ATLANTA - The dean of the Hall County state legislative delegation has been given a plum assignment by the man in line to become Speaker of the House early next year.
Representative James Mills of Gainesville was picked by Glenn Richardson to serve on the Committee on Assignments, which is charged with assigning House members to influential positions in the chamber.
Richardson is scheduled become the first Republican speaker of the Georgia House of Representatives in 130 years when the General Assembly convenes in January.
The Committee on Assignments was created by Richardson, who is from Dallas and became House Minority Leader when Lynn Westmoreland resigned his state House seat to run for Congress.
Mills has been in the legislature since 1992 and will lead the first all-GOP Hall County delegation. Representative Carl Rogers, a 1-year veteran of the legislature, switched parties earlier this year and won re-election in the November 2 General Election.
Mills played it close to the vest when ask if he will be seeking any key committee assignments, declining to speculate on what assignments he might ask for.
"I think my experience and seniority puts me in line to have a good shot at whatever chairmanship that I feel like I'm best suited for."
He said Democrats will be hard-pressed to find a seat at the "leadership table" when the GOP takes over, despite demands by Republicans over the years that they be afforded leadership positions when Democrats were in control.
Mills said the Republican agenda will be measured by four key things: Is it less government? Does it lower taxes? Does it promote more personal freedom and more individual responsibility? Does it empower the family?
"And, that has not been the Democratic caucus agenda," Mills added. "And, we are not going to allow someone who does not share our core values to prevent us from (the overwhelming mandate handed us by Georgia voters.)"
Richardson, echong Mills' comments, said "Friendships and other usual criteria are out the window. With Republicans in charge, we will make committee assignments based on what is best for the people of Georgia."
Mills admits its a bit "frightening" to come into power with the state still struggling with big budget problems. But, he said it's a new day for Georgia and he's confident the Republican party, which gained control of the state Senate and the Governor's office two years ago, is up to the task.
(Mills commented Wednesday during a taping of Northeast Georgia This Week, which will be broadcast at 8:05 Sunday on WDUN NEWS TALK 550. Mills will be discussing the historic takeover of the state House by the GOP.)
In addition to Mills and Richardson, the committee will include: Rep. Mark Burkhalter (R-Alpharetta), the nominee for Speaker Pro Tem; Rep. Jerry Keen (R-St. Simons), the nominee for Majority Leader, Rep. Barry Fleming (R-Harlem), the nominee for Majority Whip; Rep. Sharon Cooper (R-Marietta), the chairman of the House Republican Caucus; Rep. Sue Burmeister (R-Augusta), secretary of the Republican Caucus; Rep. Jay Roberts (R-Ocilla), vice chairman of the Republican Caucus; and Rep. Vance Smith (Ft-Pine Mountain).
Richardson has instructed members of the House Republican Caucus to submit applications for positions of chairman, vice chairman, secretary or other preferred assignments to his office by Nov. 17. The Committee on Assignments is a new committee created by Richardson to help in the decision-making process during the "historic transition to a
Republican Majority in the House."
Richardson said chairmen and other posts will not be announced until after Jan. 10, the first day of the new Legislative session.
Monday
October 21st, 2024
7:45AM
