Hunter Hill in State of Georgia Archives
On Civil Rights:
Supports Religious Freedom Restoration Act
Gov. Nathan Deal has made it clear he would veto a Religious Freedom Restoration Act, which critics say is designed to discriminate against the LGBT community. Would Hill sign a RFRA into law if he were governor?
"I would sign into law the bill that looks like the religious liberty bill at the federal level that was enacted in the mid-'90s, the same bill that Gov. Deal voted on as a congressman," Hill said.
Source: Marietta Daily Journal on 2018 Georgia gubernatorial race
Apr 28, 2017
On Civil Rights:
Removing Confederate monuments is not the solution
Racists and hate-filled ideologies represent ignorance and evil. Violence has no place in our society. Unfortunately, erasing hatred from our country is far more complicated than simply removing monuments in our communities.
Rather, we must understand the complexities of our past, while acknowledging and learning from our failures. Georgia's future relies on our willingness to work together despite the scars of our past."
Source: WABE on 2018 Georgia gubernatorial race
Aug 16, 2017
On Civil Rights:
Apply "religious liberty" to same-sex marriage
Gov. Nathan Deal vetoed the "religious liberty" bill that triggered a wave of criticism from gay rights groups and business leaders. In a press conference at the state Capitol, Deal said House Bill 757 doesn't reflect Georgia's welcoming image as a
state full of "warm, friendly and loving people"--and warned critics that he doesn't respond well to threats of payback for rejecting the measure.The governor's veto infuriated religious conservatives who considered the measure,
House Bill 757, their top priority. Last year's Supreme Court ruling legalizing same-sex weddings galvanized their efforts. In stark terms, the governor said earlier this year that he would reject any measure that "allows discrimination in
our state in order to protect people of faith." Rooting his critique in biblical language, he urged fellow Republicans to "recognize that the world is changing."
Sen. Hill voted YES; passed Senate 37-18-1 Mar.16; passed House 104-65-11 Mar.16
Source: AJC on Georgia legislative voting records: HB 757
Apr 9, 2016
On Crime:
Death penalty, but also alternatives to incarceration
Hill supports the following principles regarding crime- Support the death penalty in Georgia.
- Implement penalties other than incarceration for certain non-violent offenders.
- Decriminalize the possession of small amounts of marijuana.
- Support state and local law enforcement officials enforcing federal immigration laws.
Source: Georgia Congressional 2008 National Political Awareness Test
Nov 1, 2008
On Education:
Advocate for education accounts including private schools
Sen. Hunter Hill announced today that he will join the Republicans seeking to become the state's next governor. Hill was elected to the state Senate in 2012, representing portions of Cobb and Fulton counties. Hill is a U.S. Army veteran and works as the
president of a coaching company for business leaders.Hill has become a vocal advocate for education accounts that allow state funding for students attending private schools. Teachers and other education groups oppose such vouchers.
Source: WABE-NPR 90.1 on 2018 Georgia governor race
Apr 25, 2017
On Education:
I believe the money should follow the child
Q: Gov. Deal promised to reform the dated Quality Basic Education Act of 1985, a formula-based method of allocating state revenue. Would you revise the act?A: We absolutely have to modernize the funding formula and we need to make sure that we uphold
our constitutional duty in this state to provide an adequate education for every child in this state. Part of that is making sure we have a competitive mix of what is available to our students. I believe the money should follow the child.
Q: You encountered push back from public school educators, who argue that allowing the money to follow the child destabilizes public schools by leaving them with only the most at risk students.
A: What I do know is that our failing schools have the
highest per-pupil spending of any of the other schools. In other words, they're failing in spite of how much we're investing in them. Rather than just keep pouring money after a bad idea, we would provide alternatives to families and students.
Source: Marietta Daily Journal on 2018 Georgia gubernatorial race
Apr 28, 2017
On Energy & Oil:
Supports traditional energy production AND alternatives
Hill supports the following principles regarding Energy Issues- Promote increased use of alternative fuel technology.
- Support increased production of traditional domestic energy sources (e.g. coal, natural gas, oil, etc).
Source: Georgia Congressional 2008 National Political Awareness Test
Nov 1, 2008
On Families & Children:
Let each adoption agency decide on allowing same-sex parents
Sen. William Ligon (R-Brunswick) amended state Rep. Bert Reeves' adoption bill. Reeves' bill, which sought to modernize Georgia's adoption code by making it more efficient, sailed out of the House by unanimous vote. But when it landed in the Senate
Judiciary Committee, Ligon tacked on a controversial amendment that would allow mission-based adoption agencies not to have to place children with same-sex parents. After that, the bill predictably never made it out of General Assembly.
Hill, who serves on the Senate Judiciary Committee and voted for Ligon's amendment, defended his vote, saying, "There are some adoption agencies that choose to place children with homosexual families. Ligon's amendment would have supported that agency
to uphold their mission. There are also some agencies that wish to place children in Christian homes, Jewish homes, Muslim homes, where religion is important to those families. And that amendment would have protected those adoption agencies as well."
Source: Marietta Daily Journal on 2018 Georgia gubernatorial race
Apr 28, 2017
On Government Reform:
No term limits; no campaign spending limits; yes voter ID
Q: Do you support the current limit of terms for Georgia governors?A: Yes.
Q: Do you support limiting the number of terms for Georgia state senators and representatives?
A: No.
Q: Do you support limiting the following types of contributions to state legislative candidates? Individual?
A: Yes.
Q: PAC?
A: Yes.
Q: Corporate?
A: Yes.
Q: Political Parties?
A: Yes.
Q: Do you support requiring full and timely disclosure of campaign finance information?
A: Yes.
Q: Do you support imposing spending limits on state-level political campaigns?
A: No.
Q: Should Georgia participate in the federal REAL ID program?
A: Yes.
Source: Georgia Congressional 2008 National Political Awareness Test
Nov 1, 2008
On Gun Control:
State should enact reasonable restrictions on guns
[After a series of shootings in July 2016] "Georgia must have a thoughtful conversation about the national epidemic of gun violence and racially discriminatory policing," said Abrams. Georgians "face the failure of our state to implement reasonable
restrictions to keep guns out of the wrong hands." The House Democratic Caucus, she said, will explore a package of proposals that will include gun restrictions and wider access to mental health care via expansion of Medicaid.
Source: Macon Telegraph on 2018 Georgia gubernatorial race
Aug 16, 2017
On Gun Control:
Voted NO on "campus carry;" it won't make students safer
Gov. Nathan Deal vetoed legislation that would allow college students to carry concealed guns onto campuses after lawmakers defied his personal request for changes that would make exceptions to the gun rights expansion.House Bill 859 would legalize
firearms at all public colleges in Georgia. "If the intent of HB 859 is to increase safety of students on college campuses, it is highly questionable that such would be the result," Deal wrote in his veto message.
The gun measure, known as the "campus carry" bill, was long sought by conservatives and Second Amendment activists who cast it as a crucial safety measure for students, faculty and administrators to protect themselves.
Deal [had requested the legislature] to exempt on-campus child care facilities & office space in a separate measure, but they declined to make changes.
Sen. Hill voted NO; passed Senate 34-17-5 Mar.11; passed House 113-59-8 Feb.16
Source: AJC on Georgia legislative voting records: HB 859
Mar 11, 2016
On Health Care:
Healthcare should be done by states
No legislation in recent memory defies the principles of a free market economy more than ObamaCare. Not only does it violate our conservative principles, but it has wreaked havoc upon the American family and small businesses
by driving premiums through the roof. The only way to make healthcare more affordable and deliver better results for patients is to infuse free-market principles into the process and to allow each state to craft its own plan.
Source: 2018 Georgia Gubernatorial website VoteHunterHill.com
Sep 1, 2017
On Health Care:
Prohibit healthcare plans from covering abortion
Legislative Summary: A BILL relating to insurance, to provide opt out of funding abortions through qualified health plans: No abortion coverage shall be provided by a qualified health plan offered within the federal
Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act [ObamaCare], except in the case of medical emergency.OnTheIssues Interpretation:
ObamaCare requires that healthcare plans fund abortions; this state law would remove that stipulation from Georgia insurance plans offered under ObamaCare.
Legislative Outcome:
Passed Senate 37-18-1 on March 18, vote #676, Sen. Hunter Hill voted YES; passed House 105-64-7 on March 18, vote #795; signed by Gov. Deal April 21
Source: Georgia legislative voting records: SB 98
Mar 18, 2014
On Immigration:
No sanctuary cities in Georgia
First and foremost, my priority as your Governor is keeping Georgians safe from harm. I stand with President Trump. I am opposed to sanctuary cities that harbor illegal immigrants from being deported.
We will hold those who break our laws accountable. As Governor, if a city in Georgia decides to harbor illegal immigrants, they won't receive a nickel of state funding.
Source: 2018 Georgia Gubernatorial website VoteHunterHill.com
Sep 1, 2017
On Principles & Values:
Place monument to Ten Commandments at State Capitol
Legislative Summary: A BILL to provide for placement of a monument depicting the Ten Commandments at the Capitol Building. Subject to the availability of funds, there shall be placed within the capitol building or grounds a historic
granite monument depicting:- The Preamble to the Georgia Constitution;
- The part of the Declaration of Independence which states that men 'are endowed by their Creator with certain unalienable Rights'
- and the Ten Commandments.
Gifts and donations from private individuals, organizations, or foundations shall be accepted. Legislative Outcome:
Passed Senate 40-10-3 on March 12, vote #619; Sen. Hill voted YES; passed House 138-37-5 on March 3, vote #663; signed by Gov. Deal April 29.
Source: Georgia legislative voting records: HB 702
Mar 12, 2014
On Tax Reform:
Eliminate state income tax
As Governor, I will lead on eliminating the state income tax. If Tennessee, Florida, and Texas can eliminate the income tax, then so can Georgia. Eliminating the state income tax will drive our economy to create more jobs,
attract more businesses, and leave more money in families' pockets. Politicians in Georgia have been talking about doing this for 15 years! We will get it done.
Source: 2018 Georgia Gubernatorial website VoteHunterHill.com
Sep 1, 2017
On Technology:
Create driverless car corridors & double-deck 285
Q: One thing most metro Atlantans can agree on is that something needs to be done about traffic congestion. How would a Hill administration solve it?A: We're probably going to have to look at potentially doing everything from double-decking 285
to creating driverless car corridors to allowing trucks--especially the ones that are going to start coming from the ports--to circumnavigate Atlanta. That would mean we would have to extend I-16 west and go north from there, and then tie that
new road back into I-75, so that these trucks that are not destined for Atlanta do not come and clog our interstates. So we're going to have to have a robust plan. We're going to have to choose to invest in it, and my
vision would be to do just that which would potentially double or triple the state transportation budget at the statewide level to invest in these game-changing projects.
Source: Marietta Daily Journal on 2018 Georgia gubernatorial race
Apr 28, 2017
On War & Peace:
I fought to defend our values in Afghanistan and Iraq
I am running to cast a bold vision for Georgia that can only come about with true, conservative leadership. Republicans have an opportunity to bring about sweeping change in Georgia, and
I refuse to stand by and simply mark time. Georgians expect and demand results, and I am ready to deliver.
In the coming months, I'm going to take my message directly to Georgians. I am dedicated to America's founding values and principles of God-given rights, limited government, free enterprise and expanded liberty.
I have fought to defend these values in Afghanistan and Iraq and in the Georgia Senate.
Source: 2018 Georgia governor campaign website VoteHunterHill.com
May 2, 2017
On Welfare & Poverty:
Require drug testing for food stamp recipients
Legislative Summary: A BILL to require drug testing for applicants for food stamps; to provide requirements; to provide that any person who fails such drug test shall be ineligible to receive food stamps; to provide for reapplication;
to provide for children's food stamps; and to provide for confidentiality of records. The term 'established drug test' means the collection and testing of bodily fluids administered in a manner equivalent to that required by the
Federal Workplace Drug Testing Program. However, where possible and practicable, a swab test shall be used in lieu of a urinalysis. Drug tests may be conducted when any information obtained by the department that reasonable suspicion exists.
Legislative Outcome: Passed Senate 21-32-3 on March 20, vote #729, Sen. Hunter Hill voted YES; passed House 100-67-13 on March 20, vote #729; signed by Gov. Deal April 29.
Source: Georgia legislative voting records: HB 772
Mar 20, 2014
Page last updated: Feb 18, 2023