Kudos to Benton for opposing House speaker

They stand corrected.

It’s good to see the House in general and Benton in particular taking a stand. No one in recent state history has tried so hard to concentrate power under the Gold Dome at the expense of local government. It was bad enough that Richardson tried to foist his GREAT tax plan on Georgians — raising sales taxes dramatically so he could eliminate property taxes and the ability of local governments and school boards to raise money — but his arrogance when anyone challenged his plan was particularly galling. When Richardson addressed the Commerce Kiwanis Club about the GREAT plan, he refused to take more than three questions about what would have been the most comprehensive shift in state funding policy in history and insulted each of the questioners. He was an embarrassment to Benton, his host, and to the House of Representatives.

The speaker also let it be known that Republican representatives who did not support him could expect to incur his wrath through committee assignments and election opposition as he wielded power like some third-world tyrant. Now, the people he threatened will attempt to oust him in the Republican Party Caucus this fall.

Whether the effort succeeds or fails, give Benton credit for doing the right thing. The residents of District 31 will appreciate having a legislator willing to stand up to the abuse of power that characterizes Richardson’s tenure as speaker of the Georgia House of Representatives.

There is no guarantee that the insurrection will succeed, and if it fails, Benton — and the residents of District 31 — will surely incur the wrath of the speaker. Nonetheless, it’s time to take a stand against the tyrant from Paulding County. Georgians deserve better from the speaker of the House.