ATLANTA — House Military Affairs Study Committee Chairman Dave Belton (R-Buckhead) recently briefed fellow legislators on the state of Georgia’s military installations at the Carl Vinson Institute of Government’s 30th Biennial Institute for Georgia Legislators on Monday, Dec. 5, 2016, at the University of Georgia. The plenary session, entitled Impact of Georgia’s Military Bases, focused on the recent findings of the House Military Affairs Study Committee.
“The military is Georgia’s No. 1 employer with an economic impact of $20 billion,” said Rep. Belton. “Our state lost one-third of its military installations in the 2005 BRAC, and additional BRAC closures could have devastating impacts on our local communities and our state’s economy. The military wants to save money by consolidating bases, and it is our duty as legislators to do everything in our power to preserve and defend our military strength. Military-friendly policies are crucial to protecting our installations, and I hope my colleagues in the General Assembly will support any related legislation that is introduced in the upcoming legislative session.”
During the briefing, Rep. Belton highlighted the importance of each of Georgia’s military bases and suggested that the key to avoiding BRAC closures is providing military children with a high-quality education. Rep. Belton also pointed out that top Pentagon officials have repeatedly stated that if states want to keep their military installations they must provide soldier’s children with a great education, and that it is a quality-of-life issue that directly affects military readiness.
Other speakers included Brigadier General Joe Jarrard, Adjutant General of Georgia, Georgia Department of Defense; William L. Ball III, Former Secretary of the U.S. Navy, Governor’s Defense Initiative, Georgia Department of Economic Development; and State Sen. Hunter Hill (R-Atlanta), Chair, Senate Veterans, Military and Homeland Security Committee.
The House Military Affairs Study Committee was established by House Resolution 1135 during the 2016 legislative session to examine best practices on how to protect Georgia’s military installations from a future federal base realignment and closure action. The 15 member committee has since traveled the state and visited eight different military bases, to discuss with local officials the conditions and needs associated with Georgia’s military installations.
The Biennial Institute provides new and veteran legislators with information and training to help them make better-informed decisions for Georgia. Since 1958, the Biennial has provided legislators with valuable time for learning, networking, and exploring state issues prior to the upcoming session of the General Assembly.
The leadership of the Georgia General Assembly cosponsors the Biennial Institute for Georgia Legislators, with the Carl Vinson Institute of Government organizing and assembling the resources and expertise needed to carry out the agenda. Sessions conducted by veteran lawmakers and staff, agency administrators, and subject experts lead legislators through a wide variety of current topics.
Representative Dave Belton represents the citizens of District 112, which includes all of Morgan County and the eastern side of Newton County. He was elected into the House of Representatives in 2014, and currently serves as a member of the Economic Development & Tourism, Education, and Interstate Cooperation committees.
# # #