By: Sen. Larry Walker (R – Perry)
While the first week of the Senate offered a small glimpse at the many ceremonial traditions of the Gold Dome and the typical pomp and circumstance of an elected office, the resiliency of our state took precedence in the previous days, as we began the tedious, yet fulfilling work of “Budget Week.” Referred to as a time when the General Assembly takes a brief hiatus from our regular legislative days in order to conduct in-depth budget hearings with representatives from our state agencies, the week was filled with a strong reminder of the effects of the pandemic, but it also displayed the ways in which our state has overcome. Georgia is stronger than it has been and while we must continue to weather the storms, I am confident in the future of our great state.
Serving as a prelude to the work ahead, the introductory remarks from Gov. Brian Kemp and state economist Dr. Jeffrey Dorfman gave an encouraging analysis of the current fiscal state of Georgia. With the assistance of federal aid grants, such as unemployment programs, small business grants and CARES Act relief payments, Georgia has been able to accelerate the road to economic recovery, the end of the road leading to not only a pre-pandemic fiscal world, but possibly an even more robust one. Reiterating the words of Gov. Kemp, “Georgia’s greatest strength lies in our people,” and the positive outlook of our state, despite such challenging times, would not be possible without the incredible determination, ingenuity and perseverance of those around us – our healthcare workers, educators, small business owners, and every one of the hardworking members of our communities. I would like to personally thank you for your efforts and I pledge to advocate for you here under the Gold Dome.
Moving forward, last fiscal year the state reduced budget cuts from 14% to 10%, mitigating the need for agency furlough days through a reallocation of $350 million from our state’s Rainy Day Reserve fund. This fiscal term, we are able to continue supporting our state agencies and departments without requiring any budget cuts; instead, we are fortunate enough to be able to return more than $150 million back into the Rainy Day Reserve and restore crucial funding to many key areas. In acknowledging the importance of investing in the future of our youth, part of that restoration includes a roughly $1.2 billion adjustment to fund K-12 education over the amended Fiscal Year 2021 and Fiscal Year 2022 budgets. This accounts for newly established procedures and reorganization mechanisms that were implemented in order to keep our children and teachers safe in the face of the pandemic, while additional funds have also been added to the Board of Regents and the Technical College System of Georgia to help facilitate enrollment growth. Georgia’s youth ultimately embody our future, determining the fate of our workforce and helping to shape the fields of healthcare, computer science, agriculture, entrepreneurship and so much more. Our state cannot grow without their development and while we deal with current challenges, we must also look ahead.
Looking at District 20 and its relation to these discussions, several funds have been proposed that I anticipate will help contribute to the progress of our local businesses and communities. As I alluded to last week, a rough $70 million will go towards finding ways to sustainably support the needs of our rural areas, bringing attention to the nuances of our region and the lack of a “one size fits all model.” An additional $40 million will go towards aiding entrepreneurial efforts through a Rural Innovation Fund, while a $30 million accumulation over the next two fiscal years will go towards establishing a broadband infrastructure grant program and assisting with the advancement of teleworking and virtual learning; both areas that our state has become increasingly dependent on in the past year.
Our area has also shown incredible growth in our agribusinesses and I am forever grateful for those who have made sacrifices to ensure there is always food on our tables. Our local farmers have shown tremendous strength despite the trials and tribulations that have been placed before them, from Hurricane Michael to the raging pandemic. With proven success in safety loans and recovery block grants, I am proud to continue supporting Georgia’s $350 million revenue source by allocating added funds towards inspector fees, soil amendment revenue and new innovative techniques. I would also like to thank Gov. Kemp for his proven commitment to rural Georgia through an added $1.7 million investment into the Georgia Agricultural Exposition Authority to help offset profit losses that occurred as a result of COVID-19. The Georgia National Fairgrounds and Agricenter, right here in Perry, has been a staple of Georgia’s agricultural world for decades and has been a supplemental force in providing greater economic development opportunities to our region. Arguably taking some of the biggest losses during the pandemic, with the cancellation of the 2020 Georgia National Fair, these funds will help ensure our businesses and their employees are able to stay afloat during these difficult times. These hardworking Georgians are the ones who make the day-to-day functions of our state possible.
While we have concluded “Budget Week,” our duty to pass a balanced budget – one that is conservative in nature and meets the needs of every Georgian – will continue on. In the middle of committee meetings and legislative discussions in the Senate Chamber, we will tirelessly work to ensure your taxpayer dollars are allocated properly. I feel blessed to be able to serve you here today and together, we can continue to help Georgia grow.
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Sen. Larry Walker serves as the Majority Caucus Vice Chairman and Chairman of the Senate Agriculture and Consumer Affairs Committee. He represents the 20th Senate District, which includes Bleckley, Houston, Laurens and Pulaski counties. He may be reached by phone at 404.656.0095 or by email at larry.walker@senate.ga.gov.