Gwinnett Daily Post

Camie Young

This weekend, one of the possible GOP presidential hopefuls will be in Lawrenceville.

Former U.S. House Speaker Newt Gingrich, who used to represent portions of Gwinnett in Congress, is expected to take part in the 7th Congressional District convention, which begins at 10 a.m. Saturday at the Historic Courthouse.

Only elected delegates can participate in the proceedings, which include adoption of rules for 2011-2012, election of district officers and election of members to the District and State Committees of the Georgia Republican Party. But guests are welcome.

U.S. Rep. Rob Woodall is also expected to speak at the event.

Thomas plays major role in defeating tax bill

A Gwinnett Democrat played a key role this week in defeating the proposed tax overhaul bill at the General Assembly.

Brian Thomas, D-Lilburn, is the party's caucus chairman and worked with minority leader Stacey Abrams to defeat the measure, which would cut state income taxes while increasing sales taxes. Democrats said the model would result in a net tax increase of 82 percent for Georgians.

"Tax and pretend economics will not work for the GOP, and it won't work for Georgians. Democrats want to do that through an open and fair process," said Thomas, who said he wanted to explore the tax issue more thoroughly in the coming months.

Mike Berlon, the Gwinnett County lawyer who was chosen as the state Democratic Party chair, used the victory to try to bring attention to the party.

"We are winning key battles," Berlon wrote in an email to supporters.

Political Notebook appears in the Thursday and Sunday editions of the Gwinnett Daily Post.

Camie Young can be reached via e-mail at camie.young@gwinnettdailypost.com.

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