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DEL.ICIO.USGov. Perdue shares good, bad news for state
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
Speaking at the Commerce Club’s Leadership Lunch program, Gov. Sonny Perdue told business leaders that the state has much to celebrate even during these tough economic times.
“Georgia is going to survive,” Perdue said. “I think we’ll come out stronger and better.”
As a example, Perdue announced new figures from the Georgia Department of Economic Development. For the past fiscal year (ending June 30), 321 economic development projects located or expanding in the state bringing 19,668 jobs and $3.26 billion in new investment.
Those numbers reflected a 17 percent increase in investment over the 2007 fiscal year, a 13.1 percent increase in jobs and a 14.2 percent increase in the number of announcements.
Still, Perdue said the state’s revenues have suffered as a result of the down economy. But he has no intention to use the $900 million in reserves from this year’s budget to help bridge the gap. He also said he had not decided whether he would call a special session to deal with budget issues.
The governor also said he is getting ready to go to China this weekend and that he intends to go to Spain, Portugal and Italy this fall.
One of the funnier lines he delivered was when he talked about VW’s decision to build an auto plant in Chattanooga, Tenn., near Georgia’s border.
“Georgia will be the beneficiary of those jobs from suppliers,” Perdue said. “That deal is kind of like having a friend who has a boat. That’ll be a good ride.”
David Ratcliffe, CEO of the Southern Co., introduced the governor before his luncheon speech. And Perdue couldn’t help but make a commercial for Southern Co. and Georgia Power.
“That company and its subsidiaries have had as much to do with Georgia’s growth as anything,” Perdue said.
Then Perdue lashed out against a ruling from Fulton County Superior Court Judge Thelma Wyatt Cummings Moore that will make it more difficult to build new coal-fired power plants.
The case concerned a proposal by LS Power Group of New Jersey and Dynegy of Houston to build a new coal plant in Early County.
Although he didn’t mention the judge by name, Perdue made his views known.
“It’s very frightening to me when one Superior Court judge can challenge the planning done over a number of years,” Perdue said. “We are in dangerous territory when one Superior Court judge can stop that kind of plan.”
Comments
By Helen Crane
August 1, 2008 3:42 PM | Link to this
The Governor is a butt-kissing moron! Did he read the cue card prepared by veteren GPC lobbyist Ed Holcolmb who is now his chief of staff? Hey guv, what happened to the Georgia’s Energy Strategy- too many good ideas? Non-election year? Scared utility execs will not give you the money and prestige you so crave? The judge’s ruling was prudent- we are on the eve of carbon legislation which will be added to the bill of every ratepayer and business in this state. It is you that haven’t been at the planning meetings!!!
By tcbin
August 1, 2008 4:01 PM | Link to this
I’m thrilled with Judge Moore’s ruling. As far as I’m concerned, she is the smartest judge ever! You Rock, Judge Moore!! The governor of Georgia is an ignorant redneck. It’s so sad.
By ATL
August 1, 2008 4:08 PM | Link to this
The judge didn’t stop anything. She made a decision based upon fully briefed issues and the law. If it’s the wrong decision, the appeals process will run its course.
By treeboy
August 1, 2008 5:25 PM | Link to this
It’s amazing what politicians will say during an election year! Gov. Perdue doesn’t have a clue about what he is talking about. This antiquated pollution-spewing coal-fired power plant has had opposition from day one! He is just a mouthpiece for the Southern Company and Dynegy/LS Power. This is just a last minute effort by the fat cats to force something not needed nor wanted on a poor rural county to sell electricity to Florida. The Ga Pacific Paper mill already puts out enough pollution to kill people, animals, and crops. I wonder what they burn in their boilers?
By johnatl
August 2, 2008 5:29 PM | Link to this
I wonder if we can survive the remaining time left for Boss Hogg, er, Gov. Potato Head. This man has done more damage to this State than all former Governors combined.
Recall Boss Hogg!
By Lee
August 3, 2008 5:38 PM | Link to this
America is heading for a perfect storm regarding electrical energy. There hasn’t been any significant construction of nuclear or coal fired plants since the mid eighties.
In the late nineties, there was a brief burst of natural gas fired generation. However, the utilities quickly found out, as did the rest of America, that natural gas pipeline capacity is limited.
For those who say liquified natural gas is the answer, where is it going to come from? Oh yeah, that’s right, we’re going to import most of it. Where have I heard that before???
So. What does that leave. A few wind turbine farms and a few solar banks scattered across the country.
Everybody wants wind power but nobody wants to put them on the shoreline where the most consistent wind patterns occur.
Everybody wants solar but cannot explain how you meet base load requirements at night when the sun doesn’t shine.
So. All you evironmentalists who are applauding this decision. How will America meet it’s electrical requirements?
Inquiring minds and all that….
By OneChris
August 4, 2008 1:39 PM | Link to this
Governors are a figure head. Purdue is on the way out so he has started showing us just how ready he is to move on. Take care Sonny! We are tired of you so have fun fishing!
By GeorgiaPeach
August 4, 2008 3:29 PM | Link to this
If you keep electing business-loving Republicans, and you’ll keep getting bone-headed, consumer-hating decisions. There’s plenty of natural gas in Mobile Bay. If pipeline capacity is limited, just build more pipelines (that’s not rocket-science)!! I agree, Gov. Potato Head must go!!
By WildBill
August 4, 2008 3:31 PM | Link to this
Sonny, We still haven’t had a chance to vote on the state flag, fess up, and give us a chance to vote!!!!!!