CARROLLTON (Jan. 8, 2010) – The new year always seems to bring a sense of anticipation. We have a long road ahead of us, but my colleagues and I are ready to put in the time and effort to make sure we tackle issues, craft solutions and ultimately put people back to work.
January 11, 2010 is the first day of the legislative session and the foremost topic on the minds of Georgians is the budget. We face historic declines in revenue. Currently, our budget is based on over two billion dollars in reserves, stimulus and one-time funds, which amounts to over 10 percent of the budget. As a result, revenues would have to grow by six percent to cover the one billion dollar shortfall created by the loss of stimulus and reserves in FY 2011.
Creating an environment for private sector growth and job growth is the only formula for economic success. We must keep taxes, the cost of doing business and regulatory burdens low. Last session, we did not approve a single tax hike. I will work to make sure we continue the same fundamental policy of fiscal responsibility by cutting waste. During the last couple sessions, we worked to ensure that state agencies are working in the manner intended and not creating wasteful spending. This session, we will continue to work to cut waste and in the process, create more efficient state agencies for Georgia’s citizens.
The citizens of Georgia are feeling the strains of the tri-state “Water Wars.” Judge Magnuson’s ruling that Atlanta does not have the right to take its drinking water from Lake Lanier shocked millions. The upcoming session will be an opportunity for the legislature to work with the Governor’s Water Contingency Task Force and the tri-state negotiations to craft long-term solutions that benefit Georgians. We can all agree on one thing, the water faucet cannot be simply turned off to four million people and a solution that comes at others expense is no solution at all.
We must work diligently to find a sustainable answer for transportation in Georgia. Last session, we passed a transportation governance bill that streamlines the way transportation projects are developed, implemented and funded. The successful implementation of this plan so that Georgians can travel more safely and through less congestion is what must occupy our time and work. Whether it is a referendum to let citizens choose a penny tax or it is new tolls that fund transportation, the key is action, not rhetoric.
The antiquated and broken property tax system will be another big issue for legislators this session. When home values went up, tax bills soared. Now that home values have fallen, so should tax bills. Unfortunately, they haven’t. The subjectivity of assessments dominates citizens concerns. There are too many inconsistencies of tax assessors that didn’t enter homes or take into account the actual market price of homes. This legislative session we must work to take the burden off the taxpayer and place it on the shoulders of the Georgia government.
As we gear up to head back to the capitol, I invite you to please contact me with your comments and concerns. I look forward to serving you and Georgia as we move forward into 2010.
Sen. Bill Hamrick serves as Chairman of the Banking and Financial Institutions Committee. He represents the 30th Senate District which includes portions of Carroll, Douglas, and Paulding counties. He may be reached at 404.656.0036 or via e-mail at bill.hamrick@senate.ga.gov.
COLUMN
For Immediate Release:
January 8, 2010
For Information Contact:
Natalie Strong, Deputy Director
Katie Wright, Communications Associate
katie.wright@senate.ga.gov
404.656.0028