Legislative Update Number 2008.03 -- January 25, 2008
Governor’s school cuts hurt students and taxpayers
By Rep. Pat Gardner
This week, along with other House and Senate Appropriations Committee members, I heard from state department heads on their budget requests for the remainder of the current fiscal year as well as fiscal year 2009, which begins July 1, 2008.
Gov. Sonny Perdue had outlined his record $21.4 billion state budget proposal to legislators during the first week of the session. One area of the governor’s plan that appears to need legislative budget writers’ help the most is that of funding for our local schools.
The governor has proposed to cut an additional $141.5 million in state funding to local school systems. Although it is the responsibility of the state government to provide public education, the governor has now cut almost $1.6 billion in local school funding since taking office in 2003, hurting our students and shifting the burden to local school boards and local taxpayers.
When the governor first imposed what he calls “austerity cuts” five years ago, it was understandable because the state was suffering an economic downturn and revenues were tight.
But with the governor’s overall spending plan increasing by $1 billion over last year, no one seems to know why it is necessary to continue these tax shifts on local schools – including state leaders from the governor’s own political party.
House Appropriations Committee Chairman Ben Harbin (R-Evans) pointed out during our budget hearings: “It’s forcing districts to make changes, either raising taxes or cutting programs they have been funding locally.”
State School Superintendent Kathy Cox added, “That cut is a disappointment to me as well. I am very concerned about that.”
Many Georgia taxpayers who have seen their local millage rates skyrocket are also concerned. I will support the legislative effort to restore this funding so that the state can once again meet is obligation to educate Georgia’s children.
Transportation is another area where the legislature will need to make some adjustments to the governor’s new budget plan. Over the next five years, the state is facing a funding shortfall of up to $8 billion to simply maintain the status quo. Realistically, though, the shortfall is about $20 billion when you consider the transportation improvements that are currently proposed for Georgia to keep up with the needs of our growing population.
Unfortunately, the governor’s budget proposal does very little to address the transportation funding crisis, other than a modest revolving loan fund to help local governments finish road projects. The governor has stated that the state Department of Transportation needs to become more efficient before revenues are addressed.
Many lawmakers agree that greater efficiency is needed, but we cannot wait another year to close the revenue gap. It was good to hear this week that House Speaker Glenn Richardson feels the same way. The need to reduce traffic gridlock is growing by the day, and the state must address the situation now, not later.
As a means of conserving our water supply, I have co-sponsored several pieces of legislation that would result in the installation of more efficient plumbing fixtures in Georgia homes and buildings. HB 946 would require the installation of “low flow” toilets, shower heads and faucets in homes and buildings before they are sold. HB 947 would provide an income tax credit for replacing such fixtures in residential or commercial buildings. HR 1033 would urge the Department of Natural Resources to implement stronger regulations related to water conservation in the permitting for construction of new subdivisions or industries.
The Statewide Water Plan legislation turned out to be a “plan to develop a plan” and a promise from the Governor that he would allocate $11million for the first year’s research. While we had all hoped for a stronger plan, it brought together many different interests from all over the state. It passed overwhelmingly in the Senate and House.
Sustainable Business Day. I have sponsored a resolution to celebrate Sustainable Business Day at the State Capitol next Monday, January 28th. Nearly 30 businesses who are committed to incorporating sustainable principles and environmental management systems into their businesses will be in the South Lobby of the Capitol. It should be an interesting day. A copy of the resolution is available at www.legis.state.ga.us under my name.
- Rep. Pat Gardner (D-Atlanta) represents the 57th District (Atlanta and DeKalb County) in the Georgia House of Representatives. Contact her at 604 Coverdell Office Building, Atlanta, GA 30334; by phone at 404-656-0265 or by e-mail at pat@patgardner.org.
