2012 Budget Hearings
The Amended FY2012 and General FY2013 budgets have been submitted by Governor Nathan Deal. This week the House and Senate Appropriations committees held weeklong joint hearings with the heads of State Agencies
Senate Majority Leader Introduces Broadband Investment Equity Act
ATLANTA (Monday, January 23, 2012) – Today, Majority Leader Chip Rogers (R-Woodstock) held a press conference at the State Capitol to announce the Broadband Investment Equity Act (SB 313). The primary goal of SB 313 is to protect taxpayers and encourage private investment by requiring local governments to engage and educate its citizens through public hearings and special election prior to starting a new communications network. Additionally, the local government must solicit RFP’s from private providers and show fiscal responsibility through a cost-benefit analysis of its plan. The Broadband Investment Equity Act bill asserts that when a government entity provides a broadband in competition with a private business, it must play by the same rules that apply to private business.
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Sen. Bill Jackson Appointment to Georgia Music Hall of Fame Advisory Board
ATLANTA (January 20, 2012) –Lieutenant Governor Casey Cagle has appointed Sen. Bill Jackson (R-Appling) to the Georgia Music Hall of Fame Advisory Board.
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Sen. Stone: 2012 Session Summary
The 2012 Session of the Georgia General Assembly convened on January 9 with senators departing from the ceremonial first day and immediately getting down to business. Two bills were passed on the first day showing the taxpayers of Georgia that the Senate is ready to work.
Sen. Bill Hamrick: In Recess for Budget Briefings
ATLANTA (January 19, 2012) — Last week, Governor Nathan Deal released his proposed budget for the 2013 fiscal year, and as a result, the Georgia General Assembly has recessed this week in order to review his recommendations. As required by our state constitution, we must pass a balanced budget that does not allow for deficit spending.
Every single state in the U.S. has some form of balanced budget amendment, with Vermont being the lone state without. As a public servant, the most important thing I can do on the behalf of my constituents is ensure our state is making sound fiscal decisions.
Over the past few days, members of the Senate and House Appropriations committees have listened to overviews from various state agencies and from Governor Deal himself regarding the proposed budget. During his opening remarks, Governor Deal pointed out that the suggested budget is still 20 percent under the number proposed for FY 2002, even though the number at first glance seems astronomical.
These joint briefings outline agency responsibilities and financial needs, and supplement our careful line-by-line review of the proposed budget. The budget calls for a large amount of money – $19.2 billion to be exact – and we cannot afford to let a single cent go to waste.
It is important for our state to take a conservative approach in using taxpayer dollars, but we also need to consider moderate investments that will spur job creation and drive economic growth. We need to hear first-hand from state agencies involved and generate an open dialogue with them in order to justify the numbers.
Testimony has been offered on behalf of funding for education, transportation, economic development, public safety, agriculture, community health and juvenile justice, among several other areas.
The Georgia General Assembly will convene again on Monday, January 23 for the sixth day of the 2012 legislative session. We will continue our work to make Georgia strong, resilient and full of opportunity.
As always, please feel free to contact my office with any of your questions and concerns. Be sure to use the following social media platforms to stay connected with me during my 40 days at the Gold Dome and throughout the rest of the year:
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/FriendsofSenatorBillHamrick
Twitter: www.twitter.com/SenatorHamrick
RELEASE
For Immediate Release:
January 14, 2012
For Information Contact:
Natalie Dale, Director
Jennifer Yarber, Deputy Director
jennifer.yarber@senate.ga.gov
404.656.0028