The General Assembly returns Monday, March 8 for the twenty-first legislative day of session after a two-week break. During this time, the House and Senate conducted budget hearings to prepare for the challenging task of crafting a significantly reduced 2011 budget. These last two weeks passed quickly as both House and Senate appropriations subcommittees met almost daily to hear state departments and offices on their needs for the upcoming budget. Many of these meetings were held jointly between the two chambers so as to brief both bodies simultaneously and in the hope that the House version of the 2011 budget will address all of the Senate's concerns. By aiming for a quick resolution of budget differences with one proposal, the legislature will save valuable time and render a conference committee unnecessary.

            A significant source of contention so far has been the proposed cuts to Georgia's colleges and universities. No one wants to see the state's educational system hamstrung with a bare-bones budget, but the simple fact of the matter is that education has its part to play in closing the revenue shortfall. Legislative proposals have peaked at $300 million less for higher education in the upcoming year, and that figure has caused no small amount of consternation from university personnel, teachers, and students and their families. As a father of a UGA student and the husband of a local school teacher, I understand the frustration that comes from watching important state services being whittled down with every budget proposal and press conference.

            Education is vital economic driver for our state. Our state university institutions attract billions of dollars in technological investments, scientific research, and federal grants each year. Obviously, the state has to commit a certain amount of funding toward these institutions in order for them to continue providing quality services. Cutting these institutions by too much will come back to bite us in more than one way: students may receive inferior education, potential investors may look elsewhere for their research and employment opportunities, and the communities surrounding these schools suffer. The challenge ahead of us is finding the balance between reducing funding to meet the budget problems while still seeing a promising return on that investment. Over the coming days, we will be working hard to strike that balance and ensure that we can close the budget gap in a fair way.

            Many have suggested raising taxes and fees to supplement the revenue shortfall. This approach has several interrelated problems. Firstly, the state's gross revenue consists primarily of tax revenue. When that revenue falls off during a time when the rate stays the same, it signals that people—Georgia's businesses and families—are making choices about what they can afford to spend. Those choices are almost always driven by a decline in income illustrated by falling income tax returns at the same time. You can't squeeze blood from a turnip, and the state can't get more money from people who haven't got it. We see that one problem is that the money simply may not be there. Secondly, economic recovery depends on people resuming the buying and selling habits they had previously. When the state raises taxes and fees (practically the same thing), it takes money out of the pockets of Georgians without necessarily providing a tangible, easily discernible benefit. In other words, the state is rarely as efficient with Georgians' money as they would be by themselves, and growing those funds at the expense of Georgians who need it just as badly is not a good approach. Lastly, what is the message sent by tax or fee increases? As a state, we threw money at state programs and offices shouting “We can afford it!” instead of asking “Is it necessary or wise?” Families can't expect higher wages simply because their household budgets get tight, and businesses don't get to raise prices without expecting their customers to respond adversely. Likewise, fairness dictates the state has to cinch up its belt and make sacrifices instead of demanding—forcing—more money from working Georgians.

            As always, I am honored to represent the people of Brantley, Pierce, and Wayne counties, and I take this responsibility seriously. I welcome your thoughts and recommendations, and I know that with hard work and cooperation, we will persevere through the good times and the tough times. Please visit www.markpwilliams.com, http://www.legis.state.ga.us/ , or contact my office at (404) 656-0188 for more information.