Deal reached, mayor optimistic - WFXG FOX54 Augusta - Your News One Hour Earlier

Congress approved a plan to fix the fiscal ‘cliff ‘ but the battle is far from over. FOX54 spoke to Mayor Deke Copenhaver and other officials about how it may impact the CSRA.

"I think the whole nation was concerned that we would come down to literally the eleventh hour on this thing without having a resolution," said Mayor Copenhaver.  

 A resolution that came to fruition. Mayor Copenhaver is relieved law makers made a decision but his main focus continues to be the welfare of Augusta. 

The Mayor plans to bring in new businesses and help local businesses expand, despite the fears many locals have about increased taxes and spending cuts.

"You know if they have issues with the way things have been handled at the national level to contact their congressman, contact their senators," said Mayor Copenhaver.

FOX54's Elizabeth Rawlins took the mayor's advice and reached out to representatives on Capitol Hill.

Congressman Paul Broun (GA-10) voted against the deal and said he is taking every initiative to protect his constituents in the CSRA for the upcoming year. 

"I'm working real hard to turn back the spending back to reasonable levels and I am working very hard for responsible and financial government and that's not what we are having from either party now," said Congressman Broun.

Congressman John Barrow (GA-12) also voted against the deal. He was unavailable for a comment but released a statement saying: 

"Our nation's debt is unsustainable, federal spending is out of control, and without seriously   reforming our tax code, families in Georgia and across the country, regardless of their income levels, will pay more in taxes than is necessary," said Congressman Barrow.  

 State Senator Johnny Isakson (R-GA) voted for the deal and said he is ready to see change.

"We have had high unemployment rates for four and a half years now. Business growth has been problematic and it's time we had some certainty in our tax codes," said Senator Isakson.

For the new year, the Mayor is optimistic for Augusta.

"I think Augusta is going to have huge 2013, we've got a lot of momentum going. At the end of the day, we can't sit around and wait on Washington to fix our problems; we can fix things at the local level."