Fresh Loaf

Gov. Sonny Perdue has released a statement on Judge Paul Magnuson’s ruling that metro Atlanta’s use of Lake Lanier as its water supply is illegal:

“Obviously, I am deeply disappointed by Judge Magnuson’s decision today. His conclusions rely on decades-old assumptions about the construction of federal reservoirs and the role those reservoirs play in providing water supply for growing states such as Georgia. Our country has changed substantially since the 1940s, when many of these reservoirs were constructed, and I will use this opportunity not only to appeal the judge’s decision but, most importantly, to urge Congress to address the realities of modern reservoir usage. The judge’s ruling allows a three-year window for either Congressional action or an agreement by the states and we will work diligently with Georgia’s delegation and members of Congress to re-establish the proper use of federal reservoirs throughout the country.”

Perdue’s always talking about how the country has changed. Regardless, the AJC’s Jim Galloway, who knows where the bodies are buried, writes that Georgia’s Congressional delegation has scheduled a rare meeting on Monday to get lawmakers on the same page. His post is worth a read if you’re wondering about the political dynamics at play on this issue.

(CL file photo Joeff Davis)

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“Georgia Budget Raises Taxes on Middle-Income Families to Pay for Capital Gains Tax Breaks for Wealthiest Investors”

That’s the heading of a report issued today (PDF) by the Institute on Taxation and Economic Policy, a Washington D.C-based think-tank. The tax increase it mentions is the elimination of the state homeowners tax relief grant, which will cost Georgians about $430 million a year. On the other hand, the capital gains tax break, passed in the waning hours of the General Assembly, is expected to spare well-heeled taxpayers an estimated half-billion dollars a year.

Here’s ITEP’s final analysis:

“Georgia lawmakers have sent Governor Perdue a budget that dramatically shifts the cost of funding public services away from the wealthiest Georgia taxpayers, and further burdens middle- and low-income families,” said ITEP director Matthew Gardner. “While paring back the HTRG could play a constructive role in helping to balance Georgia’s budget in a fair and sustainable way, the legislature’s decision to cut capital gains taxes for upper-income taxpayers makes the state tax system even more unfair.”

ITEP is a non-profit, non-partisan research and education organization that works on government taxation and spending policy issues. So says its online literature. I’m guessing, however, from its list of board members – Robert Kuttner, founding editor of The American Prospect; Robert Reich, secretary of labor under Clinton; and a California union head, among others – that’s its likely considered a left-leaning organization.

Still, just because the group has a political POV doesn’t mean what it says ain’t true.

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Gov. Sonny Perdue on President Barack Obama’s swearing-in ceremony:

“Today’s inauguration of President Obama marks yet another peaceful transition of power in our nation’s great history. Mary and I were honored to attend today’s ceremony and our prayers are with President and Mrs. Obama as they take on this awesome responsibility. Georgia looks forward to continuing to work closely with the incoming administration as we address our softening economy and the impact it is having on our citizens. I also want to thank President Bush for his service to our country and for his support and friendship during his time in the White House.”

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It’s not just the state’s $2.3 billion budget deficit that’s giving Gov. Sonny Perdue a headache.

The AJC’s Alan Judd reports that the clock is ticking for the governor to repay a $21 million loan given to him last September by a small bank in Perry, Ga. Perdue borrowed the money for his two agricultural businesses. (Since taking office in 2002, the governor has differed from his predecessors in that he still operates his businesses rather than placing them in a blind trust. The strategy seems to have paid off — according to Judd, Perdue’s financial holdings have risen in value since he took office.)

But…(cue ominous tone)

… public records and interviews suggest the governor got the loan under remarkable circumstances.

The lender — a farm credit bank based in Perry — allowed Perdue to put up collateral worth less than 20 percent of the loan’s value, according to a security deed filed in Houston County Superior Court. Commercial lenders typically insist on a far greater level of collateral, and the federal agency that regulates farm banks requires strict underwriting standards to guarantee loan repayment.

The bank, AgGeorgia Farm Credit, focuses on real estate lending and carries just $55 million in business loans on its books, according to its latest quarterly report. Now a large proportion of that portfolio is devoted to the governor, who is a familiar figure to AgGeorgia’s leaders: Eight of the bank’s 23 directors contributed to Perdue’s re-election campaign in 2006.

Oh, and what was the loan for? Perdue won’t say.

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“Bass fishing’s crown jewel” has been confirmed for Lake Lanier in 2010.

From Gov. Sonny Perdue’s office:

Governor Sonny Perdue joined FLW Outdoors Chairman Irwin Jacobs and other state and local officials this afternoon to announce Lake Lanier and Atlanta as the site of the 2010 Forrest Wood Cup presented by BP and Castrol. This championship fishing tournament, which is scheduled for August 5 – 8, 2010, will draw the top bass anglers in the country as they compete for a $2.5 million purse. The tournament will be staged out of the Go Fish Georgia mega-ramp currently under construction at Laurel Park on Lake Lanier. The weigh-ins are slated for the Georgia Dome, and the Family Fun Zone and Outdoor Show will be held at the Georgia World Congress Center.

…

The Forrest Wood Cup is bass fishing’s crown jewel and the richest tournament in competitive fishing with a total purse of $2.5 million and offers $1 million to the winner. The 78 pro anglers competing for the title qualify through the Walmart FLW Tour, Walmart FLW Series, Stren Series, and includes the champions of the Walmart Bass Fishing League and the National Guard FLW College Series.

(Photo courtesy of Pat Dollard)

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The Rev. Marvin Morgan, Sister Pat Sullivan and Steve Woodall showed up at Gov. Sonny Perdue’s office this morning asking to meet with the governor regarding tomorrow’s planned execution of Troy Davis.

According to Deputy Press Secretary Malli McCord, Perdue was not in his office and was unavailable by phone.

“We will let him know you stopped by,” she told the three individuals.

Despite this promise, the three decided to wait until the governor agrees to speak with them. “Our intention is to stay here until the governor comes and sees us or accepts our phone call,” the Rev. Morgan said, sitting on the couch in Perdue’s office.

Morgan presented a letter to Ms. McCord requesting that the state kill him instead of Troy Davis. Woodall has been fasting since Thursday afternoon and has camped out in front of the Atlanta Journal-Constitution building in an attempt to bring more attention to the case.

At 1:15 p.m. the three were still sitting in the governor’s office. The office closes at 5:00 p.m.

(Photo By Joeff Davis)

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