Tom Weldon

As a freshman state legislator, Tom Weldon said he worked harder than he expected to in the Georgia General Assembly this year.

"I wasn't expecting to have to work that much," the Ringgold Republican said. "We weren't going down there eating bonbons, sitting in muumuus, watching soap operas."

After three months at the state capitol, he said he also gained more respect for the legislative process.

"I'm still dealing with the challenges that it takes when you are out of your business for three months out of the year," he said. "I've gained respect for our system and appreciation for our system."

Rep. Weldon admits being a little stir crazy after enduring his longest legislative day -- which ran from 10 a.m. to 11:30 p.m. -- and missing his wife and four children.

And although he is still learning, he said he is satisfied with his first term in the Georgia House of Representatives.

He represents District 3, which includes most of Catoosa County, except for small portions on the west and east sides, and a strip along the western border of Whitfield County. There are about 22,000 voters in Catoosa County and 7,000 in Whitfield, according to newspaper archives.

He sat down with the Chattanooga Times Free Press to talk about the legislative session.

Q: Do you remember your first day at the Capitol?

A: Oh, I definitely remember. As far as I know, I'm the first Weldon that's been elected to a position in state government. I have an uncle that's been on the school board, but that is it. It was really a significant moment in my life. I won't ever forget it. I doubt that my (family) will.

Q: When you think back about the whole session, what sticks out?

A: I'm really happy that I got a bill passed. It is very simple. It updates the timeshare statue in the state of Georgia. The practical part of it is it allows Georgia to be marketable throughout the world.

Q: Before you started the session, you had talked about gas tax reform. Did you get to tackle that issue?

A: I saw the situation with the economy; it is just extremely challenging. I talked to a lot of people about working on gas tax. Because the governor had frozen the increases in the gas tax, I felt that was an effective way to stop it without spending the money and time working on the bill. So I didn't move forward with that. I just held off. I think we still can make some improvement.

Q: How was it dealing with the budget?

A: That was the most difficult part of our session. And there is a rumor that we may have another special session to go back and cut the budget further.

Q: What do you say to the people of Georgia who are worried about the budget issues?

A: The thing I would say is: This is the best state to do business, and we need to get out there and hustle like we always have.

Q: Hasn't the stimulus funding helped with the budget?

A: It is helping some, but the governor was saying that he was considering not taking $500 million in education dollars, which is concerning to me because we need that money in education. The subcommittee for appropriations that made out the budget was counting on that.

Q: What's the idea behind not taking it?

A: It is my understanding that the education dollars don't really have strings attached. The thing is you either get it or you don't and, if you don't get it, it goes somewhere else. So it is not rocket science.

Q: Any last thoughts about the past session or the next session?

A: I enjoyed working for the people of North Georgia and I look forward to advocating for them in the upcoming session or the special session, or both.

NEWSMAKER

* Name: Tom Weldon

* Age: 40

* Hometown: Americus, Ga.

* Occupation: Attorney, legislator