Are you sitting down? I had a meeting with House Speaker David Ralston last week at the Capitol. Got your breath yet? There’s more. It was a good meeting. Several of our mutual friends had been trying for some time to get the Speaker and I together, saying we might have more in common than not. Had I been running the Speaker’s business, the meeting would have occurred long … [Read more...] about February 11, 2013: Speaker David Ralston Discusses Proposed Ethics Legislation
Columns
February 4, 2013: Walking Away From Public Schools Is Not A Solution
As many of you recall, I opposed the recent charter school amendment, not because I oppose charter schools – I don’t – but because I thought the wording of the amendment was duplicitous. I thought it grossly unfair that Gov. Nathan Deal could wax eloquently on the need for passage of the amendment but School Superintendent John Barge was not allowed to talk about opposing it. … [Read more...] about February 4, 2013: Walking Away From Public Schools Is Not A Solution
January 29, 2013: Georgia Public Broadcasting Welcomes Their New Executive Producer
Knock! Knock! Knock! “Hello. Can I help you?” “Hi. Are you Teya Ryan, president of Georgia Public Broadcasting?” “Yes, I am. Who are you?” “I am Chip Rogers, your new employee. I used to be the majority leader in the state senate where I was responsible for such cutting-edge issues as preventing our body parts from being microchipped without our permission and for … [Read more...] about January 29, 2013: Georgia Public Broadcasting Welcomes Their New Executive Producer
January 21, 2013: Legislators May Finally Be Getting The Message On Lobbying Limits
Don’t look now but I think you are beginning to have some impact on the issue of unlimited lobbying expenditures in the Legislature. Our politicians seem none too happy about having to derail their gravy train. They have tried to ignore you (and me) or, when necessary, explain to us in the most condescending manner the fact that just because they get to take expense-paid … [Read more...] about January 21, 2013: Legislators May Finally Be Getting The Message On Lobbying Limits
January 14, 2013: Local Newspapers Serve As Our Advocates And Protectors
I have the privilege of speaking to a group of newspaper publishers at the Georgia Press Association’s winter gathering in Atlanta. This is a special opportunity because this is a special group. Besides, I think my lunch is free although I can’t be sure. Publishers run a tight ship. Newspaper publishers manage a business that is more than a business. What they do is … [Read more...] about January 14, 2013: Local Newspapers Serve As Our Advocates And Protectors