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 State Representative Don Parsons on Election 2022 |
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I am running for reelection to maintain and further build upon the many
successes that have made Georgia a better state. I have helped cut our
income tax, helped send some of our budget surplus back to taxpayers,
and kept our highway system across Georgia the envy of other states. I
am very happy to have worked for passage of House Bill 1013 which, among
other achievements, ensures insurance parity for mental health with
physical health. As Chairman of the Energy, Utilities &
Telecommunications Committee in the House, I have made great strides
with rural Broadband, and I look forward to seeing it through. I have
done solid work with cybersecurity and look forward to ensuring our
electric grid is thoroughly protected and prepared for the coming
electrification. Solid foundations have been set and advancements made
in many sectors but there is still work to be done and I look forward to
it. Among the greatest challenges we face, the ones that we can address at the state level, are those that are addressed by a fiscally responsible approach to state government. However, I believe the biggest challenge that my constituents, and people across the nation are facing today is inflation caused by irresponsible federal spending by the Biden administration. In Georgia, just this year, I have worked to successfully cut taxes as well as return part of the budget surplus back to Georgians. Due to fiscal conservatism, I have worked to keep our AAA credit rating, saving taxpayers untold millions of dollars every year. By lowering taxes, returning surplus to taxpayers, taking tax off gasoline during the time of extraordinary gasoline prices; I have helped and will continue to work to lessen the effects of federal government caused inflation. From every Democrat campaign I see, there is a call for "medicaid for all" which is another way of saying "totally socialized healthcare", funded by more and more unfair redistribution of wealth. No, Georgia should not expand Medicaid. The reason is the same today as it was when the idea was first put forward by the Obama administration. Once funds are accepted by Georgia, or any state to expand Medicaid, there is absolutely no guarantee that the funds will continue to be made available once the program is initiated, then leaving the state in a position of having to put the burden of continuing the program upon the taxpayers of the state. Lack of healthcare insurance is a problem that I suspect many people who have healthcare insurance do not fully appreciate. It should be said, however, that there is more access to certain levels of healthcare for the uninsured, including public health boards, voluntary clinics staffed part-time by volunteer health professionals and clinics established and paid for by employers to keep people on the job, than some would lead us to believe.
I had a long career in telecommunications in which I worked in all parts
of our state. My wife and I raised our family here. I served in the
military, including reserve components for twenty years. As a State
Representative, I have helped cut our income tax, helped send a portion
of our budget surplus back to taxpayers, and kept our highway system the
envy of other states. I am happy to have worked for passage of House
Bill 1013 which ensures insurance parity for mental health with physical
health. As Chairman of the Energy, Utilities & Telecommunications
Committee, I have made great strides with rural Broadband. I have passed
cybersecurity legislation. I have worked to ensure our electric grid is
prepared for the coming challenges. Solid foundations have been set but
there is still work to be done and I look forward to it. The overall role of the government of Georgia in
the lives of its people is put forth in the Georgia Constitution. Its
chief roles, as prescribed by our state constitution, are to protect
Georgians and to provide for a basic education for our citizens. In
accordance with the state constitution, our government must provide for
law enforcement, a mechanism for homeland security and a fair system of
justice. Our government must protect Georgians from unfair insurance
policy and predatory lending practices. It must provide for a mechanism
that ensures fair utility rates. Our government must protect Georgians
against unfair and excessive taxation. These, and funding of education
are all measures I have worked for and will continue to work for in the
General Assembly. Throughout my years as a state representative, I
have worked on and have been able to pass legislation involving a wide
range of issues. I authored and sponsored the "Crime Victims' Bill of
Rights" as well as school bus safety legislation. In the 2021session, I
sponsored major cybersecurity legislation that is now law. I am a member
of the Ways and Means Committee where I work hard to keep taxes fair and
low, and I am a member of the Appropriations Committee where I work to
fund education and agencies such as law enforcement. I serve on the
Health Committee where I work for access for Georgians to affordable
health services. As Chairman of the Energy, Utilities &
Telecommunications Committee I will continue to work for a stronger
power grid and for provisioning of rural broadband, among other
important issues. My job as a state representative is to represent
the people of House District 44. When I am contacted by a constituent
who has a problem with a state agency and needs help, I don't ask what
party he or she votes with, or about political views. I work to get the
problem resolved. I am always willing to listen. However, I am a
conservative Republican. I will not advocate for or vote in favor of a
measure that is not in compliance with our constitution, weakens law
enforcement, creates unfair taxation, increases the size of government,
or favors one race or ethnic group over another. I believe in the
equality of opportunity and a justice system that serves all people. I
do not believe in redistribution of wealth through government. My influences have come from many people, and I
have served with some great men and women. Two great men who are no
longer with us are certainly among them, and they are Paul Coverdale and
Johnny Isakson. Others include former Governor Nathan Deal and the late
Zell Miller, who was the first governor I served with. I am a conservative Republican who believes in the free market and limited government. I believe there are legitimate reasons for taxation to a limited extent for education, law enforcement, our armed forces and our highways, etc., but I also believe in the wisdom and the ability of the American people to make their own choices and their own investments in their own families and communities with their hard-earned money and resources. |