The second week of the General Assembly is traditionally reserved for the Appropriations committee to receive the governor’s budget. We review his recommendations for funding the state’s programs for the 2016 fiscal year which begins July 1.
The budget is a blueprint for the General Assembly to determine which programs should be funded, and which need to be expanded, reduced or eliminated. The only item the General Assembly absolutely must accomplish each session is to complete a balanced budget, and it is a task that we take seriously as we endeavor to maintain fiscal responsibility.
We listened carefully as various state agencies discussed their budget recommendations and needs, then we asked questions about the quality of certain programs. As we look at budgets and the needs of our state, there is good news about how we are recovering from the aftermath of the recession. One of the many benefits of living in southeast Georgia is that we continue to lead the nation as a global destination for business and investment. With the second-busiest container port in the region and easy access to I-16/I-95, our area of the state is an attractive hub for imports and exports. In addition, Georgia is one of the nation’s leaders in job development and income growth.
The largest portion of the state’s budget involves K-12 education. With a 1.35 percent increase in enrollment this year, the governor has asked for almost $240 million to cover growth. Currently, there are nearly 2 million students and more than 100,000 teachers and administrators learning and working within our public school system. The governor is asking for $230 million for the construction, renovation and equipping of K-12 schools, along with $35 million to expand the broadband internet system to enhance instruction and learning. Addressing higher education, the governor has asked for a 3 percent increase in HOPE scholarships and grants.
The second-largest expenditure in the state’s budget is health care. This includes a requested $42 million to our expanded baseline on health care mandates, mainly from growth. Another $54 million is requested for the implementation of the Affordable Care Act, commonly referred to as Obamacare. Gov. Deal has asked for nearly $9 million to reimburse nursing home costs.
Other highlights include $35 million for child welfare services, including $7.5 million for 175 new case workers to handle child abuse cases. Concerning transportation, the governor has allocated an additional $17 million for road and bridge projects. Regarding state employees, $27 million is dedicated toward performance incentives and another $10 million for the Board of Regents to recruit and retain qualified staff for our state’s universities and colleges.
The budget is an enormous document and it will take time to carefully consider each item. These are the just some of the focal points that may affect your home and way of life. Your thoughts and concerns are important to me as we proceed with this process. I can be reached at (404) 656-5099 or at jon.burns@house.ga.gov.
