You deserve a Representative who will work hand-in-hand with local boards, organizations and state officials to attract new, viable businesses and industry with solid, good-paying jobs.

Our district is located in a very advantageous, almost magical location in Central South Georgia.

Tift and Turner counties are located along Interstate Highway 75 and have ready access to railroad lines. US Highways 82 and 319 cross I-75 in Tifton, which also has an airport.

Yet despite these advantages, Turner County is one of the 13 poorest counties in Georgia and over the past few years, Tift County experienced ZERO percent growth.  Industries and jobs are leaving and are not being replaced.

We must leverage our location to improve the economic situation in the District.  I pledge to be a champion for the district and to work not only as your voice in Atlanta, but also as an advocate for our district to help our business community find and attract new opportunities for jobs and economic growth.

In the past four years, local leaders have cut and scrimped to balance their budgets, only to have the Governor take more money away before the new fiscal year was even a month old - which in turn forced local governments to go back and make additional cuts and adjustments to already strained budgets. 

Incredibly, during the last couple of years the legislature has extended millions of dollars in tax breaks to special interest groups and corporations. I'm all for providing tax breaks as a means to generate revenue by attracting businesses and increasing the number of jobs - however every tax break we provide should be closely tracked to ensure the intended effects are achieved, and if they aren't, we should end the credit.  

Prudent and conservative use of public funds requires we have fair-minded legislators who will ensure our spending priorities reflect the proper business of the state.  Over the past couple of years, the Leadership’s priorities have been to cut services, cut funding for education, and cut homeowner tax relief - one of the largest single tax increases - without considering the long-term impact on Georgia's economy and citizens.

In the current budget crisis, we should not be balancing the budget on the backs of State employees, teachers, and individual homeowners while leaving the tax breaks in place for special interest groups.

Too many elderly and working families are living on the financial edge and cannot afford a $200-400 additional tax bill.  Many have had to make difficult decisions between medicine, food, and gas to get to work.  The Governor’s actions regarding the Homestead Exemption, with the Legislature's complicity are heartless and unconscionable. 

In the General Assembly the people of Tift and Turner counties can count on John Tibbetts to stand for fiscal responsibility and to work to bring economic growth back to this area.

I'd love to hear your thoughts on economic matters.  You talk, I'll listen.