GASenatePress – Page 83 – Georgia Senate Press Office

February 17, 2020

Capitol Recap: Week 5

By: Sen. Larry Walker (R – Perry)

This week, the Senate took a slight pause from its regular cycle of legislative days in order to dedicate a significant amount of time to additional budget discussions. The Amended Fiscal Year 2020 Budget and the General Fiscal Year 2021 Budget have been a topic of concern over the last couple of weeks, as members of the General Assembly must ascertain which areas in our state agencies will see funding increases and which areas will see cuts. Business wise, Georgia is prospering. Our industries are growing, unemployment is at a record low and our workforce participation is at an all-time high; nevertheless, state revenues have been basically flat and we budgeted for increased revenues. Therefore, we need to make cuts in our spending plan to ensure we end the year with a balanced budget. Also, Governor Kemp wants to reallocate some resources in order to fund his priorities. Our state economy is strong, but we want to make sure we are operating as efficiently as possible and spending your tax dollars wisely.

February 11, 2020

Capitol Recap: Week 4

By: Sen. Larry Walker (R – Perry)

The Senate has completed another three legislative days and although the legislative cycle wasn’t as long in comparison to the previous week, that has not stifled any amount of work or progress. Rather, we have been able to accelerate our legislative discussions in a way that has allowed us to hear and pass an even greater number of bills, both in committee meetings and in the Senate Chamber. The work we have been able to accomplish this week is truly indicative of the progress we will be able to achieve in the coming weeks.

February 3, 2020February 3, 2020

Capitol Recap: Week 3

By: Sen. Larry Walker (R – Perry)

The Senate has now completed nine official session days, over the course of three weeks at the state Capitol. In that time, we have already been able to achieve quite a few legislative successes. One noteworthy accomplishment this week was the signing of House Bill 276 by Governor Kemp. This will put into effect the collection and remittance of sales taxes by online marketplace facilitators starting April 1, 2020. I have been a strong supporter of this bill since it was first introduced, and I am pleased that our local businesses will no longer be at a competitive disadvantage with internet retailers due to the disparity in sales tax compliance.

February 3, 2020

Senator Ed Harbison Hosts Georgia Military Veterans’ Hall of Fame

ATLANTA (February 3, 2020) | Sen. Ed Harbison (D – Columbus) recently hosted the Georgia Military Veterans’ Hall of Fame (GMVHOF) Class of 2019 at the state Capitol for an unveiling ceremony of recent inductees. This year’s class contains 15 active and inactive service men and women who have been nominated for their display of valor, courage and service. Sen. Harbison is an inductee of the GMVHOF Class of 2014.

January 27, 2020

Update from the Capitol: Budget Week

By: Sen. Larry Walker (R – Perry)

On Thursday, members of the Senate and House Appropriations Committees wrapped up a series of joint budget hearings presented by Governor Brian Kemp and the heads of numerous state departments. Discussions surrounding our state’s budget for the upcoming fiscal year are always part of the routine of the General Assembly, but this year was especially critical given proposals for some notable funding cuts. Ultimately, Georgia is seeing less growth in state revenues than the expected 3%. As a state, we are still fiscally strong and economically competitive, but our progress has slowed down. So, while we continue our conversations on the budget and vote on enacting legislation, it is key that we make smart cuts that still address and prioritize the needs of Georgians everywhere.