Farm Bureau encouraging voters to learn about the candidates

On Nov. 6, Georgians will elect our next governor. Georgia’s governor holds a lot of power. Our governor determines state appropriations and which bills the Georgia General Assembly passes become law.

Georgia’s governor is responsible for appointing more than 1,000 positions throughout state government. A few of these positions include director of the Georgia Environmental Protection Division, commissioner of the Department of Natural Resources, commissioner of the Department of Transportation, and executive director of the Forestry Commission. The governor also appoints state judicial vacancies and any vacancies in Georgia’s U.S. Congressional delegation.

Georgia’s next governor will steer the direction our state takes on issues affecting our rural communities such as education, health care, rural infrastructure, broadband access and economic development. Decisions made on state policy, regulation and leadership extend beyond the tenure of any one official. Agriculture and rural Georgia are especially vulnerable to decisions made on tax policy, natural resources and regulatory oversight.

I encourage all farmers and registered voters in our county to research both candidates for governor. Learn where each candidate stands on the issues that will impact your farm and our rural communities.

Georgia Farm Bureau has developed a website – www.ifarmivoteGa.com designed to help voters get to know the candidates. I found the website to be a helpful source of information. It includes video interviews with each candidate and their written responses to questions the organization asked about agricultural and rural issues. The site can also help voters find their local voting precinct.

Please take your civic duty seriously and vote Nov. 6. You have the chance to impact Georgia’s future.