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PAGE 8B PICKENS COUNTY PROGRESS THURSDAY. MARCH 9. 2023
Report from
W-v'
the Capitol
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By State Representatiue
Rick Jasperse
My colleagues and I went
straight to work on Tuesday,
February 21 to ensure that
good, sound legislation could
pass before the clock runs out.
On Wednesday, we had a spe
cial guest on the House Floor.
Bryce Leatherwood from
Cherokee County, winner of
the 22nd season of "The
Voice” was invited, and he
sang a short version of “Geor
gia.” Of course, it was great.
Each day spent on the
House floor grew longer than
the last, and we were able to
pass and send more than 30
House bills to the Senate for
its consideration by the end of
the week. Here are some of
the pieces you might find of
interest:
House Bill 162 will pro
vide a one-time tax refund in
the Amended Fiscal Year 2023
Budget to every eligible tax
payer for the 2022 tax year.
The one-time tax refunds
would range from $250 for
single fders, $375 forhead-of-
household fders and $500 for
married couples filing jointly.
The refund would only be
given to taxpayers who filed
income tax returns for both
the 2021 and 2022 tax years
and would not be available to
nonresident alien individuals,
those claimed as a dependent
during the 2021 and 2022 tax
years, or an estate or trust.
There are several sports
betting bills that are moving
through the process. I bring
your attention to this, as it is
against the law to gamble in
the state of Georgia and would
require a Constitutional
Amendment ratified by the
citizens of Georgia. A few are
trying to do it without a Con
stitutional Amendment.
House Bill 167 amends the
list of individuals with a sus
pended, revoked, or canceled
license who are eligible to
apply for a limited driving
permit by adding individuals
not in compliance with a child
support order, which would
enable these individuals to
drive only for certain purposes
like going to and from work.
Under this legislation, these
individuals would be able to
petition the court to apply for
one of these limited driving
permits, and judges could re
voke the limited driving per
mit if the parent abuses the
permit or fails to make child
support payments.
House Bill 207 requires
the operator of each boat in
volved in a boating accident to
immediately stop, remain at
the scene, and provide their
name, address, registration, as
well as their government-is
sued ID upon request to the
operator of the vessel struck.
Vessel operators would also
be responsible for rendering
assistance to any injured per
son and notifying emergency
medical services and law en
forcement if necessary.
House Bill 121 changes
the requirements for boats
“wakeboarding” and
“wakesurfing” to be 200 feet
from shore and they cannot
operate within 400 feet bank
to bank. This is of importance
to all lakes, due to safety and
damage to the shoreline,
docks and boats.
Monday, March 6, is
“Crossover Day,” and the
clock is ticking for House bills
to pass for the first time and
remain eligible to become law
this year. While I will be ex
tremely busy in the days
ahead, my number one job is
to be your voice at the Capi
tol. I encourage you to visit
me at my Capitol office, or
call me if you have any ques
tions or concerns regarding
the state budget bills, the leg
islative process, or any other
measures considered under
the Gold Dome.
My Capitol office number
is 404-656-7153. My email is
rick.jasperse@house.ga.gov.
As always, thank you for al
lowing me to serve as your
state representative.
Mountain Conservation Trust director speaks to Amicalola Garden Club
Fran Cathey receives club’s Doris Beck Award
Fran Cathey received the Amicalola Garden
Club’s Doris Beck Award.
Ms. Penny Davis wishing Ms. Jo Wood a happy 98th
birthday. Speaker George Kimberly of Mountain Conserva
tion Trust is also pictured.
Submitted by Fran
Cathey of the Am
icalola Garden Club
The Amicalola Garden
Club held a regular meet
ing on Feb. 21 at the Tate
Community Room. A
lunch of Mexican cuisine
was enjoyed. Appropriate
decorations adorned the
room. The luncheon was
hosted by Barbara Wal
ters, Lou Charland and
Fran Cathey.
Mr. George Kimberly
of Mountain Conserva
tion Trust of Georgia
gave a most interesting
presentation on the
Mountain Trust and the
impact on Pickens
County. Mr. Kimberly
talked about the mission
of MCT and encouraged
members to volunteer or
join the group.
Mountain Conserva
tion Trust of Georgia is an
accredited land trust ded
icated to the permanent
conservation of the natu
ral resources and scenic
beauty of the north Geor
gia foothills and moun
tains. There are 7,500
acres of protected lands in
north Georgia.
Club President Linda
Allred conducted the
business meeting starting
with a special birthday
wish for our oldest mem
ber, Ms. Jo Wood, who
was celebrating her 98th
birthday.
Penny Davis presented
an interesting background
of Ms. Wood. Susan Arm
strong read the minutes of
the January meeting and
Anita Poole gave a finan
cial report. Barbara Wal
ters presented the
horticulture tip prepared
by Peggy Andrews on
getting our gardens ready
for spring.
President Allred an
nounced that all state re
ports and obligations had
been submitted and filed
in a timely manner. Fran
Cathey spoke of the
Awards Program and
what awards the club
would be applying for.
There was discussion
on the March meeting and
the meeting was ad
journed with a prayer.
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BIG CANOE ANIMAL RESCUE
Zoey
Breed:
Mixed / Catahoula Leopard
Age:
2 Years Old
Weight
(current) 30 lbs
My Info:
Good with kids, Good with dogs, Shots
current, in great health, Spayed, Chipped
I’m a unique looking girl, right? I'm a fun-loving,
high-energy sweetie that loves to walk, play, and
could make a great agility dog. I’m very affec
tionate, love to kiss and cuddle and would be a
super companion. Zoey is a 2 yr. old, brown &
white short haired female with cute freckles
weighing 30 lbs. She is a mixed breed that ap
pears to be closer to a Catahoula Leopard dog.
Come check her out, she won't be here for long!
MARSHALL
Breed:
100% Great Pyrenees / White with
Black or Chocolate / Male
Age:
2 1/2 Years Old
Weight
(current) 105 lbs
My Info:
Neutered, Shots Up to Date,
Good with dogs and kids, Housetrained
My name is Marshall and I’d love to be your
devoted companion. Marshall is affectionate,
loves the outdoors and has a calm
disposition. He’s a big kid at heart, would
make a great farm dog and would work hard
for your love and devotion!
All BCAR dogs are placed as indoor family pets. No electric fences, please.
Visit BCAR shelter pets every Saturday from 11:00 am
to 2:00 pm. Call (706)268-1346 or visit our website at
www.bigcanoeanimalrescue.org to adopt.