Congressman Hank Johnson Discloses Illness In Statement

Monday afternoon, Congressman Hank Johnson (D - Georgia) released the following statement concerning the treatment of the two-term lawmaker for Hepatitis C:

“Over the past year, I have been on a robust course of treatment for hepatitis C (HCV), a virus that affects more than four million Americans. I am pleased to announce that my therapy is progressing well. My physician is encouraged by my response to treatment and expects complete success eradicating the virus.

I hope that my disclosure will provide others suffering from HCV with confidence to speak out and educate the community about this illness. Through clinical trials and medical research, we must always seek new, more effective treatments.

I plan to use my position as a public figure to raise awareness of the consequences of this infection and let others fighting hepatitis know that it is possible to succeed and excel while battling this disease.

The causes of this disease are many, but in the end it does not matter how someone contracted the virus. Like so many millions of others, I was infected many years without ever knowing how I contracted it.

In fact, more than half the people who have hepatitis C don’t know how or when they contracted it. And many are fearful of the treatment regimen that impacts your life in unusual ways. Having come through a long course of treatment, I want to send a strong message that a cure is possible but you must be tested and treated.

I will be working with the National Viral Hepatitis Roundtable (NVHR) to help educate my colleagues and the public to learn more about this largely misunderstood disease. It is treatable, but we must devote the will and resources it deserves in light of the urgent need.

Though this infection has caused me some discomfort and frustration, it has in no way affected my ability to legislate and serve my constituents. My record of attendance at votes and in committee meetings is outstanding. I have passed three major bills in this year alone. As Chairman of the Judiciary Subcommittee on Courts and Competition Policy, I have led an active and effective committee. And as Southeast Regional Whip in the House leadership I played a significant role in rallying my colleagues’ support for historic health reform.

Today, I also announce that I will co-sponsor legislation offered by several of my colleagues in October, 2009 – H.R. 3974 – which would establish, promote, and support a comprehensive prevention, education, research and medical referral program for viral hepatitis infection.

It is a testament to the 111th Congress that we have men and women willing to stand up for average Americans and their families who have been impacted by hepatitis C and related illnesses. It is also gratifying that this is a bi-partisan bill because disease respects no socio-economic status, party or political philosophy.”

The Atlanta Journal-Constitution has more coverage of this story.

Shirley Franklin Hosting Holiday Reception For Roy Barnes

For a minimum of $250, a person could join soon-to-be former Atlanta Mayor Shirley Franklin at a holiday reception for Democratic gubernatorial hopeful Roy Barnes.

The fundraiser, scheduled for December 14th at Twelve Atlantic Station, lists a host committee that features former U.N. Ambassador Andrew Young, DeKalb County Commissioners Lee May and Connie Stokes, Bishop Eddie Long and developer Wayne Mason.

AirTran Employees Reject Union Representation

Last week, the customer service, ramp and Reservations agents for AirTran Airways rejected representation by the International Association of Machinists (IAM).

The National Mediation Board (NMB) notified AirTran Airways, December 2nd, that they dismissed the IAM's petition for a representation election because the group failed to garner the required 35 percent of eligible agents to sign representation cards requesting an election. The Board cited an "insufficient showing of interest" in its dismissal notification to both parties.

This is the fifth time since 1998 that this work group has elected to forgo representation. The company has ramp and customer service agents located in airports around the country while the Reservations agents are located in three cities -- Atlanta, Carrollton, and Savannah, Ga.

Local Democrat Says GOP Has No Health Care Alternative (And Gets It Wrong)

"[U.S. Congressman Paul Broun is]just opposed. He's what I call a ‘Republican no.’ He just says ‘no’ and he does not present any real alternative, nor do the Republicans to the bill Democrats have come out with."

Those are the words of Richmond County Democratic Party Chairman Lowell Greenbaum speaking at a health care forum designed to rally support for the 2,000-plus page Affordable Health Care for America Act [Kuzj, Steve (2009-12-4). Local Democrats shoot down critics of health care bill. WAGT-TV. Retrieved on 2009-12-7.].

Unfortunately for Greenbaum, the facts don't support his claim that the Republicans did not present an alternative to the Democrats' health care reform legislation. The 219-page GOP health care reform plan was offered by House Republican Leader John Boehner (R - Ohio) and posted online for public review. The Democrat majority in the U.S. House voted down the GOP alternative on a vote of 176 - 258 [House Roll Call 885].

In the words of Dragnet's Joe Friday, those are "just the facts, ma'am."

Jane Kidd U.S. Senate Campaign Encouraged By Howard Dean

In a diary appearing on the liberal-leaning blog Daily Kos, the former chairman of the Democratic National Committee had an encouraging word for Georgia Democratic Party chief Jane Kidd.



The diarist, using the moniker "Draft Jane Kidd", wrote the following describing the encounter between them and Dean:

Earlier this week in Washington DC, I had the privilege to hear Governor Howard Dean address progressive leaders from around the country at the America Votes Summit. After his speech, Governor Dean was available to meet and greet us, as well as sign his book, Presicription for REAL Healthcare Reform. I mentioned that the last time I had met him was in Atlanta at an event with Jane Kidd. Governor Dean quickly asked if Jane was still Chair of the party, to which I replied, “Yes, and I’m trying to get her to run against Johnny Isakson next year.”

Governor Dean looked up at me and smiled, and then he looked back down and signed a book for Jane, which read:

“To Jane, Run!! Howard Dean"

Howard Dean to Jane Kidd: Run!. Daily Kos. Retrieved on 2009-12-7.

Kidd has said that she will not be a candidate for U.S. Senate in 2010 [Aued, Blake (2009-8-18).
Jane Kidd for Senate. Blake Aued's Blog. Retrieved on 2009-12-7.]. That hasn't stopped her supporters from launching a Draft Jane Kidd for Senate web page though.

The question now is whether Kidd will take a second look at challenging Johnny Isakson given the recent encouragement from one of the nation's most popular Democrats.

Ralph Hudgens: I Want To Continue Oxendine's Good Work

State Senator Ralph Hudgens (R - Hull) says if he becomes Georgia's next Insurance Commissioner, he'll continue the "good work" done by incumbent John Oxendine. Hudgens, who chairs the Senate Insurance & Labor Committee, is one of ten candidates that have filed papers with the State Ethics Commission to begin raising money for a possible campaign in 2010.

Republican candidate Ralph Hudgens is currently a Senator in the 47th District near Athens, Georgia. He's served in the Senate for 7 years, the House for 6, and General Assembly for 13 years.

"I think you need somebody with experience who understands the industry that has that legislative experience and has the real world business experience to step in and take that position," said Ralph Hudgens, Insurance Commissioner Candidate (R).

Jennings, Christian (2009-12-4). Insurance Commissioner Candidate in Thomasville. WALB-TV. Retrieved on 2009-12-7.

According to campaign finance reports, Hudgens raised $80,700 during the first half of 2009 for his Insurance Commissioner bid.

Four Candidates Qualify For Augusta State Senate Seat

Georgia Secretary of State Karen Handel announced the close of candidate qualifying for the Special Elections to fill state Senate District 22 on Friday, December 4, 2009 at noon.

The 22nd district seat formerly held by Ed Tarver became vacant after the U.S. Senate confirmed Tarver as a United States Attorney.

The candidates below qualified and paid the qualifying fee of $400 for the Special Election to be held on Tuesday, January 5, 2010. If no candidate receives a majority of the vote, a run-off election will be held Tuesday, February 2, 2010.

Taylor Bryant (Libertarian)
Hardie Davis (Democrat)
Harold Jones, II (Democrat)
Sandra Suetta Cannon Scott (Democrat)

In other news, only one candidate qualified for the state House seat formerly held by Hardie Davis. Democrat E. G. "Earnie" Smith only needs to vote for himself to become the next state Representative from the 122nd district.

Westmoreland: Democrats Impose Grim Tax Reaper

United States Rep. Lynn Westmoreland (R - Georgia) opposed the re-implementation of the estate tax (aka “death tax”), which passed the House Thursday.

“There are almost too many problems with this legislation to count,” Westmoreland said. “It’s a double tax on income that’s already been taxed, it’s a potential death sentence for small businesses that are capital intensive and don’t have liquid assets, and it’s not indexed for inflation – meaning this legislation will hit more and more small businesses with each passing year.”

HR 4154 makes the death tax permanent with a top rate of 45 percent and a $3.5 million exemption (not adjusted for inflation). Under current law, there will be no death tax for 2010, but it would then revert to 2001 levels (55 percent rate) in 2011 and thereafter.

“The death tax has many unintended consequences,” Westmoreland continued. “For one thing, it creates a disincentive for saving and investment. For another, it’s aimed at ‘the rich,’ but it’s actually led to many industries being run by a few giant corporations. That’s because small businesses such as local newspapers or radio stations or funeral homes couldn’t pay the death taxes.

“Lastly, America works best when it rewards hard work and ingenuity. This legislation punishes our nation’s job creators, which seems to be a running theme under this Democratic Congress, and yet they can’t seem to understand why the unemployment rate keeps going up.”