The main bill during Georgia’s Special Session meeting of the General Assembly was one to approve $270 million in relief following Hurricane Michael. This was the state’s portion of disaster relief to qualify for federal disaster funds. It passed the House almost unanimously. Almost. There was one no vote, that of Rep Matt Gurtler from Tiger, Georgia.
Tiger, in Rabun County, is about as far apart from Seminole County – where the storm first crossed into Georgia – as Gurtler is from the prevailing views of his caucus. Think opposite corners.
Representative Sam Watson of Moultrie, Chairman of the Small Business Development Committee, isn’t amused with Gurlter’s vote, nor his preening over his “principled” stand. In fact, he’s drafted a letter to the editor sent to newpapers in Gurtler’s district not only questioning his vote, but calling him a liar over statements Gurtler made while grandstanding his position.
You can read the full letter sent to GeorgiaPol.com here.
19 legislators from Southwest Georgia signed Watson’s letter. Senators and Representatives, Republicans and Democrats, would like the good people of northeast Georgia to better understand who they have sent to work with them to solve Georgia’s problems.
Most legislators would like to solve problems. One seems to just want to make a point. And a host of other Representatives would like the people of Rabun, Towns, Union, and White counties to understand that the person they send to Atlanta to work for them stands alone on an island, unwilling and now likely unable to work with others on behalf of those who he is supposed to represent.