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Capitol Recap: Budget Week

By: Sen. Larry Walker (R – Perry)

We traditionally set aside the week following the convening of session for Joint House and Senate Appropriations Committee meetings, where we begin the process of evaluating the budget and dive into the Governor’s recommendations for adjustments to the current budget and setting the next fiscal year budget. As you may know, the only action required of the Georgia General Assembly stipulated in the state constitution is that we pass a balanced budget each year, and I do not take this responsibility lightly.  The budget reflects our priorities as a state, and it is imperative we thoroughly and thoughtfully allocate funding in a manner that best serves the needs of all Georgians. Georgia is a large and growing state with a complex budget, and there is simply no way to cover everything that I would like to cover here.  Therefore, I will focus this week’s column on some of the highlights of the proposed Amended FY 2023 and FY 2024 budgets that have generated the most interest.

In the Amended FY 2023 budget, the Governor recommends $100 million of our revenue surplus be returned to all Georgians that paid individual state income tax in 2022. If passed, individual filers will receive up to a $250 tax refund and joint filers will receive as much as a $500. All state revenue comes from you, the taxpayer.  So, it is very appropriate that we return surplus funds to the taxpayer rather than growing government even more.

As has been widely reported, the Governor’s FY 2024 budget includes an across the board pay raise for state employees and educators, providing a $2,000 cost of living adjustment. I strongly support this and believe that our dedicated teachers and state employees have earned and deserve this COLA.

Each year, education in Georgia accounts for over 50% of the state’s budget. This year is no different. We must continue to invest in our education system at both the K-12 and higher education levels. Last year, a large portion of funds were appropriated to fund the K-12’s QBE formula. This year, an additional $745 million is recommended in the Amended FY 2023 and more than $1.1 billion in FY 2024 for K-12 education, fully funding the Quality Basic Education formula. It is imperative that we continue to build a workforce our growing state needs and that can only be achieved through providing our young Georgians with the highest level of education that will lead to fulfilling employment.

Healthcare in Georgia continues to remain a top priority. More specifically, we know that healthcare remains a significant cost for many Georgia families. With that being said, I am pleased to see the FY 2024 budget recommends including $52 million to implement the Georgia Pathways Coverage program which was established pursuant to the Patients First Act, legislation passed in 2019. The Georgia Pathways Coverage Program will increase access to adequate health insurance statewide and give Georgia families who struggle to find coverage through their workplace a better opportunity to provide care for their families. When the Patients First Act was signed in 2019, Georgia only had four carriers offering plans in the individual market. Today, we have seen an astonishing 250% increase with 10 carriers offering plans for 2023.

Agriculture is Georgia’s number one industry, providing jobs, goods and infrastructure, boosting our economy despite the record high inflation we have experienced in recent years. I am pleased to see that Governor Kemps FY 2024 budget proposal includes recommending funds be allocated to the Georgia Agricultural Trust Fund which is generated through agricultural tax exemptions to provide funding for the maintenance and operations of state farmers’ markets and marketing to promote the production of Georgia’s agricultural products. In addition, the Governor recommends providing funds to the Department of Transportation to replace lost motor fuel tax revenue resulting from the temporary suspension of this tax in order to help Georgians cope with exorbitant fuel costs.

While this is just a small fraction of what is recommended for the completion of this fiscal year and the upcoming fiscal year, I am pleased with the progress we have made thus far and look forward to getting these budgets vetted and passed through the General Assembly and signed by the Governor.

Next week, we will reconvene in the Senate Chamber Monday through Thursday for legislative days 5-8. We also plan to get back to work in our committees to assess legislation brought before us. If you have any questions or concerns related to the budget or any potential legislation that may come up this year, please do not hesitate to contact my office. I am here to serve you.

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Sen. Larry Walker serves as Chairman of the Insurance and Labor Committee.  He represents the 20th Senate District, which includes Bleckley, Dodge, Dooly, Houston, Laurens, Pulaski, Treutlen and Wilcox counties.  He may be reached by phone at 404.656.0095 or by email at larry.walker@senate.ga.gov.   

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An Update From the Gold Dome: Weeks One & Two

By: Sen. Steve Gooch (R – Dahlonega)

On Monday, January 9, 2023, the Georgia General Assembly officially gaveled in to kick off the 2023 Legislative Session.  The Georgia Constitution requires that the Georgia General Assembly convene on the second Monday in January and is limited to a term made up of 40 non-consecutive legislative days. The first week of session typically encompasses ceremonial motions as a number of new leaders were sworn into office including Lt. Governor Burt Jones, President Pro Tempore Sen. John F. Kennedy (R – Macon) and 10 incoming freshman Senators. I am pleased to announce that I will be serving as Majority Leader for the Senate Majority Caucus for the 2023 Legislative Session.  I am honored that my Republican colleagues in the Senate have chosen me to serve in this role and look forward to supporting a strong conservative policy agenda for all Georgians.  I anticipate that the 2023 Legislative Session will be a historic one with new leaders and new faces in the Senate Chamber and I look forward to this great opportunity to forge new partnerships and build on the work of our predecessors to continue to grow our state.

Last week, the official Inauguration of Georgia’s 83rd Governor, Brian P. Kemp and our state’s Constitutional Officers took place at Georgia State University.

Kicking off this legislative session, I am proud to be a sponsor of Senate Bill 1 which will prohibit the requirement for proof of COVID-19 vaccination status for employment by state government agencies.  Also prohibited by SB1 are the mask mandates that have been forced on our children by school boards and administrators.  It is fitting that this is our first bill of a session we are entering with the strong intent to restore the freedoms of Georgians.  I am also a sponsor of Senate Bill 3 which orders state agencies to regularly assess degree requirements for state employment and reduce the number of positions which require a four year college degree as a condition of employment. In this era of record low unemployment rates, we look to strengthen the ability for government to cut red tape and ensure employment opportunities for job-seeking Georgians.

This past week, much of the General Assembly’s time was devoted to Joint Hearings of the Senate and House Appropriations Committees. “Budget Week,” as we call it, is a time for the heads of Georgia’s state agencies and departments to present their budget requests to the General Assembly for review. These hearings are often long, but are critical in ensuring that your taxpayer dollars are spent as responsibly as possible. Here are some of the highlights from the past week’s hearings.

In the Amended FY 2023 budget, the Governor recommended a regulated surplus of $100 million be used for income tax reductions for all taxpayers for the 2022 tax year. If passed, a $250 tax cut would be issued for individuals filing jointly and a $500 tax cut for joint filers. I strongly support this item. The government does not spend its own money, it spends your money so to return those dollars back to the taxpayer is of utmost importance. In the FY2024 budget, the Governor recommends a $2,000 cost of living adjustment for state employees and teachers across Georgia.  

This week, we will reconvene in the Senate Chamber Monday through Thursday for legislative days 5-8. We also plan to get back to work in our committees to assess legislation brought before us. If you have any questions or concerns related to the budget or any potential legislation that may come up this year, please do not hesitate to contact my office. I am here to serve you.

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Sen. Steve Gooch serves as Majority Leader of the Senate Majority Caucus. He represents the 51st Senate District which includes Dawson, Fannin, Gilmer, Lumpkin, Union and Pickens Counties and a portion of White County.  He may be reached at 404.656.7872 or via email at steve.gooch@senate.ga.gov

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Senator Clint Dixon to Serve as Chairman of the Senate Committee on Education and Youth

ATLANTA (January 20, 2022) | Last week, Sen. Clint Dixon (R – Gwinnett) was appointed to serve as Chairman of the Senate Committee on Education and Youth for the 2023 Legislative Session. The Senate Committee on Assignments, chaired by Lt. Governor Burt Jones, is responsible for assigning the Senate Body to committees.

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An Update From the Gold Dome: Week One

By: Sen. Jason Anavitarte (R – Dallas)

On Monday, January 9, 2023, the Georgia General Assembly officially gaveled in to begin the 2023 Legislative Session to create legislation that will continue to improve the lives of all Georgians. The Georgia Constitution requires that the Georgia General Assembly convene on the second Monday in January and is limited to a term made up of 40 non-consecutive legislative days. The first week of session typically encompasses ceremonial motions as a number of new leaders were sworn into office including Lt. Governor Burt Jones, President Pro Tempore Sen. John F. Kennedy (R – Macon) and 10 incoming freshman Senators. I am also pleased to announce that I will serve in the capacity of Senate Majority Caucus Chair for the 2023 Legislative Session. I anticipate that this session will be a historic one with new leaders and new faces in the Senate Chamber and I look forward to this great opportunity to forge new partnerships and build on the work of our predecessors to continue to grow our state.

This week kicked off with our #1 Georgia Bulldogs bringing home the title of College Football National Champions for the second year in a row. Congratulations to Head Coach Kirby Smart and the team! On Thursday, the official Inauguration of Georgia’s 83rd Governor, Brian P. Kemp and our state’s Constitutional Officers took place at Georgia State University. I am proud to see Governor Kemp remain in office so that we can continue to do the essential work needed to uphold our standard as the number one state in the nation to do business and to live, work, and raise a family.

I am also pleased to report that much of the groundwork appears to already be laid for a productive and fruitful term. Following the adjournment of the 2022 Legislative Session, the work did not stop there as much of the interim was devoted to constituent meetings and conducting numerous Senate Study Committees, appointed last session. I had the pleasure of serving as chair of the Senate Study Committee on the Creation of a Georgia Cybersecurity Force. The study committee was established pursuant to Senate Resolution 741 which was adopted during the 2022 Legislative Session and focused heavily on the study of the state’s increasing dependence on technology to power critical infrastructure and how with that comes increasing vulnerability. Cybercrime is a constantly evolving threat to businesses and consumers, with criminals using fast-changing and increasingly sophisticated methods to attack critical information. Because of this, it is imperative that we exhaust all options to prevent increasing cybercrime in Georgia. I am pleased with the work, dedication, and expertise that went into each meeting and look forward to future developments made in light of these study committees during the 2023 Legislative Session.

This week, much of the General Assembly’s time will be devoted to Joint Hearings of the Senate and House Appropriations Committees. “Budget Week,” as we call it, is a time for the heads of Georgia’s state agencies and departments to present their budget requests to the General Assembly for review. This was also a time where we were able to address our constitutional obligation to ensure a balanced budget. These hearings are often long, but are critical in ensuring that your taxpayer dollars are spent as responsibly as possible.

We will reconvene in the Senate Chamber Monday through Thursday for Legislative Days 5-8. We also plan to get back to work in our committees to assess legislation brought before us. If you have any questions or concerns related to the budget or any potential legislation that may come up this year, please do not hesitate to contact my office. I am here to serve you.

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Sen. Jason Anavitarte serves as Chair of the Senate Majority Caucus. He represents Senate District 31 which includes Paulding and Polk Counties. He can be reached at 404.656.0085 or at Jason.anavitarte@senate.ga.gov