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Seabaugh Voluntarily Takes
Furlough Days through June 2010
Senator Seabaugh to Host Page Day at Capitol
Senator Seabaugh Hosts Chaplain Day at Capitol
Seabaugh Introduces Common Sense
Lawful Carry Act
Seabaugh Voluntarily Takes
Furlough Days through June 2010
ATLANTA (Jan. 26, 2010) - State Sen. Mitch Seabaugh (R-Sharpsburg) is voluntarily taking a furlough day a month for the remainder of the fiscal year. With these additional days, Seabaugh will have taken a total of eleven furlough days in fiscal year 2010. The money will be returned to the State Treasury to help fill additional budget gaps.
"The State Legislature is not immune to the economic recession and just like many Georgia families and businesses, we must limit our spending. We cannot ask others to make sacrifices that we wouldn't make ourselves. We have a duty and responsibility to our citizens to make the right choices and that includes reducing our own budgets. We're in this together and must work collectively to find solutions to our budget crisis. Volunteering to take eleven furlough days is the least we can do as legislators to mitigate the deep cuts to the budget," said Seabaugh.
Seabaugh and other legislators took one furlough day a month between August and December of 2009 and are now voluntarily agreeing to another day per month through the end of June. State Agencies have taken anywhere between 3 and 12 furlough days. The legislator furlough days will be in addition to the $3.08 million cut in appropriations the General Assembly voted to give itself in 2010 general budget, plus any potential further cuts that may be needed to balance the 2010 budget.
Seabaugh, with other senate leaders, has worked diligently to balance the state budget by making the appropriate reductions in government spending and government programs. The General Assembly also returned $2.7 million in FY2009 surplus funds to the Treasury. This fiscal constraint has been noticed by the Bond rating agencies in New York, making Georgia one of only seven states to earn and maintain a Triple-A Bond rating. Georgia is one of the lowest taxed states in the nation and has the lowest dept per capita among the 50 states.
Senator Seabaugh to Host Page Day at Capitol
ATLANTA (January 15, 2010) - State Senator Mitch Seabaugh (R-Sharpsburg) will host his annual Page Day at the Capitol on Wednesday, February 10, 2010. Students serving as pages will assist in the Senate Chamber and enjoy lunch with Sen. Seabaugh.
"I encourage students, particularly those interested in civics and government, to take advantage of this excellent opportunity to experience the legislative process first-hand," Sen. Seabaugh said. "This is a chance for students to experience American politics and watch the state legislature work."
Pages are granted access to the Senate Chamber for the day and are responsible for delivering messages to the senators on the floor. They may also be called on by senators to run special errands. Each page is sponsored by their local senator. They will receive a certificate and $10 honorarium and are scheduled to have their pictures taken with Lt. Governor Cagle and Sen. Seabaugh.
Parents and teachers who would like to nominate students to serve as pages should contact Sen. Seabaugh's office at 404-656-6446. Students must be 12 years of age or older. The day will count as an excused absence from school. Please submit any page requests as soon as possible. There are six slots remaining this year and students will be considered on a first come, first serve basis.
Senator Seabaugh Hosts Chaplain Day at Capitol
SHARPSBURG (Jan. 14, 2010) - This week State Sen. Mitch Seabaugh (R-Sharpsburg) hosted Pastor Jeff Chandler of SouthCrest Church in Newnan, GA, as chaplain for the day in the Georgia Senate. Following Lt. Governor Cagle's opening remarks, Chandler gave the morning devotional prior to the Senate convening their daily business.
 "It was my pleasure to introduce Jeff Chandler to my colleagues in the Senate," said Sen. Seabaugh. "His message was inspirational to all those within the chamber as we begin this new legislative session."
His messaged centered on life's moments and how those shape each individual. He reminded the Senators that although they face great challenges, they also have an opportunity to shape the state of Georgia and its citizens in a profound way.
Chandler received his degree in Religion and Psychology from Mercer University and his Master's in Ministry from Tennessee Temple University, and is currently pursing his doctorate. He first interned at New Hope Baptist Church and then went on to serve at First Baptist in Woodstock, GA. There, as the Minister of Students, his weekly meetings were attended by more than 1,000 members.
A native of Atlanta, Chandler resides in Newnan with his wife Dawn and his three children: Madison, Morgan, and Jay.
Seabaugh Introduces Common Sense
Lawful Carry Act
ATLANTA (Jan. 12, 2010) - Today Majority Whip Sen. Mitch Seabaugh (R-Sharpsburg) filed Georgia's Common Sense Lawful Carry Act, which amends the current firearms legislation. Seabaugh cited confusion in the current law and presented how his bill will make the necessary corrections to provide lawfully carrying citizens and law enforcement clear guidelines.
"Laws should be easy to follow, simple to enforce and always balance public safety and private citizens' rights. This legislation will get us there," said Seabaugh. "This legislation is fair to lawfully carrying citizens and ensures that any infractions and prohibitions are monitored and reported correctly, effectively and efficiently. This is common sense legislation that upholds community safety and personal freedoms."
The Common Sense Lawful Carry Act provides clearly defined carry areas, a more streamlined system for permitting and reporting of violations, and greater personal property rights by allowing property owners to determine whether firearms can be carried on their property. The legislation still provides strong consistencies for public and private K-12 and secondary schools, school functions and government agency offices.
 Seabaugh is pushing two major features of the bill - removing the confusion behind what constitutes a "public gathering" and bringing all rules regulations and licensing under the guidance of the Secretary of State's office. Many law enforcement officials throughout the state have expressed their confusion of how to enforce and even prosecute offenders under the current "public gathering" definitions. In addition, each of Georgia's 159 counties has a different way of processing and issuing licenses. By bringing the system under the Secretary of State's office, each county will have the same standards. The amendment maintains all background checks currently in place while imposing new disqualifiers on who can obtain a license.
Sen. Seabaugh also noted that he has reached out to representatives from Georgians for Gun Safety and Million Moms March so he may have a chance to walk them through these updates. His plan is to have a productive conversation without speculation and present the facts of the legislation.
All federal firearms laws and regulations still apply. With this legislation, Georgia's firearms laws will be in addition to federal laws without being contradictory or duplicative. Restaurant owners, churches and any other private property owners will have the choice to permit lawfully carried weapons on their property, or not to permit these weapons. Law-abiding citizens will be able to secure their weapons in a locked compartment in a vehicle that is parked in the parking facility of a government building, courtroom, jail, prison, any public school or private entity prohibiting their weapons.
Schools are still protected by school safety zones in which firearms cannot be carried at all. These zones are noted to be within 1,000 feet of any real property owned or leased to any public or private elementary school, secondary school, or school board and used for elementary or secondary education. This includes school functions as well as school property.
"Last year I held a series of study committee meetings that were an open forum for Georgians to express their concerns about the current carry laws. I listened to those concerns and developed this bill. As we go through the process of amending this law, I'm committed to working with all concerned parties to create a law that is sensible and realistic," said Seabaugh.
The Comprehensive Firearms Law Study Committee was created in the 2008 session to examine Georgia's firearms laws and the way these laws are applied in our state. Seabaugh chaired the committee and held a series of public hearings regarding Georgia's firearms law. The committee heard testimony from a variety of constituent groups including Georgians for Gun Safety, Georgia Trial Lawyers, Georgia Sheriff's Association, Georgia Carry, the University System of Georgia and various religious groups.
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CAPITOL OFFICE