Under the Gold Dome

Democrats Protect Local Control and Education - The vote finally came last week we had been hearing about since last summer. The tax plan was not a new tax on food, but a laundry list of 175 new taxes. Republicans also tried to take away local control, jeopardize local services, and hurt education with SR 796. This legislation wouldn't cap state government, it would cap local government, which is wrong. Democrats believe in local control by locally elected officials. The legislation artificially caps assessments and property tax revenues. Local officials' ability to meet local needs would be severely restricted under this legislation.

The legislation also would have led to an even greater shortfall for our schools.

In the end, SR 796 needed 120 votes for passage and failed by a count of 110-62.

Reservoirs - HB 1226, which passed 166-3, will help speed up the permitting process for constructing reservoirs. The legislation creates the Water Supply Division within the Georgia Environmental Facilities Authority that will will speed up applications for reservoir permits and lend money from the Georgia Reservoir Fund for impounding reservoirs. They could also sell bonds to raise money for reservoirs.

New reservoirs must also comply with the new statewide water plan and the legislation was amended to strictly regulate inter-basin and intra-basin water transfers.

Also included is a one time tax credit for water conservation appliances such as water saving shower heads.

No Solutions for Education Funding - After three years of study and $600,000 Governor Perdue's Investing in Education Excellence Study Committee proposed HB 1209. The legislation permits local school systems to enter into contracts with the State Board of Education to trade flexibility for accountability. Local school systems entering into the contract must lay out a three-year strategic plan.

However, how can the House of Representatives be serious about accountability in education when this Governor and Republican leadership has cut funding for schools by $1.5 billion with a $141.5 million proposed reduction in the 2009 budget?

In the end, many believed the Committee wasn't able to figure out how to improve education funding and with this bill the state will make the local systems figure it out themselves. HB 1209 passed 112-58.

Indigent Defense - HB 1245 which passed 145-1 aims to control the costs of indigent defense. Under the bill, state and county governments would have to split the costs of providing attorneys to defendants in capital cases. The state would be responsible for the first $150,000 in legal expenses, the next $100,000 would be split between the state and the county, and any fees in excess of $250,000 would be evenly split between the state and country.

It also provides that only active Superior Court judges who are elected could preside over death penalty cases. Four County Commissioners would also be added to the Indigent Defense Standards Council.

Water Restrictions - HB 1281 which passed 124- 38 allows cities and counties, after they get permission from the EPD, to back off of water restrictions set by the state. The bill also stipulates they could not have water restrictions more stringent than the state.

Opponents claimed that local control was being lost, supporters said the measure is intended to help landscaping and swimming pool industries.

Timber Forests - HR 1276 which is a constitutional amendment and its enabling legislation HB 1211 would give forest owners property tax breaks up to 50 percent if they don't develop their land. Land owners must have at least 200 acres and sign a 15 year covenant. HR 1276 passed 159-0 and HB 1211 passed 161-0.

Setting Auto Insurance Rates - SB 276. Currently, the Commissioner of Insurance has review authority over the approval of auto insurance rates. SB 276 removes the Commissioner's "prior approval" authority for any insurance policy that provides more than the minimum coverage required. Under this bill, insurance companies would have to file their auto insurance rates with the Commissioner before they go into effect.

Filmmaking Tax Credits - Under HB 1100 which passed 157-0, movie, TV and video game producers could receive up to a 20 percent income tax credit on spending at least $500,000. Another provision requires a Georgia logo to be in the credits of the production. The legislation does not apply to companies that currently invest more than $30 million a year or more.

Licensing Home Inspectors - HB 1217 which passed 122-25 requires home inspectors to be licensed by the state and creates the State Licensing Board of Home Inspectors.

Crossover Day - As of this writing, I am preparing for the long day that we call crossover day with House legislation. If a bill is not passed by either house by the 30th day it is dead for this legislative year.

The state does not have a midyear adjustment yet nor do we have a budget for July 1. Groups such as the Historic Chattahoochee Commission, Camp E Tu Nake, Transportation and many others are begging for help this session. Keep me in your prayers as we come down to the end of this difficult session.

Reader Comments

No comments have been posted. Be the first!

Other Stories With Comments:
Article	Comments
You ain't gonna like losing	2
School officials facing more state funding cuts	1
LETTERS	1
Local youth scores "Ace"	1
Other Voices	1
BIRTH	1
Got copper? Might wanna smile!	1