In the past, sessions of the Georgia General Assembly have often lasted into late March and sometimes into mid-April. But local lawmakers say they expect the next session — which starts Monday, Jan. 13 — to be wrapped up more quickly than normal.
“The message that I’m hearing from everyone I talk to is ‘Let’s go ahead and get the people’s work done,’” said state Rep. Bruce Broadrick, R-Dalton. “Getting the work done early gives people confidence and predictability about where we are going.”
One reason, but not the only one they insist, is the 2014 primary is likely to be the earliest one in modern Georgia history. The primary traditionally takes place in mid-July. But in 2013, a federal judge set the primary for all congressional offices for May 20. And lawmakers say the General Assembly will likely move the primary for all state and local offices to the same day to keep from having the expense of two primaries.
“My expectation is that everything will be moved to May 20,” said state Sen. Charlie Bethel, R-Dalton. “But until the ball starts rolling I can’t say for sure. I do think we will make that decision early. We will get that done quickly so that it isn’t an open question and so that people thinking about qualifying know when that will take place.”
As always, the General Assembly’s top priority will be the budget, according to the local delegation. Lawmakers actually produce two budgets: An amended budget for the current year and a full budget for the next fiscal year, which starts July 1.
The amended budget adjusts various line items, but because of the push to finish early and because state revenues are up just 5.9 percent on the year, lawmakers say there may be fewer items adjusted in the next session.
“The amended budget will be more limited than usual,” said state Rep. Tom Dickson, R-Cohutta. “It will be just those things that have to be adjusted, such as changes in school enrollment or increased Medicaid costs.”
Related Posts
Two challengers face incumbent Winder councilman | Gwinnett Daily Post
Georgia Politics, Campaigns, and Elections for January 14, 2022
Investigation finds Hall County violated election rulesvia Georgia high court declines to hear appeal of former commissioner’s perjury conviction | GainesvilleTimes.com
Rep. Lynn Westmoreland on Supreme Court Obergefell v. Hodges decision
Adoptable Georgia Dogs for April 14, 2014
Comments ( 0 )