ATLANTA (April 6, 2009)— Last week the Senate passed its most crucial legislation as we worked to finish out our duties on Day 40, Sine Die. We passed a responsible balanced budget, provided tax relief, and improved education and transportation.
TAXES:
Tax relief for rural Georgia and agricultural businesses came in the form of an Executive Order dated May 12th, 2008 which was a sales and use tax exemption on dyed diesel fuel. This stemmed from the rise in prices of fuel oils used in off-road, agriculture uses which include timber growing, harvesting, mining, and construction purposes. House Bill 46 codifies the suspension of the sales tax collected on off-road fuel and extends it through May 31, 2009. This bill extends and legalizes the order so the state cannot go back and collect the exempted taxes.
Another piece of legislation which I carried through the Senate ratifies last year’s Executive Order which suspended the collection of prepaid motor fuel taxes from July 1st 2008 to December 31st 2008. During a time of inflated gas prices, the Governor’s Executive Order saved Georgia’s taxpayers $71.5 million. House Bill 121 also legalizes the executive order so the state cannot go back and collect the suspended taxes.
BUDGET:
Although there have been drastic reductions in our state budget, a balanced and respectable budget was accomplished on Sine Die. We have seen a drastic reduction in revenues because of hard economic times that Georgia’s taxpayers are experiencing. The balanced budget is responsive to the difficult economic times the state is currently facing by reducing the size of government to match the state’s reduced revenues. It is more self-sufficient and adds no new funding measures. Although there has to be some painful cuts, the budget still successfully addresses the critical needs of the state, especially education.
With a 3.3 billion dollar revenue reduction from last year’s budget, I am proud to say House Bill 119 only cuts state agencies 8 percent and education only 3 percent. Education remains a priority as 58 percent of Georgia’s budget, because our children’s growth should never suffer. Part of the debate for cutting back on this year’s budget was including teacher furloughs. We were able to balance the budget without this setback and possible impairment to our education systems. We have also heard from people about the need to maintain school nurses in Georgia; therefore the budget includes $29.1 million to fund school nurses.
EDUCATION:
Georgia families will see tax relief with House Bill 120. The bill extends the annual sales tax holiday for school supplies set for July 30 through August 2, 2009, and energy efficient appliances set for October 1 through October 4, 2009. I know these sales tax holidays have become a popular shopping day across the state, helping people save money and energy.
We have found a way to cut spending and provide funds for more effective education solutions in House Bill 243. Under Governor Roy Barnes, legislation was passed to reward teachers who gained a National Board certification with a 10 percent salary increase. Since then, research has shown that there is only a small statistical difference between Board certified and non Board certified teachers and that National Board certified teachers are not by definition more effective than every other teacher. HB 243 eliminates the 10 percent salary increases for future teachers who become nationally board certified. In order to maintain our prior commitment, teachers who currently hold the nation board certification will continue to receive their 10 percent bonus on their base salary.
This was a necessary measure and has the support of education groups, because we tried a program to better our teachers and found it was not effective. I fully support the outstanding educators of Georgia, and much legislation has been passed to support and better our educational systems. Cutting this ineffective program will save the state around $5 million. The funds it saves can be used for more effective education measures so we can keep working for solutions for a better education system in Georgia.
A bill that would provide public school systems more flexibility to meet the 180 day scheduling requirement was overwhelmingly passed by both chambers. House Bill 193 would allow the State Board of Education to define the length of the school year as 180 days or the equivalent number of hours. The bill is an important tool for local systems to adapt their scheduling structure to meet the needs of the students and the community. Options such as longer school days will help districts to save on fuel and energy costs.
TRANSPORTATION:
Finally, the Transforming Transportation Investment Act (SB 200) was agreed upon by both chambers and now goes to the Governor for his signature. I support this legislation that calls for an understandable and equitable funding process that will enable transportation dollars to be spent more efficiently, effectively, and strategically.
SB 200 allows for a new, transparent model for funding decisions that gives the General Assembly and the Governor direct appropriation powers, much like the way other agencies in Georgia are funded and governed. As legislators, we will be able to represent our constituents’ needs much better by having greater say in the appropriations process and directing what projects are funded. Under Senate Bill 200, a planning director will be appointed by the Governor to develop and carry out the Department of Transportation’s (DOT) statewide plans, approved by the Governor and DOT board. The legislature will now have greater control over which projects get funded, how the budget is approved, and in appropriating funds for local projects.
A disappointment of this Session was a resolution to compensate John Jerome White. House Resolution 161 authorizes the Department of Administrative Services to compensate John Jerome White for years of incarceration spent for a rape that he did not commit. The Senate lowered the original recommended amount of $709,090.00 to $500,000.00 to be paid out over a 20-year period.
White, however, is not a completely innocent citizen who was wrongly accused. Information from the State Board of Pardons and Paroles shows that he has a long record of other crimes and grievances. In 1980, he was convicted of Burglary, Aggravated Assault, Rape, and Robbery. He received a life sentence for the rape and 20 years concurrent for the other crimes. He received parole in 1990 which was revoked in 1993 due to committing a new offense of Possession of Cocaine, and he received a new two year sentence. Again he was paroled in 1996 which was also revoked two years later due to committing another Robbery, in which he received a new 7 year sentence. His conviction was vacated after DNA tests, and he was released in 2007.
Although John Jerome White’s DNA did not match the crime scene, he served fewer years than the total sentences of the other crimes he did commit. White is a life-long criminal who even broke the paroles he was given with robbery and cocaine possession. Even if he had not been sentenced for the rape, White should have served the amount of time he did. I do not feel sorry for this record crook. We do not need to reward money to a criminal.
Tax relief, budget, education, and transportation were among the most important issues for stimulating Georgia’s economy, and the General Assembly produced legislation that will be successful. Education will be improved and transportation will become more efficient, all while we produced a fiscally responsible budget.
It is truly an honor to serve the people of the 31st district, and I appreciate the trust you have given me as your senator. Many of you contacted me through emails, phone calls, and letters and I appreciate hearing from each and every one of my constituents. I am able to do what I do by listening to your needs, and I will continue to address the issues you bring me. I know next year will see an equally productive year, and I look forward to representing you. Please continue to share your ideas and concerns, and we will try to implement them into a positive direction for Georgia.
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Sen. Bill Heath serves as Chairman of the Retirement Committee and Governor Sonny Perdue’s Floor Leader in the Senate. He represents the 31st Senate District which consists of Haralson and Polk counties and portions of Bartow and Paulding counties. He may be reached at 404.651.7738 or by email at bill.heath@billheath.net.
PRESS RELEASE
For Immediate Release:
April 6, 2009
For Information Contact:
Raegan Weber, Director
Hayley Howell, Senate Press Office Aide
hayley.howell@senate.ga.gov
404.656.0029