As the 2008 session of the Georgia General Assembly moves into its second half, state lawmakers are working to adopt state budgets. 

No single issue is as important in the work of the legislature each year as passing a budget.  It is the one thing that the legislature must do. 

Georgia actually adopts two budgets each legislative session: an amended budget for the current fiscal year and a budget for the next fiscal year beginning July 1.

The practice of amending the current fiscal year budget goes back more than 30 years.  It was developed as a way to allow state government to make necessary adjustments due to unexpected expenditures such as increased student enrollment in fast-growing school systems or natural disasters, and to respond to unexpected downturns in the economy resulting in lower income and sales tax collections.

The good news in 2008 is that Georgia is on track to bring in $330 million, or 1.6 percent, more than was appropriated for the fiscal year 2008 budget, which runs from July 1, 2007, until June 30, 2008.

It was this same surplus that led to the decision by both the State Senate and State House last year to rebate these funds in the form of property tax relief to Georgians.  That decision was vetoed by the Governor, who later rescinded his veto after removing this item from the budget.

As is the case each year, the Governor submits to the General Assembly in early January his recommendations for both the amended budget and the fiscal year or “big” budget.  The budget process begins, as required by law, in the House of Representatives. In the House, the subcommittees of the Appropriations Committee review and examine each requested item of spending.  As a member of the House Appropriations Committee, I serve on the Public Safety Subcommittee.  We look at ways of cutting spending where appropriate by questioning the efficiency and outcomes of every request and by asking: is this something government should even be doing? 

Once this process of review is completed, the full House votes on the budget and it then goes to the State Senate where the process starts anew.  At the end of the process, a budget conference committee of members from both chambers meets to work out differences in each side’s version of the budget. 

This week, budget negotiators from both chambers are trying to reach agreement on the amended budget.  Significant differences exist between the two.  Once the amended budget is finalized, it will go to the governor for his consideration.   

At that time, work will begin on the “big” budget for fiscal year 2009.

We are mindful that it is not the government’s money which is being spent.  It is your money.  We are also mindful that how we spend taxpayer dollars reflects our priorities as a state, whether it is education, health care, transportation or public safety. 

Finally, we must be mindful that the decision to spend or not to spend influences the goal of lower taxes for all Georgians.   

It is an honor to represent you in the Georgia House of Representatives.  Please call on me when I can be of service to you.  During the session you can reach me by phone at (404) 656-5943 or always by e-mail at dralston1@etcmail.com.