Georgia District 10 Rep. Victor Anderson (R-Cornelia) has four years of experience at the state legislature under his belt, and he’s hoping for a third term as he seeks reelection this November where he faces a Democratic challenger – Paulette Williams of Rabun County.
“There are a lot of things that I feel like I can still do for our district and for the state having served for four years now,” Anderson said. “It takes at least three to four years just to learn how to get things done and to have a positive impact on the district and the state. I was fortunate and was able to carry some significant legislation even my first year, but even at that I was relying very heavily on those around me to help me through the process. And now I’m in a position where I’m actually helping others navigate the process, crafting and introducing and getting bills all the way through the process of becoming a law.”
He currently serves as the vice chairman of the governmental affairs committee and intragovernmental coordination committee – while also sitting on committees for appropriations, industry and labor, state planning & community affairs and energy, utilities & telecommunications.
Anderson previously served on the Habersham County County Board of Commissioners where he was chairman for two years. He said his time in local government adds to his understanding of how state legislation can impact cities.
“With that experience, I’m able to look at issues surrounding the creation and the maintenance of cities and the municipalities, as well as annexation,” he said. “There’s certain things that need to be fixed in state code to make that process better and to make it where it doesn’t cost taxpayers as much when those things happen.”
And cutting taxes is a major issue Anderson wants to focus on. “Two years ago we passed a bill that is the largest income tax reduction bill in the history of Georgia. Last year we were able to even accelerate those reductions,” he said. “On the ballot this year in November, we’ve got some Constitutional amendments that will further save property owners’ tax dollars. That’s been a big focus of mine and our legislature.”
Anderson said improving healthcare across Georgia is another key issue he hopes to continue working on if he is reelected, and he spent time earlier this year at a conference on medicaid expansion.
“I’m in the process of looking at the healthcare system in Georgia and working with others in the House to try and figure out ways that we can improve access to quality healthcare and reduce costs to Georgia citizens, the people who need it,” said Anderson.
He added that the discussion of gun safety has been on the mind of legislators since the September shooting at Apalachee High School. “Being able to maintain people’s Second Amendment rights, but at the same time doing it responsibly and providing mechanisms so that gun owners can own the weapons that they would like to own for sporting purposes, self defense, that sort of thing,” he said. “But at the same time keeping them out of the hands of the people who don’t need them. That includes young children, even teenage kids. I expect more discussion and more legislation possibly surrounding mental health provisions.”
During his time at the capitol, Anderson said he has been proud of his involvement in the passing of bills related to lake safety, cybersecurity threats on local governments along with the several election-related bills he has co-authored.