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GA-9 Freedom Fighter Update

Last Week in the 9th District
Last Monday the Georgia General Assembly reconvened in Atlanta for the 2010 legislative session. While many are saying that the legislature faces insurmountable challenges, Tom believes it is times such as these that create the greatest opportunities. Despite the budget "crisis" as some would call it, this is a session of opportunity! Opportunity to lay the groundwork for future recovery, opportunity to change the way we do business and a reminder that more government is not the answer. As Chairman of the 9th District Legislative Caucus, Tom provided a preview of this year's session and outlined many of the priorities the legislature will be working in his Session of Opportunity column. Click here to read Tom's column.

On Tuesday, Tom attended the Georgia Chamber of Commerce's annual Eggs and Issues breakfast where our state leaders highlighted this session's legislative priorities to the state's business community. Two of the issues discussed were the need to revisit tax cuts, credits and incentives to spur job growth, and the need to implement reforms to Georgia's health insurance laws to allow individuals to buy health plans that have been approved for sale in other states.

Wednesday evening, former State Representative and former 9th District Transportation Board member Mike Evans withdrew from the congressional race. Mike was a tough campaigner, ran a good campaign and his candidacy only made Tom and our campaign better. As a believer that "iron sharpens iron," Tom is grateful for his candidacy and eight months of hard work. Julie and Tom wish Mike and Gena the best in their future endeavors.

Martha Zoller hosted Tom on her radio show on Thursday. Tom and Martha discussed the Governor's State of the State address, Tom's plan to create jobs through the private sector and the need for Georgia to implement a Zero-Based Budgeting system to cut wasteful, outdated government programs.

Tom Graves Young Professionals Event

Young Professionals for Graves Event
Thanks to all who joined Tom and Julie, State Senate Majority Leader Chip Rogers, State Senator Chip Pearson and State Representative Ed Setzler at the Young Professionals Event last Thursday night. Over 60 people showed up at the Big Easy Grille in support of Tom's campaign and a great time was had by all!

JOBS Bill
Tom is once again working with our state leaders to pass a common sense plan to create jobs here in Georgia. This remains his number one priority. Last session, Tom authored and the legislature overwhelming passed the Jobs Opportunity and Business Success (JOBS) Act, which focused on helping small businesses and creating, expanding and attracting jobs through a series of tax credits, cuts, and incentives for businesses to hire Georgians. As the Great Recession lags on and unemployment remains over 10 percent, it is clear that the Obama Stimulus isn't working and the need to create jobs through private sector growth is paramount to recovery. State leaders are once again looking to Tom and his JOBS Act as the fiscally responsible approach to stimulate our economy. The components of the 2010 JOBS Bill and ultimately how it will look will be unveiled in the near future. Tom is committed to working with our state's leaders to usher in a period of job growth that empowers the private sector, not more government.

Tom Becomes One of the 1st Candidates to Sign the Club for Growth Repeal! Pledge
Last week, Tom signed the Club for Growth's Repeal It! Pledge agreeing, once elected, to sponsor and support legislation to repeal the Obama health care reform bill. The Club for Growth launched the Repeal It! Pledge program last Thursday and Tom was one of the first candidates in the nation to sign the pledge and the first candidate in Georgia's 9th Congressional District. The Repeal It! Pledge states: "I, Tom Graves, hereby pledge to the people of my district (GA-09) upon my election to the U.S. House of Representatives, to sponsor and support legislation to repeal any federal health care takeover passed in 2010, and replace it with real reforms that lower health care costs without growing government." You can stand with Tom to repeal Obama Care by signing the Citizens Repeal It! Pledge. The Club for Growth is the nation's premier free-market, free enterprise group of conservatives and the Club for Growth PAC endorsed Graves' candidacy last September.

Up Coming Events
Saturday, Jan. 30, 6:30-8:00 p.m.: Tom's 40th Birthday Party -
Old Depot Community Room, 109 S. King Street, Calhoun

Thursday, February 4, 6:30-8:00 p.m.: Tom's 40th Birthday Party -
Sidney's at Vickery Village, 5772 North Vickery Street, Cumming

For more information, please click here. For questions, please contact Anne Marie Sutherland at (770) 519-4019 or by emailing Anne Marie Sutherland.