News from the State Senate

This week, the Senate passed its version of the fiscal year 2006 budget. It’s a smarter, people centered, transparent budget. We have taken a measured approach to providing care for Georgia’s citizens and I believe we have done just that.

After some discussion and nine unsuccessful attempts to amend the $17.4 billion budget proposal, House Bill 85 passed 38 to 13.

Over the past few years legislators have had to cut many programs and projects that Georgians have come to rely on due to a downturn in the state’s economy. This year, with higher revenues expected in Georgia’s coffers, Governor Sonny Perdue was able to recommend a budget with nearly $1 billion in increases. The budget is based on a 6 percent revenue growth while Georgia has seen an average of 8 percent growth since July.

In an effort to give local property owners a tax break, the Senate approved $423 million in home owner tax relief grants. Additionally, to keep teachers and state employees’ health care premium increases to a minimum, the Senate added $41 million to the budget for increases in the employer contribution portion of the State Health Benefit Plan.
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We have worked hard to see that the people of Georgia will have what they need in this budget. As our economy has moved upward, more and more of our neighbors are returning to work as businesses continue to thrive and increase their workforce.

The increases in our state revenues will particularly benefit our children and the less fortunate, and that is good for all of our citizens. I am proud of the work we have done and the progress we have made.

On Friday, we convened less than an hour after the events at the Fulton County courthouse for what would prove to be one of the most contentious days of the current legislative session.

Senate Bill 84, a piece of legislation designed to prevent voter fraud by requiring voters to show a picture ID rather than other less official documents like a utility bill. This was hotly debated for more than two hours on the Senate floor. It was a long night, as we were under pressure to get a great many Senate bills passed so they could be considered by the House of Representatives before the end of the Session later this month.

By Saturday morning, we all returned to the Senate floor in a rare Saturday session to show the people of Georgia what we do and to rid our law books of some antiquated laws that no longer apply. We saluted our flag, prayed, and received the devastating news that the courthouse fugitive had killed again.

Several of my fellow Senators took to the “well” in the Senate for points of personal privilege to talk about the events from the previous day—including Senate Bill 84. The Senate cheered in unison when we heard that Brian Nichols had been arrested just north of Atlanta.

Saturday’s session at the Capitol was designed to bring everyday Georgia families to the Capitol to see the legislature in action. It was supposed to be a “civics lesson” and it was.

Many parents showed up at the appointed time on that beautiful Saturday morning pushing strollers containing bright-eyed children and holding the hands of their sons and daughters who wanted to climb inside an Army tank parked on the side of the Capitol and view the now-famous two-headed calf on the fourth floor of the People’s House.

There was even a picnic on the Capitol grounds
following our historic session. The families sitting in the Senate Gallery got to see us in action. They saw us do what we do best, work together to pass legislation that benefits all of Georgia. All of us in the state legislature are here to do the right thing.

We want to make a difference. Sometimes we are on the same side of an issue and other times we couldn’t be further apart, but that is what makes this process work.

You sent us to the State Capitol to do a job, and all of us work hard to do the best we can for you, your family and mine. It is my hope that we succeed. If you didn’t get to Atlanta for our Saturday session, I hope you will come down sometime soon and see what we do.

Contact Sen. Johnny Grant at his office in Atlanta, 404-656-0082 or by e-mail at sengrant@alltel.net.