Rick Sheppard (GOP) - Georgia State House District 89 Nominee
Sheppard is on the ballot for the first time on November 8th.
Addy Adds | The Georgia Politics Newsletter - Peach State Update
August 29th, 2022 | The Empire State of the South
A native of Atlanta, Rick Sheppard moved from a small town in Alabama to Georgia with his family as a young child and went on to become a successful music recording engineer with a 25-year career.
Now, he is running for political office for the first time.
The artists he has worked with have sold over 100 million copies worldwide.
He built his DeKalb-based home in 1996 and met his wife Beth in 1999 before they married in 2001.
In 2011, Rick Sheppard retired from his career in the music industry and purchased a company that specializes in audio equipment provisioning for recording studios. The company now has clients in Georgia, Florida, New York, North Carolina, Pennsylvania, Washington DC, Colorado, Oregon, and Washington State.
Here are the issues that are important to him:
Economy
“Rising inflation has many families struggling with out-of-control prices increases on everything. Rick will work to eliminate the state income tax and increase job opportunities and put more money in your pocket.”
“It’s time for our state legislature to step up and pass legislation to help all Georgians succeed,” Sheppard said.
“With inflation at a historic high not seen since 1982, families are feeling the financial squeeze of high prices at the pump, grocery store, and on their utility bills. This is harming Georgians’ ability to budget, save, and provide for their families.,” he said.
Sheppard hopes to alleviate financial pressures on Peach State citizens.
“Government economic policies directly affect all households around the state. But legislators have the ability to positively impact our purchasing power. As your legislator, [I] have solutions to help ease the financial burdens we are all facing,” Sheppard said.
Sheppard is critical of tax exemptions for special interest groups.
“Let’s advance Georgia into the 21st century and bring more jobs and opportunities for everyone. Georgia’s tax system has over 140 exemptions for special interest groups and companies. While some of these exemptions may be well-intended, they shift the burden of paying for our government programs and services onto the middle class,” Sheppard said.
“Nothing is worse for a hardworking person than seeing their wages being taken, right of the top, by the government,” he added.
Sheppard proposes the elimination of the state income tax in Georgia.
“Eliminate the state income tax to increase job opportunities, empower families to control their own money, and ensure financial stability. We can rethink tax. If we eliminate the state income tax, Georgia will become the 10th state in our union to do so,” Sheppard said.
Sheppard sees other Southern states as Georgia’s biggest economic competition.
“Tennessee, Florida, and Texas, our biggest competitors, have a strategic advantage. They attract more businesses and that means jobs,” Sheppard said.
“Furthermore, many retirees move to “no income tax” states when they must rely on fixed income. Seniors make great consumers, volunteers, and watchful neighbors,” he said.
Sheppard states on his campaign website that he will introduce bills to:
Audit state programs to identify fraud, overlapping, or wasteful spending.
Require roll call votes in the Georgia General Assembly to provide transparency in each vote cast.
Reduce state regulations that impose restrictive burdens on small businesses to spur the economy.
Education
“Children are our most valuable assets. We must focus on giving them every opportunity to succeed. Our current educational system requires children to attend school based on their zip code. If a child lives in an area with a failing school, this requirements hurts middle and lower-income families. Higher-income families either move into a better school system or pay for a private school. We need to give all parents, regardless of where they live, the ability to help their children get the best education,” Sheppard said.
Sheppard states that the fact teachers must pay for classroom provisions out-of-pocket is a “disgrace.”
“Teachers often have to pay for classroom supplies out of their own pockets. This is a disgrace. Teachers are already among the lowest-paid providers in our community. Where schools have received failing reports, it’s our responsibility, as citizens, to support our teachers and children. Let’s give teachers the hep they need to improve any at-risk school and the classroom resources that are long overdue,” he said.
“As a legislator, [I] will focus on education to help teachers, parents, and administrators develop a strategy to lit our low achieving schools,” Sheppard added.
“Addressing overcrowding of our schools by greatly restricting the use of school waivers regarding classroom size. This will benefit teachers and students,” he said.
Sheppard calls for the auditing of Special Purpose Local-Option Sales Taxes (SPLOSTs).
“Auditing funds from our current and past E-SPLOSTS, the CARES ACT, and all public and private grants so we can identify any overlapping or wasteful spending. These potential savings should be redirected to improve any failing schools,” Sheppard said in a campaign statement.
“Expanding work-based learning in our high schools to offer more vocational choices for students who don’t see college as a career path,” Sheppard said.
“It is essential that we put our children first. [I] will invest in K-12 education to give our children the chance they deserve. Rick will work to help teachers that are long overdue and give parents a greater voice in their child’s education. Let’s support our teachers and kids.”
Public Safety
“The security of our families, friends, and neighbors is profoundly important to each and everyone of us. Crime demoralizes families and communities, but it is especially devastating to the very neighborhoods that most need protection. Safety is a fundamental requirement of our government and Rick will strive to ensure that our children are safe to live, play, and attend school without the threat of violence. The brutal reality is that we all see crime on the upswing. However, we need law and order to be justly applied. Mayors and police personnel need to work together for the good of every resident and visitor to our county and state. Prosecutors need to demand standards the impartially employed at all times, while citizens should be assured of fair, nondiscriminatory practices across our judicial system,” Sheppard stated.
“Crime demoralizes families and communities, but it is especially devastating to the very neighborhoods that most need protection. Safety is a fundamental requirement of our government and Rick will strive to ensure that your family and community are safe for everyone,” he said.
Healthcare
“Healthcare costs have skyrocketed year after year. Politicians make promises to fix it every election year and yet nothing ever seems to change,” he said.
“[I] will restore confidence in our medical system and introduce legislation to bring transparency and lower prices on medications and procedures,” Sheppard added.
Contact Rick Sheppard
Rick for Georgia 2107 N. Decatur Road
Suite 138
Decatur, Georgia 30033
404.857.2670
info@rick4georgia.com
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