Friday, January 27, 2012

Legislative Priorities for 2012 and the Budget




The 2012 Legislative Session is officially underway, and lawmakers wasted little time in getting down to work with ambitious goals for the session that will help secure the future prosperity of Georgia. Hot-topics up for debate this year include tax and criminal justice reform, economic development, job creation, government oversight, higher education and transportation.

The opening day of the 2012 legislative session was anything but ceremonial as the Ga. Senate passed two significant pieces of legislation aimed at advancing student achievement and ensuring the right people are in place to teach our students and lead our education efforts. In a 38-15 vote, the Georgia Senate passed Senate Bill 184, authored by President Pro Tempore Tommie Williams. Following implementation of this new law, school boards cannot simply fire employees based on their date of hire. Instead, the new law will require local school boards to consider a teacher’s effectiveness in the classroom when considering whom to lay off during a workforce reduction.

Senate Bill 38, authored by Sen. Majority Leader Chip Rogers, also passed the Senate on Monday in a unanimous vote. Senate Bill 38 allows the State School Superintendent to hire and fire staff members at the Georgia Department of Education and State Schools for the Deaf and Blind. These measures are paramount in securing the State School Superintendent’s efforts to advance positive educational reform in Georgia.

In a key step towards creating a more streamlined and efficient university system, the Board of Regents approved the merger of Macon State College and Middle Georgia College, as well as several other colleges throughout the state. This historic plan is aimed at placing taxpayer money back into the classroom where it can truly make a difference. As chairman of appropriations sub-committee on Higher Education, I applaud Georgia’s university system chancellor and the board of regents on their decision to consolidate eight of Georgia’s institutions of higher learning to meet the ever-changing demands of the 21st century.

This year, lawmakers will focus on balancing the state budget, amidst a projected $1 billion dollar budget shortfall. Comparatively to other states, Georgia operates under a traditionally conservative fiscal process and boasts a balanced budget as required by our Constitution. In an effort to reduce state spending, legislators will have to make some tough decisions in Fiscal Year 2013 as stimulus funds, reserves and one-time funds are no longer available. In addition, deep cuts in federal spending will require innovative solutions to meet the needs of Georgians while living within our means.

Comprehensive tax reform continues to be an important issue up for debate this legislative session. During last year’s session, the Special Joint Committee on Georgia’s Tax Structure considered several pieces of legislation including a sales tax exemption for energy used in manufacturing, which is important for Georgia to remain competitive in recruiting new manufacturing businesses.

In addition to balancing the state budget and pushing tax reform measures, one of our top priorities this session will be focused on strengthening Georgia’s economy through job creation. Over the past several years, Georgia has quickly become an attractive destination for companies to do business. With accessibility to one of the nation’s busiest airports and proximity to some of the nation’s leading Fortune 500 companies, including Home Depot, Delta, and Coke, Georgia has become one of the top 10 states to conduct business.

As a member of the Appropriations, Transportation, Banking and Financial Institutions and Finance committees, I will continue to support pro-business policies that put more Georgians back to work and provide incentives for companies to do business here in the Peach State.

To build a world-class workforce here in Georgia, we must continue to develop cost effective strategies that boost Georgia’s competitiveness in the global marketplace and thereby increase our ability to attract an innovative and highly skilled workforce.

During the 2012 legislative session, I look forward to working with my colleagues in the Senate to support legislation aimed at cultivating an environment advantageous to the future growth and development of Georgia.



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Sen. Cecil Staton serves as Senate Majority Whip. He represents the 18th Senate District, which includes portions of Bibb, Crawford, Houston, Jones, and Monroe counties.

Read more: The Warner Robins Patriot - 2012 Legislative Priorities

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