JOHOR BARU: More Opposition lawmakers are thinking of leaving their parties to join the government but lack the courage to do so, says a Johor exco member.
Johor Unity, Trade and Consumer Affairs Committee chairman Dr Chong Fat Full, who is Pemanis assemblyman, said these MPs and assemblymen were aware that being in the Opposition had its limitations where resources are concerned.
“When you are in the Opposition, you lose the ability to do a lot of things for your constituents as there is a lack of funding.
“By aligning with the government, we have a platform and the resources to conduct more programmes and assist the people, ” he told a press conference after handing out financial assistance to 26 NGOs in Ulu Tiram here on Thursday (March 11).
Committee Reports
House Small Business Development Incentives and Education Workforce Subcommittee
Subcommittee Chairman Dale Washburn (R-Macon) called up one bill, HB 611, authored by Representative Mike Cheokas (R-Americus). HB 611 seeks to provide a new definition in O.C.G.A. 50-5-121(3) for the term, ‘small business.’ This legislation was brought to the General Assembly by Scott Hilton with the Georgia First Commission. The new definition creates three tiers:
Tier 1 - 10 or fewer employees or $1 million or less in gross receipts per year;
Tier 2 - 100 or fewer employees or $10 million or less in gross receipts per year; and
Tier 3 - 300 or fewer employees or $30 million or less in gross receipts per year.
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By allowing ads to appear on this site, you support the local businesses who, in turn, support great journalism. Georgia Farm Bureau members elect new president
MACON, Ga. - Georgia Farm Bureau (GFB) members elected Tom McCall for a two-year term as president of Georgia’s largest general farm organization on Dec. 8. McCall of Elbert County grows wheat, oats, triticale, grain corn, sweet corn and hay. The McCall family also raises beef cattle, hogs and sheep.
McCall replaces Gerald Long, who retired from the position after serving as GFB president since 2016. Long, of Bainbridge, served on the GFB Board of Directors in various roles since 1999 including GFB 9th District director, GFB South Georgia vice president and GFB 1st vice president.
Committee Reports
Senate Health and Human Services Committee
Chairman Ben Watson (R-Savannah) and the Health and Human Services Committee took up one proposal, SB 116, authored by Senator Randy Robertson (R-Cataula). The legislation seeks to enact in Chapter 5 of Title 49 the “Maternity Supportive Housing Act.” The legislation would allow nonprofits to own and operate housing for women who are ages 18 and older and who need a place to live while pregnant and for up to 18 months after the child is born; pregnant women can bring their existing children to these homes. These facilities would be different than homes provided to younger girls (typically those in foster care who become pregnant). Senator Robertson noted that it was to exclude government interference; there is a need for these homes as waiting lists exist. Senator Robertson reminded the Committee as a former law enforcement officer he knew well the pipeline to prison and this would perhaps help alleviate some of this
Opinion/Flotsam & Jetsam: A well-built bridge and work-from-home stipend
By Jim Carter
That ill-fated but sturdy covered bridge in Long Grove, Illinois, claimed its 14th victim last week – an oversized (of course) box truck. As you may recall, we reported in this space last year that the bridge was struck the first day after it was repaired in August, and then hit again the following day while a TV crew was filming the previous day’s incident. It remains essentially undamaged. (Brawny Bridge?)
Aging gracefully: Frank Rothwell, 70, of Oldham, England, was recently persuaded to enter the Talisker Whisky Atlantic Challenge, a trans-oceanic rowboat race. He not only made it to the Antigua finish line – in 56 days, two hours and 41 minutes – but placed fourth. It was “really, really boring,” he said, but he raised almost a million dollars for cancer research – enough to “make a difference in people’s lives.” (You da’ man, Frank.)