The 2018 race for governor began a few minutes after 2 p.m. today, with an inaugural speech by Lt. Gov. Casey Cagle that veered closer to the issue of transportation funding than the one that Gov. Nathan Deal would deliver minutes later.
The Cagle speech was the broadening of an address the lieutenant governor gave to a transportation summit in Athens last month. Again, he didn't endorse a gasoline tax increase, or any other tax hike – nor will he have to cast a vote for one.
"…We are at a fork in the road. With one path, a tempting path paved to make the walk easy and bordered by the lushness of easy and politically popular temptations, leading to a good Georgia, an okay Georgia. But there is another path -- it may not be as smoothly paved or as temptingly easy but that path -- the challenging path -- is the one that will lead us to greatness.
"Georgians from across the state have placed their trust in us. They sent us to this building to speak for them because they couldn't be here in person. They allowed us the honor of setting a path for this state and bringing to reality the dreams they have for our children and grandchildren.
"They didn't do that for us to choose the easy option, they didn't intend for us to play political games, and they certainly don't expect us to duck the tough issues.
"No, they trust us to work together in charting a bold new course towards a brighter future.
"While it may be tempting to surrender to the cynicism that too often surrounds us in today's world, we can instead show that there really is a different way. A chance to prove to the world that this incredible experiment in government really can work. We can embrace the challenges and opportunities that await us because what happens in this building matters. It is up to us, however, to determine if the things we do here will impact lives in a positive way or not.
"Many say shrinking the size of government will answer this call. As each of you know, I agree with the sentiment that we must gain efficiencies to control spending and work to stop the growth and overreach of government to preserve the freedoms we hold dear.
"But there is another side to that. Leaders and statesmen that came before us allow us to stand as the envy of the nation because of the wise investments they made. They saw, like we must see, the value of strategic investments that deliver a great return for generations to come. With wise decisions today, we can ensure a brighter future for those that will follow us.
"Great leaders are called upon not simply to preserve what we have, but to build a stronger tomorrow…."
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