Time Short for Solving Key Challenges Facing State, Lt. Gov. Cagle tells Leaders at State Chamber’s Business Day at Capitol

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A successful businessman in Hall County, Lt. Gov. Cagle was a member of the Georgia State Senate before his election to the state's second highest office.

More than 200 business leaders from around the state gathered under the shadow of the Gold Dome for breakfast on Wednesday, March 5, to hear Georgia’s Lt. Gov. Casey Cagle present his views on some of the challenges facing the state.

Before introducing the lieutenant governor, Charles Tarbutton, Asst. Vice President, Sandersville Railroad Company and 2008 Chair of the Georgia Chamber, said that the decisions made during the current session of the General Assembly could change the course of our state.  “I think our elected officials know that there’s no more time for debate on these matters.  We are going to see some resolution by sine die and what shape that takes concerns the business community,” Tarbutton said.

Education ranked at the top of Lt. Gov. Cagle’s list.  “Education curriculum in Georgia must be built around the needs of our citizens and we must respond to those needs in a meaningful way, “ he told his audience, who had come to Atlanta to attend the Georgia Chamber’s annual Business Day at the Capitol.  “Finding the answers won’t be easy,” he said, “But we should begin by taking a ‘bottom up’ approach to solving our problems.”  Cagle praised the Career Academy concept, which he said had a 98% graduation rate and a 100% job placement record. 

Cagle, a native of Hall County, made history in 2007 by becoming the first Republican to be elected Lieutenant Governor in Georgia.  He has been widely praised for his vision and leadership, qualities he will need as he presides over the state senate for the debates that lie ahead.

Water is another one of those vexing issues.   “Georgia’s water shortage has two main causes,” Cagle said.  “The first is the drought and the second is mis-management by the U.S. Corps of Engineers.”  He added that the funding approved by the governor and the implementation of the new statewide water bill would have a positive effect. 

Finally, Lt. Gov. Cagle termed Georgia’s transportation problems as serious, even threatening the state’s leadership role as a destination for new business and jobs. “This is not a question in search of an answer; we know the answer and it is funding,” he said, adding,  “We have projects pending and repairs needed, but not enough money to pay for them.”  One solution may be a bill under consideration that will allow local communities to impose a one cent sales tax, with the proceeds going to fund local transportation needs.”