Spring Break
Election Roundup
Issue date: 11/5/08 Section: News
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In his next term, Georgia State House Rep. Doug McKillip said he plans to mitigate budget woes by pumping more money into education and health care.
"The focus of everybody is the budget crisis and making sure that the state handles it in the best way possible," he said.
McKillip, who ran unopposed, earned 14,132 votes Tuesday and said he'll keep up his charge in education.
"I'm going to be fighting to make sure we are keeping the best teachers and professors in our schools and colleges."
He said he would begin by "fully funding" elementary education, and that he would pump enough money into higher education to "stay competitive."
- Hayley Peterson
Smith looks to innovation in science and technology
Bob Smith, representative for District 113, ran unopposed but said he was enthusiastic about the new initiatives he is working on for Georgia.
"It's not finalized, but I am working on things dealing with science, technology and innovation," he said in a phone interview. "I am starting a committee up relating to innovation and it will benefit [the University]."
Smith said his main concern is energy. He plans for Georgia to be independent of oil with nuclear energy as an option.
"I am a proponent of going nuclear … eight to 10 percent of Georgia is relying on it," he said. "In France, an environmentally [safe] country, 90 percent of nuclear energy is being used."
Smith is chairman of the Appropriations on Higher Education committee. He considers it a "number one priority."
"The committee [finds] funds for the University System of Georgia, technical colleges, and the Student Finance Commission," Smith said.
Smith works with the Energy, Telecommunications and Utilities committee to deal with Georgia's dependency on oil.
"Elba Island a source for liquid natural gas. It is one of four in the continental U.S."
- Raisa Habersham
Heard aims to conserve and end drought in Ga.
Keith Heard, representative for the State House for District 114, plans to continue to urge citizens to conserve water to end the drought.
Heard, who ran unopposed, pulled 15,765 votes Tuesday. He was unable to be reached by The Red & Black but explained in an earlier interview what he plans for his next term.
"We have to continue to conserve because we don't control the source of water or what the weather is going to give us. We need to continue to have water restrictions, but take into consideration those businesses that need water for their livelihood, such as lawn services and nurseries."
Though he said he cannot say how he will attempt to improve education without looking at budgets for the coming year, he says that education is a priority.
"Sixty percent of our budget goes to education. But you have other concerns. Funds have to be put towards Medicare, Peachcare, prison systems, and other concerns."
- Tiffany Stevens
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