Responding "None of Your Business" Causes Drama

If you remember, I wrote two blog entries that mention Senator Valencia Seay. (Click here for #1 and here for #2.) Well, the saga continues.

Senator Seay is pissed at 11 Alive because the station used her picture when running their story on elected officials who haven't paid their state taxes. Yes, 11 Alive used her picture; however, when Senator Seay was discussed, I never heard anyone say she had not paid her taxes. The reporter said Senator Valencia Seay replied with "None of your business." If Senator Seay would have responded with "I'm current" over "None of your business," she wouldn't have been discussed on the news.

Senator Seay claims she has received hate email and calls because of the 11 Alive story. If these are claims are true, they are disappointing, disheartening, and disgusting. The people who made the claims should be ashamed of themselves. They could have easily sent Senator Seay a message requesting that she, like 50%-plus of her peers, disclose whether she has paid her taxes or not.

A blog reader, who asked remained nameless, sent me what he alleges are two press release from Senator Valencia Seay's office. I use "alleges" since I have not been able to verify them as official. Senator Seay's state webpage or her personal website do not have them listed.

Here is one of the alleged press releases from Senator Valencia Seay:

Senator Valencia Seay today demanded an apology and an on-air editorial repudiation from 11 Alive News in Atlanta for their deceitful implication that the senator failed to pay taxes.

The station called the Senator Thursday and asked that she disclose her tax records. Told that those records were private and none of their business, 11 Alive later used the senator's photo in a story about those who have not paid their taxes.
Tax records are private under Georgia law. Failure to pay taxes is a crime, and accusing a person of a crime - even by implication - constitutes libel under Georgia law. O.C.G.A. § 51-5-1.
Following the report, Senator Seay received the following threatening message in an email: "Pay your taxes. Typical deadbeat baby killing democrat."

The email arrived the day after SR 452 - a proposal to allow senators to dig into the tax records of political opponents - was defeated on the floor of the Georgia General Assembly.

"This is precisely the sort of irresponsible, unprofessional and trashy journalistic response that we would expect to see as a result of Senator Johnson's witch-hunting ethics proposal," Senator Seay said. "Undaunted by their ignorance of the facts, 11 Alive News showed their willingness to take a refusal to disclose personal information as license to imply the worst. For the record, I have NO tax delinquencies - federal, state or local. 11 Alive should go back to doing what they do best - empty reporting on celebrity drug addiction and car crashes."
Senator Valencia Seay is a leader among a committee of senators investigating how the recession is affecting Georgians and how best to mitigate that damage through smart responses from government. She said, "It is a shame and an abomination for me to be distracted from working on addressing the needs of homeless Georgia Veterans of wars from WWII to Iraq and Afghanistan and other citizens hard-hit by the largest recession since the Great Depression. I should not have to spend time responding to my children and grand children's concerns that I could be a victim of an Olympic bomber/Eric Rudolf wannabe."

Senator Valencia Seay is a former member of the Clayton County School board where she earned a reputation for being in politics for the right reasons. This reputation propelled her to a successful run for the state senate after reapportionment and redistricting. During the last election, she easily defeated a candidate backed by the infamous former Sheriff, Victor Hill.

Reinstate 4% State Sales Tax on Groceries!

UPDATE: AJC reports: "House Speaker Pro Tem Mark Burkhalter (R-Johns Creek) confirmed Tuesday that legislation to put the state’s 4 percent sales tax back on food is dead."

I want to blog about more than Georgia politics; however, the members of the Georgia Senate and House of Representatives are keeping my attention.

Representative Chuck Sims (pictured to the left) has sponsored HB 67, which would reinstate the 4% state sales tax on groceries. Too many Georgians are already hurting because of the economic crisis. Apparently, Representative Sims has no regard for them. Apparently, Representative Sims is not aware that many Georgian have to decide between paying bills, buying medications, and eating. Why make this worse? As my brother would say, I guess he's the kind of guy who would kick you in the balls when you're already down.

Besides being disappointed in Representative Sims, I am disappointed in the House Ways and Means Committee for giving HB 67 a favorable vote. Does the committee even have the best interest of Georgians in mind?

Yes, HB 67 does allow for Georgia income-tax filers to apply for a credit, every year, for the amount of state sales taxes they paid for groceries. I am sure Georgians will be excited and love to track a year's worth of grocery expenditures. I know I'd love nothing more than to become the receipt version of the cat lady. I should send Representative Sims a thank you card for looking out for us with this lovely part of the bill.

Alcohol sales do not tend to falter during hard economic times. In fact, alcohol sales often increase during hard economic times. Google it if you don't believe me. Why not propose an increase on alcohol sales? I am like the famed Gladys of The Ellen DeGeneres Show; I love Jesus, but I like to drink a little, and I would not mind an increase on the alcohol sales tax. Another idea with alcohol---our legislators could allow each county to decide whether or not there should be Sunday alcohol sales.

Another option to increase funds for the state is House Bill 39, which would increase the state tax on cigarettes. I think it seems logical to increase state taxes on alcohol and cigarettes before reinstating the sales tax on groceries. Don't you agree?

To Representative Sims: I guess you have never lived from pay check to pay check. You probably have never had to worry that you might not be able to feed your family. Four percent might not seem like a lot to you, but you need to realize the damage potential of 4%. Senator Sims, look out for all Georgians. Withdraw HB 67!


What can you do?
(1) Call Representative Chuck Sims at 404-656-3947 to demand he withdraw HB 67.

(2) Contact your House Representative to let him/her know you oppose HB 67.

(3) Contact the members of the House Ways and Means Committee via committee aid Lindsey Napier to express your frustration and disappointment of their favorable vote of HB 67. Email Lindsey Napier at lindsey.napier@house.ga.gov, or you can reach the committee via phone at 404-656-5103.

(4) Contact the House Ways and Means Committee to request support for HB 39. (Use the same way of communication as listed in #3.)

Senator Valencia Seay Answers the Question

Yesterday, I blasted Senator Valencia Seay for telling 11 Alive reporters that it wasn't any of their business if she has paid her state taxes or not. It seems that Senator Seay has come to reason, and she has reported that she has indeed paid her taxes.

Why was answering yes so hard?

Better late than never.

Elected Officials Too Good to Pay Their Taxes?

A few weeks ago I heard rumblings that there are members of the Georgia Senate and House of Representatives behind on paying their state taxes. Then the AJC ran an article on the issue. Now, 11 Alive has tackled the issue.

There are 16 House Representatives and 3 Senators who are not up to date on their taxes. 11 Alive has placed calls to elected officials giving them a chance to comment on whether or not their taxes are paid. Click here to see who 11 Alive is waiting to hear from and who has cooperated with 11 Alive. The elected officials won't remain nameless forever. Once they have been served papers from the Georgia Department of Revenue and given time to respond, their names will available to the public.

Senator Eric Johnson (pictured above), Chairman of the Senate Ethics Committee, in some circles, is receiving credit for trying to crack down on his peers who aren't paying their taxes. Before you praise Senator Eric Johnson, please note that a majority of the lawmakers who are not current on their taxes have been delinquent for a couple of years or more. Why did Senator Eric Johnson wait so long to raise the red flag? Oh, I guess his candidacy for Lt. Governor has something to do with it.

A message for Senator Eric Johnson: At first, some of the good citizens of Georgia will probably fall for your "I care routine," but it won't take them to see you treat politics like a game of poker, and sir, you play dirty. Your actions show your interest lies within your desire for power. For the sake of your own dignity, please stop the pathetic pandering for votes, and do what an elected official should do-- genuinely look out for the citizens of Georgia.

Let us turn our attention to Senator Valencia Seay (pictured to the right). When 11 Alive called Senator Valencia Seay to ask about her Georgia tax status, well, she told 11 Alive it is none of their business. Woah---I did not see that answer coming from a Senator who has been serving since 2002. Is it just me or is Senator Seay telling her constituents and the rest of Georgia that she is above public disclosure?

Senator Valencia Seay serves as the Minority Caucus Vice Chair, which makes this matter even more disappointing. She is in a leadership position, and leaders should lead by example. I am happy that most of her peers are not following her example!

Contact Senator Valencia Seay to tell her to disclose whether or not she is current on her taxes. I especially urge the people of Senate District 31 to hold Senator Valencia Seay accountable. Is Senator Valencia Seay who the people of District 31 want respresenting them?

Senator Seay's Contact Information
Email: valencia.seay@senate.ga.gov
Capitol Office Phone: 404-656-5095
Capitol Office Fax: 404-657-9728

I sent my email to Senator Valencia Seay asking her to disclose whether or not she is up to date with her Georgia taxes. Of course, I will share what she has to say in I Was Born Doing Reference Work in Sin.


Remember: If we don't hold our elected officials accountable, who will?

UPDATE: Senator Seay speaks!