Rep. Bourdeaux right to prioritize bipartisan infrastructure legislation
Georgia’s equipment manufacturers applaud the commitment shown by U.S. Rep. Carolyn Bourdeaux to get the bipartisan Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act signed into law as quickly as possible. Time is of the essence, especially for the 38,500 men and women of the equipment manufacturing industry in Georgia who depend on our roads, highways, bridges, broadband and other physical infrastructure to make the equipment that builds, feeds and powers the world.
Equipment manufacturers have worked steadfastly for the past decade to secure the type of comprehensive infrastructure investment this bill would provide. This bill includes $8.9 billion for Georgia roads and highways and $225 million to fix our deteriorating bridges.
AGCO is proud to be a part of Georgia’s vibrant manufacturing sector. To stay competitive, we need the strong investment this bipartisan bill would make in our state’s infrastructure. The family sustaining jobs we provide, our economy and our communities depend on it.
ROBERT CRAIN, ACGO SENIOR VICE PRESIDENT AND BOARD VICE CHAIR, ASSOCIATION OF EQUIPMENT MANUFACTURERS
Republicans risk democracy in passing draconian voting measures
On Jan. 6, the “Big Lie” that Trump was robbed of a second term by voter “fraud” got people killed and nearly caused a coup. Now the GOP is weaponizing that lie to steal elections.
The GOP uses the lie as a pretext to pass draconian voting restrictions to suppress the Black vote in multiple states, including Georgia. Simultaneously, the GOP passes laws that allow Republican legislators to seize control of local election boards in Democratic strongholds with large Black populations like Fulton County.
If voting restrictions don’t suppress enough votes, GOP legislators can intervene directly to overturn the election results, as Trump urged them to do.
Like the Southern elite in 1860, today’s Republican bosses are deeply invested in racism and contemptuous of truth and democracy.
The Confederacy and the Capitol lynch mob came close to demolishing our democracy. If the GOP gets its way, it could succeed where they failed.
STEVE BABB, LAWRENCEVILLE
