Tag: South Georgia at the State Capitol

 

By State Sen. Greg Goggans

Bills Passed This Past Week in the Senate

 

• SB 8: Requires a third party audit of state agencies and allows for contracted collection for overpayments.

 

• SB 36: Establishes an electronic database of written and filled prescriptions of controlled substances in Georgia to help doctors and pharmacists identify prescription drug abusers.

 

• SR 20: Constitutional amendment that would limit state spending based on previous years, adjusted for inflation and population growth.

 

• FY2011 Amended Budget: The Senate passed its version of HB 77 on Thursday, and will begin the process of conferring with the House.  Continue reading “South Georgia at the State Capitol”

 

By State Sen. Greg Goggans

JANUARY REVENUES CONTINUE TO ENCOURAGE

January is one of the top revenue months of the year, usually second behind April, which is often the height of the income tax season. Sales tax collections from the Christmas holidays are reflected in the January revenue report as well. At an 8.1 percent increase, total January revenues followed another strong month in December. In fact, at $1.55 billion, the collections in January were about $400,000 over the December total. Continue reading “South Georgia at the State Capitol”

 

By State Sen. Greg Goggans

In a very real exercise of the principle of less government, this year’s session has been light on legislative action. So far, only 40 bills have been filed in the Senate and of those none have come to the Senate floor for a vote. This might be a reflection of the high number (14) of new senators as well. Continue reading “South Georgia at the State Capitol”

By State Sen. Greg Goggans

Recently several prominent national figures including former House Speaker Newt Gingrich have expressed the opinion that individual states are so severly burdened by debt caused by the Great Recession that states declaring bankruptcy may be the only feasible way out of their economic crisis. Continue reading “South Georgia at the State Capitol”

By State Sen. Greg Goggans

Our newly elected Governor Nathan Deal has released his budget for the upcoming year. This is the budget year that everyone has worried about so much.  Possibly the next bright spot is that tax collections are predicted to grow by 6% for Fiscal Year 2012 starting next July.  Agency cuts of 7 percent on average coming on top of median cuts of 19 percent over the past two years will force closure of some facilities and reduction of some services.  Higher education will take reductions totaling over $300 million including zero “growth” funds for institutions showing enrollment growth.  Technical colleges also will not receive growth funds totaling $62 million and $19 million in cuts. Continue reading “South Georgia at the State Capitol”