Charles Shiflett Column January 16, 2005

Bartow Election Results Paying Dividends In House

Late in the evening this past Tuesday, Bartow residents received some very big news. Our county is
now poised to wield significant clout and influence at the state level and Bartow voters deserve the
credit.

By now you're probably tired of reading and watching news stories trumpeting the new Republican
majority down at the Gold Dome. However, you folks should take a moment to pat yourselves on the
back for a job well done. Some of you may consider today's column to be one of those “inside politics”
pieces that isn't relevant to your life, but stay with me because it is important.

In the state house and senate, a lot of what you see on the floor of each chamber is the old dog and
pony show. Most of the important issues are decided before they ever reach either the house or
senate as a whole. The real power lies in the committee system and in the hands of the house and
senate leaders who appoint those committees.

If you manage to get appointed to a powerful committee or leadership position, you can get things
accomplished that Joe Legislator just can't do. If you get appointed to the three most powerful
committees… well, you can almost walk on water. That's what Jeff Lewis did Tuesday night as he
pulled a winning trifecta ticket.

Jeff has received his share of criticism over time for not having garnered enough power after twelve
years in the state legislature. He had a valid excuse. When you are in the minority party as Jeff was,
you have to be careful about rocking the boat too hard or the majority won't even let you have any
crumbs. Jeff doesn't have to worry about crumbs now. He cleaned out the bakery.

Jeff has been a loyal Republican since his switch in 1996. He has worked closely over the years with
new speaker Glenn Richardson and the number two elephant man, Mark Burkhalter. That friendship
and hard work is now paying big dividends.

Richardson and company appointed Jeff to serve on the Appropriations, Ways and Means, and Rules
committees. Appropriations oversees state funds, Ways and Means handles state tax policy, and
Rules governs the flow of legislation and decides which bills make it to the floor.

Being picked for any one of these committees is a big deal, but being chosen for all three is a rarity.
Jeff is now in position to get things done for Bartow that just wouldn't have been possible before.
Additionally, Jeff was chosen to chair the Public Utilities Committee… a big plus for the City of
Cartersville and their utilities department.

Also making news is Bartow's other homeboy in the House, Barry Loudermilk. According to insiders,
Barry has made a big impression on the Republican caucus and Richardson rewarded him with some
plum assignments.

Barry has been named a Deputy Whip for Richardson and was picked for the Health and Human
Services, Science and Technology, and Transportation Committees. He will serve as secretary for
Transportation, which is also a very powerful committee.

During Barry's campaign last fall, incumbent Buddy Childers never failed to mention his own
committee assignments as reasons why voters should pick him over Loudermilk. Of course, if
Democrat Childers had been reelected, he would have been stripped of his assignments.

Lewis and Loudermilk are not the only local legislators in influential positions. Bartow native Tom
Graves, who now lives in Gordon County and represents the Pine Log area, was also named a Deputy
Whip and was chosen as one of three “hawks” for Speaker Richardson. These hawks can participate
in and vote during the meeting of any committee in the house to influence legislation as the need
arises. Graves will serve on Health and Human Services, Information and Audits, Transportation, and
Ways and Means.

Though he lives in Paulding County, State Rep. Howard Maxwell has operated an insurance agency in
Cartersville for two decades and will be an additional voice for Bartow. Howard is a close friend of
Richardson and was chosen for Appropriations, Banks and Banking, Education, and will serve as vice-
chair of Insurance.

While I've focused on the state house, our state senators Preston Smith and Bill Heath also picked up
key leadership roles. Former Bartow resident Chip Rogers, who represents the Acworth/Woodstock
area in the senate, also gives us an extra voice.

All in all, redistricting and hard work from Lewis, Loudermilk and company have given Bartow the clout
to get things done. After having been primarily represented for years by legislators based in
surrounding counties, we finally get to eat with the big boys… no more crumbs.