Senator Smith Sworn into Office

1/15/03

State Senator Preston W. Smith (R-Rome) has been named to several powerful and influential Senate Standing Committees, including the Ethics Committee where he will serve as vice chair of that Committee.

"It has been a busy and exciting week," said Senator Smith who took the oath of office from Gwinnett County Superior Court Judge Billy Ray on Monday along with his colleagues from northwest Georgia, Sens. Jeff Mullis (R-Chickamauga) and Don Thomas (R-Dalton). "Northwest Georgia now has a coalition of senators who are prepared to stand vigilant to protect the interests of our constituents, including water, transportation, economic, and healthcare issues."

One of Sen. Smith's first votes was to establish the Rules of the Senate. The new Rules, adopted by a majority of the senators clearly identified the duties of the president pro tempore, defined the relationship between the lt. governor and the president pro tempore, and made procedural changes. New provisions include the creation of the Committee on Assignments and stipulates that the Committee will name the committees, the committee chairs, and the committee members. As a member of the majority party, Sen. Smith voted to adopt the new rule changes.

Besides Sen. Smith's assignment as vice chairman of the Ethics Committee, he also has been named secretary of the Health and Human Services Committee. In addition, he will sit on the Committee of Children and Youth and on the Economic Development and Tourism, and Judiciary committees. Most of Sen. Smith's colleagues in the Senate were assigned to serve on four standing committees as opposed to Sen. Smith's five committee appointments. 

"The leadership roles I will play while serving on these committees -- particularly on the Ethics Committee and the Health and Human Services Committee -- signal the trust and confidence the Senate leadership has shown in my abilities," Sen. Smith noted.

"When I was recruited to run for office by Sen. Eric Johnson, now the highest ranking member of the Senate as president pro tempore, he and Sen. Bill Stephens [Governor Perdue's Senate Floor Leader] and Sen. Tom Price, who is now the senate majority leader, promised me a leadership role in the Senate. They have lived up to that promise and I believe that my leadership role and hard work will benefit my constituents and my district."

Sen. Smith already has co-sponsored Senate Bill 8, a bill that will require state agencies to engage in "zero-based" budgeting. "Currently," he said, "state departments begin the budgeting process with a continuation of the previous fiscal year's appropriation amount and make requests for additional funds.

"The zero-based budgeting will require agencies to justify all spending from the first dollar. The current approach fosters a perpetual ballooning appropriation of funds for all agencies, and this proposal should encourage our state departments to examine their budgets carefully to determine whether there is any waste that can be reduced," he added.

Sen. Smith also co-sponsored Senate Resolution 12, which seeks a constitutional amendment requiring a "super majority" of two-thirds of both the Senate and House of Representatives before any tax increase may be levied on Georgia's citizens.

Aside from his daily Senate duties, Sen. Smith also was present for Governor Sonny Perdue's swearing in and the inaugural celebration following the day's festivities. 

"I remain committed to work hard on the priorities of my constituency, to improve education, create more jobs, enhance our transportation system and bring affordable healthcare to the citizens of northwest Georgia," Smith concluded. 

Sen. Smith represents the 52nd Senate District that included all of Floyd and Chattooga counties, as well as portions of Walker, Whitfield, Gordon, and Bartow counties.