ATLANTA (January 19, 2012) — Last week, Governor Nathan Deal released his proposed budget for the 2013 fiscal year, and as a result, the Georgia General Assembly has recessed this week in order to review his recommendations. As required by our state constitution, we must pass a balanced budget that does not allow for deficit spending.
Every single state in the U.S. has some form of balanced budget amendment, with Vermont being the lone state without. As a public servant, the most important thing I can do on the behalf of my constituents is ensure our state is making sound fiscal decisions.
Over the past few days, members of the Senate and House Appropriations committees have listened to overviews from various state agencies and from Governor Deal himself regarding the proposed budget. During his opening remarks, Governor Deal pointed out that the suggested budget is still 20 percent under the number proposed for FY 2002, even though the number at first glance seems astronomical.
These joint briefings outline agency responsibilities and financial needs, and supplement our careful line-by-line review of the proposed budget. The budget calls for a large amount of money – $19.2 billion to be exact – and we cannot afford to let a single cent go to waste.
It is important for our state to take a conservative approach in using taxpayer dollars, but we also need to consider moderate investments that will spur job creation and drive economic growth. We need to hear first-hand from state agencies involved and generate an open dialogue with them in order to justify the numbers.
Testimony has been offered on behalf of funding for education, transportation, economic development, public safety, agriculture, community health and juvenile justice, among several other areas.
The Georgia General Assembly will convene again on Monday, January 23 for the sixth day of the 2012 legislative session. We will continue our work to make Georgia strong, resilient and full of opportunity.
As always, please feel free to contact my office with any of your questions and concerns. Be sure to use the following social media platforms to stay connected with me during my 40 days at the Gold Dome and throughout the rest of the year:
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/FriendsofSenatorBillHamrick
Twitter: www.twitter.com/SenatorHamrick
RELEASE
For Immediate Release:
January 14, 2012
For Information Contact:
Natalie Dale, Director
Jennifer Yarber, Deputy Director
jennifer.yarber@senate.ga.gov
404.656.0028