By: Sen. Larry Walker (R – Perry)
Activity in the Senate has been on a steady rise over the past few weeks and this week saw an expansion of that given that the legislation’s Crossover Day deadline is next Thursday. As a result, committees have held longer meetings, filled with extensive public testimony, to ensure we are crafting legislation that most effectively meets the needs of the people of Georgia. We have listened to your concerns, as well as your proposals, and have made good progress this week on bills that address these areas and will help local businesses and communities thrive.
Related to the growth of Georgia-based industries and community development, this week the Senate voted to pass the Amended Fiscal Year 2020 (AFY2020) budget, which recognizes $27.38 billion in state funds. I have discussed earlier this session how our state’s revenue growth has not reached expected numbers, resulting in slight shortfalls in allocated funding. Regardless, members of the Appropriations Committee have been working around the clock to represent Georgian interests and I believe that is reflected in the budget. Several proposed funding reductions have been restored, while other funding allocations will help in areas of public safety and making sure Georgia remains a business-friendly environment. Some key takeaways are: funding restored for food safety inspectors at the Georgia Department of Agriculture, new appropriations for the Georgia Bureau of Investigation to include $819,000 for agents and analysts for the Gang Task Force and $420,000 for the development of a gang database, and $1.5 million added for expansion initiatives at the Middle Georgia Regional Airport for what will ultimately be a $3 million runway extension project. I am especially appreciative of the latter, which will most certainly spur economic activity in District 20, generate new jobs and improve our region’s transportation infrastructure. I hope to see similar categories of targeted economic and workforce development funding in the Fiscal Year 2021 budget.
Coupled with the passing of the budget is the approval of several pieces of legislation that will give greater support to Georgians. One bill is Senate Bill 396, which I authored and would designate the pecan as Georgia’s official state nut. Georgia is widely known for its leadership in the production and sale of numerous agricultural goods, and is commonly regarded as the one of the top producing pecan states in the nation. Despite our state’s successes in this arena, and our innovative work in agribusiness as a whole, Georgia’s ability to produce pecans has diminished by roughly 50% after the devastating impact of Hurricane Michael. This has caused our farmers and many local businesses surrounding the pecan industry to suffer a sharp decline in revenue and as a consequence, jeopardized their ability and that of our state’s pecan growers to remain viable. SB 396 aims to give our state’s pecan industry an added marketing tool to promote Georgia Grown pecans, facilitate an increase in sales and expand agritourism into our great state. By creating greater awareness and demand for Georgia Grown crops, including pecans, SB 396 will help our local farmers and agribusiness community get back on their feet.
This week, the Senate also passed Senate Bill 313. This is a bill related to pharmacy benefit managers (PBMs) and has been the focal point of the Senate Insurance and Labor Committee for several weeks now. SB 313 in a broad overview, would revise the regulation and licensure of PBMs and increase the jurisdiction of the Insurance Commissioner to enforce such procedures. More specifically, SB 313 would establish reporting requirements in line with national drug acquisition costs, prevent acts of patient steering, and outline the PBMs relationship with health plans and insureds to create a more equal playing field. SB 313 is a major bill that will help lower prescription drug prices and protect local, independent pharmacies from unfair competition. The Senate has made affordable healthcare a priority this session and we have already accomplished a lot in protecting Georgians.
As we work in the Capitol to enact state-level legislation that facilitates the growth of Georgia, we must also not forget our senators and representatives who are proudly working on behalf of us in the federal sphere. This week, I had the high honor of introducing in the Georgia Senate a longtime family friend and native of Houston County, United States Senator David Perdue (R – GA). Sen. Perdue is a man who tirelessly serves the state of Georgia in all that he does and while the Senator spoke of our state’s influence in Washington, D.C., he also emphasized some of the important policy avenues he continues to champion. His support for Georgia agriculture remains key, as the state is still reeling from damages caused by Hurricane Michael. Additionally, our ever important military installations are a primary focus of his efforts, and his work on securing vital federal funding for the deepening of the Savannah Harbor will help ensure Georgia remains the number one state in which to do business for years to come.
Next week, the Senate will adopt the rest of the legislative calendar, in addition to vetting a large calendar of bills for the Crossover Day deadline. We have heard from you throughout the session and we still have more work to do to make sure your wishes are fairly reflected in our work. As always, please don’t hesitate to reach out to my office if you have any questions or concerns. I am truly blessed to serve as your state senator.
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Sen. Larry Walker serves as Caucus Vice Chairman for the Majority Party. 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.