The 9th District GOP convention was held this weekend.  It kicked off with a dinner on Friday night.  In the Presidential Straw poll, Newt Gingrich came in first, Herman Cain came in second and Donald Trump came in third.  For Georgia GOP Chair, Sue Everhart won overwhelmingly over Tricia Pridemore and Shawn Hanley.  Of course, these are straw polls, but it's significant as the 9th District is the home of the Governor, Lt. Governor and Speaker of the House of Georgia. 
On Saturday, Governor Deal gave a great speech on his accomplishments.  Newt Gingrich and Cong. Tom Graves spoke also.  All did a great job.  Then there was discussion and voting on candidates and resolutions. 

Also, on Thursday, April 14, 2011, Congressman Rob Woodall (R-GA) hosted an educational FairTax briefing for Congressional staff in the House Budget Committee hearing room.  Phil Hinson, a spokesperson for the Americans for Fair Taxation organization, also gave a brief presentation on the FairTax before opening up the floor for questions.

"As Tax Day approaches, now is the time to take that first step toward much-needed reforms to our nation's tax code.  We owe our citizens better than both our present tax code and bureaucratic system that taxes the wallets and patience of honest, hard working Americans while simultaneously letting tax fraud and evasion run rampant," Woodall said.

Roughly 30 Congressional staffers attended the briefing.  Several Members of Congress also stopped by the briefing at the urging of their constituents, reinforcing the principle that the FairTax is not driven by DC insiders but by constituents back home in their respective congressional districts.

"Members of Congress come together on the FairTax not because they support the bill-but because the American people they represent support the bill," Woodall said. "I know that we picked up a few more congressional supporters by hosting this briefing.  I will continue to provide educational opportunities for Members of Congress in order to spread the news of what the FairTax would do for this nation.  Our economy is in a dire situation right now, and with the Debt Ceiling and Budget debate looming, we need answers and we need them now.  The FairTax is that answer."

The FairTax is still the most popular piece of fundamental tax reform legislation in Congress, having reached a record 60 sixty co-sponsors in the House and six in the Senate before Tax Day.