A Resolution Opposing “Regionalism”, which Violates the Georgia Constitution; and Supporting the Republican Form of Government

WHEREAS, Article IV, Section IV of the Constitution “guarantee[s] to every State in this Union a Republican form of Government.” A republican form of government is one in which sovereignty rests with the people and representatives are chosen by the people to represent them in public matters via a constitution; and

WHEREAS, under the Georgia Constitution there are no provisions for the creation of 12 special districts and 36 councils managed by the Department of Community Affairs and the Georgia Department of Transportation known as “regionalism;” and these districts are ruled in part by governing councils who were not elected to serve on a regional council but rather appointed by virtue of their county commission or city mayor seat; and

WHEREAS, “regionalism” diminishes the local control and authority of county and city governments for self-government through “home rule” as provided for in the Georgia Constitution, Article IX Section II; and

WHEREAS, voters living in city municipalities have greater representation on these councils than voters living in unincorporated parts of counties, violating the “one person, one vote” principle and the Fourteenth Amendment Equal Protection Clause; and

WHEREAS, the “Transportation Investment Act of 2010” (known as T-SPLOST) instituted regional government and regional taxation, but was soundly defeated in 9 of 12 regions; and

WHEREAS, a bill, HB 195, has been introduced in the Georgia General Assembly to allow counties to cross over boundaries to work on regional projects with other counties, without the regional government structures of the “Transportation Investment Act of 2010.”

BE IT THEREFORE RESOLVED THAT the Georgia Republican Party reaffirms its commitment to the “one person, one vote” principle, the Constitution and the republican form of government, and does hereby request that formal action be taken by the Governor, Lt. Governor, Speaker of the House, and the Georgia General Assembly to dissolve the 12 Regional Commissions for purposes of taxation with the application to the Transportation Investment Act of 2010 (TIA).