McCain Picks Sarah Palin, Alaska Governor as VP

U.S. Senator John McCain today announced that he has selected Alaska Governor Sarah Palin to be his running mate and to serve as his vice president.

Governor Palin is a tough executive who has demonstrated during her time in office that she is ready to be president. She has brought Republicans and Democrats together within her Administration and has a record of delivering on the change and reform that we need in Washington.

Governor Palin has challenged the influence of the big oil companies while fighting for the development of new energy resources. She leads a state that matters to every one of us -- Alaska has significant energy resources and she has been a leader in the fight to make America energy independent.

In Alaska, Governor Palin challenged a corrupt system and passed a landmark ethics reform bill. She has actually used her veto and cut budgetary spending. She put a stop to the "bridge to nowhere" that would have cost taxpayers $400 million dollars.

As the head of Alaska's National Guard and as the mother of a soldier herself, Governor Palin understands what it takes to lead our nation and she understands the importance of supporting our troops.

Governor Palin has the record of reform and bipartisanship that others can only speak of. Her experience in shaking up the status quo is exactly what is needed in Washington today.

Secretary of State Handel Announces Partnership with Atlanta Falcons

Georgia Secretary of State Karen Handel today announced a partnership between the Secretary of State’s Office and the Atlanta Falcons to remind Georgia voters about the state’s photo ID requirement for in-person voting; voter registration deadlines and early voting prior to the November 4, 2008 General Election.

The partnership includes public service announcements recorded by Falcons players and Secretary Handel which will air during pre-game, in-game and post-game radio broadcasts. Falcons players Thomas Brown, Erik Coleman, Jason Elam, Brian Finneran and Matt Ryan appear in the PSAs with Secretary Handel, reminding Georgia voters to bring a photo ID when voting in person; the October 6 deadline to register to vote in the General Election; and voting by mail or in person during advance voting week.

The radio PSAs are available on the Secretary of State’s website: http://sos.georgia.gov/atlantafalcons.htm.

“I want to thank the entire Atlanta Falcons organization for the positive work they do in Georgia’s communities,” Handel said. “I’m excited to team up with the Falcons to remind Georgia voters about early voting options, voter registration and our photo ID requirement for in person voting.”

“Each season, the Atlanta Falcons strive to be among the most active community citizens in the National Football League,” said Jim Smith, Atlanta Falcons Vice President of Marketing. “This partnership opens new doors for our organization, and represents another valuable way we can leverage our resources to reach communities across Georgia.”

Additionally, Falcons home games at the Georgia Dome will feature end zone-to-end zone LED banners directing fans to visit the Secretary of State’s website for more information on the photo ID requirement, voter registration and early voting options.

The radio PSAs will run through Sunday, November 2. The Georgia Dome LED banners will run during each Falcons home game through October 12.

Karen Handel was sworn in as Georgia Secretary of State in January 2007. The Secretary of State’s office offers important services to our citizens and our business community. Among the office’s wide-ranging responsibilities, the Secretary of State is charged with conducting efficient and secure elections, the registration of corporations, and the regulation of securities and professional license holders. The office also oversees the Georgia Archives and the Capitol Museum.
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Best Value Government Task Force Discusses Effective Government Service

State Sen. Mitch Seabaugh (R-Sharpsburg), Senate majority whip, today led the first meeting of the Senate Government Best Value Task Force for an in-depth discussion and review of the Pew Center’s Government Performance Project and Georgia’s report card.

“Lt. Gov. Casey established this task force to better serve Georgians through government efficiencies,” said Seabaugh. “By working collaboratively with the Governor’s office, we can provide Georgians with the best government at the lowest, most efficient cost.”

The Pew Center on the States released its 50-State Report Card evaluating each state government’s performance in serving the public. Georgia’s grade was a B+, ranking above the national average of a B-, eighth in the nation and the leader in the southeast. Georgia had the second lowest per capita expenditure at $3,732.

“The mission of this task force is to identify what needs to be accomplished and help us attain that goal,” Seabaugh added.

While Georgia improved its score over the past 10 years and scored high on customer service and managing for results, more improvements could be made. Task Force members focused discussions on how they could work with the executive branch to move Georgia state government even further toward a results-oriented, performance measured plans. To find improvements to better managing the government, the Task Force reviewed the Pew Center’s evaluations in the areas of money, infrastructure, information, people and customer service.

The Senate Best Value Government Task Force seeks to examine how the state through its departments and agencies can provide government service in the most efficient manner. It also seeks to develop strategies to ensure cost-effective expenditures of the public's tax dollar. Further, the Task Force seeks to determine whether services can be streamlined though either privatization or elimination of duplicated or mirrored activities.

The next meeting of the Georgia Senate Government Best Value Task Force is tentatively scheduled for September 16th. During the next meeting, Seabaugh plans to select areas for government improvement and attain agreement on the desired outcomes. In addition, he’d like to set a big-picture vision of how the state will work to gain greater flexibility in achieving the agreed upon, desired goals.

The Pew Center’s report card on the states can be found at http://www.pewcenteronthestates.org/report_detail.aspx?id=36228.
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Chambliss, Isakson Statement on 73rd Anniversary of Social Security

U.S. Senators Saxby Chambliss, R-Ga., and Johnny Isakson, R-Ga., today made the following statements on the 73rd anniversary of the creation of the Social Security program.

“Social Security is, and has always been, an important program, and many seniors in Georgia and across the nation depend on this vital program,” said Chambliss. “Currently, nearly 48 million Americans are receiving some form of Social Security benefit. We must ensure that this program continues to provide benefits to the working Americans that deserve what they have earned. Today, Americans have been using this program to aid in their retirement for 73 years. Many have benefited and it is my hope that many will continue to have access to this program as we in Congress work to ensure that it remains solvent. I would like to take this opportunity to renew our commitment to making sure this program is around for many years to come.”

“We keep seeing a lot of numbers and dates tossed around, but the key date is 2019. That is the year that the amount of Social Security benefits we’re paying out will exceed the amount of payroll taxes we’re taking in. That’s just 11 years from now, and the financial picture only gets worse and worse after that year,” Isakson said. “It is imperative we strengthen this program that so many Georgia seniors have depended on for 73 years. Congress must move towards addressing the Social Security crisis and restoring trust with the American taxpayers over how Congress handles their money.”
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