Budget Time
Hello District 129! We have all been very busy over the last week reviewing Georgia’s 2015/2016 budget proposals. Although the General Assembly was not technically in session, the Capitol was far from empty with legislators, state agencies and citizens watching closely to see what Governor Deal has in store for Georgia programs in the coming years.
Tuesday, January 20th marked the beginning of what we refer to as, “budget week.” The only thing that we are constitutionally required to do during our 40 day session is pass a balanced budget. While balancing a budget seems simple enough, as a former CFO, I can tell you that it is no easy task!
To put it in perspective for you—imagine trying to balance your own bank account; however, this bank account has billions of dollars in it and comes with a thousand different relatives and friends trying to persuade you to fund their cause. All the while, you are trying to figure out how to keep a few dollars for the people that you are tasked to look after. This, in a nut shell, is budget week.
While it’s hard enough to balance one budget under these circumstances, we are actually in charge of balancing two—an amended budget for the current fiscal 2015 year and a full budget for the 2016 year.
House and Senate appropriations committees held a series of joint budget hearings throughout the week. This gave us the opportunity to closely examine Governor Deal’s recommendations as well as hear testimony from various state agencies that are in need of funding. The good news? Georgia’s economy continues to improve, meaning we have “new” money in the budget. Even better news? We are expected to have even more growth in 2016. In fact, Governor Deal’s budget includes an addition of $276 million in “new” funds and the 2016 budget projects that we will have an additional $670 million.
As I mentioned last week, education is a huge priority for Georgia. With more companies moving into the state, we must ensure that we have a prepared workforce, ready to take on new jobs!
Therefore, Governor Deal recommended the majority of “new funds” be directed towards our education system through various programs. As a former educator, I could not be more thrilled with these proposals! I personally know the importance of providing our teachers and students with the resources they need to be successful.
For 2015, the governor designated $15 million for local governments through the Forestland Protection Grant, including $8.3 million that will go directly to local school systems. The budget also includes $35 million in grants designed to increase broadband internet access in classrooms across the state.
The education trend continues through the 2016 budget, which includes a half billion dollars in new funding for the Department of Education and local school systems. The breakdown of funding looks something like this—$239 million for enrollment growth and $280 million for local school systems to increase instructional days, eliminate furlough days and give our teachers a much deserved raise! More great news for educators, the Governor has set aside funding for pre-k teachers to have two planning days.
Educators are not the only winners in this scenario. Georgia students seeking higher education will also have some relief from financial burden. Our students will see an increase in awards for HOPE scholarships and grants! The governor also recommended an additional $6 million in low-interest loans for higher education. With education costs through the roof, this is wonderful news for those that plan on continuing their studies.
Last session, we saw legislation brought forth considering the allowance of medical cannabis oil to treat children suffering from traumatic and life threatening seizures. I personally spoke to parents that encountered their child having hundreds of seizures a day. As a mother and grandmother, it absolutely broke my heart to see these parents and their children suffering.
Other states that have implemented cannabis oil of treatment for seizures have seen success in patients. We want our children to have the best medical care possible and many families have left Georgia seeking relief in search of cannabis oil treatment.
Governor Deal has allotted nearly $4.9 million for clinical trials through Georgia Regents University. These trials will study the efficacy and safety of cannabis oil in children with certain types of seizure disorders. I sincerely hope that through these studies, we can give these families some relief.
At the end of a long week, the balancing act continues. House Appropriation subcommittees will dive even further into the governor’s budget proposals and will eventually pass portions of the suggested budget out of their respective committees. Following this process, those individually passed budgets will then go before the full House Appropriations Committee.
If the committee approves of the proposals of each sub-committee, they will vote to pass the 2015 /2016 budget. The budget then makes its way to the Rules Committee, which is the last hurdle before it heads to the floor for a full vote. If the House passes the budget, it then moves over to the Senate side and the process begins all over again.
If the Senate makes changes to the House budget, it will then be up to the Speaker of the House and Lt. Governor to appoint a Conference Committee from each Chamber in order to reach a compromise. Once the compromise is made, the budget will then go back to each chamber for full approval. If both the Senate and House agree on the budget, it goes to the Governor’s desk for his approval and signature.
As you can see from the illustration above, it is never easy to pass legislation. Even those that are required to pass by law! Each and every piece of legislation must go through the same arduous process as the budget. With literally a thousand bills coming at you from every direction, this can be mentally exhausting. While it may be tiring to be on the go for literally, 40 days and 40 nights- I wouldn’t have it any other way.
Representing the people of our district is such a joy and I am more than grateful, that you have given me the opportunity to learn from you, to listen to you and most importantly, to serve you. If any of you are down at the Capitol during the session, PLEASE stop by and say hello! While I enjoy being in Atlanta, working for our citizens, it is always nice to see familiar, friendly faces from home. After all, as we all know—there is NO place like home!