A handful of state legislators enjoyed lunch and conversation with area citizens Tuesday during a legislative luncheon sponsored by the Statesboro-Bulloch County Chamber of Commerce.
    Held at RJ’s Steaks and Seafood, the legislative luncheon gave state leaders the chance to discuss important issues and answer questions submitted by the crowd.
    Benjie Thompson, CEO of the Chamber and Development Authority of Bulloch County, introduced Sen. Jack Hill and state Reps. Jan Tankersley, Butch Parrish and Jon Burns.
    Chamber President Phyllis Thompson served as moderator and asked questions submitted by citizens who wrote them down on index cards.
    Tankersley spoke first, talking about what she has learned in her freshman year a state representative. "We have some of the finest leadership I have ever had this term,” she said. In her first year, legislators introduced 667 bills and 1,093 resolutions.
    She said she was always on the go for training or meetings, and was impressed by Gov. Nathan Deal.
    “He truly values legislators and allows us to schedule 15-minute meetings with him,” she said. When she talked to Deal about concerns that HOPE Scholarship recipients did not have second chance opportunities like some others, Deal took action and now HOPE Scholarship recipients have that option, she said.
    Working in Atlanta has given her “an excellent opportunity to serve with a governor who listens to our concerns,” she said.
    She spoke of redistricting, which "will be new to me. But when the dust settles be assured the map will be fair and constitutional.”
    Burns said interests of Statesboro and Bulloch County are tied to a “regional aspect,” since Ogeechee Technical College, East Georgia College and Georgia Southern University affect people across the region.
    Statesboro and Bulloch are “an economic engine that is a regional hub for southeast Georgia,” he said.
    Keeping the colleges and university strong is important, especially the technical college that trains the work force.
    He also spoke about concentrating on Georgia’s prison system. “We need to look at parole and safety and better manage to see who needs to be (in prison) and who doesn’t,” and create a more economical legal system, he said.
    Public school funding also needs attention. It “has not been looked at in 25 years,” he said.
    Parrish praised the job state leaders are doing.
    The state is living within its means and” we’re really proud of the leadership we’ve had,” he said. “We’re doing more with less, we have more people, and we must be doing something right.”
    He said reapportionment will be a challenge but should not be a major issue. “There will be some interesting times, but in Bulloch County you’re fortunate that you’ve had some significant growth.”
    He also said as a legislator he wants to focus more on health care issues and education.
    Hill told the crowd that over the past 12 months, Georgia has seen increased revenue every month over last year. “Things are looking a lot better for the state,” he said. The revenue is about $1 billion higher than 2010, but still not close to what was collected in 2005, he said.
    About $400 million is put into the “rainy day” fund, but he reserve should be $2.2 billion, he said.
    “Rebuilding the reserve is important,” he said. In former governor Sonny Perdue’s two terns, the state was only in the black for three of the eight years.
    He said lottery sales are down by $30 million, which affect the HOPE scholarships. He blamed the economy, in part.
    But,” It seems to me that our recovery seems to be stronger than other states,” he said. “More consistent.”
    
    Holli Deal Bragg may be reached at (9912) 489-9414.