or find myself in the support crowd, the knowledge and experience I have gained will be a benefit both to me and to the community.

I hope that my efforts during this campaign will hold the incumbent to a higher standard in the coming legislative session. I challenged how he weakened the smoking ban, elimating protection of children in cars as a favor to his big supporter Phillip Morris Tobacco. I pointed out the conflict of interest in stopping patients from suing doctors and pharmaceutical companies while taking thousands of dollars in contributions from those parties. I told people how he had received the great dishonor of being labeled by Sierra Club as one of the 13 worst officials in the entire state for our environment, preferring to let the big businesses that so lavishly support his campaign reign free, unfettered by the requirement to clean up their own messes. One hopes that Ron Forster was paying attention, and that he will consider his steps more carefully in the coming legislative session. He must realize that legislators are being scrutinized more closely on the national level, and that the days of unquestioned Republican domination are numbered even here in Georgia.

It is my sincere hope that my campaign has had a positive effect on the community as well. I hope that other people, especially women, will be inspired and be willing to step out. The majority of voters are women, yet we are grossly underrepresented in our own government, with 85% of all elected officials being male. Women need to take a more active role in government. We all do. Whenever there are two names (or more!) on the ballot, we have a small victory. Without two names, we have no democracy at all.

It is not an easy thing to "put yourself out there" as people say. There is no other phrase to describe what it is like when you put your name on the ballot. Your private life is gone. Anonymity is gone. Even the general courtesy practiced toward women in the South, is gone.

People will say and do all sorts of things, when you run for office. If you run on the Democratic ticket, you will be called a "librul baby killer" even if you can list the babies you have saved by name, and even if you have so many children people ask if you're Catholic. People will judge you by the color of your sign, the decorations on your parade float, the way you write your name -- and virtually ignore the issues you've grown hoarse discussing. And in the end, too many people will look only at the "D" or "R" beside each candidate's name.

But there are good moments, too. I've met so many wonderful people on the campaign trail. It was exciting to meet important state officials, but I'm much more thrilled about the people I've met in my own backyard: school teachers, senior citizens, the adoptive parents of special needs kids, business leaders, mechanics, farmers, waitresses. These are the people who make District 3 a wonderful place to live.

I have grown to love this community more than ever, and I look forward to serving the people who live here in whatever way God leads me.

Sincerely,

Jeannie Babb Taylor

Committee to Elect Jeannie Babb Taylor www.voteformom.com
PO Box 806 * Ringgold, GA 30736 * jeannie@babb.com * 706-965-4587

The Mom Plan

2006-11-06T10:25:00.000-05:00

As we enter the home stretch, I'd like to reiterate my plans for this office. Some of the most critical issues facing Georgia right now are health care, education and our economy. I have a specific plan to address each of these areas.

Affordable Health Care
* Close the working class insurance gap
* Insure all of Georgia’s children
* Offer affordable health insurance for businesses and individuals
* Hold insurance companies accountable

We need to provide health care for Georgia's poorest children so they don't end up in the Emergency Room next time they catch Strep. Preventive and basic health care save the state (and taxpayers!) money in the long run. It's good children and it's good for taxpayers.

We also want to reward, not punish, those who work. Allowing businesses to participate in PeachCare helps small companies, which currently struggle to provide insurance benefits. When they can provide benefits, small companies have a more level playing field to compete for good workers. 70% of the uninsured are full-time working families. Providing health care coverage through employers is good for families, good for small businesses, and good for Georgia's economy.

Quality Education
* Restore 1.25 billion cut from state education funds
* Protect HOPE from further raiding
* Increase the graduation rate

Our schools are in crisis due to unfunded mandates and bloated class rooms. Our class room sizes have not been decreased, although it is on the Sonny Do or Sonny Did list every election. Our graduation rate is #49 in the nation, with about 1/3 of Georgia students dropping out. In Catoosa, the figure is 30%.

I will fight to restore state education funds, bringing $8 million back to Catoosa County Schools and $16 million back to Whitfield and Dalton City Schools. Graduation is the first step toward a successful life, while lack of education contributes heavily to poverty and incarceration. Fully funding education and raising our graduation rate are crucial to our future. It's good for students, good for tax payers, and good for Georgia's economy.

Economic Growth
* Raise minimum wage to $7.25
* Create and protect jobs
* Support small and locally-owned business
* Relieve middle class tax burden

Small businesses are the backbone of Georgia's economy. It is primarily through these locally-owned enterprises that we will see job growth, increase our corporate tax base, and provide economic stability.

Currently Georgia's tax brackets are flat, with blue collar workers paying the same percentage income tax as millionaires. Minimum wage has not been raised in nearly ten years, while the cost of living soars. Increasing minimum wage and relieving the middle class tax burden both boost the economy by putting money into the hands of people who spend it in the local marketplace. These measures are good for business, good for workers, and good for Georgia’s tax payers.

None of these changes can be carried out without your help! Please come out to the polls tomorrow and "Vote for Mom," Jeannie Babb Taylor, for Georgia House of Representatives. A close election is predicted, so every vote is crucial!

Committee to Elect Jeannie Babb Taylor www.voteformom.com
PO Box 806 * Ringgold, GA 30736 * jeannie@babb.com * 706-965-4587

Minimum Wage and New York Pizza Deli

2006-11-04T21:50:00.000-05:00

In a recent letter to the Chattanooga Times Free Press, Rossville resident Alan Painter wrote: " . . .Lt. Gov. Mark Taylor and the Georgia Democrats announced that they are trying to put me out of business by wanting to raise the minimum wage. Catoosa’s House candidate Mrs. Jeannie Babb Taylor is requesting $7.25, and so far Walker’s House candidate, Mrs. Sadie Morgan, has been silent on how much more she wants from me. Before he became Georgia’s governor, Dr. Sonny Perdue was a veterinarian (aka small business owner). He will get my vote because we see eye to eye on how to run government like a business. If the Techwood Group LLC or the New York Pizza Deli LLC ever goes from a micro to small business, you can bet a Democrat will be waiting to see how much more in taxes he can get out of this "New American" working family."

Notes:

1. Alan Painter presents himself as a business owner but does not disclose that he is also Rossville's Regional Director of the GA 9th District Republican Party. Nor does he disclose that he works for my opponent's campaign.

2. As a micro-business (fewer than 6 employees), Painter's pizza joint is exempt from minimum wage laws.

3. Even if the business grows, pizza delivery drivers and waitresses are exempt from Georgia's minimum wage law.

As you can see, the claim that I am threatening to put this poor Republican out of business is nothing short of a lie. My proposed legislation does not even affect him.

Minimum wage laws do not close small businesses because small businesses like Painter's are exempt. Neither do minimum wage raises cause inflation as some claim. Studies show that raising the minimum wage leads to economic growth, because it puts dollars into the hands of people who immediately spend that money for things they need or want. You might say that increasing minimum wage takes some money that high-profit firms normally horde by exploiting unskilled workers, and infuses that money into the economy. That's a good thing for Georgia's economy, and it's a good thing for Georgia's minimum wage workers.

I have found that anti-minimum wage folks make two opposing claims:
1. Minimum wage increases put companies out of business and employees out of work.
2. Nobody really works for minimum wage anyway.

If nobody really works for minimum wage, then I don't see why any company should oppose increasing the minimum! The fact is that 200,000 Georgians work for minimum wage and many of them live in poverty. Most companies pay more ($7, not $5, seems to be the market-established starting wage for an unskilled worker), but obviously some businesses are still hiring people at below-poverty wages, or else we would not be having this discussion.

Minimum wage workers are predominantly female. They are mostly adults, not teenagers. They typically support at least one child, often alone. They are frequently limited to less than 30 hours, in order to keep them from earning benefits. Minimum wage has not been raised in nearly a decade, although the cost of living has increased every year. As a result, working full time for minimum wage places a parent of even one child far below poverty level.

Raising the minimum wage is the right thing to do. For common sense and compassion in Georgia's government, "Vote for Mom."

Committee to Elect Jeannie Babb Taylor www.voteformom.com
PO Box 806 * Ringgold, GA 30736 * jeannie@babb.com * 706-965-4587

Whitfield County Tax AND Cut

2006-11-03T17:46:00.000-05:00

As an amendment to my last post: The state education de-funding totals over $16 million for Whitfield County, with over $11 million cut from the county school system and over $5 million cut from the city schools. Once again, that $16 million plus will never go back into the pockets of Whitfield County residents.

It costs far less money to properly educate a child for a few years, than it costs to support that child on welfare or in jail. I will fight to restore OUR money to OUR schools so OUR children can receive a quality education.

"Vote for Mom" Jeannie Babb Taylor on Tuesday, Nov 7th.

Committee to Elect Jeannie Babb Taylor www.voteformom.com
PO Box 806 * Ringgold, GA 30736 * jeannie@babb.com * 706-965-4587

Tax Cut or Tax AND Cut?

2006-11-03T17:28:00.000-05:00

Some people claim that all Democratics have a “tax and spend” mentality. Of course, it would be incredibly to difficult to outspend this generation of “conservative” lawmakers! Fortunately, the Georgia constitution requires that we balance the state budget every year.

It is the job of government to provide certain services for citizens – roads, security, education, etc. This requires that we “tax and spend.” The question is, will we tax fairly? And will we spend wisely? While my opponent has been in office, tax rates have NOT fallen. In fact, independent studies show that the total tax burden has increased for those in the lower and middle class. Only the upper class is paying less taxes. (Institute for Taxation and Economic Policy.) In Georgia, our income tax brackets have not been updated since the 1930’s. The highest Georgia tax bracket you can be in is for those earning $7,001 per year and up! That’s right – a minimum wage hamburger flipper pays the same percentage Georgia income tax as a millionaire. Of course, the very rich have loopholes the rest of us cannot access. That's why I want to bring tax relief to the middle class by expanding tax brackets more fairly.

My opponent has not cut taxes; he has cut benefits. He talks about “smaller government” and wants you to hear “fewer bureaucrats.” In reality, “smaller government” just means fewer services for tax-payers. You still pay the same taxes. (Maybe more. Have your property taxes increased?) You won’t be getting what you pay for – but you’ll still be paying.

Cutting off the Elderly
My opponent voted in favor of SB 572 which allows the state government to seize the homes of elderly Medicaid recipients. If these elderly citizens cannot repay Medicaid for their hospital or nursing home bill, they can have their property taken and their widow, widower or surviving children made homeless. 40,000 Georgia citizens have already received letters warning them of property seizure. There was no corresponding tax cut – just a cut in services.

Cutting off Children’s Health Care
50,000 children were tossed off Medicaid this spring. About 4,000 of these children were moved to PeachCare; the other 46,000 are simply without health care. Many of the children who lost Medicaid services are children of single mothers, and some are legal citizens whose parents immigrated illegally. These children will still require health care. You will see them in the Emergency Room next time they have strep throat. Their care will cost $2,000 instead of $100 at a doctor’s office. Guess who pays? We do, in the form of higher medical costs. Included in this cut was the Katie Beckett program that helped middle-class parents of disabled children. These families might not fall under poverty guidelines to qualify for Medicaid, but they are raising children with disabilities and medical needs that are beyond their means. The program was cut, but no corresponding tax rebate was put back in taxpayers’ pockets. There was no tax cut – just a cut in services.

Cutting off Education
1.25 billion dollars have been cut from state education funds. Over 8 million came right here out of Catoosa. HOPE funds have been raided, dropping 450 students’ scholarships in order to fund a pork-barrel project. Is it any wonder our graduation rate is next-to-worst in the nation and our SAT scores (despite what you’ve heard) have fallen 3 points? And where is the 8 million dollar tax cut to go along with this cut in services? It does not exist. Catoosa County residents still pay the same taxes. In fact, our property taxes are rising as we struggle to make up for lost state funds. Still no tax cut – just a cut in services.

In all these cases, we’re still paying the bill. We’re just not getting what we pay for. Whoever is elected to this office on Tuesday, we will all still continue to pay taxes. But will we be taxed fairly? And will our money be spent wisely? It is my strong belief that citizens should get what they pay for. You pay it in, and it should be there when you need it for your old age, your child’s health crisis, and for the education of Georgia students.

Once again, I humbly ask for your vote on Tuesday, November 7th. I pledge that I will always vote to tax fairly, and to spend wisely. I believe that our senior citizens should be cared for as they lay dying, whether or not they can afford to pay the medical bills themselves. I don’t believe widows should be tossed out of their homes in the wake of losing a spouse. I believe we need programs to provide low-cost medical care to poor children, rather than finding them in the Emergency Room with every illness. I believe parents deserve help with the high medical costs incurred by raising ill or disabled children. I believe all Georgia children deserve a quality education and a decent shot at life. Most of all, I believe Georgia citizens should get what they pay for.

Vote for Mom on Tuesday, Nov. 7th.
Vote for common sense and compassion.
Vote for Jeannie Babb Taylor, House District 3.

Committee to Elect Jeannie Babb Taylor www.voteformom.com
PO Box 806 * Ringgold, GA 30736 * jeannie@babb.com * 706-965-4587

The Difference Between Jeannie Babb Taylor and Ron Forster

2006-10-30T11:07:00.000-05:00

From the beginning I’ve committed to running a clean campaign, and I will continue to do so. You won’t find me badmouthing my opponent as a person, talking about his daddy (a la Ford/Corker) or questioning his sexual orientation. I am sure some people dislike Ron Forster personally, but I'm not one of them. What I dislike are the decisions he has made while in office.

Some people don't like to hear anything negative. It is necessary, though, to contrast the differences in his philosophy and mine. It is important that you look past campaign rhetoric at the facts and the voting record. In this series of articles, I will explore Forster’s votes in the 2005 and 2006 legislative section, and how my position differs from his. Each line below is a link to the article.

Forster voted to abolish sunshine laws that protect property owners.
Forster voted to raid HOPE scholarship money.
Forster voted for bigger classrooms.
Forster voted for gerrymandering.
Forster voted for the Hawks.
Forster voted to let your drinking water be polluted with septic waste.
Forster voted to seize the homes of the elderly.
Forster voted to let corporations leave a toxic mess.

Coming this legislative session: Forster promises to raise insurance premiums for state employees who are obese. (1/3 of Americans are technically obese.)

So what's the difference between Taylor and Forster?

I believe that every child in Georgia has the right to quality education.
I believe that every family and elder in Georgia has the right to affordable healthcare.
I believe we can achieve economic growth and middle class tax relief.

We're losing ground in education, with SAT scores falling and a graduation rate that is next-to-last in the nation. We can't say we have good health care, with babies dying at a higher rate here in Georgia than in Taiwan and South Korea. Our economy is suffering, too. We have the highest rate of foreclosures in the nation, a wage gap of 1000% and the lowest minimum wage in the country. Independent studies show that in Georgia, it's the lower and middle class bearing a heavier total tax burden.

Join with me. Vote for Jeannie Babb Taylor and help make Georgia great again!

Committee to Elect Jeannie Babb Taylor www.voteformom.com
PO Box 806 * Ringgold, GA 30736 * jeannie@babb.com * 706-965-4587

Other Forster Votes

2006-10-30T10:21:00.000-05:00

Forster Voted to Seize Homes of Elderly
Under SB 572, the state government can seize the home of a Medicaid recipient in order to recoup what Medicaid paid for their hospital or nursing home bill. 40,000 Georgia citizens have already received letters stating that nursing home residents in long-term care can have their property taken. This bill forces families to choose between receiving needed long-term care, and keeping their family’s house. Widows and widowers can literally be turned out into the streets if their spouse dies at the nursing home.

Forster Voted to Pollute Your Drinking Water with Septic Waste
Ron Forster voted in favor a SB 510, which would have allowed septic tanks to be placed within stream buffer zones. This bill was defeated on the last day of the 2006 session. Out of 180 legislators, Forster was one of just 39 who still thought polluting your drinking water was a good idea.

You don’t have to be a Sierra Club member to recognize that draining septic tanks into local streams and rivers is not a great idea. Stream buffer zones and run-off areas must be honored and protected in order protect the health of our citizens.

Forster Lets Corporations Leave a Toxic Mess
Forster introduced HB 1353, a bill that will dramatically reduce cleanup standards for toxic sites (brownfields), and specifically exempts such property from common law property rights lawsuits by neighboring landowners. Forster is an enthusiastic member of the American Legislative Exchange Council (ALEC), a polluter-funded service that writes anti-environmental, anti-regulation bills for introduction in various states.

Forster Voted to Give Away Your Representative Power to "Hawks"
In January, 2005, Republicans introduced legislative “hawks” through HR 11. These hawks are hand-picked by the Speaker of the House to “go vote” on any committee as he directs them. Since they are not committee members, they have not seen all the facts or heard all the arguments surrounding the issue. They just swoop in, like the bird of prey for which the Speaker named them, and vote the Speaker’s will. The Speaker’s hawks give him the power to make sure he can win every vote in every committee that comes through the State House.

This power has never existed in any other state, and with good reason. It serves to prevent healthy, bi-partisan discussion. It silences all opposition, even from within one’s own party. The purpose of legislative committees is to foster discussion among legislators who are more knowledgeable in certain fields. If a bill seems un-American, frivolous, or problematic, it should not make it out of committee until and unless the problems are resolved. The new hawk system thwarts that process, insults the intelligence of committee members, and tramples the rights of the voters who elected those Representatives.

Committee to Elect Jeannie Babb Taylor www.voteformom.com
PO Box 806 * Ringgold, GA 30736 * jeannie@babb.com * 706-965-4587

News Articles on the "Vote for Mom" Campaign

2006-10-29T21:36:00.000-05:00

Taylor challenges Rep. Forster in District 3

Area incumbents outpace opponents in funds, spending

Jeannie Babb Taylor Seeks 3rd House Seat

Candidates Bring up Local, State Issues at Forum

Democrats Air Platform at Candidate's Forum

Candidates Debate in Catoosa County

Mother of Six Strives to Become a State Lawmaker

If you see any I missed, please send them my way!

Committee to Elect Jeannie Babb Taylor www.voteformom.com
PO Box 806 * Ringgold, GA 30736 * jeannie@babb.com * 706-965-4587

Vote for Mom in the Catoosa County News Poll

2006-10-29T20:37:00.000-05:00

Please vote for Jeannie Babb Taylor in the new Catoosa County News poll.

http://www.catoosanews.com/

(poll is at left, scroll down)

My opponent Ron Forster thinks he has this election in the bag. He actually told the Free Press that he’s “not worried” about this election because “this is a Republican area.” I think that should insult voters (what, they aren’t going to consider the candidates or issues at all?)

I’m hoping voters will remember his deeds while in office. He voted to

* Allow pollution of stream buffer zones with septic tanks
* Kick 50,000 children off Medicaid
* Let the government seize the homes of elderly Medicaid users
* Eliminate “sunshine laws” that protect property owners
* Prevent property owners from suing companies that leave toxic brownfields
* Divert education funds
* Weaken the anti-smoking bill

Forster receives thousands of dollars from Big Tobacco, large corporations and other special interest groups. Yet he says these contributions do not affect his votes as a lawmaker. What do you think?

Currently he says he’s refining a bill that will make obese state employees pay a higher insurance premium. (1/3 of the American population is technically “obese.”) His mantra is “smaller government,” but that really means “fewer services” while we pay the same tax rate or more.

People don't like to hear anything negative, but we all need to know when we are not being represented in Atlanta. When a politician is sold out to special interests and lobbyists, we need to know that!

When I entered this race, it was just a victory to see 2 names on the ballot. But now more than ever, I feel that I can take this seat. With your help I can win this election, and I am confident that I can do a better job representing the people of this district. We can oust a Big Tobacco, special-interest-funded professional politician and have a real citizen candidate in office. I know that I can be a major force of change and touch many people’s lives.

Please visit the Catoosa County News site www.catoosanews.com and vote for Jeannie Babb Taylor. More importantly, don't forget to vote in the real election next Tuesday, November 7th!

Committee to Elect Jeannie Babb Taylor www.voteformom.com
PO Box 806 * Ringgold, GA 30736 * jeannie@babb.com * 706-965-4587

What Else is On the Ballot?

2006-10-28T10:20:00.000-04:00

It's frustrating to walk into the polling booth and find more issues and candidates than you've considered. Below is a link to ballots in the Catoosa County district. Please note that some precincts will have two different ballots, depending on your exact residence location. Scroll down to find your precinct.

http://www.catoosa.com/depts/elections/#Sample_Ballots

Here's an article from the Atlanta Journal Constitution, with their take on the various amendments:

http://savannahnow.com/node/166920

Early voting is this week. Beat the crowd and vote at your convenience at Catoosa Hall (formerly called the Courthouse Annex). And don't forget to "Vote for Mom!"

Committee to Elect Jeannie Babb Taylor www.voteformom.com
PO Box 806 * Ringgold, GA 30736 * jeannie@babb.com * 706-965-4587

No More Gerrymandered Districts -- Vote for Mom

2006-10-28T06:27:00.000-04:00

In the spring of 2005, my opponent helped pass HB 499, which redistricts Georgia voting districts to give Republicans an unfair advantage. There was no valid reason for this mid-decade redistricting. There is no accurate population data right now, since the last census was in 2000. Yet the House pushed ahead to redraw the districts in a way that reduces African-American voting strength in at least two districts – a direct violation of the Voting Rights Act.
The map was redrawn by a 23-yearold, partisan congressional staff member one night after he ate dinner at home. In fact, when talking about the new map he said, “It gets almost a video game-like quality to it after working with it a little while.” There was no debate on the new map, and no public input.

In 2006, my opponent voted to change the boundaries of eight House districts (HB 1137) and three Senate districts (SB 386) in order to give them a larger number of Republican voters. The Senate changes were made specifically to hurt the chances of Rep. Jane Kidd, who had recently announced her candidacy for the 46th Senate District.

I oppose gerrymandering. I was appalled when I studied the map of our own District 3. The lines bear no regard for county borders or even voting precincts. Poor urban sections are pointedly carved out, and fingers project into other districts to pick up a few high-end houses, or a single ridge-top road.

Voting districts should be drawn in a way that allows for fair representation of citizens. The lines should not be determined by political party strategists. Common sense tells us that voting districts should be redrawn only when a census or other reliable data reveals the need. Districts should be drawn to encompass whole counties unless the population size calls for a smaller district. Nor should a voting precinct be divided between two districts.

If elected, I will support a constitutional amendment calling for the appointment of a non-partisan commission to draw legislative and congressional district lines every ten years.
Georgia has a history with the Republican and Democratic parties, when in the majorities, having used their power to pass legislative maps that give their incumbent members safe districts to run campaigns from, because the districts are packed with only likeminded voters. Creating these newly drawn districts has often come at the expense of communities of interest by splitting up counties and cities, only to gain political advantage.

Drawing gerrymandered districts for political gain is wrong, no matter what party has the majority at the time. An independent commission drawing legislative and congressional maps would take some of the politics out of the process and restore public confidence. This has been very successful in the state of Iowa and Georgia voters ought to have the option to have an independent commission drawing fair maps, every ten years.

Committee to Elect Jeannie Babb Taylor www.voteformom.com
PO Box 806 * Ringgold, GA 30736 * jeannie@babb.com * 706-965-4587

Vote for Smaller Class Sizes -- Vote for Mom

2006-10-28T06:16:00.000-04:00

With almost $1 billion in new revenue in the coffers, my opponent voted in favor of SB 35 which increases allowable class sizes. In violation of The A+ Reform Act of 2000, class room sizes continue to remain at bloated levels, reducing teachers to crowd control and inhibiting meaningful classroom learning.

For years educators have testified that class size greatly impacts the quality of education. For years, Republicans have bragged that they had, were, or would reduce classroom sizes. Yet without fail, they continue to insist on larger classroom sizes.

The only way to reduce classroom sizes while keeping the same number of students, is to hire more teachers. It's difficult to do that while cutting $1.25 billion from state education funds. Let's show Georgia legislators what is important to us.

I oppose any further delays in meeting the A+ Reform class sizes. I will fight to restore the funds cut from education and hire more teachers. Vote for Jeannie Babb Taylor on Tuesday, November 7th. A vote for Mom is a vote for education.

Committee to Elect Jeannie Babb Taylor www.voteformom.com
PO Box 806 * Ringgold, GA 30736 * jeannie@babb.com * 706-965-4587

Save HOPE -- Vote for Mom

2006-10-28T06:08:00.000-04:00

I need your vote in order to stop further raiding of HOPE scholarship funds. While I've never been a fan of the lottery, I strongly believe we need to use the money for its intended purpose of educating Georgia.

In the 2005 session, my opponent Ron Forster voted to slash 450 scholarships in favor of a pork-barrel project called Georgia College 411. This project stripped 1.7 million dollars of lottery funds out of the scholarship coffers to pay for a website, http://www.gacollege411.org/. The website, which provides comparison of Georgia colleges, scholarship information and SAT test prep questions, duplicates the services of existing free websites like www.collegeboard.com.

Forster also voted in favor of HB 299, which cuts off HOPE scholarship money after the student earns 127 credits. About 7,300 HOPE scholars are currently in programs that require more than 127 credits to graduate. It is absurd to cut off funding to these students just as they are nearing the finish line. The result may be to shove students away from longer degree programs into shorter degree fields and lower-paying jobs.

We need to encourage our students to pursue engineering and other degree fields that require more credits, in order to bolster our economy in the future. There is no financial justification for capping HOPE hours at this time. Thus far we have not even needed to implement financial stability triggers that were adopted last year. HOPE should be used for the students, not for pork barrel projects. I will oppose any cuts to the HOPE scholarship. I will also oppose diversion of funds from HOPE to other projects such as redundant websites.

The Morning Show - Wed. 8:00 a.m.

2006-10-24T13:03:00.000-04:00

Don't miss my appearance on the Morning Show! It has been rescheduled to Wednesday at 8:oo a.m. on local cable channel UCTV-3.

See you then!

Jeannie Babb Taylor
District 3 Democratic Candidate
Georgia House of Representatives
www.VoteforMom.com
706.965.4587

What About Guns?

2006-10-24T11:53:00.000-04:00

While I'm heading off misconceptions, let me address the gun issue. I've had a few people call or email me, worried that because I am a Democrat I will be in favor of gun control and will seek to take away their guns. I can put that fear to rest very quickly. The NRA gives me an "A" rating.

I support the Second Amendment. I believe that most Georgians are good, honest, salt-of-the-earth people -- and that they have a right to protect themselves from those who are not. As the saying goes, "If you outlaw guns, only outlaws will have guns."

Studies around the world show that banning guns leads to higher crime rates. A better way to keep guns out of the hands of criminals, is to keep those criminals in jail. There aren't that many violent criminals; rather the same people keep re-offending. We need to make a distinction between violent criminals run-of-the-mill non-violent offenders. Rehabilitation and education can help non-violent offenders start life anew, and make more space in our prison system for truly violent offenders to remain locked up.

Jeannie Babb Taylor
District 3 Democratic Candidate
Georgia House of Representatives
www.VoteforMom.com
706.965.4587

My Stand Against Abortion

2006-10-24T11:48:00.000-04:00

My opposition is spreading the lie that I am pro-abortion. This accusation could not be further from the truth. People who know me well know that I have spent a decade of my life saving babies from abortion. As a teenager I felt the call of God on my life to enter ministry, particularly helping girls in crisis (pregnancy and otherwise) turn their lives around.

While I was still in high school, I became the youngest counselor at Dalton Pregnancy Center, a pro-life Christian ministry that helps women facing unplanned pregnancy. I later served as the assistant director for that facility.

During college at UGA, I volunteered at a Christian crisis pregnancy center in Athens, plus served as a mentor at a local maternity home.

I spent the next summer working as a weekend houseparent for Norville Hayes’ Maternity Home.

At just 19 years of age, I founded a Christian ministry for teenage girls in crisis, including pregnant girls.

For five years I took prostitutes and run-aways off the streets. Judges and counselors sent me pregnant teens out of jails and psychiatric wards so they would not be forced to abort their babies.

I housed, clothed, fed, rehabilitated and cared for over a hundred girls, many of them pregnant.

I stood up to parents and boyfriends who tried pressure girls to abort their babies.

I held their hands while they gave birth, taught them to breastfeed, and supported them as they decided whether to raise their children or place them for adoption.

I helped these young women continue their education, obtain meaningful employment, and go on with their lives.

At the same time I also served full-time as the counselor for a national 800 abortion crisis-line. The aim of the ministry was to prevent abortions and link women with local organizations that help them carry their babies to term. We also connected them to medical or legal services for problems after an abortion.

I was actually the poster child for AAA Women’s Services, the pro-life crisis pregnancy center in Chattanooga. My photo is on their brochure, holding a newborn in my arms.

I am a Christian mother with 6 children, 5 born to me and one that I adopted. I’m not just pro-life. I’m prolific!

These are things I have done as a conscientious citizen who cares about women and babies. As your representative to the Georgia state house, I will be able to do much more to prevent abortions. Before we can prevent abortions, we have to ask what is causing them.

Most women who choose abortion are mothers who feel they cannot provide for another child. These aren't teens using abortion as birth control, but adults who are struggling to raise the children they already have. We need to make parenthood more possible. We need to make sure that all children and pregnant women have adequate medical care. We need to reduce the tax burden on the working class, raise minimum wage, and help the 1/5 of Georgians who find themselves below poverty level. Most of them are children and single mothers.

To be truly pro-life, you have to care about babies before and after they are born. Yet many politicians who claim to be pro-life, don't seem at all concerned about our abysmal infant mortality rate. Did you know that 8-9 out of every 1,000 Georgia children die within a year of birth? This rate is 44th in the nation. Babies in Israel, Estonia, Taiwan and South Korea fare better than Georgia babies! The same politicians who claim to be pro-life constantly seek to cut services to pregnant women, single mothers, and poor children. Just this spring, 50,000 children lost Medicaid coverage. Republicans herald this cut as a tax-payer savings, but they did not cut taxes; they cut services. In the end, the cut costs taxpayers even more. Most of those children will end up in the E.R. with something ordinary like strep throat. Instead of paying for a $100 doctor visit, somebody will have to pay for a $2,000 E.R. visit. When their parents are unable to pay, that cost will come back on us. Whether through indigent programs or medical inflation, it all comes back on you and me. Children suffer, taxes remain high, and no one benefits.

Don’t be fooled by campaign rhetoric. Republicans claim abortion as their banner issue every year, and every year they do nothing to help the situation. In fact, they oppose programs designed to benefit poor families, single mothers, and uninsured children. Their policies create more barriers to parenthood and increase the temptation to abort. Historically, abortion rates have risen during Republican administrations. Republicans claim to be the only party for Christians, but they forget the words of James: Religion that God our Father accepts as pure and faultless is this: to look after orphans and widows in their distress and to keep oneself from being polluted by the world. (James 1:27)

If you are one of the many citizens who feels that abortion is the most important election issue, then I am your candidate.

Sincerely,

Jeannie Babb Taylor
District 3 Democratic Candidate
Georgia House of Representatives
www.VoteforMom.com

Sunshine Laws Protect Property Owners

2006-10-19T23:35:00.000-04:00

In the 2005 legislative session, Ron Forster voted in favor of HB 218, which legalizes secret economic development deals between government agencies and private companies. Without “sunshine laws,” property owners have no due process. They have no way to organize against big development projects that may hurt their property values. This bill passed the House and Jeff Mullis is now trying to push it through the Georgia Senate.

I will join other Democratic leaders who are trying to stop these secret deals and require 2/3 majority for any exception to the Open Records and Open Meetings Act. This would also mean that the Georgia General Assembly itself would be answerable to the public.

I believe that government “of the people, by the people, for the people,” must not be hidden from the people. The job of government is to protect the citizens, not exploit them. State sunshine laws hold government accountable, and should not be abandoned.

Committee to Elect Jeannie Babb Taylor www.VoteforMom.com
PO Box 806 * Ringgold, GA 30736 * jeannie@babb.com * 706-965-4587

The Night Show

2006-10-19T13:44:00.000-04:00

Did anyone catch me on Judy O'Neal's Night Show last Tuesday? Please post some feedback if you saw the show!

Upcoming Appearances:

Thursday, October 19, 2006 at 6:30 PM
Catoosa Chamber of Commerce Candidates Forum at Ringgold United Methodist Church

Saturday, October 21, 2006 North Georgia Fair
The fair runs Oct 19-28th, but Saturday I'll be there meeting and greeting

Tuesday, October 24, 2006 at 8:00 AM Judy O’Neal’s Morning Show

Saturday, October 28th, 2006 from 9:30 a.m. to 12:00 noon
Chickamauga Creek Clean-Up
Ringgold Recreation Fields (wear old clothes, waders, boots, etc!)

Saturday, October 28th, 2005 from 6:00 p.m. to 9:00 p.m.
Democratic Rally at the American Legion in Rossville, GA

billboard

2006-10-13T20:29:00.000-04:00

A Reason to Run

2006-10-08T20:43:00.000-04:00

Why would a busy mother of six want to run for public office?

Not in spite of motherhood, but because of it. I want my children to grow up in a good, safe place. I want them to look forward to educational and economic opportunities. I want them to have blue skies above, and clean water to drink. I want them to see a doctor when they need medical care. I want them to have many well-paying jobs to choose from. I want them to grow up learning to care about other people yet make their own way. I want them love Georgia, and be proud to tell people where they are from.

That's what I want for all of Georgia's children.

Committee to Elect Jeannie Babb Taylor www.voteformom.com
PO Box 806 * Ringgold, GA 30736 * jeannie@babb.com * 706-965-4587

Sierra Club Endorses Jeannie Babb Taylor

2006-10-07T18:25:00.000-04:00

I am pleased to announce that I have received the endorsement of the Georgia Sierra Club. The Sierra Club is a nonpartisan organization that supports pro-environmental candidates. Efforts range from voter education and grassroots action to candidate endorsements and support. (I turned down the support, since I've committed not to take money from Political Action Committees.)

After reviewing my position on environmental issues, Georgia Sierra Club feels that I am the best candidate for Georgia's environment.

It probably wasn't a difficult decision, since my opponent made their infamous Dirty Dozen list!

From the Georgia Sierra Club website:

"Ron Forster of Ringgold has been noted in the past for his support for running All Terrain Vehicles on roads, an unsafe practice that is currently illegal. Rep. Forster is also an enthusiastic member of the American Legislative Exchange Council, (ALEC), a polluter-funded "service" that writes anti-environmental, anti-regulation bills for introduction in various states. In 2006 Rep. Forster introduced HB 1353, a bill that would dramatically reduce cleanup standards for toxic sites (Brownfields), and specifically exempted such property from "common law" property rights lawsuits by neighboring landowners."

http://georgia.sierraclub.org/legislative/state/

Yours for Georgia,

Jeannie Babb Taylor

Committee to Elect Jeannie Babb Taylor www.VoteforMom.com
PO Box 806 * Ringgold, GA 30736 * jeannie@babb.com * 706-965-4587

Forster Promises Premium Hike

2006-10-03T19:58:00.000-04:00

Did you catch the article on my State House race in yesterday’s Times Free Press? My opponent Ron Forster actually told the reporter that he is going to raise health insurance premiums for state health employees who are obese. The bill doesn’t surprise me, but I’m shocked that he would brag about such discrimination during an election year. Obesity is defined as a body mass index of 30 and up. 2/3 of American adults are overweight, and 1/3 are obese.

In the article, Forster claims he will win just because he is a Republican. Of course many of us here in the South take a conservative position on moral issues, and Republicans use those issues to manipulate the vote. But we’re not dumb. We recognize the Republican commitment to the big business position.

Forster is wrong if he thinks North Georgia voters will vote blindly for all Republican candidates. He is wrong if he thinks you won’t consider the issues that affect your health, your children, your livelihood, and your retirement.

We know who stands to benefit by allowing insurance companies to discriminate against workers who have put on a few pounds. Soon health insurance will be just like life insurance – You can only get it when you’re young and healthy, and your grandma’s cause of death will increase your premium.

People with serious health problems already have trouble getting health insurance. My 7-year-old son was turned away from Blue Cross Blue Shield earlier this year because of an asthma diagnosis. BCBS took my money and said we were covered, then followed up with a letter excluding one child from our family coverage. That should not be legal.

What North Georgia voters want is health insurance that cannot be cancelled just when you need it. Insurance companies must not be allowed to hike your rate whenever you meet your deductible. They must cover the entire family – not just the healthy members – and they should be required to pay claims. After all, that’s why you sacrifice to pay your premiums.

Send me to Atlanta and I promise that my voice will echo through the halls of government. Insurance companies will not want to mess with Mom on the issue of affordable health care for families.

Sincerely,

Jeannie Babb Taylor
www.VoteforMom.com
Distrct 3 Democratic Candidate
Georgia House of Representatives
706-965-4587

46,000 Georgia children lost health care coverage

2006-09-30T11:59:00.000-04:00

Medicaid officials report that between January and April, 50,000 children lost Georgia medicaid coverage. Only 4,000 of them were transfers to PeachCare.

What caused the decrease?

* Restrictive paperwork requirements
* Citizenship requirements (which also affect US citizens who are children of immigrants)
* Slashing of the Katie Beckett program that helped disabled children
* Cutting of speech and therapy programs for disabled children
* Undocumented immigrants no longer receive even emergency treatment under Medicaid
* Pregnant women without citizenship documentation cannot receive maternity care

It is interesting to me that this legislation was passed by a party that claims to be "pro-life." If they honestly believe the child in the womb is a human being with human rights -- and in this case one who will become a U.S. citizen -- how can they refuse this child basic medical care? Are they perhaps hoping that these babies will be stillborn so they will not become citizens?

These policies are not only wicked; they are also foolish. Hispanic mothers tend to carry their babies to term. They give birth to live children, more so than other ethnic groups. These babies will be born. They will become U.S. citizens. What have we gained by not providing maternity care while they were in the womb? Only additional health problems and higher ongoing health costs.

Georgia already has one of the highest infant mortality rates in the United States. With 8.5 of every 1,000 children dying, Georgia infant mortality is even higher than in many poor countries like South Korea and Taiwan. Over the last two decades, our child death rate has slowly been improving. Now we can expect to see more and more children die.

We can also expect to see the Emergency Rooms filled with uninsured children who could not get in to see a regular doctor. ER visits cost $1,000-$2,000 for common ailments like strep throat or asthma. Who's going to pay these astronomical bills? WE ARE! We will pay them in the form of higher medical bills to make up for the uncollectible debts, higher insurance rates to make up for the higher medical bills, and higher taxes to keep the hospitals from going under. There is no taxpayer savings here. Thousands of children will be sicker, and we'll pay more. How's that for stupid government?

Clearly these changes represent the culmination of hostility toward immigrants in our midst. Yet the effect is more far-ranging, hurting poor children in every county and ethnic group.

J.

Committee to Elect Jeannie Babb Taylor www.voteformom.com
PO Box 806 * Ringgold, GA 30736 * jeannie@babb.com * 706-965-4587

Here's What You Missed

2006-09-29T23:14:00.000-04:00

If you missed our "Bluegrass at the Depot" concert fundraiser last weekend, you missed some great music! Lewis Taylor and Friends played, sang and entertained for nearly three hours straight. If you're wondering who Lewis Taylor's friends are, they are Dr. Ronal D. Graham on bass, and Butch Lanham on guitar. In this photo, my 14-year-old daughter Deborah temporarily joins the band with her fiddle.

You also missed a delicious taco bar provided by Los Reyes Restaurants, and rousing political speeches by:

Chris Scott, candidate for Catoosa County Commissioner District 4
John Bradbury, U.S. Congress candidate from this area
and of course, yours truly!

You can read my speech notes below.

J.

Committee to Elect Jeannie Babb Taylor www.voteformom.com
PO Box 806 * Ringgold, GA 30736 * jeannie@babb.com * 706-965-4587

Speech Notes

2006-09-29T22:21:00.000-04:00

Synopsis (not a transcript) of my "Bluegrass at the Depot" speech last Saturday.

Georgia is in a state of crisis, and needs a legislator who will respond to the needs of the citizens -- not the whims of lobbyists, special interest groups, and large corporations. Our health care system is failing, our educational system is failing, and our economy is failing. Ultimately it is the middle class and the working poor who bear the brunt of these failures.

Health Care Crisis:
1.5 million Georgians are uninsured. Over 70% of those without health insurance are in full-time working families. Because they work, they are not eligible for state health care assistance. Medical bills are the leading cause of bankruptcy.

Health Care Solution:
Every Georgian should have access to proper medical care and affordable insurance. I want to expand PeachCare to cover all Georgia's uninsure children. We can close the working class insurance gap by offering affordable, sliding-scale health insurance to all Georgians. Employers can participate by paying part of the premium, thereby allowing small businesses to compete for good workers they are now losing when they cannot provide health insurance benefits.

Education Crisis:
Over 1.25 billion dollars have been cut from state educational funds. No one has adequately explained where the money went; the taxes we pay for education are as high as ever! Meanwhile counties are raising property taxes to cover the differences, and students are suffering. Georgia's graduation rate has fallen to #49 in the nation, behind only Louisiana. 1/3 of our students fail to graduate, putting them at a 3.5x greater risk of ending up in jail.

Education Answer:
I will fight to restore the dollars cut from state funding, relieving local property owners of a rising education tax. I will help protect HOPE money from further raiding. Georgians were sold the lottery on the premise that the money would be used for education, not pork barrel projects. Let's keep the lottery money where it belongs, in our schools. Let's focus on graduation, and watch unemployment and incarceration rates fall. Georgia does not have to be on the bottom of the barrel. We can offer our students excellent education and real opportunities to achieve.

Economic Crisis:
Partially as a result of the health care crisis and the educational crisis, Georgia is also experiencing a crisis in the state economy. Some people shrug it off; "It's a national trend," they say. While it is true that the national economy is floundering, Georgia's economy has been hit harder than most other states. We recently experienced our 2nd highest jump in new unemployment. We have the highest rate of foreclosures in the entire nation. Our minimum wage hasn't been increased in nearly a decade. In fact, we don't really have a minimum wage. Georgia just follows the federal minimum wage, which currently has workers earning wages far below poverty level. In the 2005 legislative session, 38 states introduced legislation to raise their minimum wage. Georgia was not among them. In fact, Georgia was the only state that introduced legislation to drop the minimum wage. The state Senate passed the "training wage" bill, SB92, with no public outcry. That bill goes to the Georgia State House in 2007. I want to be there to stop it.

Economic Solution:
Georgia government must create an environment that fosters economic growth and makes room for the middle class. We must raise -- not drop -- the minimum wage. We must create and protect jobs. Small businesses comprise 98% of Georgia companies and employ half of all Georgia workers. They provide a diverse economy that doesn't bottom out with the threat of lay-offs. We need to support these companies, rather than courting foreign investment firms while refusing local business leaders the help they need. In the same spirit, we need to reduce the tax burden on the middle class, the backgone of our society. Did you know the highest tax bracket in the Georgia income tax code is $7,001 and up? That means a minimum wage worker pays the same percent income tax as a millionaire -- but without access to all those loopholes. It's time to tell the government, "Stop taxing the life out of the middle class."

In closing, I want you to know that I am the candidate who will represent the citizens of District 3. We don't have to have the next-to-lowest graduation rate and the highest foreclosure rate in the country. Together, we can turn our state around. Let's make Georgia great again.

J.

Committee to Elect Jeannie Babb Taylor www.voteformom.com
PO Box 806 * Ringgold, GA 30736 * jeannie@babb.com * 706-965-4587

Bluegrass at the Depot on Sept 23rd

2006-09-10T13:49:00.000-04:00

Bluegrass at the Depot
Sat., September 23rd, 7-10 p.m.
At the historic depot
in Ringgold, Georgia
Finger foods by Los Reyes
Tickets $10 at the door

Music by
“Lewis Taylor & Friends”

Campaign fundraiser for
Jeannie Babb Taylor
District 3 Democratic Candidate

“Vote for Mom” Common Sense Government

• Affordable Healthcare

• Quality Education

• Economic Growth

• Minimum Wage Increase

• Middle Class Tax Relief

• Open Government

Committee to Elect Jeannie Babb Taylor www.voteformom.com
PO Box 806 * Ringgold, GA 30736 * jeannie@babb.com * 706-965-4587

Why I Am A Democrat

2006-09-08T00:50:00.000-04:00

10. I do not believe the Internet should be taxed.

9. Democrats understand math. We know how to balance a budget!

8. Haliburton.

7. I stand for open government, not secret meetings and backroom deals.

6. Government should protect the middle class, not erode it.

5. Democrats espouse economic progress.

4. "Mission accomplished."

3. As a TV-caller onced accused me: "You think EVERYBODY should be able to get an education!"

2. I don't think Georgia politicians should be patting themselves on the back while our state is at the bottom of the barrel for child wellfare, infant mortality and foreclosures.

1. Our graduation rate is #49 in the nation. Rich Republicans may consider it a source of cheap labor; I consider it a shame and a crisis.

Jeannie Babb Taylor
www.voteformom.com
jeannie@babb.com

Who Took $844 From Your Child? Sonny Did!

2006-08-30T10:06:00.000-04:00

Perdue Cuts $8,422,719 from Catoosa Students

(Atlanta) In four years, Gov. Sonny Perdue cut over $1.25 billion from Georgia’s local schools forcing nearly 100 districts to increase property taxes. Countless other districts cut educational programs for the students of Georgia. On average, Gov. Perdue took $828.68 away from each student. [The Governor’s Budget Report, FY 2007, p. 142; Comparative Summary of HB 121, S.F.Y. 2003 Amended General Appropriations Act, p.18; Millage Rates fr om Georgia School Superintendents Association; Calculations from GA DOE Earnings Sheets]

Local school districts have suffered from the cuts, and many have been forced to raise property taxes to make up the difference. Gov. Perdue cut Catoosa Schools by $8,422,719 over the last four budget years; that’s a cut of $844 to the average Catoosa County student.

School systems across Georgia have had to freeze teacher pay, stop hiring new teachers, increased class size and cut classes and programs for students as a result. Those cuts come even as property taxes rise in many districts to try to make up for Gov. Perdue’s cuts. In the past three years, Catoosa property taxes have increased by $33 for every $100,000 in taxable assets.

(from a Democratic party press release)

Georgia's Tax System Outdated

2006-08-26T10:25:00.000-04:00

Did you know Georgia tax brackets have not been updated since the 1930's? The highest tax bracket for state income tax is $7001 and up. That's right -- the ultra wealthy pay the same percentage income tax as a minimum-wage worker.

The Georgia Budget and Policy Institute (GBPI), an independent, nonprofit, nonpartisan organization that studies the fiscal and economic health of Georgia, calls for comprehensive tax reform. The reforms GBPI calls for are not the unbalanced, benefit-the-rich cuts suggested by current lawmakers. The report says we need an earned income tax credit to benefit families. We need more tax brackets to spread the taxation burden more evenly. We also need to consider what goods and services are taxed, since sales tax have not been adequately updated as Georgia has moved from a goods-based to a service-based economy.

Tax cuts must be balanced by other tax revenue increases. The report suggests increasing the cigarette tax, reinstating the state estate tax, and increasing the top income tax rate.

Interestingly, the conclusions of this non-partisan research group are exactly the opposite of recent proposals by Republican lawmakers. Republicans have proposed eliminating the property tax, eliminating the car tax, reducing or eliminating the income tax, and raising the sales tax. All these tax cuts may sound great on the surface, but the sales tax increase will hurt average Georgians far more than the cuts will help us. That's because most of us have to spend everything we make.

The effect of the Republican proposal is to ship the tax burden from the rich to the middle class and the poor. Income taxes, car taxes and property taxes are graduated; those who make more or own more, pay more. By contrast, a sales tax hits the lower economic bracket harder than the upper echelons. Wealthy people do not spend everything they make, whereas the poor live hand-to-mouth. According to current statistics, even the middle class is now spending every dime earned. Therefore, increasing the sales tax increases the tax burden on the poor and middle class.

According to GBPI, Georgia can roll back the tax burden for all but the richest 5% of Georgians, and have a net gain of $245 million revenue. Ask yourself as you go to the polls this November -- In this lagging economy, who really deserves a tax cut? The richest 5% of Georgians, or the rest of us working people?

Jeannie Babb Taylor
District 3 Candidate
Georgia House of Representatives
www.VoteforMom.com

What Does it Mean to Be Pro-Business?

2006-08-10T20:04:00.000-04:00

The other night I ran into Mayor Joe Barger at the local grocery store. It's always fun to see who goes to the grocery store at 9:00 p.m. I was there for diapers. The mayor, being far beyond that stage, was picking up ice cream. While his ice cream melted, we stood in the parking lot excitedly talking about how we can work together to support and strengthen industry in the area. The current budget imbalance in Catoosa County has only one long-term answer, and that is the growth of industry.

When states or counties are trying to entice a large business such as an automaker to invest in a community, government officials pull out all the stops. They make promises (sometimes promises they cannot keep, as in the case of Novartis and Tennessee); they suspend or fractionalize tax payments; they build infrastructure; they extend sewer and utility lines. In short, they lower the startup cost for that business location.

By contrast, too little is done to boost the success of small and ongoing businesses. Companies that are floundering have nowhere to turn when cashflow issues or a lagging economy takes their toll. The result is that jobs are lost. This year Georgia experienced its second-largest jump in the number of newly unemployed. We need to look at how we can support small and existing businesses -- not merely enormous manufacturers. State and local government need to assume a greater role in growing industry in the area.

98% of Georgia's businesses are small businesses. Some of them have only a handful of employees, yet they employ over half of the state's total workforce and generate over 50% of the state's gross domestic product. A recent study showed that Georgia businesses now bear 44% of the overall tax burden, up from 40% just a few years ago. In short, small businesses provide jobs, economic opportunity, and a tax base.

Small businesses also provide a more diversified economy. An area that is supported by multiple small businesses offers a wider array of jobs, and is less susceptible to lay offs, longterm unemployment and plant shutdown. We would all be happy, of course, to see another large textile plant open in Ringgold. We need to have the infrastructure (and that includes sewer) that would entice large manufacturers. But as we pursue that goal, let's not lose sight of the hundreds of small businesses in this district that are quietly supporting our economy and making this area such a nice place to live.

Jeannie Babb Taylor
District 3 Candidate
Georgia State House
www.VoteforMom.com

Catoosa County News Feature

2006-08-10T08:05:00.000-04:00

Be sure to see my feature article this week in the Catoosa County News.

http://news.mywebpal.com/news_tool_v2.cfm?show=localnews&pnpID=724&NewsID=737972&CategoryID=3418&on=1

Jeannie Babb Taylor
www.VoteforMom.com

Voices for Georgia's Children

2006-08-08T10:11:00.000-04:00

If you've followed my campaign, you've undoubtedly heard my lament that our state is bottom-of-the-barrel for the well-being of children. You've certainly heard that the Annie E. Casey Foundation, which compiles the annual Kids Count review, ranked Georgia 44th in the nation (50 being worst) in terms of children's health and care.

I want to state unequivocally that this is not just an election-year concern. My election to the District 3 seat of the Georgia House of Representatives will be a point in turning the tide back to Georgia children's favor. Below are the stated goals of Voices for Georgia's Children, to be achieved by 2015:

Reducing child abuse and neglect from 19/1000 to 14/1000
Increasing the percentage of children with health insurance from 87% to 96%
Increasing the percentage of fourth graders reading at basic levels from 59% to 72%
Decreasing the percentage of 16-19 year olds not working and not in school from 11% to 8%.

In nine years, we can certainly reach these modest goals. However, we are not on track to reach them now. Children in Georgia are faring worse, not better, than they were one year ago. Republican slash-and-burn policies toward education and lack of compassion for the poorest, neediest children in Georgia have brought us to the brink of crisis. We have to act now to lift Georgia's children out of poverty and offer them health care, opportunities, and a real chance to succeed in the future.

My opponent has stated that his goal with every piece of legislation is to "make government smaller" and push responsibility back to the citizens. That's all fine and well when we're not talking about children. Children cannot be held responsible for the situation into which they are born. What is the point of government existing at all, if it does not aim to protect the smallest, weakest members of society?

I'm asking for your vote in November. We can turn the tide on child poverty, health care coverage, drop-out rates, abuse and neglect.

Anniversary

2006-08-03T10:31:00.000-04:00

Derek and I recently celebrated our wedding anniversary aboard the Southern Belle riverboat. We have been married for eight wonderful years.

I met Derek when we both joined Babb Lumber Company in order to launch a new energy-efficient and fire-resistant construction product into the industry. (See www.SafeCrete.com for more information.) Over the years, we have grown to love each other more than either of us thought possible. We have enjoyed having children together, building a house together, and building our businesses together.

Derek has always been my biggest fan and greatest supporter in whatever new ventures I discover. As I step into the political arena, it is with confidence that I have someone standing beside me who I can count on to be my best friend and confidante.

Atlanta Smog at 4-year High

2006-08-02T21:51:00.000-04:00

Last year Governor Perdue celebrated when metro Atlanta finally met the original clean air standard, after 27 years of failure. That standard measured ground-level ozone in one-hour increments. It has since been superceded by a much tougher federal standard. But these days, Atlanta cannot even meet the old standard.

The EPA closely watches about twenty cities where summertime smog reaches unhealthy levels. This summer, Metro Atlanta has violated federal ozone standards on 24 days. On seven days, a "code red" warning signified that the air quality was unhealthy even for healthy Atlantans.

According to the Southern Environmental Law Center (SELC), this summer's air quality readings make it mathematically impossible for Atlanta to meet the standards in 2007. As a result, the EPA is likely to downgrade Atlanta's attainment designation -- which could mean the loss of federal highway funds. Jim Grode, air quality attorney for SELC, says the state government must act immediately to avoid missing the next deadline in 2010.

We need to make the air quality of Atlanta a high priority, immediately and throughout the coming years.

Who's Working for You?

2006-07-27T17:28:00.000-04:00

Since I began this campaign, I've been contacted by numerous special interest groups wanting to donate campaign funds. I tell them all "No, thank you."

Even if I agree with their aims, I don't take their money. This is a difficult path to take in a culture where $50,000 state house campaigns are commonplace and the strings are pulled by strategic coalitions.

I don't have any strings to pull. I have always thought that elected officials were public servants. "Government of the people, by the people, for the people" as Lincoln so eloquently phrased it, should be beholden only to individual citizens.

I don't want to be put in office by political action committees, large corporations, or lobbyists. I want to represent the people of District 3. I want to protect YOUR interests at the state level. I want to push for progress that benefits the citizens of this region:

Parents and grandparents
Working people
Those on pensions and fixed incomes

I live, work, and play right here in District 3. I share your concerns about our economy. My health care bills have the same return address as the ones that show up in your mailbox. Like you, I shake my head when I look up at the BP sign each day to see what outrageous price I'll be paying at the fuel pump. Like you, I'm concerned about how we can balance the needs of our community with a limited tax base. I want to make sure that the money we pay in state taxes benefits this area.

Consider this my job application: I want to work for you.

July 18 Primary

2006-07-19T08:26:00.000-04:00

The primary is over and most of the votes have been counted. Although my race was uncontested in the Democratic primary, this is an important milestone.

In Catoosa County, fewer than 10% of voters turned out to vote in either the Democratic or Republican party. Whitfield County was a bit more lively with over 19% of voters coming out to the primary.

Does this mean that 9 out of 10 Catoosa voters and 8 out of 10 Whitfield voters just don't care? In all my discussions with voters (and those who could be registered voters but are not) it is not apathy that I'm encountering. Instead, it seems that people have lost faith in the vote. Here are some of the reasons cited for this loss of faith:

Back room decisions
Electronic voting
Recent presidential elections

Many people feel that their vote is unimportant because the decisions are already made when they arrive to vote. Too often there is only one candidate for each position. This may seem especially true in the primaries, and it may cause some voters to feel that the decisions were already made and they are just offering a "rubber stamp." The answer is to this dilemma is to become involved before the primary. Both parties hold a meeting about once per month, all year long. Democrats and Republicans alike are hungry for fresh faces, new ideas, and new potential candidates. If you don't like the choices being offered, consider running for office yourself! The best candidates are not lifelong politicos, but ordinary citizens who know the community. If you can't run for office, at least be involved in one of the parties. Lend your moral support and an occasional donation to those who make the sacrifice to tackle civic duty.

Another group of people cite electronic voting machines as reason for their loss of faith. They fear that the elections can easily be rigged. In Georgia, there is no "paper trail" and recounts are practically impossible. To make things worse, the manufacturers of the voting machines are significant supporters of one political party. (See http://www.bartcop.com/diebold.htm for a hint.) Many citizens worry whether their vote will be counted at all. Concerns about the system are valid, but failing to vote is not the answer! Discrepencies and problems are more likely to be exposed when a concerned citizenry is pouring into the polls. Close elections are more susceptible to tampering than landslides. With an active electorate, tampering at one precinct could be corrected by proper voting at the other precincts. Fear of corruption should galvanize us to action!

Many people have expressed to me that the last two presidential elections caused them to "give up" on democracy. These people are discouraged from voting because of discrepencies between popular and electoral votes, questions about the accuracy of the vote in certain areas, and concerns about certain groups who were effectively barred from voting by tactics such as the 8-hour line. They feel that the 2000 and 2004 Presidential elections were stolen, and that democracy is broken beyond repair. As one gentleman told me, "They say if you don't vote you can't complain, so I just don't complain anymore." Like so many others, he has lost faith in the vote as a means of achieving representation. What we all need to realize is that rolling over and playing dead only gives victory to corruption. We need alert and faithful citizens who will speak up against election day violations, like the man yesterday who insisted political signs be taken down at the Chambers precinct. (The law says no signs within 150 feet of a polling place.)

This is not the time to retreat. This is the time for action. Vote for officials who will work to clear up unscrupulous practices. Join the Democratic party, which is always working to fight election abuses. Volunteer at the polls. Talk to your friends. Host a party where your friends can meet one of the candidates. Make a small contribution to a candidate you feel will make a difference. Voice your opinion in the local paper, on blogs, at work, in Sunday School, or to your friends.

Join with those of us who are trying to protect Democracy and regain lost ground. We need you. We are fighting a good fight, but we cannot win without your help.

Jeannie Babb Taylor
www.VoteforMom.com

Getting to Know You

2006-07-15T11:27:00.000-04:00

Q: What do you do for a living?

A: I am involved in several local family-owned businesses. Most of my time is devoted to SafeCrete, a local manufacturer of aerated concrete products. SafeCrete products are lightweight, insulating, strong, and fire resistant. We have recently launched production of borate treated lumber, and we have another branch that provides power system consulting.

Q: Tell us about your family.

A: I'm married to my best friend and business partner, Derek Taylor. We have 6 amazing children: Shana Lee (14 months), Christianna (3), Christian (7), Hannah (12), Deborah (14), and Moriah (18.) We are a very active family, and we enjoy doing things together.

Q: What kinds of activities do you do as a family?

A: We work and play together. We canoe Chickamauga Creek, visit local parks, picnic at 5-points in Ringgold or at Stephenson Park. We take the children along on business trips. Sometimes they help us stamp lumber, shop for deals at the flea market, or work on projects at home. Right now Derek is building a fort with them, and even 3yo Christianna has had a turn "helping". We educate the children at home, so everything we do becomes a learning experience.

Q: How do you balance family life with your businesses and campaign?

A: It's not so much a matter of "balance" as it is "integration." I don't switch between separate spheres; that just doesn't work for me. The children are involved in everything I do. I have an office at home as well as at two different businesses, and sometimes I take one or more child to the office. When I'm camaigning, they're right there with me handing out fans or playing fiddle or pushing little sister in her stroller. When I can't be with them, they have each other, or grandparents, or Derek. Derek is a parent in the full sense of the word, not just someone who shows up for dinner and bedtime. People often talk about "quality time" as if quality and quantity were "either/or". For us, it's "both/and." Children need both quality and quantity. Every family has to work out how to best provide that within their own circumstances.

Q: What are you personal interests?

A: I'm an aspiring novelist. I finished my first novel -- the rough draft, anyway -- on the last day of 2005. Currently I'm editing that one and I've started another.

Q: Can you share something about these novels you're writing?

A: They're both historical fiction -- biblical fiction, actually. I'm an avid Bible scholar, and I wanted to look at some of the well-known and often misunderstood characters of the Bible from a fresh perspective.

Q: Who is your favorite author?

A: That's a hard question. My favorite classic novel is The Little Prince by Antoine de Saint-Exupéry.

Q: Are you reading anything right now?

A: I just finished The Bridge of San Luis Rey by Thornton Wilder. I've also been reading Al and Tipper Gore's book on families, Joined at the Heart. I'm always reading something, whether it's a National Geographic magazine or the back of the cereal box.

Q: Have you always been involved in politics?

A: Only as a citizen. Growing up, I had some exposure to politics and elected officials because my father (Roger Babb) was the chairman of the Democratic Party here in Catoosa County. My mother (Sandra Babb) has always served at the voting precinct. It was an atmosphere that gave me opportunities to speak to candidates and public officials, to question them about their positions and their campaigns.

Q: Did you ever think you'd run for office?

A: Until this year I never considered it. I'm sure people who have known me all my life -- school teachers, family friends -- probably nod their heads and say they saw it coming. I've always observed what's going on around me, always held strong opinions and exercised leadership. But no, I did not anticipate running for the Georgia State House.

Q: What changed your mind?

A: A sense of responsibility for Georgia. I love Georgia. I've lived here all my life, and I still believe that Georgia is the most beautiful place in all the world. I love the people of Georgia, and I've watched with a heavy heart as the current government has drained the life out of our state and our people. More and more Georgians are unemployed. More and more Georgians are losing their healthcare coverage. Georgia has the highest rate of foreclosures in the country. The infant mortality rate is up and the graduation rate is down. We're in a downward spiral, and we need to act fast. We're in a state of crisis here in Georgia, but the Republican lawmakers are patting themselves on the back and crowing about a job well done. They may be happy that the rich are getting richer while the poor get poorer, but I'm not. Someone has to challenge them. No one else would put their name on that ballot, so I did.

Six Thoughts on Abortion

2006-07-12T01:04:00.000-04:00

On the talk show tonight, I was accused of being a “librul baby-killer,” on the sole basis of my being a Democratic candidate. While such a comment hardly deserves a response, I thought that other constituents who wrestle with this complex issue might appreciate hearing my thoughts on the matter of abortion.

1. I am pro-life. In fact, I am prolific. I have five biological children, plus one adopted. Before I had so many children of my own, I spent years preventing abortions through compassionate and practical means. Beginning as a teenager, I provided volunteer peer-counseling at crisis pregnancy centers. I taught abstinence in schools and church groups. I drove pregnant women to appointments and held their hand while they gave birth. I answered 24-hour hotlines 7 days a week for months at a time. Eventually I founded a boarding school for troubled teenage girls, many of whom were pregnant or already had a child. I personally intervened in several situations where girls were being pressured to abort, whether that pressure came from parents, boyfriends, or the penal system. I helped these young mothers finish school and obtain jobs, and stood by them as they decided whether to parent their child or place for adoption.

2. I believe that every abortion is a tragedy. Still, I can envision a handful of scenarios where such a tragic solution could be the right or best answer. I recognize that abortion is a complex issue on a continuum of ethical questions. We’re fond of reducing such issues to black-and-white polarizing positions. We prefer to ignore the gray areas such as the way a birth control pill works. We like to pretend that the removal of a tubal pregnancy isn’t a “real” abortion. By brushing aside details like these, we can reduce a complex issue to only two positions and argue that ours is the only position tenable by any decent human being. It’s a convenient debate tactic, but as a candidate for the Georgia State House, I am more interested in solutions than in “wedge” issues.

3. I do not favor the criminalization of abortion. No one has yet presented a bill that outlaws abortion without trampling the medical and personal rights of half the human race. Every person has a right to determine his or her own medical decisions. Every Georgia citizen should be subject to the same rights and protections, regardless of gender. A criminalization law that applied only to physicians (as many draft bills do) would have devastating effects on women who continued to legally undergo abortions -- but without medical oversight. A criminalization law that applied to women as well as to physicians, would require monthly documenting of each woman’s fertility cycle in order to be effective. Each woman's womb would be on record. Every miscarriage would require an autopsy and a coroner’s determination of whether the pregnant woman was at fault for the death of her child. We can brush these ideas off as Margaret Atwood's nightmare, but without such invasive measures, a law criminalizing abortion would have no effect.

4. If elected, I will actively seek to reduce the number of abortions occurring in Georgia. This can be accomplished without damaging women’s rights by recognizing the women who have abortions and why they make that choice. Contrary to the stereotype, most abortions are not performed on teenagers. Most abortions are performed on adult women who already have children. Most of them are economically disadvantaged. Most of these women do not have access to adequate health care before or after the abortion. Their contraceptive choices are therefore limited, and their ability to raise another child is impaired. By addressing these issues, we can reduce abortion from both ends at the same time: We enable more women to avoid unwanted pregnancy in the first place, and we empower more women to carry their pregnancies to term.

5. Most Republican officials agree with me on point #3, even if they don’t say it. Just consider: Republicans have control of all three branches of the US government. Yet abortion is still legal in the United States. In Georgia, Republicans control the Gold Dome and the Governor’s Mansion. Yet abortion is still legal in Georgia. If you are a single-issue voter electing Republican candidates in hopes that they will end abortion, think again! Ask yourself: If they do not intend to outlaw abortion, why do they keep pointing so frantically at this issue? They are playing on your emotions, plain and simple. They don't want to end legalized abortion; they just want your vote.

6. Most Republicans officials disagree with me on #4. In fact, their policy toward pregnant women is something like “You play, you pay.” They generally oppose programs designed to benefit poor families, single mothers, and uninsured children. Their policies create more barriers to parenthood and increase the temptation to abort. Republicans want to be seen as the only party for Christians, but they forget the words of James:

Religion that God our Father accepts as pure and faultless is this: to look after orphans and widows in their distress and to keep oneself from being polluted by the world. (James 1:27)

To sum up my position: I am against abortion. I have made great sacrifices in my own life to help other women carry their babies to term. I intend to reduce the abortion rate in Georgia by making healthcare more accessible and parenthood more affordable.

I need your vote on November 7th in order to do that.

J.

See Jeannie Live on TV

2006-07-09T02:03:00.000-04:00

Tuesday night, July 11th, I will be guest hosting the Catoosa and Walker County Democrats show on local cable chanel UCTV-3. The show is from 11 pm to 12 midnight. This is a live call-in show, so please give us a call and make your voice heard!

Let's talk about the subjects that are impacting our communities, and/or threatening to do so:

* Georgia's children, whose wellbeing is ranked 7th worst in the nation.
* Georgia minimum wage, as low as any state in the nation.
* The government's attack on net neutrality.

If there's anything you'd like to hear addressed on the show, please email me at jeannie@babb.com or call 706-965-4587.

J.

Stop the Minimum Wage Cut!

2006-07-09T01:26:00.000-04:00

As you probably know, Republicans in Congress struck down recent Democratic attempts to raise the national minimum wage. Minimum wage has been at $5.15 per hours for nearly a decade, and the new law would have just raised the wage to poverty level. Instead, Congress voted themselves a $3,000 pay raise.

States do not have to follow the nation's lead on this issue. Last year, 38 states introduced legislation to raise their minimum wage. Georgia was not one of those states. In Georgia, Republican Senators introduced a bill to DROP minimum wage. In fact, they passed the bill, establishing a "training wage" of just $4.25 per hour for the first 90 days of employment. The bill applies only to teenagers and young adults, which is blatant age discrimination.

Let's consider the effects of this bill. Minimum wage workers are often employed at fast food chains and big box stores. Traditionally, those jobs are occupied by teenagers. In recent years, that demographic has changed. Drive through McDonald's and note who hands you your food. It isn't teenagers anymore. It's a single mother supporting her children. It's a grandfather who cannot afford to retire. Because of our lagging economy, more and more heads of families are having to take very low paying jobs.

The introduction of a "training wage" for young adults will oust these hard workers from their jobs. Employers will instead hire young people who they can abuse with this "training wage." A young person from a middle class household is not likely to work for these low wages, so the jobs will be filled by young people from the poorest circumstances. When the 90 days ends, the employee is swapped for a new "training wage" employee. Meanwhile, what happens to the single mother or the un-retired grandfather who needed that position?

This bill passed the State Senate with little discussion. You didn't read about it in the news, because no one considered it newsworthy. It will come before the State House next session. I need your vote so I can fight legislation like this, which abuses hard workers in our state.

J.

Kids Count -- but maybe not in Georgia

2006-07-09T01:14:00.000-04:00

The Atlanta Journal Constitution recently reported that Georgia's already low ranking in the Kid's Count index has fallen sharply.

From the AJC article:

After rising out of the 10 worst states to rank 39th last year, Georgia dropped several rankings to 44th as its record worsened on children living in poverty, the percent of low birth-weight babies and the percent of children in families where no parents has a full-time, year-round job, said the 2006 Kids Count Data Book.

"Children continue to be born at unhealthy weights, to live in poverty, struggle in school and live in families that often do not have secure employment," said Gaye Morris Smith, executive director of the Family Connection Partnership, the Georgia agency that collects information for the national report.

It comes back to the three axes on which Georgia's Republican-dominated government has failed: Education, economy and health care. They don't feel they have failed. They are patting themselves on the back for a job well done. Any Republican incumbent will tell you that things are just swell in Georgia.

That's what concerns me more than anything else. Georgia's children are suffering, and the leaders of our state are happy. They aren't bothered by the drop-out rate, the infant mortality rate, the incarceration rate or anything else. Things look pretty good from their ivory towers, I suppose. I guess they figure anyone who is suffering is probably dumb or poor anyway, so who cares?

I care. I want to do something about it. I need your help to have that opportunity. I need your vote on November 7, 2006.

J.

1890's Day Parade

2006-06-21T21:22:00.000-04:00

Here you see my truest supporter -- not the clown but that tall guy in the black hat driving the truck! Derek has always been quick to take care of the details so I can reach for my dreams, whether that means he's learning a new trade or just polishing his truck. Derek's Dad (Lewis Taylor) has been heavily involved with the 1890's Day event for many years, arranging the music and often emceeing the stage in front of the Courthouse, but I guess it took me to finally pull Derek into the 1890's Day action!

Vote for Mom?

2006-06-21T21:18:00.000-04:00

Hannah, Christian and Christianna were on the haywagon with me, throwing candy. It was exciting to hear people curiously exclaiming "Vote for Mom?" or confidently stating "Vote for Mom!" as we passed by. We have made a connection.

Vote for Mom!

2006-06-21T21:01:00.000-04:00

What you can't see in this photo is my 13 year old daughter Deborah in the back of the truck, playing "Dixie" on her fiddle. Later in the day, Deborah took 3rd place in the age 10-15 division fiddle contest!

Making New Friends

2006-06-21T20:46:00.000-04:00

The children enjoyed tossing candy to the crowd. Okay, so I enjoyed it, too! Afterward, I especially enjoyed spending some time with local citizens, meeting new folks and hearing their concerns. I look forward to a day when I can do far more than simply listen. I guarantee that when I arrive in Atlanta, my presence will be felt.

Jeannie
www.voteformom.com

Campaign Launch

2006-04-29T14:38:00.000-04:00

My biggest supporters are pictured here. In their "Vote for Mom" T-shirts, they helped to introduce the campaign at Lake Winnie's Homeschool Day.

We all enjoyed getting out among Georgia voters and discussing the goals of my campaign. Whether your children are taught at home (like ours), at a public school or a private school, Georgia families are facing many of the same issues. The health care crisis and the economic downturn affect us all.

To read about my campaign goals, go to my official campaign website, www.voteformom.com . If you're interested in why I educate my children at home, you may have a look at our home education blog, http://taylor-madeeducation.blogspot.com/ .