We adjourned Sine Die last week, as the gavel came down to close the 2008 session...
In early January, Governor Perdue and Lieutenant Governor Cagle spent time traversing the state, highlighting some of the key areas the General Assembly would focus on in 2008. Education, transportation, healthcare and water issues were identified as the major items to be dealt with this session. We adjourned Sine Die last week, as the gavel came down to close the 2008 session. This year, the Senate has taken important steps to improve public education, improve our transportation infrastructure, plan for a plentiful water supply and provide quality healthcare access. By passing key legislation and funding these areas in the FY 09 state budget, the Senate has produced a body of work that will greatly benefit Georgia citizens in the years to come. Here are some of the major initiatives we approved during the 2008 session.
FY 09 State Budget – Includes $50 million in new education funding to repay austerity cuts to public education. When coupled with $53 million from the FY 08 amended budget, this means over $100 million in additional funding for education this year. This greatly helps local systems with increases in costs, such as utilities, fuel and materials. Also, the budget includes $10 million in bonds for low wealth school districts and $92 million in general school construction money.
Schools and school choice – Several bills passing this year aim to improve the way education is funded in Georgia, while offering parents more options at the same time. HB 1133 will allow a tuition tax credit to corporations that offer private school scholarships. HB 881 creates the Charter School Commission and allows charter systems recognized by the Commission to receive QBE funding from the state for operations. Also, HB 948 paves the way for Georgia’s 7th sales tax holiday on back-to-school supplies July 31-August 3.
Water
Statewide Water Plan – The statewide water plan (HR 1022) is the culmination of years of work by the Georgia Water Council, and it identifies a set of statewide water management policies that will guide sustainable use of Georgia’s water resources. While it is not a plan to address our drought conditions, the implementation of the Water Plan will ensure that future water needs are met while protecting our environment. This measure has been signed by Gov. Perdue.
Reservoir development – I sponsored the Water Conservation and Drought Relief Act (SB 342) in the effort to increase our state’s water capacity. The legislation allows communities to apply for state funding to enlarge existing reservoirs and obtain permits to construct new ones. Additionally, the FY 08 and FY 09 budgets provide $70 million in reservoir funding, and $1 million in funding for repairs to existing reservoirs and local water/sewer upgrades.
Healthcare
High-deductible healthcare plans – Governor Perdue’s plan to offer an income tax exemption to companies offering high-deductible healthcare plans coupled with healthcare savings accounts was introduced in the Senate, and found its way to final passage in HB 977.
CON Reform – Majority Leader Tommie Williams (R-Lyons) introduced SB 433 in 2007. The bill paves the way for a destination cancer treatment facility center to set up shop in our state. By the end of the ’08 session, several Senators and House members worked collaboratively to set forth needed reform to Georgia’s Certificate of Need (CON) laws, which will allow patients in Georgia to have more choices when it comes to surgical procedures and other types of care. The final version of SB 433 encompasses these changes to our outdated CON regulations.
Healthcare funding – The FY 08 and FY 09 budgets included $17.3 million in total funds for state trauma care providers. FY 09 also includes $98 million in state funds and $341 million total to fully fund PeachCare for Kids, $3 million for community health centers and $13.6 million in funding for mental health hospitals.
Transportation
Reform at the DOT – New DOT Commissioner Gena Abraham began overhauling the Department of Transportation last fall, and we are seeing some very positive results. Abraham is headed in the right direction, and we hope to see the DOT streamlined by the end of the year.
State Transportation Infrastructure Bank (STIB) – HB 1019 establishes the State Transportation Infrastructure Bank to finance transportation projects in the state. In addition, the FY 09 budget includes $28 million for the STIB.
Statewide Transportation Plan – I co-sponsored SR 781, which urges the Georgia DOT to establish a statewide transportation plan that will incorporate all methods possible to improve our state’s transportation network, including new roads, public-private initiatives, transit systems, magnetically levitated transit lines (MAGLEV), high-occupancy toll (HOT) lanes and more.
Other DOT reform – I sponsored SR 750, which urges the U.S. DOT to cease collection of the state motor fuel tax, and return those precious funds to the state. Another bill I sponsored, SB 444, allows the DOT to sell property not in use in a more efficient manner.
New transportation funding – The FY 09 budget also includes $9.8 million in airport aid and $5 million in community improvement district (CID) grants for a congestion relief fund.
Throughout the 2008 session, the Senate has worked together in a collegial, bipartisan fashion, seeing some inspired debate and more than 1000 actions on legislation. As a whole, the Senate has passed meaningful legislation that will improve the quality of life of all Georgians – not just a few, but everyone who has chosen to make our state their home.
Please feel free to contact Sen. Chip Pearson at his office in Atlanta at 404.656.9221 or by email at chip.pearson@senate.ga.gov.