ATLANTA (January 30, 2009) – Senate Majority Leader Chip Rogers today introduced Senate Resolution 1, The Taxpayer Protection Amendment, which would limit the spending of any future budget surpluses. The measure requires any budget surplus first go to fund increases in student enrollment and then be placed into the state reserve fund. If the state reserve fund were to reach 10% of the previous year budget, surplus funds would then go to pay off state debt or be returned to the taxpayers.
“Georgians deserve a budget process that rebuilds our state reserves and prevents the unwise spending of excess tax revenue. When taxpayers are forced to pay more than what is necessary to fund the state budget it is only right that the money is set-aside for a rainy day so that taxes aren’t raised or essential government services aren’t cut during difficult economic times,” Sen. Rogers said today. “At a time when the politicians in Washington, D. C. show no signs of any fiscal discipline, we in Georgia must provide for the future of our children and grandchildren by properly managing taxpayer money.”
Georgia is one of 29 states in the nation that is required by law to balance its budget each year, unlike the Federal government that can run on deficit spending. The legislature’s current Rainy Day Fund is a $1.2 billion reserve account to assist the state in difficult financial times. Governor Perdue has applied these funds to his 2010 budget proposal. Rogers’ proposed legislation would ensure greater spending accountability and provide for the most essential government services first.
Rogers has been a champion steward of taxpayer dollars. In 2008, he sponsored legislation that created the “Transparency in Government Web Site” which gives Internet users access to information on billions of dollars in state spending. The “Transparency in Government Act” requires state spending information be placed on a searchable website allowing Georgia taxpayers easy access to where their tax dollars are being spent. The web site was launched on January 1, 2009 and can be found at www.Open.Ga.gov. Rogers’ supports property tax reform that provides property tax relief and finding greater efficiency in collecting local sales tax so taxpayers don’t have to foot the bill for government inefficiencies.
If Rogers’ Taxpayer Protection Amendment is approved by two-thirds of the Senate and House, SR 1 will appear on the ballot in 2010 as a “yes/no” question for the voters. For more information on the resolution, go to www.legis.ga.gov.
Sen. Chip Rogers serves as Senate Majority Leader. He represents the 21st Senate District which includes portions of Cherokee and Cobb counties. He can be reached at his office at 404.463.1378 or by email at chip.rogers@senate.ga.gov.
PRESS RELEASE
For Immediate Release:
January 30, 2009
For Information Contact:
Raegan Weber, Director
raegan.weber@senate.ga.gov
404.656.0028