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Posts from April 2010

Georgia Secretary of State Kemp Qualifies

Conservative Record, Impressive Accomplishments, and Dominant Grassroots Support Make Kemp Clear Frontrunner

Athens – Georgia Secretary of State Brian Kemp announced today that he has qualified for the July 20, 2010 Republican General Primary. Secretary Kemp has already received more than 450 endorsements, including an endorsement from at least one elected official and the support of at least one grassroots leader in every Georgia county. No other statewide campaign in Georgia, from either party, has received this level of support or is as organized on the grassroots level as the Kemp for Secretary of State Campaign.

“Voters want proven leadership from a candidate who is working hard at the Capitol, and working hard for their vote. Our state faces big challenges, and Brian Kemp is already implementing his agenda every day for Georgians. Now is not the time for on-the-job training,” said Walton County Sheriff Joe Chapman.

Secretary Kemp stated, “I am honored to have the support of elected officials and conservative grassroots leaders in every Georgia county. We started on Day One of my administration to implement conservative policies and initiatives that increase economic development throughout Georgia, cut red tape for small businesses, and create more efficient government for Georgia taxpayers. We’ve worked closely with the Georgia Legislature to increase voting opportunities for our overseas military personnel, and we’re taking the Obama Justice Department to federal court to protect our voter rolls from non-citizens attempting to register and vote in Georgia elections.”

Secretary of State Kemp’s major initiatives include:

Real spending cuts: Secretary Kemp has cut $2.9 million from the agency’s budget by streamlining operations in every agency Division, and has implemented plans to make further budget reductions in subsequent years.

Elections Legislation: Increases opportunities for Georgia’s 200,000 overseas and military personnel to participate in the election process.

Stop Voter Fraud website: Allows Georgians to report questionable election activity online or via the Stop Voter Fraud hotline, to help the Secretary of State’s office take every measure possible to ensure the integrity, security, and fairness of our elections process.

MVP website: Allows Georgia voters to view a sample ballot specific to that voter for upcoming elections, find their Election Day polling location and early voting locations in their county, check their registration status, track the status of their absentee ballot, and more.

Georgia’s Voter Verification Process and Senate Bill 86: In February, the U.S. Department of Justice again denied “preclearance” or approval of these two critical voter roll protections. Today, Georgia remains the only state in the country barred from complying with the federal Help America Vote Act’s voter verification process. Secretary Kemp will now work with Governor Perdue to pursue preclearance in a way that removes politics from the preclearance process by bringing an action in federal court, so we can ensure that voter registration applicants are who they say they are and that applicants are U.S. citizens.

Cut The Red Tape website: Allows Georgians to submit ideas on how their government can remove the red-tape roadblocks that impede business growth and job creation.

Redesigned Corporations Division website: Allows Georgians to renew their existing corporate entities online, form new corporate entities online, and provide their email address to receive online renewals and other important notices electronically.

Regulatory Reform Legislation: Determines if regulatory boards are still necessary, if they provide adequate consumer protections, and if they hinder job growth and economic growth.

Professional Licensing Boards Division: Increased the number of professional license applications available online; saved taxpayer dollars by implementing greater use of teleconferencing and videoconferencing.

Securities – Professional Licensing Boards Consolidation: Announced a multi-phase process to consolidate these agency Divisions. Will achieve significant budget savings for Georgia taxpayers and create more efficient government.

Secretary Kemp added, “Our conservative agenda and accomplishments are clearly resonating with voters in every corner of the State. I’m confident that the enthusiasm shown by our many supporters will carry us to victory in July.”

For more information on the Kemp for Secretary of State Campaign and Georgia Secretary of State Brian Kemp’s proven agenda, please visit www.KempMeansBusiness.com.

Campaign Contact Information

Brian Kemp for Secretary of State

P.O. Box 5187

Athens, GA30604

www.KempMeansBusiness.com

brian@votebriankemp.com

706-850-0570

Paid for by Brian Kemp for Secretary of State

Posted by Tim Fleming in News Releases on 4/28/2010

Secretary of State Kemp Vows to Continue Fight to Protect Georgia’s Voter Registration Rolls

For Immediate Release April 22, 2010	FFI Contact: Matt Carrothers Director of Media Relations 404-656-4269

Secretary of State Kemp Vows to Continue Fight to Protect Georgia’s Voter Registration Rolls Atlanta – Georgia Secretary of State Brian Kemp announced today that he will continue the fight to protect the State’s voter registration rolls, despite Attorney General Thurbert Baker’s latest refusal to intervene in the process to preclear two critical voter roll protection programs. In February, the U.S. Department of Justice (DOJ) again denied administrative preclearance of the State’s voter verification process, contending that a decision could not be made without additional information. However, all of the additional information sought by the DOJ had been provided previously, some of it on numerous occasions. The State may seek preclearance of a change affecting voting by bringing a declaratory judgment action in federal court or, as an alternative, by submitting the change to the DOJ. Therefore, following the DOJ’s February denial of preclearance, Secretary Kemp asked Baker to seek federal court preclearance of both the voter verification process and Senate Bill 86 (SB 86), the State’s proof of citizenship requirement passed last year. In April, Secretary Kemp requested that Governor Perdue call for Baker to appoint counsel to represent the State and immediately seek declaratory judgment in federal court. Governor Perdue sent this request to Baker on April 7. Secretary Kemp stated, “Today, Georgia remains the only state in the country barred from complying with the federal Help America Vote Act’s voter verification process. I am disappointed that Attorney General Baker has again refused to represent Georgia voters in federal court, choosing instead to play politics with the integrity of our elections. “The Attorney General’s statements to the press today and his refusal to represent the State are difficult to square with his previous acknowledgement that Georgia’s voter verification process is non-discriminatory. “Fortunately, the State can proceed without Mr. Baker. We will work with Governor Perdue to pursue preclearance in a way that removes politics from the preclearance process, so we can ensure that voter registration applicants are who they say they are and that applicants are U.S. citizens.” Background: Voter verification process Under federal law (the Help America Vote Act, or HAVA), states are required to verify the information provided by first time voter registration applicants with information currently on file in state or federal databases. In Georgia, the applicant’s first name, last name, date of birth, driver’s license number and the last four digits of his or her Social Security Number are verified with the Department of Driver Services (DDS) or Social Security Administration databases to ensure that the information matches. Senate Bill 86 Senate Bill 86 requires those registering to vote to submit one of several forms of proof of United States citizenship with their application. Applicants may use a driver’s license number, birth certificate, U.S. passport, U.S. naturalization documents or alien registration number, Bureau of Indian Affairs card, as well as other documents. SB 86 was modeled after a similar law in Arizona, which has already received DOJ preclearance. SB 86 was signed into law in May 2009, but has not yet been submitted for preclearance. Brian Kemp was sworn in as Secretary of State in January 2010. Among the office’s wide-ranging responsibilities, the Secretary of State is charged with conducting efficient and secure elections, the registration of corporations, and the regulation of securities and professional license holders. The office also oversees the Georgia Archives and the Capitol Museum. ###

Posted by Tim Fleming in News Releases on 4/23/2010

AJC Article: Man arrested for posing as dentist

Man arrested for posing as dentist
By Alexis Stevens, The Atlanta Journal-Constitution, April 9, 2010

A 34-year-old man has been arrested for running a dental practice in Sandy Springs without a license.

Omar Mohamad Abou Ghaouche has been charged with practice of dentistry without a license and the recovery of dental equipment and dangerous narcotic drugs, according to Brian Kemp, Georgia secretary of state.

Ghaouche has never been licensed in Georgia to practice dentistry, according to the secretary of state's office. He was given a "cease and desist" order, which he signed. Ghaouche was then booked into the Fulton County jail.

“The allegations in this case are very troubling, and an obvious threat to the Sandy Springs community and public health,” Kemp said.

Sandy Spring police and the Georgia Drugs and Narcotics Agency assisted with the investigation.

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Posted by Tim Fleming in News Releases on 4/9/2010

Secretary of State Kemp Launches "Stop Voter Fraud" Website

Secretary of State Kemp Launches “Stop Voter Fraud” Website

Atlanta – Georgia Secretary of State Brian Kemp today launched a new website to prevent election and voter fraud in Georgia elections. The Stop Voter Fraud website can be found at: www.sos.ga.gov/StopVoterFraud. Citizens who witness questionable election-related activity can submit a Stop Voter Fraud form, or call the Secretary of State’s Voter Fraud Hotline at 877-725-9797.

“This e-government solution gives Georgians the opportunity to help us take every measure possible to ensure the integrity, security, and fairness of our elections process,” said Secretary Kemp.

Brian Kemp was sworn in as Secretary of State in January 2010. Among the office’s wide-ranging responsibilities, the Secretary of State is charged with conducting efficient and secure elections, the registration of corporations, and the regulation of securities and professional license holders. The office also oversees the Georgia Archives and the Capitol Museum.

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Posted by Tim Fleming in News Releases on 4/5/2010

Secretary Kemp speaks to Cherokee Chamber

Secretary of state speaks to chamber

Cherokee Tribune

by Ashley Fuller

Georgia's Secretary of State is working to assist small businesses during the economic decline.

Brian Kemp addressed local business leaders during the Cherokee County Chamber of Commerce's Good Morning Cherokee breakfast Thursday.

Kemp said his office is helping business owners concentrate more of their time on their business. The Secretary of State's Web site, www.sos.georgia.gov, has been redesigned to make online renewal of professional licenses and the first time application of professional licenses more user friendly.

"We don't want people spending more time with government when they can be focusing on their own business," Kemp said.

Kemp's office is also behind a bill proposed in the state legislature that would allow people to take license exams online rather than drive to Macon to take the exam in person.

"It is in good shape to get passed," he said about the bill.

Kemp is also meeting with the state Department of Economic Development to find out how to partner together with them on specific initiatives.

Pam Carnes, president of the Cherokee Chamber of Commerce, said expediting those processes would be a major help for the owner of a small business.

"Business owners don't have the time to get stuck in paperwork mania," she said.

Larry John of CitruSolution Carpet Cleaning of North Cherokee was happy to hear that someone at the state was aware of the needs of small businesses and doing something to help them.

"It was really neat to hear him saying small businesses are the key," he said, adding that Kemp had "respect for the small guy."

"After what we have been through, that was down home for me," he said.

Kemp was sworn in as secretary of state in January to finish the unexpired term of Karen Handel, who is running for Governor. The term ends this year. Kemp served in the Georgia Senate from 2002 to 2006.

Posted by Tim Fleming in News Releases on 4/5/2010