Kelley sees big issues for state house in 2017 session, health care tops the list

A historic election is finished, and one of the top priorities that State Rep. Trey Kelley sees for the upcoming start to the house session in Georgia is one thing: dismantling many of the initiatives put in place by President Barack Obama.

"We've seen a strong rebuttal to the failed opportunities put forth by President Obama and Hillary Clinton... and Presidentelect Donald Trump has put forth an aggressive 100 day agenda as well as a plan to repeal many of President Obama's executive orders," said Kelley.

He immediately answered the question on many voter's minds in Polk County: what about Obamacare.

"We must be focused now on the anticipated repeal of Obamacare," he said. "The states need to focus our conversations that we've already started on getting to work on switching Medicaid into a block grant system."

How would this work? Essentially, states would get a lump sum payment from the Federal government as part of the national contribution to the State of Georgia for dollars to help pay for Medicaid.

The state in turn would be responsible for distributing those funds to patients who apply and are granted Medicaid, but without all the rules and stipulations put into place via the Federal government as the system now stands.

"I think it's a big responsibility to have a block grant for the state, and I think it's the correct approach and one envisioned by the founders," Kelley said. "I think the State of Georgia has shown that it can handle it's Medicaid dollars diligently, and with the utmost fudiciary care. That's something I want to see our state work with the Trump administration, and to try and make the whole system a reality in our country."

With the success of medical and legal cannabis on the ballot in November 2016, including a new vote in Florida earlier in the month allowing patients to grow their own plants, Kelley also sees this as a returning issue to the state legislature.

He said he remains focused on ensuring that cannabis oil, or CBD oil, remains under certain restrictions, specifically for extreme cases and those who are in dire need.

Kelley said he also said he wants to make sure that the oils used by youth and cancer patients are psychoactive, one of his biggest requirements in supporting any legislation.

"There will be a renewed discussion in helping children and adults with extreme conditions be able to treat themselves with cannabis oil," he said.

As Kelley gets ready for the new house session, one job he won't be undertaking for his third term is that of being a part of the deputy whip team.

He said that he felt it was time to hand over the job to someone else in the republican caucus following the election of new majority whip Christian Coomer, and that he'll be spending the time he would have on wrangling votes to focus on issues important to the 16th district.

Among those was a recent trip to Atlanta to meet with Haralson County officials and the Governor to help try and relieve an ongoing water crisis within the neighboring county to the south.

Kelley's other big focus for 2017 is a pet project, one he brings up time and again: tax reform.

He still feels Georgians are paying too much in state income taxes, and wants to bring about reform legislation to lower rates for state workers.

"Serious tax issues for our state that we need to move on, and it's something I've been campaigning for since my first election in 2012," he said.