Republicans love to say they are against big government and that they love the free market. The truth is that many of them are happy to use government to advance their own interests.
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution just broke a story about how Georgia Governor Nathan Deal (R) directed $4.5 millionAi??in state funds to a resort run by campaign donors:
With a golf course, a water park and an elegant lodge that promises visitors ai???the welcoming embrace of luxury,ai??? the Lake Lanier Islands Resort exudes abundance, not need.
So some were surprised when Gov. Nathan Deal agreed last month to spend $4.5 million to buy and rehabilitate a well to primarily serve the North Georgia resort, which is operated by a multimillionaire businessman.
The project was one of only two approved for a direct investment of state funds, rather than loans, in the first round of awards from the Governorai??i??s Water Supply Program. The people or firms pushing those two projects had donated upwards of $10,000 to Dealai??i??s campaign.
By the stateai??i??s own evaluation, the two projects arenai??i??t really needed. Documents reviewed by The Atlanta Journal-Constitution show the Lake Lanier Islands well won just five points out of a possible 100 in the category of need. The southwest Georgia aquifer tallied zero.
$4.5 million for $10,000 is a 44,900 percent return on investment.
What makes this action by Deal particularly shocking is how far he’s gone to stigmatize poor Georgians who receive modest aid from the state. Last April, Deal signed into law legislation that requires drug testing for beneficiaries of theAi??Temporary Assistance for Needy Families program. That’s a humiliation these campaign donors Deal rewarded will never have to deal with.
There are 3 wells on this property. None of which were paid for by the previous “owner” that is selling the well to our Government. Did he make a profit, or what? One of these wells was injured and has continued to be left open. The Georgia EPD deems an open well that has not been used for more than 3 years, abandoned and must be filled, sealed and plugged according to the Water Well Standards Act of 1985. There was a Hazmat cleanup on this lot in 2008 when the Well Driller’s Rig overturned on one of the wells and a Diesel spill, resulted. Is this water contaminated? The public would never know.. There are 3 wells on this property 4 years old and older, standing open just above the city’s water suppply wells. Hmmm. That’s a heck of way to protect this world’s most valuable resource… Water!