Mark P. Williams - Georgia State House District 178

Legislative News

Capitol Update Jan. 11, 2010 through Jan. 15, 2010

The second session of the 150th Georgia General Assembly convened January 11, 2010, marking the first legislative day of the year. Over the next few months, the legislature will return to the perennial issues of transportation, taxation, water resources, and education that have occupied past agendas and present headlines. As we did last year, the General Assembly will address these issues in the context of lackluster state and national economies. According to recent figures by the Department of Revenue, year to date collections are down 13.7 percent from this time last year when the economic downturn was hitting hard. This year will see significant budget cuts along with the continued furloughs of state employees in order to close a shortfall of roughly $1.5 billion. Just as we had to take a broad scythe to roughly two percent of the state budget to close a $2 billion gap last year, so too will we have to cut this year in order to achieve a balanced budget.

The balanced budget requirement, while a prudent constraint on state spending, will offer no small challenge to the budgeting process. Under the Georgia Constitution, state operating appropriations cannot exceed the amount collected from tax revenues and other funding sources. This requirement prevents legislatures from putting off the bill for present programs until tomorrow, and it helps to avoid budget catastrophes like the one facing California and other states lacking such constraints. While ultimately beneficial for our state's fiscal integrity, the constitutional requirement dictates that spending must suffer when revenues suffer, and those cuts fall on the vital programs and the non-vital programs alike. It is my hope, however, that any cuts will be tailored as narrowly as possible.

On Wednesday, Governor Sonny Perdue acknowledged the difficulties which lay ahead before a joint session of the House and Senate in his annual State of the State address. He stressed the optimistic themes of persistence and triumphing in the face of adversity throughout the speech. While noting the increased funding for the Department of Behavior Health and Developmental Disabilities – roughly $70 million by the end of FY 2011—Gov. Perdue reiterated the importance of reevaluating state services and programs in the context of drawing down spending. As of right now, the Governor's estimates are $17.4 billion for the amended 2010 budget and $18.2 billion for the 2011 budget, the latter including about $2 billion in federal stimulus money. The figure for FY 2011 also represents an optimistic four percent increase in estimated revenues for that year. The House will take these recommendations into consideration in setting the adjustments for this year and proposing next year's budget.

On the subject of transportation, Governor Perdue announced a proposal to increase funding over the next decade by $3 billion financed through general obligation bonds. This funding would go toward infrastructure including rail and public transportation at $300 million per year with the debt servicing paid through general funds instead of motor fuel tax revenues. Speaker David Ralston called the idea “intriguing,” and I have no doubt it will be considered carefully in the time ahead. I also expect to see a regional transportation tax proposal which would allow the 12 regional planning districts the option of taxing themselves with a special one percent sales tax to fund local projects. While I supported a similar statewide proposal in previous sessions, I am optimistic that this idea can adequately address the dire need for a flexible transportation solution.

While there were no legislative votes on the House floor during this first week, a few bills have passed committees and landed on the House general calendar. House Bill 907 would revise school funding rules to allow for more flexible funding. Under current law, middle schools have to be organized along the sixth, seventh, and eighth grade levels to receive funding. This bill would provide funding to schools organized differently—namely grade centers—and allow greater flexibility to local districts to make the changes necessary to meet the needs of their students. Another, HB 124, requires that Georgia Public Safety Training Centers allow local elected officials to participate in disaster and emergency preparedness training. The programs would be conducted by the Carl Vinson Institute for Government and structured by the Georgia Bureau of Investigation, GEMA, and the Department of Public Safety. One Senate bill of particular interest is SB 307. This bill proposes a Teachers' Bill of Rights, which would strengthen teachers' employment rights by requiring, among other things, that they be allowed to record disciplinary conferences and challenge unreasonable or improper classroom evaluations. Bills appearing on the general calendar may be placed on the House agenda by the Rules Committee or called at the Speaker's discretion.

In the coming weeks, the legislature must make tough decisions in order to meet the challenges presented by a demanding economy. With the new session, I take on the additional duty of Vice Chairman of the Game, Fish and Parks Committee, and as an avid sportsman and your representative, I know I will make a positive contribution. I welcome your thoughts and recommendations, and I know that with hard work and cooperation, we will persevere. As always, I am honored to represent the people of Brantley, Pierce, and Wayne counties, and I take this responsibility seriously. Please visit www.markpwilliams.com, http://www.legis.state.ga.us, or contact my office at (404) 656-0188 for more information.