Business and the state have a common interest; not an adversarial interest.
The First Amendment rejects red tape, cover-up and double-speak.
In my first year as governor, we solved some of the problems that had begun to undermine the Open Records Act. We gave the act teeth by providing criminal penalties for knowing violations.
As the leaders and decision-makers of this great state, it is our responsibility to strive for perfection.
Georgia is in an enviable position today, but we can't rest on our laurels.
What I am proposing this year are not lofty concepts far removed form the daily struggle so of ordinary Georgians. They are proposals that directly effect the lives of the people we serve.
By creating a Metropolitan North Georgia Water Planning District, we will give local governments a framework for working together on an issue that affects our whole state.
And this week, I am proposing legislation to strengthen our Open Records laws to make public access to our public records surer, faster, and more comprehensive.
We live in a state with a wonderful climate and plenty of natural beauty, from the shores of Cumberland Island to the Chattahoochee River to the Blue Ridge Mountains.
No one in government should ever think that the citizens they work for can't or won't scrutinize their actions.
