Mark Taylor (politician)
From Freepedia
Mark Taylor is the currently serving his second term as lieutenant governor of the U.S. state of Georgia. Taylor, a Democrat, is also a candidate for governor of Georgia for the 2006 election.
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Biography
Taylor is a native of Albany, Georgia. He holds a bachelor's degree in political science from Emory University and received his Juris Doctorate from the University of Georgia. Taylor represented Albany in the Georgia Senate until his election to lieutenant governor in 1998. There, Taylor's most notable achievement was his successful advocacy of the HOPE scholarship program, which funds tuition at public state colleges for many students. Taylor also strongly endorsed smaller primary school class sizes and increased teacher pay.Taylor is married to the former Sacha Wilbanks of Lavonia, Georgia. Taylor has one adult son, Fletcher. He is a member of the Porterfield United Methodist Church in Albany.
As Lieutenant Governor
Under Taylor's influence, the statue of limitations on violent crimes has been removed. Taylor has also advocated the Peachcare family insurance program, which was recently scaled back despite his efforts. In addition, Taylor worked to promote the HEROES Act, which provides financial assistance to Georgia members of the National Guard.
Gubernatorial candidacy
In 2005, Taylor announced his candidacy for governor of Georgia. He has focused his campaign on education and healthcare isues, which he feels that the current governor, Sonny Perdue, has not adequately addressed. Taylor currently trails Perdue and fellow Democrat Cathy Cox in opinion polls.
Taylor in the news
Taylor has recently become a chairman of Put Help in the Helmet an organization to provide immediate relief to all Katrina-Rita affected First Responders, including fire, rescue, law enforcement officers, nurses, and Emergency Medical Service professionals along with Sen. John McCain and Sen. Joe Biden.
