GOP will begin hi-liting the work of the 216 Policy Group.  Check out  http://www.216group.org/.

The 216 Policy Group formed during the 2005 legislative session of the Georgia General Assembly with just a handful of House members as a resource to promote, foster and filter ideas and legislation based on a conservative belief systembasic principles:

1.        Less Government.
2.        Lower taxes.
3.        Personal responsibility.
4.        Liberty and justice for all.

The "216 Group" as it is known,  reviews bills scheduled to hit the floor of the House that day. The bills are scored from a -4 to a +4 based on the four principles. They are then given a cumulative score so the  members who participate in the group can determine if the legislation follows the principles of conservative governing.

When considering the principles, members should ask themselves the following questions: 

1.        Lower Taxes- Does the bill cut taxes or is it just a shift in tax policy? Does it reduce state taxes but move the tax burden to local governments? Or does it force more taxation at the local level? Or does it promote reduced spending or fees? Or are there hidden fees in the bill that some call taxes?

2.       Less Government - Does the legislation cut government regulation or create a new bureaucracy? Does it create new programs or eliminate programs? Does it create new entitlements or eliminate some? Does it make unnecessary programs go away? Does the overall size of government change with this bill?

3.       Personal Responsibility - Does the bill encourage personal responsibility so that Georgians and their families may tend to their own needs more? Or does it encourage government to do more for the people? Does it encourage or discourage individuals from providing for their own health, education, safety, general welfare?

4.       Liberty and Justice for all - Does the proposal increase personal freedoms? Does it impede on the freedoms of others? Does it limit others personal rights or property rights? Does it interfere with justice? Does it allow individuals to decide how to make personal choices for themselves