Your Georgia Desk:
A Closer Look at Georgia’s Fiscal Future
By: Sen. Frank Ginn (R – Danielsville)
Over the past few weeks, Georgians have experienced weather much colder than our normal, fairly mild winter temperatures. Schools have closed, roads have iced over, and even a few snowflakes have made an appearance. In response, we’ve bundled our kids up before sending them off to school, pulled a few extra blankets out of the closet and left faucets dripping in order to prevent pipes from freezing. Although we’ve had to take unfamiliar precautions to accommodate the colder weather in the recent weeks, the temperatures we normally associate with Georgia winters have already returned.
The same can be said for our state’s economic growth. A hypothetical cold snap over Georgia’s finances required us to take precautionary measures—and make very difficult decisions—in response to a struggling national economy. We asked state agencies to cut their budgets, furloughed teachers, made changes to the HOPE scholarship requirements and overall worked with a much smaller state budget. This wasn’t easy, but necessary in order to keep Georgia from being irresponsible and spending more than we have.
Governor Deal’s State of the State address a few weeks ago brought some good news about Georgia’s economic outlook in the form of an increased budget recommendation for FY 2015. The increase in state funds from $20.2 billion in FY 2014 to $20.8 billion in FY 2015 is proof of a slowly growing economy and will allow our state to reinvest funds in the areas hurt the most by the national recession.
I think we can all agree all levels of Georgia’s education programs have been one of the areas hit hardest—if not the hardest—by budget constraints in recent years. Governor Deal’s FY 2015 budget has recommended a $547 million increase for K – 12 education and specifically includes $171 million for enrollment growth and training; $314 million to increase instructional days, reduce teacher furloughs or increase teacher pay; $16.5 million in capital funding to expand technology infrastructure; and $10 million for the development of rigorous statewide assessments aligned with state standards.
University and Technical College students will also be positively impacted through a 3 percent increase in the award amount for HOPE scholarships and grants, which is made possible through $22.5 million in additional lottery funds. In addition, $7 million has been allocated to create the Zell Miller Grant to cover full tuition costs for technical college students who maintain a 3.5 GPA.
As a recently appointed member of the Senate Transportation Committee, I believe it’s very important to improve and expand transportation infrastructure. Approximately $20 million in additional motor fuel funds have been allotted for road and bridge projects, based on anticipated collections. The Port of Savannah expansion project is slated to receive $35 million in bonds, which will fulfill Georgia’s $266 million total financial obligation for the project. This project is an incredibly important economic development project not only for Georgia, but also the entire United States. Once completed, the Port of Savannah will be able to dock the largest cargo ships in service and increase the number of goods imported/ exported internationally.
Georgia has spent the past several years working to improve programs that protect and keep all citizens safe, especially our youngest ones. The FY 2015 budget continues Georgia’s commitment to this effort and sets aside $12.1 million to maintain current case workers and $9.2 million to create 202 new jobs overseeing the welfare of children and the elderly. The budget also includes $5 million for the expansion of the community-based Juvenile Incentive Funding Grant and adult felony drug and mental health accountability courts. Both are an essential part of the criminal justice and juvenile justice reform bills passed in 2012 and 2013, respectively.
The importance of job creation and retention has not been ignored in the FY 2015 budget recommendations. We need to get Georgians back to work and keep our highest-performing employees from pursuing jobs outside of the state. Some of the line items in the budget related to job creation and retention include $567,000 to create Housing Coordinator and technical support positions to help reformed inmates transition out of incarceration; $1.1 million to create 53 part-time positions in high volume Drivers Services Centers; and $724,836 to increase starting salaries for state food safety inspectors and fill vacant positions.
Every year, the Georgia General Assembly must also revise the current fiscal year budget to account for unexpected expenses or revenue shortfalls. The FY 2014 Amended Budget has already been approved by the House of Representatives and is now being reviewed by the Senate. Once the Amended Budget is approved by both chambers, it will go to Governor Deal’s desk for his signature.
Last week, Governor Deal signed the first piece of legislation from the 2014 legislative session. House Bill 310 matches state office primaries with the date of federal office primaries that was set by a federal judge in 2013. This means that primary elections for both state and federal offices will be held on May 20, 2014. If necessary, primary runoff elections will be held on July 22, 2014.
Although things are looking up financially now, Georgia still needs to remain prepared. Our nation isn’t out of the woods yet. But as long as we continue our fiscally conservative actions, we will be able to safeguard Georgia’s Triple AAA bond rating and maintain our reputation as one of the top states for businesses, their employees, and their families.
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