The Senate Appropriations subcommittees on Economic Development and the Best Value in Government Task Force held a joint workshop on Monday at the Capitol to discuss agency reports, efficiencies and cost savings for the Department of Economic Development, Department of Community Affairs, Public Service Commission and Georgia Environmental Facilities Authority. Senators Chip Pearson (R-Dawsonville) and Mitch Seabaugh (R-Sharpsburg) co-chaired the meeting.

Monday began the first in a series of joint appropriations subcommittee meetings, as recommended by Lt. Governor Casey Cagle, to prepare for an efficient and effective legislative session which begins in January.

“As the Governor’s plans come before the Legislature this season, my colleagues and I face the challenge of ensuring a balanced budget and fiscal responsibility while not sacrificing essential services to our citizens and their families. We will examine each proposal with a fine-tooth comb,” said Pearson. “This unprecedented action taken by the Lt. Governor and the Senate will properly prepare for an efficient and decisive legislative session.”

Discussions focused on clarifying programs and their role in servicing local communities. While current budgets were submitted, Senators were specifically interested in any overlaps or redundancies with Federal programs and other state programs. Senators plan to focus on the monetary aspects of these programs once final budget suggestions are submitted by Governor Perdue’s office for the ’09 legislative session.

“There are some tough, tough decisions we are going to have to make and these discussions will help in coming up with the criteria to make those decisions,” said Seabaugh. “We need to ensure we are good stewards of taxpayer dollars by supporting those essential programs that are fundamentally important to what state government is supposed to do for its citizens and be willing to cut those that are non-essential.”

Senators also expressed the need for self-monitoring by examining statutes they have put into law that may have caused some redundancies. State agencies were also asked to submit more defined information to identify which programs are federally mandated and can be run more efficiently.

Programs submitted for discussion included ones for community and business development, energy and water programs, environmental loans and grants, and Georgia Halls of Fame. State agency representatives expressed the need for coordination at the state and local levels to support and run programs effectively at the local level.

Additional joint workshops are scheduled through mid-December. Topics for those meetings include but are not limited to transportation (Oct. 7), public safety, natural resources and agriculture, health, education and fiscal management.

Sen. Chip Pearson serves as chairman of the Economic Development Committee. He represents the 51st Senate District which includes Dawson, Fannin, Gilmer, Lumpkin, Pickens, and Union counties and portions of Forsyth and White counties. He may be reached at 404.656.9921 or via e-mail at chip.pearson@senate.ga.gov.

Sen. Mitch Seabaugh serves as Senate Majority Whip. He represents the 28th Senate District which includes Coweta and Heard counties and portions of Carroll and Troup counties. He may be reached by phone at 404.656.6446 or by e-mail at mitch.seabaugh@senate.state.gov.