Week 9 -- March 17 - 20, 2009



 

Last week the Georgia House of Representatives passed House Bill 119, the Fiscal Year 2010 Budget bill.  This budget totals $18.6 billion and funds the operation of the state government, its departments, boards, bureaus, commissions, institutions, and other agencies.  It also funds Georgia’s university system, technical colleges, K-12 schools, all other governmental activities, projects and undertakings authorized by law. This budget will direct funding for the state from July 1, 2009 to June 30, 2010.

 

The current economic downturn resulted in decreased funding to meet our state’s needs.  This required the House of Representatives to cut the Fiscal Year 2010 budget by about $2.6 billion, a 12.3% reduction from the original 2009 budget.  Currently revenues collected from Georgia taxpayers are down $3.1 billion or 15.5% over 2008 state revenues. 

 

The House 2010 budget also recognizes $1.4 billion in funds from the federal stimulus package.  These federal funds allowed us to combat our budget shortfall and restore some programs that might otherwise be eliminated or significantly reduced.  Among the organizations supported by these stimulus funds are the Department of Education, Department of Community Health, Department of Human Resources, and public safety agencies.

 

Although federal stimulus funds and money from the state’s reserve fund have helped mitigate the effects of the revenue shortfall, some state programs and services will be significantly reduced.  These cuts were not taken lightly, and were only put in place after considerable study.  Just as every Georgia family feels the effects of the economic downturn, state government does as well.  No agency escaped scrutiny, and they are all facing some level of reduction.  Due to the magnitude of the downturn in revenue, it is inevitable that expenditures for education be included as a part of the reduced spending.

 

Despite the cuts, Georgia is devoting a higher percentage of the budget to K-12 education.  While the education portion has been reduced, the reductions to K-12 are much less than cuts to other agencies.  In fact, education spending accounts for 46% of the House 2010 Budget.  Additionally, the House fully funded school nurses to ensure that our children have access to health care while attending class.

 

Funding the state’s health care system was aided by the addition of over $450 million from the Federal Medical Assistance Program.  These funds, along with $200 million from the federal stimulus package, allowed us to fully fund Medicaid programs.  Medicaid provider rates will also remain at the current level for this fiscal year as well.

 

This budget conservatively applies federal funding to existing programs.  While these funds have enabled us to alleviate the painful effects of our decreased revenue, we must remember that they are only a short term solution.  The stimulus package is a one-time fix that will not be available for the 2011 Budget.  This is why we have worked so hard over this session to pass economic recovery packages such as the JOBS Act.  Legislation like this will speed Georgia’s economic recovery by allowing the private sector to grow and create jobs.

 

All Georgians are affected in some way by the state’s budget.  It was an exceptional experience spending my first year on appropriations and being a part of the process of appropriating state funds, even though economically it was a difficult year.  There have been some tough decisions to make but I feel that we have made some good decisions as a committee.

 

Week 10 -- March 23 - 26, 2009



 

This week proved to be another busy one for the House of Representatives. After months of committee meetings and hearings, several bills made it through the General Assembly and to the Governor’s desk this week.  If signed by Governor Perdue, these bills will become law.  Some of the bills awaiting the Governor’s signature include House Bills 233, 149, and 160 as well as Senate Bill 13.   

 

House Bill 233 puts a moratorium on property assessment increases for the next two years.   Under this freeze, property assessments in Georgia will not rise above their current value for this period of time unless the property is improved or rezoned. 

 

Senate Bill 13 gives prosecutors in Georgia the option to seek life without parole convictions for serious criminal offenses.  Under current law, the only way a prosecutor can secure a life without parole conviction is to seek the death penalty.  Death penalty trials are usually very costly and take longer to complete at a greater expense to our taxpayers. Often times, prosecutors seek the death penalty just to secure the life without parole conviction.  This change in law will allow prosecutors to seek this type of conviction directly without going for the death penalty.  It will also ensure that the people who need to be locked up for the rest of their life will be sentenced quicker and reduce the cost of such trials.

 

House Bill 149 allows 11th and 12th grade public school students to attend a college or technical school to complete high school while receiving credit towards a higher degree.  This bill, commonly called the “Move on When Ready” Act, gives public school students and their families more options to fit their individual educational needs.  By allowing students to choose courses that fit their personal life goals we can foster the educational interest students need to succeed.

 

House Bill 160 imposes an additional $200 fine on “super speeders.”  This bill defines a super speeder as a driver who goes 85 miles per hour or faster on a highway, and 75 miles or faster on a two-lane road.  Revenues raised through these fines will help pay for a statewide trauma care network so that Georgians can get the critical care they expect in the event of an emergency.  To read more about these or any other bills, go to www.legis.ga.gov. 

 

As the 2009 Session comes to an end, many House and Senate bills are now closer to becoming law.  Next Friday will be the final day of this session. After next week, I will come back home to my family and go back to teach at Lowndes High School to finish the school year with my students.  It is my absolute honor to serve as your state representative.  Please feel free to contact me with your concerns.

 

Rep. Amy A. Carter represents District 175 (Lowndes County) in the Georgia House of Representatives. Her contact information is amy.carter@house.ga.gov; PO Box 4930, Valdosta, GA 31604 or 18 Capitol Square, CLOB Suite 612, Atlanta, GA 30334; office (229) 245-2733 or (404) 656-0325; FAX (229) 245-8890 or (404) 657-4868.