By State Sen. Greg Goggans
FY 2012 BUDGET PASSES SENATE
On Wednesday the Senate approved its version of HB 78, the FY2012 Budget, by a vote of 47-4. This concludes the Senate stage of the process, and the bill will now go to conference committee for finalization.
While revenues are leveling and the General Assembly has worked hard to decrease the size of government and cut waste, this year we are dealing with the loss of federal stimulus funds and our “Rainy Day” reserve which have aided in the balancing of previous year’s shortfalls.
To combat the revenue decreases, the Senate has taken a proactive approach by attempting to increase compliance and recover sales taxes due to Georgia. We have planned to invest approximately $24 million dollars to the Department of Revenue to conduct sales tax audits over the next fiscal year. This investment projects recovered sales tax could come out to around $120 million for FY12 and over $230 million to FY13.
The Senate FY2012 Budget also targets enhancing customer service by moving funds to the Department of Revenue’s customer service department and the licensing section of the Secretary of State’s Office. Additionally, the Senate proposal adds more agencies to “shared services,” which includes combined payroll and other services for greater efficiency. The Conference committee of the House and Senate will be working to resolve differences between their versions over the coming week.
SENATE ACTION THIS WEEK
House Bills Passed in Senate
• HB 99: Requires fingerprinting and background check for practical nursing license applicants.
• HB 200: Toughens penalties for human trafficking and child prostitution.
• HB 226: Allows developmentally disabled persons to open a custodial bank account with oversight.
• HB 275: Allows nurses, physician assistants, and caregivers to carry out a “do not resuscitate” order issued by a physician.
• HB 199: Bans frequently abused drugs often marketed as bath salts.
• HB 189: Prohibits dental insurers from requiring or promoting discounts on services not covered.
• HB 261: Exempts records related to government security training from public disclosure requirements in order to protect against possible terrorist access.
• HB 266: Adds constables of magistrate courts to the list of officials exempt from normal firearm carry laws. Others on this list include judges, district attorneys, clerks of superior court, etc.
• HB 40: Requires addition of denatonium benzoate to antifreeze to remove the presently sweet taste and leave an unpalatable taste. Antifreeze has posed a danger to children and pets because of its sweet taste and smell, and has also been used as a poison.
• HB 214: Establishes the Department of Public Health as a separate agency, removing it from the Department of Community Health.
• HB 277: Allows hunting deer over bait in Georgia’s southern zone with written permission of the landowner. Also prohibits setting bait within 50 yards of a property line.
• HB 292: Delays an automatic increase in the employer contribution rate for the Unemployment Compensation Fund. The rate currently stands at 2.62 percent, and would otherwise increase to 2.7 percent on January 1, 2012. HB 292 also extends the suspension of the Reserve Ratio Surcharge for an extra year, or through December, 2012.
• HB 339: Establishes procedure for challenging an emergency quarantine or vaccination order in court.
• HB 421: Creates a timeline for handling cases of people deemed mentally incompetent to stand trial. • HB 503: Allows the Crime Victims Emergency Fund to pay for rape exams.
If you would like additional information regarding a specific piece of legislation, you may access the Georgia General Assembly website at http://www.legis.ga.gov/
Please remember to contact me in my office on the issues that are affecting you and your area. I am here to represent you and it is an honor for me to work on your behalf. As always, I’d like to thank members of the Senate staff, who contribute regularly to my column.
Sen. Greg Goggans represents the 7th Senate District, which includes Atkinson, Bacon, Berrien, Clinch, Coffee, Echols, Lanier, Pierce and Ware counties and a portion of Cook County.
PRESS RELEASE
For Immediate Release:
April 4, 2011
For Information Contact:
Matt Colvin, Broadcast Director
matthew.colvin@senate.ga.gov
404.656.0028