Georgia (drought) On My Mind

Several days ago Georgia Governor Sonny Perdue declared a state of emergency over its worst drought in decades and appealed to President George W. Bush for federal aid.

The drought in Georgia is not news, but the fact that Governor Perdue has noticed the drought should be. See Reuters' news story: Georgia Declares State of Emergency.

Conserve Water Georgia's website also has more information about the drought, which has affected neighboring states, too.

At My Rural America, we hope President Bush agrees to the Governor's request.

However, we also hope that Georgians remember that last year -- yes, there was already drought in Georgia last year! -- Congressman John Barrow was first to understand, as he worked last year to assist Georgia citizens when he lead the effort to get Georgia's farmers emergency disaster assistance for drought. You may already recall the discharge petition that would have pulled the disaster assistance bill out of committee, where then House Ag Committee Chairman Bob Goodlatte (now Ranking Member) at the request of the President, was refusing to allow a floor vote. 197 Members of Congress signed that petition, but 218 signatures were necessary, and the President held firm., as did the following Georgia Congressmen who refused to sign the petition:

• Deal, Nathan
• Gingrey, Phil
• Kingston, Jack
• Linder, John
• Norwood, Charlie -- now deceased
  
• Price, Tom
• Westmoreland, Lynn A.
  

Alas! No drought relief in 2006, although early this year, the new Congress did pass supplemental drought relief that covered the previous two years while the bill was locked up in committee. Whether President Bush will grant Governor Perdue's request is yet unknown.