BNJacksonGA

Dear Friend,

Yesterday the Republican members of the Georgia Senate and I issued a joint statement calling on Attorney General Baker to join over a dozen other bipartisan attorneys general who are challenging the constitutionality of ObamaCare in court.

The lawsuit filed Tuesday in Pensacola, Florida, challenges Congressional authority under the U.S. Constitution to enact an individual mandate compelling citizens to purchase health insurance or face large fines. The lawsuit also charges the healthcare overhaul infringes on the sovereignty of states and will cripple state budgets.

• What do you think about ObamaCare and a Constitutional challenge? Click here to discuss this issue with me on my blog.

I believe the healthcare legislation passed Sunday and signed into law represents an unprecedented expansion of the federal government's authority. This bill will devastate our nation's economy by creating $50 billion in tax increases, cutting benefits to senior citizens and violating individual citizens' right to choose their own healthcare. Senate Republicans and I stand together in strong support of Governor Sonny Perdue moving forward with protecting Georgia's citizens from this overreaching and financially disastrous legislation.

In addition to the questionable constitutionality of the bill, the unfunded mandates in the healthcare reform will cripple Georgia's economic recovery. We have already witnessed a massive state budget shortfall caused by deteriorating economic conditions and dramatically lower tax revenue, and face difficult choices this legislative session. Unlike Washington, our state constitution requires us to balance the budget each year. Under the healthcare reform legislation, Georgia will face billions of dollars in additional Medicaid costs, potentially forcing draconian cuts to critical programs like education and public safety.

• What do you think about ObamaCare and a Constitutional challenge? Click here to discuss this issue with me on my blog.

The unfortunate reality is that under the new federally mandated healthcare policy, no amount of cutting will bring our state budget into balance. Therefore the only alternative would be to force massive tax increases on Georgians who will have to shoulder this federal program's financial burden. That is an alternative our state cannot afford and we will not accept.

Ignoring this new law will not make its substantial consequences go away. We applaud Governor Perdue's efforts to move forward and stand up against this unprecedented attack on our citizens' liberty and our state's sovereignty.

I will keep you informed of any developments. I invite you to click here and discuss this issue on my blog.

Your friend,
Casey

Paid for by Casey Cagle for Lt. Governor