One Week Until AFP-GA Day at the Capitol and GA Taxpayer Rally!

Next Thursday, March 19, we have a great day planned at the Capitol. First, we’ll hear from Secretary of State Karen Handel, take tours of the Capitol, and learn to lobby for the most underrepresented group in America – the taxpayers!

At 11, we’ll gather on the front steps of the Capitol for a GA Taxpayer Rally. Bring your friends, bring your posters, and bring your message to state lawmakers – NO New Taxes!

In these difficult economic times, the last thing we need is any new tax, yet lawmakers are looking for ways to raise revenues. Let’s tell them that we want smaller government instead and right now is the perfect time to downsize. This event is free and open to the public.

Poster contest! We’ll sponsor a poster contest during the rally. Prizes will be awarded for "Best Looking poster," "Most Original poster," and "Best Kid poster" – made by someone under 16 years old. We may add other categories, so be artful! Be in front of the Washington Street Capitol entrance at 11:00am sharp to be eligible for the contest. Prizes will be gift cards from merchants.

Then at Noon, join us at the Top of the Slop (Empire Room, Sloppy Floyd Building) for a catered lunch featuring a super lineup of speakers on fiscal issues – House Speaker Glenn Richardson, Senators Chip Rogers and David Shafer, Representatives Mike Coan, Tom Graves, Jan Jones, and Austin Scott. Subjects include the JOBS Act (that so many of you supported this week through our Action Alert,) zero-based budgeting, property assessment caps, education funding, and other topics.

There is a $25 charge for lunch, which covers our costs. RSVP here.
Or e-mail here if you need further information.

Important:

There is NO CHARGE for the Taxpayer Rally at 11 AM on the Capitol steps.

Bring posters, but not on stakes – the Capitol Police will confiscate them.

Do bring picture ID but do not carry weapons, including pocket knives, when entering the Capitol Building or the Sloppy Floyd Building.

Invite your friends to join us for the Taxpayer Rally.

Stay tuned - next week we’ll update you on the tax revolt in SE GA, the upcoming Hot Air Tour, and a national video contest!

Jared Thomas
State Director
Amerians for Prosperity

Atlanta Tea Party Report, State news

The Atlanta Tea Party was soggy, but successful. Thanks to all of our AFP members and other Georgians, who slogged through torrential rain to send a message to DC about mortgage bailouts and other wasteful government spending. Around 300 people brought posters, children, strollers, and umbrellas to the protest on the State Capitol steps last Friday. Hundreds more let us know they wanted to be there, but were working.

View photos here.

Many of our state legislators came out and got soaked with us. Speakers included State Reps. Tom Graves and Austin Scott, State Senators Chip Rogers and David Shafer, Insurance Comm. John Oxendine, and representatives from the several conservative organizations that put the event together. Watch a video here.

3rd Annual AFP-GA Day at the Capitol Americans For Prosperity- Georgia's 3rd Annual Day at the Capitol is Thursday, March 19. This event gives opportunities for you to tour the Capitol, observe the Legislature in action, lobby your legislator (with as much guidance from us as you may need), and enjoy speeches during our luncheon from our elected officials who “get it.” RSVP now on our webpage – space is limited.

Note: If the links above don’t seem to work, it may be due to the security settings on your computer. If you cannot change those, you may RSVP at vgalloway@afphq.org also.

(From Americans for Prosperity, www.AmericansforProsperity.org)

Elections are already heating up in Georgia!

Confirmed today that Secretary of State Karen Handel (R) is running for Georgia Governor. Personally, I think that's great. She'd do a phenomenal job as Governor.

It's going to be interesting though with Lt. Gov. Casey Cagle and State Insurance Commissioner John Oxendine already campaigning on the Republican side.

On the Democrat side David Poythress has already announced and has been popping out press releases and info on a regular basis.

Former Governor Roy Barnes name is oft floated, but there has been no concrete info to date that I'm privy to saying he's definitely going to run.

State Senator David Shafer (R) is running for Lt. Governor. Shafer is a good guy, even though he represents Duluth he's been to Fayette County many times and is well-known to many. (www.votedavid.com if you'd like more info*).

State Senator Eric Johnson (R - Savannah) has also announced he'll be running for the Lt. Governor position being vacated by Casey Cagle.

It's early. The election is in 2010, but these days it seems you have to get your name out there early.

I'm sure before it's all said and done that we'll have a few more candidates in the race. I'll try to keep you posted if I can keep up!

On the local Fayette County level, Don Haddix has announced he'll be running for Peachtree City Mayor. You'll find his letter on why he's running on the front of the Fayette Front Page.

*We'll be providing links to the websites of all candidates. As always, the Fayette Front Page and the Georgia Front Page offer ALL candidates a free page on the site and a free blog. For more info email the Editor.