PeachCare is hot topic at Eggs and Issues breakfast
By Deborah Bennett Millen News Editor

STATE SENATOR J.B. POWELL

The attendance may have been small, but the issues discussed were big at the annual Eggs and Issues legislative breakfast held Saturday, Feb. 17, at the Millen Community House. The event was sponsored by the Jenkins County Farm Bureau and Jenkins County Chamber of Commerce.

State Representative Jon Burns and State Senator J.B. Powell were present and updated local citizens on the proceedings of the Georgia Legislature thus far. A question and answer session followed their remarks.

Both Sen. Powell and Rep. Burns noted that Georgia's PeachCare for kids was a hot topic at the state capitol and one that must be settled before the state's budget could be determined.

"PeachCare is a major issue. We don't have funding for it, and we're trying to get the Federal government to come through. It is a non-partisan issue. Both parties are committed to saving the program," said Sen. Powell.

"We are a victim of our own success," remarked Rep. Burns.

"State officials have done a good job of making sure we serve those who need it," he explained, noting that the PeachCare program affected 270,000 children.

STATE REPRESENTATIVE JON BURNS

Citizens were encouraged to write their Congressmen and U.S. Senators urging their support of the program and funding.

Economic development was also a topic of discussion with both representatives calling attention to the need for an educated workforce to attract industry to the area.

"We need a workforce that is educated and ready to accept jobs. In the 23rd Senatorial District, the teenage pregnancy rate is higher than the diploma rate," said Sen. Powell.

"We are going to have to make a serious obligation to supporting our school systems," he added.

Sen. Powell also noted the impact of CAFTA on local jobs, citing the loss of over 200 jobs at Jockey International last year.

"We have got to stop outsourcing our jobs," he said.

Rep. Burns encouraged support of existing industries and allowing local government to make local decisions.

When asked about the possibility of restoring state funding for the Ogeechee Behavioral Health Services mental health clinic that closed its facility in Millen Jan. 31, Rep. Burns remarked, "We're taking a look at it."

He then explained that plans were being formulated that provides some in-home services to clients through Ogeechee Behavioral Health Services and other organizations.

"We hope to have this in place sometime in March and April," Rep. Burns said.