By Sen. Cecil Staton
We enter the 2009 General Assembly facing unprecedented times in regards to our current state budget shortfall. It is a situation that we as a legislative body have not seen before and with Governor Sonny Perdue confirming the $2.2 billion shortfall amount this week in his annual State of the State Address, we must spend the remaining legislative days making sure that the Governor’s office, House, and Senate, are collectively seeking long-term, sustaining solutions to ensure a better future for our state as a whole. I greatly appreciate the effort that the Governor and his staff have put into analyzing this issue in trying to find some creative ways to see us through these undoubtedly challenging economic times in Georgia. I am extremely thankful that our government has shown good fiscal responsibility in the last several years that have allowed us to build up the “Rainy Day” fund that currently sits at $1.2 billion dollars. I am looking forward to having the chance to analyze the Governor’s proposals myself and over the next week, the Senate will be taking a very careful look at the budget details to help create some healthy dialogue as we go about the budget process. Ultimately, whatever the final decision is, it must be what’s best for Georgians and that is getting this economy going again. Creating new jobs is the most essential part of that process and I feel that the governor’s desire to seek new infrastructure investments is a step in the right direction.
I spoke in the Senate chamber on Tuesday about the urgent need for a statewide trauma care system. As many of you know, I survived a head-on collision nearly six years ago and I solely credit my life being saved to a trauma care center being within 10 miles of the scene of the accident. Georgia’s trauma death rate has been as high as 20% above the national average due to our state’s lack of an adequate system. Georgians need and deserve a better system, and if we can create one that allows more trauma patients to receive the timely, life-saving car that I had the fortunate opportunity to have access to, we can save over 600 lives a year.
There will be many other important issues will face the Georgia General Assembly during the 2009 session. We still need to seek a long-term solution for Georgia’s transportation system to meet the growing needs of the state. We need to ensure that amid the budget cuts we are protecting vital services like education and health care. Every decision that we face this year will be tough with the budget in mind, but with adversity comes opportunity and I am confident in our resolve to make the tough decisions that will ensure the 18th District and Georgia’s prosperity for years to come.
Remember to contact me in my office on the issues that are affecting you and your area.
Sen. Cecil Staton serves as Chairman of the Science and Technology Committee. He represents the 18th Senate District which includes portions of Bibb, Crawford, Houston, Jones and Monroe counties. He may be reached by phone at 404.656.5039 or via e-mail at cecil.staton@senate.state.gov.
PRESS RELEASE
For Immediate Release:
January 16, 2009
For Information Contact:
Raegan Weber,Director
Matt Colvin Communications Associate
matthew.colvin@senate.ga.gov
404.656.0028