By Camie Young
Gwinnett Daily Post

In the midst of a drought, Melvin Everson has been praying for rain. He's been crying out to the Lord when he mows his lawn and from the pulpit on Sundays.

But this week, Everson will pray for rain at the state Capitol.

The Republican House member from Snellville will emcee a public prayer vigil hosted by Gov. Sonny Perdue and Lt. Gov. Casey Cagle.

"Sometimes we neglect to admit He's there and He's in charge of it," said Everson, a minister. "I feel it's important as an elected representative to show a united front as we deal with this drought. ... We need to pray for the Almighty to bring rain."

The vigil is scheduled for 11:45 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. Tuesday on the Capitol steps.

Linder testifies on water bill

Everson isn't Gwinnett's only representative making a plea because of the drought.

Last week, Congressman John Linder testified before the House Transportation and Infrastructure Subcommittee on Water Resources and Environment on his bill, H.R. 135, the "21st Century Water Commission Act of 2007."

"This is not to establish a national policy for use of water, but to get people around the same table to bring all of the knowledge we have about water to the same place to advise the Congress and the president," Linder said.

A commission, he said, could bring new ideas from across the country and the world to the same table. In his proposal, the water commission would focus on storage, water conservation and repairing the leaky pipes that contribute to water loss. Linder noted that Philadelphia alone loses 85 million gallons of water a day through leaky pipes.

"We need to increase the revolving loan fund under the Clean Water Act so that more states can fix their problems," he said. "In Atlanta, we're fixing a $3 billion problem with our sewage treatment. We ought to be able to borrow that money at low interest rates from the federal government under the Clean Water Act."

Instead of national water policy, Linder told committee members his intention is to establish policies and realities across the nation and then to bring that information to the president and Congress so they can then decide how to help improve the nation's water needs.

"This was started by looking at how we got our interstate highway system established. It was started in 1938 by FDR with a commission to bring all of the knowledge and engineers to the same table. In three years they came up with a proposal," Linder testified. "That proposal took 70 years to enact and get completed, but it got completed, and individual states controlled what went on in their states with their development. That is exactly how I see this happening."

Political Notebook appears in the Thursday and Sunday editions of the Gwinnett Daily Post.

Camie Young can be reached via e-mail at camie.young@gwinnettdailypost.com.

By JAMES SALZER |

The Atlanta Journal-Constitution

A member of a state House panel studying ways to save Grady Memorial Hospital has raised questions about how hospital officials ran and funded an abortion clinic and paid a legal settlement on a "botched abortion" at the facility.

Rep. Melvin Everson (R-Snellville), who serves on the House panel reviewing Grady's financial crisis, sent a letter Monday to Grady CEO Otis Story asking a series of questions about the women's clinic.

By BEN SMITH | 

The Atlanta Journal-Constitution

Rep. Melvin Everson last week managed to upbraid four local and national luminaries over their use of racial slurs or their failure to condemn them.

Everson called shock-jock Don Imus’ on-air reference to the Rutgers University women’s basketball team “inexcusable.”

The Snellville Republican also took to task Democrat Roberta Abdul-Salaam, a fellow African-American Georgia House member, for saying a word this newspaper won’t print.

On April 11, a House committee voted down Abdul-Salaam’s proposal to hang a portrait of Coretta Scott King at the state Capitol. The action enraged Salaam, who said that the committee’s action “was just like calling Mrs. King a nappy-headed [expletive].”

“I am equally as upset with Rep. Roberta Abdul-Salaam due to her emotional outburst and comment,” Everson said in a prepared statement. “Being African-American did not give her the right to make such comments.”

Then Everson turned his fire on two bigger-name black leaders.

“Where were Reverends [Jesse] Jackson and [Al] Sharpton when this most recent event took place? Honestly, I am disappointed in the leadership in the African-American community since they have not moved as swiftly to condemn Rep. Abdul-Salaam’s comment as quickly as that of Imus,” Everson said. “Everyone who uses this kind of language should be denounced.

“The African-American community should be the first ones held to this standard, not the last.”

Responding to the passing of Former President Ford, Rep Everson stated, Gerri and I extend our condolences to the Ford Family. President Ford was a leader that others should strive to emulate. At a time when the healing of a nation was very much needed, he was their to begin the process. Our nation has lost a remarkable public servant and he will be missed.

 Gerri and I will keep Betty and the children in our thoughts and prayers as they endure this difficult time.

On the passing of James Brown, Rep. Everson stated, Gerri and I wish to extend our condolences to the family of the late "Godfather of Soul" James Brown. Everson said, " Brown's music will forever be a part of America and America will always remember him.

Growing up in South Georgia during the 60's and 70's, were interisting times but, Brown's music was an inpiration to me and others. Through his music, pride and dignity was brought to the African American Community. Gerri and I will keep the Brown family in our thoughts and prayers as they journey through this difficult time.

(Snellville, GA)—House Representative Melvin Everson, District 106, will attend a fundraising reception this week at The 1818 Club hosted by Speaker Glenn Richardson and Transportation Committee Chair Vance Smith.  

Special appearances at the event are expected by Congressman John Linder, Lt. Governor Candidate Casey Cagle and Secretary of State Candidate Karen Handel. 

For more information, please feel free to contact the district office at(678) 514-2513.

Representative Melvin Everson recently spoke about his experiences in leadership to the Gwinnett Neighborhood Leadership Class on August 10th, 2006. 

The Gwinnett Neighborhood Leadership Institute (GNLI) is a non-profit organization that trains, develops, and equips citizens for leadership roles in their community.

Representative Melvin Everson received endorsements today by two influential organizations.  Both the Georgia Right to Life Association and the Georgia Association of Educators have applauded Everson for his values and work during the past session.

"I'm honored to be endorsed by these organizations," said Everson.  "It means a lot to know that the work I've done has been favorable to them."

Everson for State House announced their new campaign website today.  Rep. Everson stated that, "I'm happy to better inform my constituents of important issues through the use of our new site."

ATLANTA—Speaker of the House Glenn Richardson (R-Hiram) has tapped State Representative Melvin Everson to serve on the House Tag Tax Study Committee.
 
“Representative Everson is uniquely qualified to serve on this committee and I am proud to have him in this role,” Richardson said. 

HR 1778, creating the study committee, recognizes that Georgia governments receive approximately $ 8 million in motor vehicle taxes through tag taxes, and that there could be an economic benefit to the elimination of these taxes.  The committee will make recommendations for possible legislation to the 2007 General Assembly regarding the imposition and collection of ad valorem taxes by the state and local governments. 

The committee was created by the passage of House Resolution 1778, authored by Rep. Mark Burkhalter.  The committee will end its meeting on December 1, 2006.

ATLANTA—Speaker of the House Glenn Richardson (R-Hiram) has tapped State Representative Melvin Everson to the House Study Committee on Market-Demand Skills Education in High Schools.

“I am pleased that Representative Everson has accepted this responsibility,” Richardson said.  “I am confident that he will do a great job for our state.”

The committee will make recommendations to the next 2007 General Assembly on ways to encourage youth to complete high school with the skills necessary to gain employment. The study committee was created because the Georgia House is concerned with the unemployment rates of youth between the ages of 16-19, and believes that an increase in the number of skilled workers can improve the state’s economic development.

The committee was created by the passage of House Resolution 1048, authored by Rep. Fran Millar.  The study committee will end its meetings on December 31, 2006.

Snellville, GA--Representative Melvin Everson announced today that he supports Georgia's original marriage amendment to the state constitution. 

"I support the amendment stating that marriage is a union between a man and woman," said Representative Everson. There has been much upset in light of the recent court decision stating that the amendment was a violation of a provision in Georgia's constitution limiting ballot questions to a single subject.

"I stand with the Governor in calling for the Attorney General  to appeal the recent court decision striking down the amendment ruling it unconstitutional," Everson added.

ATLANTA – On Monday, Governor Sonny Perdue signed the Georgia Security and Immigration Compliance Act into law.  Senate bill 529 brings the State of Georgia into compliance with federal law regarding illegal immigration, by addressing issues of public safety, public contracts, private employers, public benefits and immigrant assistance.

Under this act, citizenship verification will be required for state employees and employers with state contracts and subcontracts, as well as for persons seeking the use of Georgia’s public services.  Additionally, provisions of the bill prohibit businesses, compensating employees more than $600 a year, from claiming wages as allowable business expenses.  These businesses will also be required to withhold a six percent tax on wages for all nonresidential aliens. 

Georgia’s public safety benefited from the measure by giving law enforcement agencies the authority to crack down on human trafficking and check the legal status of anyone charged with a felony or DUI.

“Our country was founded by immigrants. People come to this great nation seeking a better way of life and our laws are what keep our country great.  We value diversity but we must ask those seeking a better way of life here to abide by the laws set forth for the protection of everyone,” Representative Everson stated following the passage of SB 529.

For further information, please contact Rep. Everson’s office at 404-656-0188.

ATLANTA – In the weeks following the end of the 2006 Session, several pieces of legislation have made their way over to Governor Sonny Perdue’s desk for signing.  One such bill is House Bill 1313, signed into law on April 4th, 2006.  The new law addresses landowner’s rights and protects Georgians from Eminent Domain abuses.

Representative Melvin Everson (R-Snellville) was a strong supporter of the bill throughout its movement in the House.  The legislation requires that any exercise of eminent domain by non-elected housing and development authorities be for public use.  It also states that public benefit via economic development will not constitute a public use.

The new law works to ensure that property owners are afforded stronger due process rights in eminent domain proceedings and places the burden of proof on the government, not the landowner. A provision of the measure grants former owners the right to repurchase condemned land, not used for public purpose, within 5 years.

“Today marks an end to abuse use of eminent domain.  This legislation will protect the very essence of what Americans value and that is the right to private property and for it to be protected from government and non-governmental entities from seizing it through abusive eminent domain practices,” Representative Everson remarked following the signing of the bill by Governor Perdue.

For further information, please contact Rep. Everson’s office at 404-656-0188.

Representative Melvin Everson, from District 106, honors some of Snellville’s finest citizens in his district with resolutions passed by the Georgia House of Representatives. 

Today, Everson participated in awarding Kayla Arnold, a Snellville Middle School student, with a resolution for winning first place in the Gwinnett County Spelling Bee.  Principal Boyd invited Everson to award Arnold on the televised morning announcements broadcast schoolwide. 

“I’m proud to see that the winner is from Snellville.” said Melvin Everson.  “It shows the quality of education we have in this district.”

Representative Everson will continue recognizing Snellville’s citizens next week. On Monday, the state representative will present the South Gwinnett High School girls’ basketball team with a resolution from the Georgia House of Representatives congratulating them on becoming the 5-A Runner-Up in the Georgia State Basketball Championship. 

South Gwinnett is not the only school in the district receiving an accolade.  Everson will attend the Brookwood High School football team’s morning breakfast on April 13^th.  There he will present the team with a resolution for 2^nd Place in the 5-A Georgia State Football Championship and serve as their guest speaker for the breakfast.   

(As published in Gwinnett Daily Post, April 11, 2006)

It’s election year in Georgia and once again Cynthia McKinney’s misbehavior dominates the headlines.

The Congresswoman’s explosive run-ins with the authorities coincide with her need to turn out voters in her reelection bids. But even longtime McKinney-watchers were surprised at her resort to physical violence.

The issue is not whether the Capitol Police have a sinister agenda. The issue is McKinney’s violent overreaction to a uniformed officer’s request that she obey the law.
She overreacted to a reasonable request by a uniformed officer because she believes that her elected position and color entitles her to ignore the very laws she helps pass.  Instead of acknowledging the Capitol Police’s commitment to protect the citizens of the United States and cooperating with their request, McKinney pulls a race card, disrespecting the very purpose they serve.  

McKinney claims that her being stopped at a Capitol Hill security checkpoint was the result of “racial profiling” and not the fact that she was attempting to gain access to the US Capitol without a pass.  On the contrary, this could be turned around to say that McKinney, a black woman, is being the racist one by assuming that the officer, a white man, would detain her on racial grounds rather than just doing his job.  Is she implying that just because he is white he must be racist as well?  This officer simply did as he was trained: no lapel pin, no entry.

As a black American and newly elected official myself, I passed through the doors of the Georgia Capitol hundreds of times this legislative session.  Like members of Congress, my colleagues and I wear a lapel pin that allows us to pass quickly through security. Unlike Representative McKinney, I know that this is a courtesy intended to help me do the people’s business more efficiently, not a right intended to help me ignore the law. 

McKinney has completely lost touch with the American people she represents—people who walk through metal detectors and other security checkpoints daily without a “special” lapel pin.  McKinney’s sense of entitlement is also seen in her misuse of public funds to aid her political fundraising. She treats public money meant to run her office as though it was her own private slush fund.

Congresswoman McKinney’s repeated abuse of the public trust, however, shows that she believes her privilege is a personal right without any responsibilities.  She is a disgrace to all public servants.  More than that, she is a disgrace to the American people.

State Rep. Melvin Everson of Snellville represents the 106th House District.

Snellville, GA-Representative Melvin Everson takes action in his first days as the newest state representative in Georgia’s General Assembly. 

Everson, from Snellville’s District 106, introduced his version of an immigration bill that will relieve the burden that Georgia taxpayers are incurring with the recent increase of illegal immigration in the state. 

“This bill brings our state in line with the current laws of the federal government,” said Melvin Everson.  “I feel that this issue has gone unaddressed in Georgia for far too long.”

House Bill 1099 restricts illegal immigrants from receiving state funding for state provided services, which is similar to legislation introduced in the Senate by Senator Chip Rogers last year. 

Lower taxes, as well as immigration, were a cornerstone in Everson’s campaign last September.  Yesterday, Representative Everson voted in favor of HB 970 which gives an estimated $16-20 million tax cut for Georgians using energy such as natural gas. 

“I voted for this piece of legislation because I believe in lowering taxes where possible.  As gas prices increase, I know we can do more for Georgians by lowering taxes on energy,” remarked Everson.   

Gwinnett’s newest representative has his assignments for the 2006 session of the General Assembly.  Melvin Everson won the House District 106 in a special election in November after Phyllis Miller resigned the post to become a judge.  Speaker Glenn Richardson appointed Everson to the Education, Judiciary Non-Civil and Transportation committees.  

“I’m excited about these appointments,” Everson said. “It’s a great opportunity for Gwinnett to have further representation on these committees. I will make every effort to improve both education and transportation in Georgia. I also look forward to strengthening our laws in this state through my presence on the Judiciary committee.”

The speaker shuffled several committee assignments because of Miller’s exit and the death of Rep. Henry Howard, D-Augusta.
Rep. Clay Cox, R-Lilburn, was assigned Wednesday to the Banks and Banking Committee.

“I am honored that the Speaker would consider me for service on the Banks & Banking Committee. I look forward to working with Chairman Mills on the important issues facing our state's financial institutions,” Cox said.

He will remain on the House Industrial Relations, Public Safety, and the State Institutions & Property committees.