What does ‘GRASSROOTS’ mean to you?

Politically speaking, we often hear about “the grassroots”.  It’s a catchphrase with beginnings dating back to the early 1900’s.  In the past 125 years, American grassroots were greatly responsible in creating monumental legislation.  It helped give women and African Americans the right to vote, it created the civil rights and fair housing movement, it provided protections for our land, air, and water.  It was public opinion and grassroots movements that changed wrongs into rights. Unfortunately, today, due to a lack of Republican grassroot mobilization, many laws are being enacted to placate partisan, identity politics while we remained silent.

Webster’s says the following:

              grass roots noun, plural in form but singular or plural in construction

Definition of grass roots (Entry 2 of 2)

• 1.       : the very foundation or source
  //You must attack the problem at the grass roots.
• 2.       : the basic level of society or of an organization especially as viewed in relation
  to higher or more centralized positions of power
  //was losing touch with the party’s grass roots
  

Another definition refers to grassroots as being:

noun (used with a singular or plural verb) Also grass roots.

the common or ordinary people, especially as contrasted with the leadership or elite of a political party, social organization, etc., the rank and file.

the agricultural and rural areas of a country.

the people inhabiting these areas, especially as a political, social, or economic group.

the origin or basis of something; the basic or primary concept, rule, part, or the like.

When thinking of “grassroots”, do you think of roots as the foundation?  It is common knowledge that trees with shallow roots tend to sway with the wind and fall at the first stiff wind or storm.  But having deep roots, allows a plants and people to stay firmly grounded, withstanding the storms, the winds, the floods, and the rains.  This same reference holds true for the political grassroots, as they are the foundation of the party.  Those who, “…after having done all – to stand” Ephesians 6

We also have the political elite; those who make a lifetime career out of politics.  These politicians create the laws, far too often to benefit special interest or even themselves.   It was never meant to be that way.  The laws should be written for, “We the People”, and most often are when the grassroots get involved.  Over time, we have allowed special interests to take over; we have given them the power over us through our complacency, ignorance, and apathy! 

As respectful, law-abiding Republicans, have we forgotten that it is OUR voices that need to be heard, not those of the elitists and special interests?  Our complacency led us to be indoctrinated with the liberal mindset that has infiltrated every facet of our culture!  It is past time for the grassroots to unite – to plant the seeds that become firmly rooted, deep into our foundational beliefs. In order to protect America, we must propagate a culture that can withstand the storms.

Did you know that during the times leading up to the war for independence from Great Britain, John Adams remarked that one-third of the colonists were for the war, one-third were against it and one-third were neutral?  It took the Boston Massacre to wake people up.  It was brave men like John Adams, who were part of the grassroots of Boston, who educated the people on the dangers of the growing British stranglehold on the new colony.  Without igniting the grassroots, America would not have become the greatest, free Nation on Earth!

We the People are the grassroots, we are the modern day, John Adams.  We are the foundation of the Republican Party and we have not only the right but the DUTY to be involved.  The attacks on our God given and Constitutional freedoms, have been allowed to penetrate our lives and take away our freedom because we have not firmly planted our seeds to grow OUR principles, that we so strongly claim we are aligned.   We must be united; we must stand strong to withstand the heavy winds!  We must BE THE STORM, creating a “red wave” tsunami, to WIN every race and take back our Country in November of 2022.  We have a heavy load to carry and much work before us.  Let us all do our part, no matter how big or small, get involved, plant the seeds, and give whatever you can.  Let’s grow the Republican Grassroots movement together to protect and defend our Republic.

- Salliegh Grubbs

Chairman's Corner:  Are We Fractured? If you read the definition of that familiar word we hear so much about today, “fractured”, you’ll find in Webster’s Dictionary synonyms such as: Broken Busted Disintegrated Dismembered   Disrupted  Fragmented   Rive/Shattered/Cracked/Splintered …..and so on. My question today is, “Are we really so ‘fractured’ that we cannot agree to disagree and instead unite to do what must be done to save our precious Republic? Save our State? Save our County?” During primary season, you often witness some Republicans smearing and attacking their Republican opponents. They seem to revel more in fracturing their own party than standing up for their principles, defining their merits and fighting their TRUE opponents - the Democrats and Socialists. It begs the questions, “Where is the courage of conviction nowadays? Where is running a race because you truly believe your principles are better than your Democrat opponents?” Instead of letting some people fracture us, we need to get back to the roots of good, honest campaigns, debates and grassroots efforts. We need to leave the internal fights behind closed doors. We must stay focused on the goal of beating the Democrats because the survival of our country depends on it. Can we put differences aside to fight for the principles that we believe in? I think we can. It’s time to stop, put egos aside, regroup, and join together to stand for America. To do anything other than stand for America is a distraction. A complete and utter distraction from fighting for truth, freedom, and the pursuit of happiness. I call on every single Republican member of the Cobb County Republican Party to put differences aside, come together, unite, stay focused, remove the labels, and work together remembering that, at the base of it all, we believe in the Republican Principles as listed below – don’t we? I AM A REPUBLICAN BECAUSE… I BELIEVE the strength of our nation lies with the individual and that each person’s dignity, freedom, ability and responsibility must be honored. I BELIEVE in equal rights, equal justice, and equal opportunity for all, regardless of race, creed, sex, age, or disability. I BELIEVE free enterprise and encouraging individual initiative have brought this nation opportunity, economic growth, and prosperity. I BELIEVE government must practice fiscal responsibility and allow individuals to keep more of the money they earn. I BELIEVE the proper role of government is to provide for the people only those critical functions that cannot be performed by individuals or private organizations and that the best government is that which governs least. I BELIEVE the most effective, responsible, and responsive government is government closest to the people. I BELIEVE Americans must retain the principles that have made us strong while developing new and innovative ideas to meet the challenges of changing times. I BELIEVE Americans value and should preserve our national strength and pride while working to extend peace, freedom, and human rights throughout the world. FINALLY, I believe the Republican Party is the best vehicle for translating these ideals into positive and successful principles of government. Across the nation, the party struggles with the results of the 2020 elections – not just the Presidential election but the down-ballot elections. We also struggle with the utter mess of the Biden administration. In the wake of 2020, we realize we have to do more, we must be engaged and we have to get involved. We realize that we can and must look ahead to the 2022 elections. We can make a difference in what happens in the future! We must stay united and not fractured and we must work together! If we focus on what we can agree on, we can see successes - a future of working together to do what America has never done before! While there is much work to be done, it is an exciting time to be involved, engaged and a part of the Republican efforts to save our Republic.   Please join us. 2022 has already gotten off to a sprint with a House District 45 Special Election and primaries fast approaching in May. The Cobb GOP is hyper-focused on turning out grassroots door knockers, staffing an army of poll watchers to secure our vote and winning all these elections. Our new volunteer management system will help us build this army. Go to our website and let us know how you want to volunteer to help us! Remember, we have more similarities than differences. Let’s unite, not fracture! Let’s get busy winning!

Chairman's Corner: Remembering the Life of Reverend Doctor Martin Luther King, Jr. Division. Separation. Disharmony. Words that we hear all too often in the past period of months, even years. As a nation – as a state - and as a party, what better time to think about these things but on Martin Luther King, Jr. Day. It is upon this day, that we should reflect on a man who exemplified having the courage of one’s convictions, in unification, of justice and authentic freedom. Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr., left a tremendous legacy of non-violent change. He created a movement in America at a time where there was much political division, particularly over the Viet Nam War. He stayed true to the ideals of love, of peaceful protest, and of the principles in the Declaration of Independence, and the United States Constitution. He stayed true to the words of the Lord, which are seen throughout now famous quotes. “Love is the only force capable of transforming an enemy into a friend.” *** “I have a dream that one day on the red hills of Georgia, the sons of former slaves and the sons of former slave owners will be able to sit together at the table of brotherhood.” The above quote strikes a personal chord with me. Georgia was Dr. King’s home, and it was here in Georgia, particularly, that I’m certain he envisioned that one day we could all be unified, working together, toward common causes of liberty, justice and freedom for all. And not that just those things would exist, but it would become the norm across our great country. It is also my hope and dream that we all can break bread together, without being bound by things like race, color or gender. And, that we can come together in unity for a better Georgia regardless of polarizing political views. It is a great fear of mine, that the younger generations will forget the lessons taught by Dr. King. The lessons of love, kindness, generosity and positive change that Dr. King lived by. Today I am thankful that we have his remembrance to think on the things that he taught, lived and showed the world. It is by listening to his preserved speeches that we can hear his passion – his heart – and his words of how to treat our fellow man. And, it is in the same way we can hear his mission to have a better America by simply doing what our Declaration of Independence says, “We hold these Truths to be self-evident, that all Men are created equal, that they are endowed by their Creator with certain unalienable Rights, that among these are Life, Liberty, and the Pursuit of Happiness—That to secure these Rights, Governments are instituted among Men, deriving their just Powers from the Consent of the Governed…” What I will be thinking of between now and Monday, is how I can do my part. How can I be part of his famous, “I Have a Dream” speech? I believe that what I can do is ensure that the Republican party exemplifies the same ideals of love, peace, unity and fulfillment of seeing that the consent of the governed is rightfully advocated for in Cobb County, remember Dr. King’s words: “Oppressed people cannot remain oppressed forever. The yearning for freedom eventually manifests itself.” Let us all remember that it truly is not the color of one’s skin but the content of their character. Let us all move forward in unity and passion for our nation. Let us all pause and look in the mirror and ask of ourselves, “Am I doing all I can”? As Dr. King said, “Everybody can be great, because everybody can serve”. Are you serving?

Holiday Message from our Chairwoman Merry Christmas Eve, Eve! This Christmas, I am particularly thankful. We were blessed with a new addition to our family! A beautiful, healthy, baby boy. Unlike his grandmother, he arrived very early and we will be celebrating new traditions with new love this Christmas. We are thankful. I am also particularly thankful this year for the gift we have in America, of freedom. Each day it seems that we get closer and closer to the loss of the liberty and freedom that our forefathers worked so hard to establish in America. It will take all of us, working together, every day, to keep America the land of the free, because of the brave. I ask at this time looking forward to the new year – the year of 2022 – to renew our sense of purpose in keeping freedom alive and making a conscious choice to celebrate freedom, to choose freedom and to spread freedom far and wide. Together we can AND MUST preserve the Constitutional Principles that have worked since 1776. Let us not forget that Christmas is the reason we celebrate the gift of God – Jesus. As is written in Luke, Chapter 4, verse 18, “the Spirit of the Lord is upon me, because he hath anointed me to preach the gospel to the poor; he hath sent me to heal the brokenhearted, to preach deliverance to the captives, and recovering of sight to the blind, to set at liberty them that are bruised…” Never forget that our freedom comes from God – not from man. Certainly not from those who sit in Washington, DC, nor Atlanta, Georgia, nor the in the council chambers. If we want to truly be free and have liberty we need to remind the rulers of the day that that freedom comes from God Almighty. Celebrate that gift of liberty and freedom and never shy away from reminding everyone – that America is special. It’s different, and it’s a gift from God. “We hold these truths to be self-evident: that all men are created equal; that they are endowed by their Creator with certain unalienable rights; that among these are life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness.”  Thomas Jefferson Unalienable rights. Not transferable to another or not capable of being taken away or denied; They cannot be transferred – because they don’t come from anywhere but God. So this Christmas, let us thank Him for the gifts that He gives, and for our forefathers who established our government that included un-a-lien-able rights for us. Merry Christmas, and God Bless you all – and richly!

Lets Give Thanks - Together Every Thanksgiving, I reflect upon those things that I have to be thankful for in the past year, but also over a lifetime. Some seemingly simple things to be thankful for are electricity, running water, a roof over my head, a vehicle to drive, enough food for the family, and a job so that I can afford those things. If I have learned anything this past year it is the big lesson that all these things are all at stake in a Biden America. I think about how the Pilgrims arrived in America with no shelter. No food. No warmth in a cold, New England November. Having arrived to the New World with debt on their backs from across the pond, they gave it a go. That first winter was brutal. Many died from starvation, disease and exposure. The remainder, carried on with assistance from the Indians and America got a start. Hopefully, the full truth of Thanksgiving is told in schools now, but I highly doubt it. You see, the Pilgrims decided, (being small in number) that they should share everything. Socialism, while they didn’t call it that at the time, had its first experiment in America. With a limited number of people, they started without private property rights, and communal sharing of food that was grown. They quickly learned what we know, is that without the motivation to succeed for oneself, the wheels quickly come off. This year, when I reflect on the Pilgrims and the settlement of Plymouth, I think about how in 1620 America got its start with a big lesson of how socialism and communism don’t work. Of course they didn’t call it that at the time, but it was what it was. Never in history has it been successful. Nonetheless we have a government in place now, that behaves and acts like it is the judge and jury of all things. From taking property from people, to false imprisonment to the heavy levy of taxes, education and dictates of life and health, “it” is taking over every aspect of our lives. This is contrary to everything the Pilgrims came to America to do. To live a free life – and free to worship free from government dictates. Now here we are in 2021 faced with much of what the Pilgrims were faced with when they embarked on their journey. We have the choice to live in ignorance and allow the government to rule as they did under James I, or we have the choice to pursue freedom and liberty. I see so many who are willing to go with the status quo – and, I see so many who are willing to stand for the cause of liberty and freedom yet bicker among themselves while the storehouses dwindle (just look at the choice to use oil reserves) and become empty at the hand of an overreaching government. We must be united in our cause to see liberty and freedom prevail, or await the cold, dark, brutal winter that approaches. I choose, to work with lovers of freedom and liberty to pursue all the good in America. Freedom of worship, freedom of free enterprise, freedom to choose limited government. I am thankful this year, that we still have a choice. Will we still have that choice in 2022, or 2023? Time will tell. But in the meantime, we cannot wait to find out. We have to make it happen. We the people must give thanks by preserving those things for which we have to be thankful. Happy Thanksgiving,

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE October 27, 2020 CONTACT: Jason Shepherd Chair@CobbGOP.org   Cobb GOP Chair Calls on Democratic Counterpart to Denounce Vandalism; Theft of Signs Democrats Entering Private Property at Night to Destroy Signs for Trump; Other GOP Candidates (MARIETTA, GA) – Cobb County Republican Party Chairman Jason Shepherd calls on Cobb Democratic Party Chair Jacquelyn Bettadapur to denounce the destruction, vandalism, and theft of signs on private property and to actively discourage Cobb Democrats from engaging in vandalism and theft of signs, especially Donald Trump signs. “The issue isn’t limited to yard signs, which have been disappearing out of people’s yards at an alarming rate,” said Cobb GOP Chairman Jason Shepherd. “We are having to replace or repair our large Trump signs daily as Democrats are entering private property to slash, vandalize, and even steal the signs, most of which are 8x4 feet!” The vandalism and theft started almost immediately as the Cobb GOP started distributing Trump/Pence signs back in July. As people started returning to Cobb County Republican Headquarters asking for replacement signs, the Cobb GOP decided to print signs notifying would-be vandals and thieves, “You May Steal Our Signs, But You Cannot Steal Our Vote!” When the larger Trump/Pence signs arrived, the problem got even worse, starting with the very first 8x4 Trump/Pence sign being cut in half just hours after it was put up on the property owned by an Asian-American Trump supporter in Mableton. Within the last couple of days, Trump signs have also been either defaced, destroyed, or stolen on private property across Cobb, including at the home of Mrs. Gwen Tritt, the mother of County Music Star Travis Tritt, who is in her 90's. Vandals have even brought ladders onto private property in order to deface and destroy signs that were placed higher to be out of reach. “If you needed any other evidence that putting our county in the hands of Democrats will bring the same kind of lawlessness we have seen in other Democratic run cities this past spring and summer, you only have too look at the utter disregard they have for both freedom of speech and private property, going so far as to frighten and silence a 90 year old woman” said Shepherd. “The Cobb Democratic Party, if it truly believes in law and order and free speech, will do everything it can to put an end to it.” However, many homeowners are putting their signs in places where security cameras can pick up the thieves and are ready to prosecute if they can be identified. “These Democrat ‘sign ninjas’ operate in the dark of night, but we are getting eyes on them and are ready to prosecute when they are caught,” added Shepherd. “This happens in every election, but I have never in more than 26 years of campaigning seen it to this level and extent.” In addition to silencing the free speech of their fellow citizens, vandalizing and destroying candidate signs can carry with them a number of criminal penalties, including charges related to entering private property in order to vandalize, destroy, or steal a sign. These can include charges like theft, destruction of private property, and criminal trespass, each of which can carry jail time, fines, and probation. However, in addition to the criminality of the action, Shepherd looks at it as a desperation by Cobb County Democrats. “Winners don’t care what the other side says. Winners just win,” said Shepherd. “By working this hard in the dark of night trying to silence people shows the Democrats’ message is not a winning message and ours is winning BIGLY.” ### Trump sign in Mableton on private property cut in half hours after being put up. Trump sign defaced on private property in East Cobb. A Trump-Pence sign with a Cobb GOP "You may steal our signs" sign.

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE                             CONTACT: Jason Shepherd

October 19, 2020  Chair@CobbGOP.org

 

Cobb GOP Files Ethics Complaints Against Democratic Sheriff Candidates Craig Owens and Jimmy Herndon

Complaints Outline Numerous Violations of the Government Transparency and Campaign Finance Act

 

(Marietta, GA) – The Cobb County Republican Party filed ethics complaints today with the Georgia Government Transparency and Campaign Finance Commission against Democratic Sheriff candidates Craig Owens and James “Jimmy” Herndon, alleging multiple violations of Georgia’s Government Transparency and Campaign Finance Act (“Campaign Finance Act”).

The complaint against Owens, the Democratic nominee for Sheriff, highlights numerous violations of the Campaign Finance Act, including failing to disclose thousands of dollars in campaign donations and/or expenditures, failing to file a Personal Financial Disclosure Report as required by law, as well as late filings of his Campaign Finance Reports. The complaint against Herndon, who filed challenges to incumbent Sheriff Neil Warren and his other Democratic opponents to get them thrown off the ballot on technicalities, but lost the Democratic Primary on June 9, highlights his failure to file any Campaign Finance Reports after his April 30 report.

“Craig Owens is asking Cobb voters to elect him to a position to run a 3,500 bed jail in a one million square foot facility with a $95 million annual budget, but he cannot even file a simple campaign finance report correctly,” said Cobb County Republican Party Chairman Jason Shepherd. “How can Cobb County voters entrust him to handle the job of Sheriff when he cannot follow basic campaign finance laws?”

Despite running on a campaign slogan of “Truth, Trust, and Transparency,” Owens’s campaign finance reports show his campaign is anything but transparent. Absent from Owens’s disclosures is the representation of his campaign by Marietta attorney Cindy Yeagar of the Yeagar Law Firm, which represented the Owens campaign in an appeal to the Cobb County Superior Court from the unanimous decision by the Cobb County Board of Elections to remove Owens from the ballot after fellow Democrat James Herndon alleged Owens did not correctly qualify for the Office of Sheriff. The Owens campaign challenged the Board’s decision, and the Cobb County Superior Court reversed the decision of the Board.

The Owens campaign hired three law firms, including the Yeagar Firm, which also appears on Owens’s Campaign Finance Report as providing free office space for the Owens campaign, but Owens’s original April 30, 2020 Campaign Finance Report makes no mention of his legal representation by Yeagar or either of the other two firms that represented him. Four months later, on September 1, Owens filed an amended April Report showing payments of $3,000 and $5,000 to the other two firms, but still nothing regarding the Yeagar Firm, which is listed in Court documents as having filed and participated in the appeal.

“Whether it is an oversight or an intentional omission to hide his legal representation from the voters remains to be seen,” said Shepherd. “However, it is hard to be truthful, trustworthy, and transparent while withholding whether the Yeagar Firm represented the campaign as an in-kind contribution or if he had to pay the law firm like he did the others, or a combination of both.”

However, that is not the only area where the Owens campaign has failed to be transparent. Each candidate for public office is required by law to file a Personal Financial Disclosure Report detailing the candidate’s personal finances and whether the candidate might have a financial conflict of interest the voters need to know about. The Campaign Finance Act requires the Personal Financial Disclosure Report be filed within 15 days of qualifying for the office, which happened back in March. To date, Owens has not filed a Personal Financial Disclosure Report.

“It’s ironic that Craig Owens’s party has been demanding that President Donald Trump disclose his tax returns, which is not required by law, but are silent about Craig Owens failing to file his Personal Financial Disclosure Report, which is required by law, said Shepherd. “Just more Democratic hypocrisy.”

This is not the first time that Craig Owens has come under fire for lack of honesty and transparency. It was a failure to file a required affidavit during qualifying that lead the Cobb County Board of Elections, including the Democratic members of the Board, to unanimously vote to disqualify Owens, but he has also received flak for misusing his military uniform on his campaign pieces, a likely violation of Department of Defense rules and regulations.

According to Department of Defense Directive 1344.10, members of the Armed Forces, including retired members, may NOT, in campaign literature (including Web sites, videos, television, and conventional print advertisements) use or allow the use of photographs, drawings, and other similar media formats of themselves in uniform as the primary graphic representation in any campaign media, such as a billboard, brochure, flyer, Web site, or television commercial. For the purposes of this policy, “photographs” include video images, drawings, and all other similar formats of representational media.

Throughout his campaign, Owens has used photos of himself in uniform as the primary graphic of himself on his partisan campaign mail, his campaign website, and campaign Facebook page.

“Owens owes our men and women in uniform an apology for his misuse of the uniform,” said Shepherd. “It is clear that he either is choosing to ignore the laws regarding his campaign finances and use of his uniform, or is ignorant of the laws, which any good cop will tell you, is no defense.”

###

CLICK HERE TO DOWNLOAD THE COMPLAINT AGAINST OWENS: Page 1, Page 2

CLICK HERE TO DOWNLOAD COMPLAINT AGAINST HERNDON: Page 1

CLICK HERE FOR DoD Directive (see page 6)

CLICK HERE FOR EXAMPLE OF OWENS USING HIS UNIFORM FOR PARTISAN CAMPAIGN PURPOSES

ABOUT THOSE CONSTITUTIONAL AMENDMENTS:

I know Democrat House candidate Caroline Holko was hoping I would focus on her this newsletter, but today is the first day of Early Voting and I wanted to focus this column on something more important, the Amendments and referendums on the ballot this year. I have received numerous questions on the Constitutional Amendments that are on the ballot this year. Here is an explanation for what each would do:

Georgia Amendment 1:

Authorizes dedication of fees and taxes to their intended purposes by general state law

• House Resolution 164
• Act No. 597

"Shall the Constitution of Georgia be amended so as to authorize the General Assembly to dedicate revenues derived from fees or taxes to the public purpose for which such fees or taxes were intended?"

Sometimes when the Georgia General Assembly creates a new tax or fee, they will dedicate all or part of that tax or fee to a dedicated purpose, like a portion of the tobacco tax going to fund programs to prevent youth tobacco use. There is a small problem, the Georgia Constitution does not require that fee or tax to actually go to that purpose. Instead, the funds go into the general fund and can be budgeted for any purpose.

If passed, the state's constitution would be changed to limit funds that are dedicated to those statute-specific projects.

In addition, the agency responsible for those funds would have to provide an annual report on the funds involved. 

The tax or fee which generates those funds would also have to expire within ten years but could be renewed if the General Assembly wants to renew it.

Once the dedicated fee or tax is passed and enacted, the legislature would not be permitted to re-allocate revenues from those funds to the state's general fund unless the governor suspends the fund to which they are dedicated for, which could happen in the case of a budget shortfall due to an economic downturn or other financial emergency.

The Amendment defines a financial emergency as when total state revenue in the most recent fiscal year is 3% or more below revenue estimates or when the state has three consecutive months of declining revenues.

Georgia Amendment 2:

Waives state and local sovereign immunity for violation of state laws, state and federal constitutions.

• House Resolution 1023
• Act No. 596

"Shall the Constitution of Georgia be amended to waive sovereign immunity and allow the people of Georgia to petition the superior court for relief from governmental acts done outside the scope of lawful authority or which violate the laws of this state, the Constitution of Georgia, or the Constitution of the United States?"

The best explanation comes from Rep. Andy Welch, the amendment’s author, who posted his reasoning behind the amendment on Facebook:

“So, what is sovereign immunity? It is an age-old legal doctrine that says the King can do no wrong and thus cannot be sued unless the King consents. Our Georgia Supreme Court has correctly said that our State Constitution includes the protection of sovereign immunity. As a result, citizens cannot petition Georgia courts to declare a governmental action unlawful and issue an injunction to stop the government from continuing the unlawful action. But what does that mean?

Let’s say that the State passes a statute that says Georgians may have only one political sign in their yards, or a local building director refuses to issue building permits for any new churches in your area; or a state or local official begins issuing land disturbance permits in environmentally protected areas, or a local government passes an ordinance that prohibits the licensed carry of firearms. Without the amendment, you may not sue the State of Georgia or your local government in Georgia courts to stop such action. (The only way you could get justice is to sue in Federal Court or sue the elected officials or the public employees personally which may be very difficult, costly and prolonged.)

If you think the doors of Georgia Courts should be open to allow her citizens to sue and protect their statutory and constitutional rights against government intrusion, then you should vote for this amendment. If you think our state judiciary should serve as a check on legislative and executive actions of the State and local governments, then you should vote for this amendment.

While the amendment allows Georgians to sue to STOP unlawful governmental action, it does NOT grant monetary judgments, court costs, or attorneys’ fees. This amendment will allow suits to be filed against the government itself as opposed to suing individual members serving or working for these governments. (It is already hard enough to get good people to serve in public office or public employment; they shouldn’t have to worry about being sued personally.) The amendment will apply to actions taking place on or after Jan. 1, 2021.”

- State Rep. Andy Welch, Amendment Author

Georgia Referendum A:

Establishes a tax exemption for certain real property owned by charities.

• House Bill 344
• Act No. 149

"Shall the Act be approved which provides an exemption from ad valorem taxes for all real property owned by a purely public charity, if such charity is exempt from taxation under Section 501(c)(3) of the federal Internal Revenue Code and such real property is held exclusively for the purpose of building or repairing single-family homes to be financed by such charity to individuals using loans that shall not bear interest?"

This referendum will provide an exemption from property taxes for property owned by a public charity that is already exempt from federal taxes under Section 501(c)(3) -- such as Habitat for Humanity -- if the property in question is owned specifically for the purpose of building or rehabilitating single-family homes.

Currently, charities like Habitat have to pay property taxes even before transferring the home to the new homeowner. The Amendment would exempt charities like Habitat and the collection of property taxes would only begin when the home is transferred to the new owner.

In addition, the charity would have to provide interest-free financing to those purchasing the home.

Cobb's 2022 SPLOST Renewal

Also on the ballot in Cobb County is the renewal of the current Special Local Option Sales Tax (SPLOST). The current penny tax is set to expire in 2022 and voters are being asked to renew it until 2028.

The list of projects the SPLOST is dedicated for can be found on the County Government's website.

If this passes, we will not see a change in our current 6% sales tax, but if it fails, we will see our sales tax decrease by $0.01 to 5%. Likely, the Cobb County Commission will seek other ways, like increasing property taxes, to make-up for the funds that had come in via the sales tax.

Undoubtedly, if there was any year worthy of stealing the title to Stanley Kramer’s 1963 classic comedy It's a Mad, Mad, Mad, Mad World, it would be 2020. The passing last week of Supreme Court Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg (a.k.a. “The Notorious RBG”) has dropped a bomb on the political landscape less than 50 days before the election. The Democrats who were demanding a vote on Merrick Garland in 2016 are now demanding no nominations or confirmation until after the election. While he may be splitting hairs, Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell had vowed to move forward with a confirmation before the vote, justifying his change on the issue of “nominations in an election year” on the fact that the government was divided then, but not divided now. In 2016, McConnell couched the primary reason for waiting until after the election in 2016 was the fact there was divided government in 2016, with the White House controlled by the Democrats and the Senate by Republicans. By waiting until after the election, as the editors of National Review point out in an op-ed, “the voters should be asked to break the deadlock between two branches they elected.” That is not the case in 2020. In the last Presidential election (2016) and the last three Senate elections (2014, 2016, and 2018), the voters have chosen to back Republicans. But the argument is not really about which party controls what and when. It is about the Senate’s role to “advise and consent.” Yes, the President nominates, which Barack Obama did in 2016 and Donald Trump will do in 2020, but it is up to the Senate to “advise and consent,” not just “rubber stamp” the President’s wishes. The President’s right to nominate is absolute, but so is the Senate’s right to vote or not vote on that nomination. Democrats are convulsing about the possibility that between now and January 20, even if Biden wins on Nov. 3 (or 4, or 5, or 6, or Thanksgiving), Donald Trump will be able to cement a conservative majority on the Court for a generation. They are mad about the lack of Republican respect for RBG’s “dying wish” that Donald Trump not appoint her replacement. However, Ginsburg herself said in a 2016 interview with the New York Times regarding Merrick Garland’s confirmation, “There's nothing in the Constitution that says the president stops being the president in his last year.” To put it another way, as a friend of mine on Facebook quipped, “I have reviewed my copy of the Constitution and I cannot locate the ‘dying wish’ clause.” The fever-pitched, over-the-top (dare I say “mad”) reaction of the left has brought up the “I” word again, with Speaker Nancy Pelosi agreeing with George Stephanopoulos on ABC News that the House could move to impeach President Trump or AG Barr as a “stall tactic.” The absolute arrogance of the Democrats and disrespect for the Constitution and rule of law is maddening! Impeachment is only for “high crimes and misdemeanors,” not a trigger to be used as a “stall tactic” to stop the President and Senate from exercising their Constitutional obligations. Yes, a bit of politics was played with Merrick Garland, however, the so-called “Biden Rule” about Supreme Court appointments in a Presidential Election year is politics as well. It was well and good for Mitch McConnell to use the short-sighted pontification of the then Vice-President against him when Biden, as a Senator in a Democratic Majority Senate was looking down Pennsylvania Avenue at a Republican President George H. W. Bush, and was chomping at the bit for the first Democratic controlled government in 12 years. It was the Democrat’s rule, and we used it against them. That is how politics is played. Or as my mother often said, “Be careful what you wish for.” That is why elections matter. For now, the President and Senate should move forward with a nomination. That was Ruth Bader Gingburg’s and Joe Biden’s wish in 2016 (be careful what you wish for). The people have spoken, and they have put the Republicans in control of the White House and Senate. If they wanted divided government, that opportunity came and went in 2018. If the voters are upset with the President and Senate’s decision, they can elect Joe Biden and a Democratic majority in both chambers in 2020 and the Democrats can move forward with their promise to increase the Supreme Court by four to six seats, allowing Kamala Harris Joe Biden and Chuck Schumer to pack the court and create a 9 to 6 liberal majority…assuming no conservatives leave the Court in the next four years, giving the Democrats a chance to appoint two or three more liberals to the Court. It’s a mad, mad, mad mad world, and in the next 45 days, it is going to get a lot madder.

Yours in Freedom,

Jason Shepherd Chairman, Cobb County Republican Party

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE           CONTACT: Jason Shepherd September 17, 2020                             Chair@CobbGOP.org Cobb GOP Chair Calls on Caroline Holko to Immediately Withdraw from State House Race After Racist Remarks Surface Demands Cobb Democrats Join the GOP in Condemning Candidate's Racist Remarks MARIETTA, GA – Cobb County Republican Party Chairman Jason Shepherd is calling on Democratic State House candidate Caroline Holko to immediately end her campaign for State House and withdraw from the ballot after the Atlanta Journal Constitution brought to light racist slurs posted by Holko on a blog in 2009. According to the AJC, Holko, who is challenging Marietta Republican State Representative John Carson for the District 46 seat, wrote, “I do not agree that (n-word) should be banned from collective speech — I don’t hold with censorship of ANY kind, and if that means I have to occasionally listen to some (expletive) use mean words, so be it.” “There is no question that she must immediately end her campaign for state house and withdraw from the ballot,” said Cobb GOP Chair Jason Shepherd. “There is no place in a community as diverse as Cobb County for an elected official who denigrates anyone based on their race.” Holko has told the media she no longer holds those views and has “evolved,” however, Shepherd questions why at 35, she was still publicly saying things online like, “but the fact still remains that I have never been mugged by a white person.” “Holko hasn’t ‘evolved,’” said Shepherd, “She just got caught. She is trying to spin this to save her political career, and it is not working.” As the story has now gained national attention on FoxNews.com, Shepherd is also questioning why Cobb County’s other Democrats remain so silent. In 2019, the Cobb County Democratic Party remained silently supportive of Erica Thomas when she told a Cuban immigrant to ‘go back to where he came from’ after falsely accusing him of accosting her, now Shepherd believes it is past time for Cobb Democratic Chair Jacquelyn Bettadapur, and elected officials like Lucy McBath, David Wilkerson, and the rest of the Cobb Democratic leadership need to finally stand up and stop being silent about the blatant bigotry that seems to run amuck in the Cobb County Democratic Party. However, State Rep. Erick Allen (D-Smyrna) is openly supporting Holko telling the AJC, “what was said in 2009 is disturbing, I’ve worked with Caroline the last couple of years in the Cobb Democratic Party and I know that is not reflective of the person who she is today.” Shepherd sees Allen’s comments as just another indication of Democratic hypocrisy. “Just like with Joe Biden’s often racist remarks and long voting record, Cobb’s Democrats are just planning to excuse Holko, like they did Erica Thomas, and sweep her bigotry under the rug if it will help them win,” said Shepherd. “Thankfully, Cobb County voters know better.”   ###