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Capitol Update - 2/12/2010 |
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Representative Jay Roberts Weekly Capitol Update
February 12, 2010
The General Assembly completed our 17th legislative session day on Thursday, February 11th. One of our major accomplishments this week was the passage of the Amended Fiscal Year 2010 budget by the House. Now the FY 2010 amended budget will be considered by the Senate. This allows the House Appropriations Committee to now focus our attention onto the difficult task of the 2011 budget. As I have stated before, this year is one of the toughest budget years for the state. The members of the General Assembly have vowed to the citizens of our state that we will not raise taxes; therefore, we have to make the necessary cuts and are making every effort to reduce government spending and programs and leaving only the essential programs and services. With declining incoming revenues to the state, the cuts to the budget are not easy choices or decisions, and our main concern is keeping only the necessities in the budget.
A requirement of our State Constitution is that the state of Georgia must have a balanced budget. Not necessarily considered a negative, the money the state spends over the fiscal year cannot exceed the amount of money the state receives. Unlike the federal government, this ensures that the state does not borrow money and operate with a deficit. Several phone calls and emails have been received in regard to furlough days for state employees, so I want to clarify and explain. Included in the FY 2010 Amended budget are furloughs for state employees. The state agencies can choose to make the cuts elsewhere within their departments and not have their employees take furlough days; however, this could result in the elimination of positions. The amount of savings for the furlough days for state employees is around $290 million. Due to our budget shortfalls and declining state revenues, the savings allows us to save jobs while continue to fund the crucial programs, all without raising taxes. I want to make everyone aware that we are doing everything we can to continue to keep our citizens employed and we are all making sacrifices. The members of the General Assembly have voluntarily decided to also take additional furlough days, for a total now of eleven. The understanding must be that the state budget is very limited and restrained, just as the budgets of families in Georgia.
Several various bills were passed out of the House this week. Filing property tax returns is currently required to be done in person or by mail; however, the House passed HB 963 to allow the returns to be submitted and filed electronically. This reduces the costs and also makes it more convenient for citizens. Another bill passed this week was House Bill 896 that will grant a continuance in a speedy trial for witnesses when they are on active duty for the armed forces.
Teachers and education continue to be a focus for legislators. Passed out of the House this week were House Bill 969 and House Bill 542, both that involve the Teacher's Retirement System. HB 969 clarifies the language to now allow death benefits for those performing military service. We also passed HB 542 to increase the minimum and maximum amounts paid to retired members of the Public School Employees Retirement System. This allows the state to increase the amount in the future once the economy improves. To allow more flexibility to our local school systems, the House passed House Bill 908. This bill gives the schools the choice to allocate their resources to areas in which they determine to be their greatest needs.
Please do not hesitate to let me know your position or thoughts on issues that concern you. If you would like to reach me, please
call me at (404) 656-7153 or at (229) 425-5404
write me at: State Rep. Jay Roberts, 218 CAP, State Capitol, Atlanta, GA 30334
or e-mail me at
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