Incumbent Republican Judson Hill first won election to this office, which represents east Cobb and Sandy Springs, in 2004. Challenger Lynda Coker is the chief deputy to Sheriff Neil Warren, and previously served three terms in the state House. Barring an upset from an independent, the primary winner will take office, as there is no Democratic candidate.

Q. Do you favor extending MARTA rail lines into Cobb?

Hill: Under certain conditions, I would support extending MARTA into Cobb County so long as these conditions are non-negotiable. Cobb residents must not be responsible for past MARTA's failures and existing financial burden. Although Cobb residents could benefit from access to mass transit, MARTA's financial challenges and obligations should not be financed on the backs of Cobb residents. The decision to bring MARTA to Cobb should be put to referendum for Cobb voters.

Coker: It has been my experience that the voters in Cobb do not favor partnering with MARTA for mass transit. The concept was rejected by voters in 1998, and I have heard no discussion to proceed otherwise. Mass transit in any form should be brought before the voters and approved prior to billions being spent for design, development and implementation.

Q. Are you in favor of light-rail lines for Cobb? If so, where?

Hill: A light rail line would be helpful in parts of Cobb County, namely along the Hwy 41 corridor, if stations are placed at points to optimize ridership and plan for integration into any metro Atlanta mass transit system. It is important that light rail funds itself so it does not become an added financial burden. With passage of the transportation bill this year, the Atlanta region will review and balance all transportation needs and potential projects, including mass transit/light rail, and can present the proposed projects in a referendum for voter's consideration.

Coker: There was significant dialogue and a feasibility study done in the late 90's that was approved by the ARC for light rail. Time has passed with little transportation improvement, while Cobb and Fulton traffic difficulties have continued to grow. Development of light rail along the U.S. 41 corridor between the Galleria, City of Marietta and Town Center business centers area would establish connectivity between the three major employment areas of Cobb and improve traffic congestion.

Q. Do you think Cobb's light-rail lines should link up with MARTA trains? Where?

Hill: Cobb light rail lines should be designed to be able to integrate and link up with MARTA trains in order to optimize ridership, however, only if Cobb residents are not burdened with MARTA's previous financial and other burdens. The details matter. The voter's may be presented with such an option in a voter referendum.

Coker: The coordination and synchronization of mass transit systems rests with the ARC and local governments. Currently CCT has maintained adequate bus service and given Cobb residents the opportunity to connect with mass transit between Cobb and MARTA. Specific connectivity of future enhancements should be studied, evaluated, costs and funding determined, and a specific plan presented to the voters.

Q. Do you favor adding or converting Interstate lanes to toll lanes?

Hill: I support creating managed lanes or HOT lanes in which people can choose to pay a daily rate to drive in designated lanes to reach their destination more quickly. I do not support converting existing paid for roads and highways into toll lanes. To ease traffic congestion we have to increase capacity and building additional lanes is part of the solution.

Coker: The General Assembly finally enacted a transportation improvement plan in their recent session. The law specifically identifies and directs new transportation projects and appears to comprehensively and effectively address many of the major transportation problems. The legislation requires critical planning, public input and participation as well as approval from the voters. If need is determined, converting Interstate lanes to toll lanes should only be an option approved by the voters.

Q. Do you support adding reversible lanes to I-75 through Cobb?

Hill: We should explore all transportation solutions including reversible lanes because there is not just one solution for our transportation challenges. Reversible lanes have been used in other communities. We should assess how successful they have been and the benefits they can provide compared to other transportation options. I expect that any metro transportation voter referendum will include several types of transportation projects.

Coker: From a public safety perspective, I am very cautious about reversible lanes on high-speed, interstate roadways. However, I am open to dialogue and discussion on this issue if it can be proven cost effective and a viable option to safely improve traffic flow.

Q. Should reversible lanes be built before or after light rail lines?

Hill: Prioritizing one solution over another depends on funding and establishing priorities to ease congestion and to help families and businesses as soon as possible. We should explore every transportation funding and project type solution whether it is HOT lanes, mass transit, reversible lanes, public private partnerships, concessions, truck only lanes, light rail, etc. because there is not just one solution to meet our transportation challenges. It is possible that a transportation referendum would include several of these infrastructure projects.

Coker: All of the issues of light rail, interstate toll lanes and reversible lanes on I-75 should be studied extensively and with full input and participation of the local communities to determine what is best and most cost effective. The new law is a great first step, but we need to stay vigilant, creative and innovative as we address and other local and state transportation issues.

Q. Do you plan to vote to approve and fund the transportation bill in 2012?

Hill: In 2009 I co-sponsored Senate Bill 200 to transform the state's transportation governance and bring needed accountability to ensure our transportation dollars are wisely spent. It is important that citizens have confidence that the DOT is accountable and efficiently operated. I supported House Bill 277 this year to give citizens a voice in how to fund needed transportation infrastructure through regional voter referendums. This is not the sole solution for Georgia's transportation needs. I expect to support a metro Atlanta transportation referendum so long as the referendum includes transportation projects that adequately meet the needs of east Cobb and Sandy Springs families. As your Senator on the Transportation Committee, I have worked hard to pass common sense transportation solutions to ease congestion and advance economic development opportunities for our community. I pledge to work to ensure that our communities' transportation needs are addressed in any referendum.

Coker: As a citizen voting in 2012 on a Transportation Funding initiative, I will carefully evaluate the proposals and if the recommendations are in the best interests of transportation in Cobb and Fulton, as well as cost effective and safe, I will vote in favor.

Q. Do you favor more restrictions on lobbyist gifts to legislators? Exactly what type of gifts and what amounts would you ban?

Hill: This year I supported and helped pass ethics legislation strengthening our ethics laws and making all activities more transparent. Lobbyists are now required to file bi-monthly disclosures of all meals and gifts made while the legislature is in Session. For years, all financial and in-kind campaign contributions have been banned during the Session. Lobbyist gifts in Georgia are limited, are very restricted and highly monitored today. I support great transparency of all gifts, expenditures and contributions so voters can see and decide for themselves the influence special interests may have on their political leaders.

Coker: Ethics reform is more than restrictions on lobbyist gifts to legislators. Financial disclosures and fees paid to legislators for conflicting consulting work can be far more egregious. Honest, ethical behavior of elected officials is critical to earning the public's trust. Too often we hear of sex scandals and use of office for power or personal financial gain. These behaviors on the part of the elected officials should be monitored and current law more aggressively enforced by the Ethics Commission. The public has the right to know and expects accurate reporting of all aspects of any influence impacting the decisions of their officials.

Q. Do you favor legislation that would deny admission to state universities to all illegal immigrants, even those who graduated from a Georgia high school?

Hill: Yes I support legislation that prohibits illegal immigrants from eligibility for admission to Georgia colleges, universities, and technical school, and especially any eligibility for the Hope scholarship or as an in state resident student. We should not allow those in Georgia unlawfully to be admitted to our state funded colleges, universities and technical schools at taxpayers expense. If any admission is allowed it should only be as an international student paying out of state tuition.

Coker: Yes. The recent incident at Kennesaw State University has opened our eyes much wider to the impact that illegal immigration is having on our country and community. According to current law, post secondary educational rights are reserved for citizens or lawfully present aliens. Let us strengthen and enforce the law and make sure taxpayer funded services are delivered in accordance with our laws. There should be consequences for state officials who knowingly implement admission policies that are contrary to existing law.

Q. Would you vote for an immigration law similar to the one recently passed in Arizona?

Hill: Yes, I support the Arizona immigration legislation and intend to introduce a similar bill in 2011. And yes, I have read the Arizona bill. If our federal government enforced the current federal immigration laws then this type of state legislation would not be necessary. We must work to elect federal leaders who favor enforcing all of our laws, but in the meantime, states should and have the constitutional right to take action when the federal government fails us. Illegal immigration takes jobs from Georgians and adds a huge financial burden on taxpayers, health care and state government.

Coker: Absolutely, I would probably introduce a similar bill if elected to the GA Senate. America is about 20 years overdue in securing our borders and enforcing current law. The economy of our state and local government is seriously impacted by the influx of illegals that are consuming government services created for American citizens and legal immigrants. We must enforce our laws and actively use every tool available to save our state and nation.

Q. Do you favor a state law that would outlaw furlough days for teachers in the future?

Hill: I have been endorsed for re-election by the Cobb teachers and educators for my support of and stand for education. Education is one of mine and our state's highest priorities; and we must continue to fully fund it. Education for K-12 is predominately funded by local communities. States and many local communities have strayed from their priorities and spent money on non-essential education programs. Rather than first raise taxes or lock in mandatory programs or benefits, the State and local leaders must first assess determine what services are essential functions and then prioritize spending for teachers and classroom based on these programs rather than spend more money on a bloated bureaucracy or on astro-turf for over a dozen high school sports fields. Local school systems should retain the flexibility to prioritize classroom-based services. Local school system must have options to balance their local budgets without state government interference.

Coker: I am not in favor of furloughing teachers. Continuity and consistency in the instructional delivery of curriculum and educational objectives is critical to the success of K-12 education in our state. In my opinion, disrupting the educational process of our children is detrimental to their academic growth and development and should not occur.



Q. At what point would you consider increasing taxes in Georgia?

Hill: I promised to oppose all tax increases. This year when I was faced with keeping my promise or keeping my committee Chairmanship, I kept my promise to you and voted against several tax increases putting my principles over politics. I believe that before additional money is taken from you by raising your taxes to increase spending, first every state program should be examined against the Georgia Constitution to determine if they are truly essential functions of government. State leaders must protect vital and essential services like education, public safety and transportation. We should examine whether existing programs can be eliminated or privatized, or whether an agency can consolidate with another one to leverage resources and save money. We must be good stewards of taxpayer dollars and never choose the short term easy way by increasing the tax burden on Georgians.

Coker: Taxes should not be increased. I will commit to have the fortitude and courage to downsize government, eliminate wasteful spending and return our state to funding basic, constitutionally required services. Taxpayers are demanding and deserve accountability for spending their money. Entitlement programs should be minimized and we must accept that government cannot be everything to everybody.

Q. If Georgians elect a governor from a party that is not your own, do you think you can work constructively with that governor?

Hill: Yes, my record shows that I work effectively with people without compromising my values and principles. I can and do work across party lines and stay focused first on what's best for our community and for Georgia. I'm used to sticking to my principles and representing my constituents' views despite who's in control.

Coker: As a Republican, I served in a Democrat controlled General Assembly and was very effective in representing the issues and concerns of my district. My priority was to represent the voters, not to acquire power. Therefore I was successful in passing vital, positive legislation that was in the best interests of my constituency. Contrary to many ego-driven folks, my name did not have to appear on legislation to achieve legislative goals. Regardless of what political party dominates the House, Senate or Governor's mansion, I am confident that with my experience, knowledge and commitment I can provide exceptional representation for Senate District 32.

Q. What do you think will be the biggest issue facing the General Assembly in 2011?

Hill: Balancing the Budget and avoiding tax increases will be our greatest challenge. Developing the best economic environment to attract and create new jobs for individuals and families across our community is most important and will provide additional state revenues to help fund important state and local services. We must work to stimulate job creation through wise tax policies and by easing the regulatory burden on businesses. To keep taxes low we must reduce or eliminate spending on less essential government programs. High taxes kill jobs.

Coker: The most difficult task for the next session of the General Assembly is to balance the budget. We do not need to increase taxes. The state will have to evaluate appropriations more closely and eliminate waste at every juncture. Better scrutiny, accountability and prioritization of spending will have to occur.