Posted by: John Lunsford | January 31, 2010

Weekly Capitol Update: January 31st, 2010

On Thursday, January 28th we adjourned after our eighth legislative day of the 2010 session.  This week consisted of short days of legislative action followed by committee hearings reviewing legislative initiatives.  Bills are currently being drafted and introduced by legislators and the committee process is beginning to take full swing as we debate introduced legislation before it is presented on the House floor for votes.  The budget is continuing its process and the House Appropriations Subcommittees are continuing to meet to discuss and debate the specifics of how the state revenues are to be used and where spending cuts can and should be made.

One piece of legislation was voted upon this week, House Resolution 1168, and it was unanimously passed by the House. This Resolution amended some changes to the rules governing how we operate in the Georgia House of Representatives.  One change is the elimination of the Hawk System.  The new leadership, and some  of the legislators, have questioned the role of the Hawk system that was implemented in previous years.  Although the Hawk System has been in place for almost five years, I resigned last year as the senior Hawk and the Speaker of the House decided not to replace that position.  Another change now allows the media outlets access to the House floor after our morning devotional.  Previously, the media were restricted in the House chambers.  Also, although more of a formality, is a change which allows substitutions to be made on Bills within the Rules Committee if an error is found.  As legislators, we are always improving the process by which the legislature and committees work, it is a continuous cycle.

Jobs and business development continue to be a focus for the General Assembly.  The creation of the Small Business development and jobs creation committee, whereas I have been tapped to chair this important new committee. The House and the Senate are working together for the Jobs, Opportunity, and Business Success Act of 2010 (JOBS Act of 2010 by Rep. Tom Graves Ranger Ga. ). The jobs act of 2010 legislation has been placed into this new committee.   Ensuring that Georgians are employed, and that business owners have incentives to hire those unemployed, are one of our priorities.  With unemployment numbers reaching 10.3% for the state of Georgia, we are committed to helping people once again become gainfully employed.  According to the Georgia Department of Labor, over the last year Georgia lost approximately 175,000 jobs.  Much of this can be contributed to the economy; however, legislators must do our part to ensure that we are encouraging businesses and helping the citizens of the state.  Legislation will be introduced next week which is similar to the legislation the General Assembly passed last year which was vetoed by Governor Perdue.  This legislation, the JOBS Act of 2010, would help in numerous ways by:  waiving state fees for new businesses, giving quarterly tax credits for unemployment to those businesses that hire someone currently receiving unemployment benefits, a tax credit of $2,400 for businesses employing the unemployed for 24 consecutive months, a fifty percent reduction in the capital gains tax, a tax credit for investments made to small businesses, and a gradual phasing out of the sales tax deposit required for businesses.  These incentives will encourage businesses in Georgia, and in return, individuals and the economy benefit as the steps are taken toward recovering from this economic recession.  We have a lot of other great ideas that will be vented in the coming weeks. Your opinions and concerns are important to me and I consider it an honor to serve you at the state capitol and in our district. If you would like to reach me, please call me at (404) 656-7573 or write me at: State Rep. John Lunsford, 505 Clob, State Capitol, Atlanta, GA  30334 or e-mail me at john.lunsford@house.ga.gov

Leave a Comment

Posted in Budget, General, Legislative Sessions, News

Posted by: John Lunsford | January 5, 2010

Weekly Capitol Update: 2010 Legislative Session Starting Up

Funds to account for the nearly $2.3 billion budget deficit.  In addition to that, for Fiscal Year 2010, the state was able to save around $35 million due to a lower interest rate on bonds.  This lower bond rating saved the state, and Georgians, money.

Just as we balance our checkbook and make sure the amount we spend does not exceed the amount we have, the state also has to do the same.  Difficult choices are being made daily as the people in Georgia tighten their budgets and focus on the essentials.  The mid-year reconciliation budget for Fiscal Year 2010 and the new Fiscal Year Budget for 2011 will be some of the toughest the state has ever had to handle as we have to reduce state spending.   It is a fiscal crisis that we will have to manage.  As legislators, we are going to have to come together and decide where the cuts will be made.  The decisions are not going to be easy.  We have to decide what the essentials are in terms of programs and services and decide where cuts can be made.  As Republicans, we are committed to not raising taxes on the people of our state; therefore, cutting and reducing our state budget is the only solution to the budget shortfall.  

Water is an essential part of our life and a resource we often take for granted.  Conserving water, ensuring water supply, and developing long term solutions have become a main topic to focus on this session.  Earlier this year Georgia was facing a historic and severe drought.  In some areas, people were either banned from outdoor watering or put on watering restrictions.  Midway through the year, we were fortunate enough to receive generous rainfall and our water levels rose.  In addition to this, the U.S. District Court has limited the state’s access to water at Lake Lanier.  The Governor created a Water Contingency Task Force in September of 2009 to try and address the water issues and for the Task Force to offer recommendations.  The Task Force has recommended what it refers to as the "3Cs" in relation to water: conserve, capture, and control.  Governor Perdue met in December with the Governors of Florida and Alabama to try and come up with an agreement on how to share the water.  As legislators, we must also do our part to preserve our water resources and also to come up with long terms solutions.

Transportation is always a priority that the Georgia General Assembly focuses on.  Last year, there were two different transportation funding bills, but neither passed. Although both pieces of legislation intended to fund transportation, an agreement could not be made on whether it should include a regional or a statewide one-cent plan. We need a solution for funding transportation statewide.  Especially since we are facing a budget dilemma, transportation policy and funding is at the top of our list.  Alternative means to funding transportation will be explored, especially as our state budget continues to decrease.  Traffic and congestion continues to be a problem, especially in metro Atlanta.  We also need a broader road system to allow rural communities to create economic development opportunities.  In Georgia we need solutions, not only for metro Atlanta, but statewide.  Transportation is something that affects everyone.  As legislators, we have to prioritize transportation projects across the state but also remain fiscally conservative.

The Republican members of the House Caucus have implemented new leadership and our new leadership team will set and implement new priorities for the session.  The changes in House leadership include: a new Speaker of the House, Rep. David Ralston; Speaker Pro Tem, Rep. Jan Jones; and Majority Whip, Rep. Edward Lindsey.  As legislators, it is our obligation to both our constituents and the citizens of the State of Georgia to uphold and maintain both our ethics and our values.  Unfortunately, the actions of a few can sometimes look poorly on the whole.  Personally, I believe that the poor actions of some legislators should not reflect on the rest of the legislators.  We are all individuals and we are all accountable to ourselves, our families, and our constituents. Therefore, we are going to take the steps to ensure that ethics is upheld by the members of our General Assembly. If you would like to reach me, please call me at (404) 656-7573 or write me at: State Rep. John Lunsford, 401, State Capitol, Atlanta, GA  30334 or e-mail me at john.lunsford@house.ga.gov.

1 Comment

Posted in Budget, General, Legislative Sessions

Posted by: John Lunsford | December 12, 2009

Ideas on the Whip Position

Whip Duties. Enough said about backgrounds.  Let’s talk about the whips job or what it should be:

  • Communication. Communicate, communicate ,communicate!  A Whip and other leadership members need to maintain constant communication with members, not with lobbyists or with the media.  (It is inexcusable that I, as a member, found out from two different lobbyists about the caucus meeting tomorrow six hours prior to receiving the email from leadership).  In addition, a Whip must be able to have a firm grasp on all aspects of legislation—both the substance and the legislative procedure.  He (or she) must be able explain bills to members in easily understood terms, both in person and in writing.  After over 10 years of House service, I have mastered these skills and have worked on some of the most complicated and most challenging measures in the General Assembly.  Regardless of background or training, no other candidate for Whip can dissect a bill, map out a legislative strategy, build consensus or help maintain a unified membership better than I can.
  • Technology. Using technology to allow us all to know quickly and simply what we as a team are doing.  As Benjamin Franklin once said, “We must all hang together, or assuredly we shall all hang separately.”
  • Open Doors. The Whip (and all other leadership posts) must have an open door policy for all members.  A lobbyists can always wait for a member, but a member should never have to wait because of a lobbyist.  As your Whip, I will be accessible to you 24/7, and you will always be my highest priority.

2010 Session. 
This upcoming session, we will be grappling with the budget shortfall, but this should not and cannot mean new taxes.  Tax cuts are the road back to prosperity, not the imposition of new taxes.

We will also be dealing this session with other major issues: transportation, education, mental health, water policy, public safety, federal health care (which could burden the state with an additional $2 billion in unfunded mandates) as well as all the usual number of various state and local issues.

Another critical issue for this session is reapportionment, which will, of course, play a large role in helping to determine our ability to maintain our majority.  I have experienced three reapportionment sessions, and I even helped pay the legal expenses for Sara Larios’s  federal lawsuit preserving one person one vote.  Without this effort, we would not be in the majority today.  We will need experienced hands to steer us through this difficult process.

Finally, fundraising is a job with which the entire leadership team needs to be engaged.  We need to help all caucus members raise funds for their reelections because money is the mother’s milk of campaigns—without it, you lose.

Leave a Comment

Posted in News

Posted by: John Lunsford | December 12, 2009

Candidacy for Majority Whip

Today I announce my intention to seek the office of Majority Whip. In my press release I stated that “It is with great humility that I enter the race for Majority Whip. While there are many talented people in our caucus who could do this job, I feel that my business background and legislative experience make me uniquely qualified.”

During my five terms serving the 110th district, I have utilized my twenty five years of experience in business management and marketing to provide expertise to several House committees: Appropriations, Health & Human Services, Rules and Science & Technology. Additional I have served as the Senior Hawk and as Vice Chairman of the Rules Committee.

I am an active participant in helping my fellow party members get re-elected and I’ve been involved in development of agenda strategies and financial support for over nine years, contributing to numerous campaigns during past electoral seasons. I have worked to help build our majority, and I know what it takes to maintain it. We must commit ourselves to core conservative principles – lower taxes, a smaller, more efficient government, and removal of the regulatory burdens that hinder business and job growth, and personal responsibility.  This is my vision to improve Georgia.

In addition to the legislative responsibilities I serve on the board of Directors of the Henry County Farm Bureau, Quality Growth Council, Connecting Henry Program , and the Clayton County Law Enforcement training Academy  as well as others.

If you have any questions please feel free to send me an email or contact me via my cell phone. I look forward to continued service to the people of the great state of Georgia.

Leave a Comment

Posted in News

Posted by: John Lunsford | April 13, 2009

Weekly Capitol Update: Sine Die Friday (Session Wrap Up)

The 2009 Legislative Session of the Georgia General Assembly officially adjourned Sine Die Friday, April 3rd.  We accomplished many important items on the agenda and passed key pieces of legislation during the 2009 session.  Over the course of 40 legislative days, we worked together and devised a budget that basically includes only the essential and necessary programs for the state.  Also during the 2009 session, with the cooperation and input from both chambers, we passed legislation that meets the needs of the people we represent. 

The main issue on our legislative agenda, like every session, is creating a balanced budget.  This year was difficult given the current economic situation we are faced with, not only as individuals but also as a state.  Families across Georgia are cutting back and we had to do the same with the budget.  In the late hours on Friday night, we passed HB 119 which includes an $18.6 billion budget for fiscal year 2010. It is still awaiting the signature from Governor Perdue.  Faced with statewide revenue shortages, we had to make some very difficult decisions about what to fund.  The General Assembly here in Georgia did not follow the lead of others states, states around the country which raised taxes to make up for the shortfall.  We are proud to tell you that we did not raise taxes on the citizens in Georgia.  Families are struggling to make ends meet and to place another burden on them would simply be unfair.  During hard economic times, we all suffer: as individuals, as families, and as a state.  We have all had to cut back and make sacrifices.  One thing can be said; when things are tough we share the responsibilities, come up with solutions to our problems, and pull together as a state. 

The Transforming Transportation Investment Act, SB 200, was passed by both chambers.  It will provide the Governor and the legislature with more influence on transportation projects in Georgia.  Appointed by the Governor and upon approval of the Transportation Committee, this bill will create a new DOT Director of Planning.  Also, the Governor and members of the General Assembly will have greater input on the transportation plans within the state.    

In an effort to curb metal theft and to strengthen the law in Georgia, both chambers passed SB 82.  As legislators, we have heard of many instances within our communities of various pieces of metal parts being stolen, from parts of an air conditioner to unused car parts.  This legislation will create additional requirements for those taking items to a metal recycler with the intention of reducing metal theft in the State. 

The Department of Human Resources (DHR) will be faced with an immense restructuring with the passage of HB 228, still awaiting the Governor’s signature.  Under this piece of legislation DHR will be reorganized and separated into three new departments:  the Department of Behavioral Health and Developmental Disabilities, the Department of Community Health, and the Department of Human Services. DHR is extremely large as one entity and our goal was to make it into smaller and workable departments.

One of our goals during this session was to help our businesses in Georgia by providing some form of economic relief. We passed HB 438 which would increase the tax credit for major economic development projects in the state.  To encourage business development in less-developed areas of the state, we passed HB 439 which revises the income tax credit to businesses.  The JOBS (Jobs, Opportunity, and Business Success) Act of 2009, HB 481 and HB 482, passed both chambers during this legislative session.  Our intentions with these pieces of legislation are to promote business in Georgia and to encourage employment.  The JOBS Act of 2009 includes many incentives for businesses, such as: phasing out the corporate income tax, reducing the capital gains tax, eliminating the state inventory tax, temporarily suspending filing fees for new businesses, and allowing a $2,400 tax credit for the hiring of the unemployed.  Hopefully these bills will help to stimulate our economy here in Georgia by providing some economic relief to our businesses and also have a positive impact on employment.

            Education is always a priority.  In an effort to provide parents with school choice for their children we passed HB 251.  This bill relates to elementary and secondary education and will allow the parent or guardian to transfer their children under certain conditions to another school within the district as long as the school has room to accommodate a transfer student.  Parents should have a choice of where their children attend school.  We also passed the Move on When Ready Act, HB 149, which will allow high school junior and seniors to receive high school credit for work completed in post-secondary institutions.  Due to the shortage of science and math teachers in Georgia, we passed HB 280 which provides teachers in those areas with the same compensation that fifth-year teachers receive.  As legislators we realize the importance and significance of education and will continue to provide the support for our schools, teachers, and children within our districts and all across the state.  Every legislator is accountable to the people he or she represents and I welcome your comments and input. Your opinions and concerns are important to me and I consider it an honor to serve you at the state capitol and in our district. If you would like to reach me, please call me at (404) 656-7573 or write me at: State Rep. John Lunsford, 401, State Capitol, Atlanta, GA  30334 or e-mail me at john.lunsford@house.ga.gov.

Leave a Comment

Posted in General, Legislative Sessions, News

Posted by: John Lunsford | April 5, 2009

Weekly Capitol Update: Final Legislative Day of 2009

Wrapping up the final legislative day 40 on Friday, we had a full week with many items on the agenda to accomplish.  Due to the Georgia Constitution, the legislative session must end on Day 40.  In addition, we had many Conference Committee reports that had to be agreed to or amended.  This is the process where legislative conferees are appointed and the House and Senate versions of the legislation are worked out.

Working into the late hours of the day on Friday, the main issue of concern was the 2010 budget.  As of Friday afternoon, the House and Senate were still trying to insure that the items in this austere budget were truly needed.  As legislators, we are constitutionally required to pass the budget and so there were some tense negotiations on Friday.

In an effort toward promoting Georgia to become the number one destination for entrepreneurs, we passed HR 165 on Monday by a vote of 152 to 1.  This Resolution would request that the colleges and universities under the University System of Georgia expand their education efforts toward the promotion and support of science, innovation, technology, and energy.  The end result would be the advancement and promotion of entrepreneurs in Georgia.  We want to encourage entrepreneurship within our districts and across the state.  Increasing the number of new businesses in Georgia will not only help our economy, but it will also encourage growth and innovation.  Small businesses will be the economic growth engine that helps us grow out of the economic downturn we are in.

Relating to the Made in Georgia Program, SB 117 passed the House on Wednesday and was nearly unanimous by a vote of 165 to 1.  This piece of legislation requires the Department of Economic Development to create and maintain a website for the citizens in Georgia to be able to be informed of Georgia manufactures and their products across the state.  If at least half of the products are manufactured within Georgia, the companies will be included on the website.  This website will be both educational for the people in Georgia and will also provide a convenient place to find this information.  

On Wednesday, we passed SB 128 by a vote of 167 to 3.  This would allow the owner of motor vehicles to have the option to apply for and obtain a permanent license plate for their boat, utility, and/or noncommercial livestock trailers when registering their motor vehicle.  Currently the law in Georgia does not give the owner the option of a permanent registration for these types of motor vehicles.  

Diabetes is one of the fastest growing diseases which affects a large portion of our population.  SB 163 passed the House on Wednesday by 171 to 1 and this bill would authorize the Commissioner of Human Resources to appoint a diabetes coordinator who will be responsible for the storing diabetes treatment and prevention data in an effort to properly coordinate the prevention and treatment.  This will be beneficial in that it will maximize the diabetes program and will in turn lead to the reduction of health consequences and complications from diabetes.

Many additional items passed and failed on Friday night as both chambers worked until midnight, next week I will wrap-up what actually passed both chambers.  Your opinions and concerns are important to me and I consider it an honor to serve you at the state capitol and in our district. If you would like to reach me, please call me at (404) 656-7573 or write me at: State Rep. John Lunsford, 401, State Capitol, Atlanta, GA  30334 or e-mail me at john.lunsford@house.ga.gov

Leave a Comment

Posted in General, Legislative Sessions, News

Posted by: John Lunsford | March 28, 2009

Weekly Capitol Update: Last Five Days Of Session

As the 37th legislative day comes to an ended on Thursday, we are now officially one week away from the end of the 40 day session.  With just a few legislative days remaining, the final session day (no more than forty days) is set for next Friday, April 3.  In addition to voting on numerous pieces of legislation on the House floor, this week has also been full of committee meetings as we are trying to get bills out of committee and onto the floor for a vote. 

The House passed out the FY 2010 Budget (HB 119) last week.  We are still waiting to finish up the official finalized budget for next year.  The concurrence of both chambers is needed and the Senate is still working on their version of the budget.  Once the House receives the Senate version, leaders from both chambers will meet to come up with a final reconciled version of the budget.  As stated in previous weeks, the budget is one of the most important tasks we have as legislators.  Due to the economy, the budget for this year and next has been incredibly difficult and depending upon the revenue figures for March, the budget may once again have to be reviewed and adjusted.

In response to Federal regulations by the Federal Accounting Standards Board, we passed a bill which would split the Georgia Retiree Health Benefit fund into two funds, the Georgia School Personnel Postemployment and Georgia State Employee’s Postemployment Health Benefit Funds.  The House passed SB 122 on Monday by 161 to l.  The newly-created funds will be created on August 31, 2009 and will provide post-employment health insurance benefits for their beneficiaries.  Under this bill, the state employee and school employee retirement funds will be protected by ensuring that the amount the employer places into the fund goes into the correct fund, by separating the school funds from the state funds. 

As legislators, we realize that the housing industry plays such a key role in our economy and it is currently in a slump.  In an effort to encourage home buying in the state of Georgia, the House introduced and passed HB 261, and on Thursday, the bill passed the Senate. This bill will allow a one-time tax credit to buyers of single-family homes.  HB 261 was slightly changed by the Senate, as they added two Amendments to the bill to include the addition of condominiums and other documentation.  The amount of the tax break would be the lesser of 1.2 percent of the purchase price or $3,600.  The housing industry is an essential part of our economy and we need to take the steps to promote it.  By providing a tax credit to homebuyers, especially during economic times like we are in now, it creates an incentive which could hopefully increase real estate sales in Georgia. 

The “Super Speeder Bill,” HB 160, has passed both chambers and if the Senate changes are approved by the House, the bill will be sent to the Governor.  This bill would increase the fees on those that are excessively speeding.  The fine will be $200 for those that are driving over 75 mph on a two-lane road and 85 on a four-lane.  The revenue, approximately $23 million, will be used to help fund trauma care.  Although this bill helps, we still need a permanent and reliable solution to fully fund trauma care.  Funding Statewide Trauma Care in Georgia is essential and we need to come up with a solution.  This bill is a start in the right direction; however, it will only provide approximately one fourth of the funding needed to fund trauma care. 

On Wednesday, the House unanimously passed SB 13.  This bill will ensure that those accused of crimes may be sentenced to life without parole, even if the prosecutors choose not to seek the death penalty.  This legislation will not apply to offenses committed on or before June 30, 2009.

In an effort to promote Georgia based companies and products, the House passed SB 44 by a vote of 157-5 on Wednesday.  We are trying to come up with solutions to stimulate our economy, especially here in Georgia.  With the passage of this bill it would require purchasing decisions by the state, departments, agencies, commissions, local governments, and public schools to give preference to certain Georgia produced goods in the bidding contracts and/or with their purchasing decisions.  This bill would apply to large scale contracts and purchases to an amount that exceeds $100,000.  Our intentions with this piece of legislation are to promote the purchase of Georgia products, supplies, and food.

Your opinions and concerns are important to me and I consider it an honor to serve you at the state capitol and in our district. If you would like to reach me, please call me at (404) 656-7573 or write me at: State Rep. John Lunsford, 401, State Capitol, Atlanta, GA  30334 or e-mail me at john.lunsford@house.ga.gov

Leave a Comment

Posted in Budget, General, Legislative Sessions, News

Posted by: John Lunsford | March 15, 2009

Weekly Capitol Update: Cross-Over Day Completed

This legislative week ended with Cross-Over Day on Thursday, legislative day number 30, which is one of the longest days of session.  It is the responsibility of the legislature to enact new laws and legislative day 30 plays a key role in the law making process.  This day is significant in that it is the last day that legislation must pass one chamber in order to be heard by the other.  The House voted on more than 70 measures on day 30 which was Thursday into the night. The Georgia General Assembly meets for up to 40 session days, so only ten legislative days remain.

Every year on our birthdays, the one thing we dread is the so called birthday tax on our vehicles.  As legislators, we realize that all of us do not look forward to having to pay the ad valorem tax on our vehicles yearly.  For the second year in a row, we are trying to tackle the issue of the ad valorem tax paid on vehicles.  HB 480 passed out of the House on Cross-Over Day by a vote of 133 to 39.  This Bill would replace the sales tax and annual ad valorem tax on our motor vehicles with a one-time title fee.  Another benefit of this bill is that the excess funds could be dedicated to help partially fund trauma care in the state of Georgia; but, will still be subjected to the appropriations process.  If passed by the Senate, this would take affect on or after January 1, 2010. The total of the one time state and local title fees on the vehicle would be the lesser amount of $2,000 or 7% of the value of the vehicle.  This bill is essential as it means that instead of paying the yearly ad valorem tax, a one time state and local title fee would be paid when the vehicle is titled.

Several tax bills were on the minds of the General Assembly this week.  Two GOP proposals, HB 481 and HB 482 passed out of the House on Thursday.  The Jobs, Opportunity, and Business Success Act of 2009 (HB 481), passed by a vote of 164 to 4.  Both of these bills make changes to the tax code while both promoting and encouraging businesses and employment in Georgia.  HB 481 would provide a $2,400 credit to businesses that keep people employed for at least two years, gives a $500 credit per employee to employers for hiring people that are unemployed and receive unemployment benefits, and also gives refunds for sales tax deposits.  HB 482 passed unanimously.  This bill would provide an exemption on all business inventories from the state’s 0.25 mill ad valorem tax.  This is subject to the approval of voters on the 2010 ballot.  Also included in this bill is a business sales tax day which would waive the $100 state filing fee for businesses in Georgia.  In Georgia, job create and increasing business is essential during economic times like we are in and these tax break proposals help to accomplish both of those needs.  Unfortunately one measure that would have helped, failed that was HR 22 a constitutional amendment protected the right to secret ballots for union elections. The democrat party took an official position against this bill. The outcome could be disastrous for business across this nation.

One bill that many of us are watching is SB 169. The Ethical Treatment of Human Embryos Act passed out of the Senate on Cross-Over Day after much debate. 

This bill declares an embryo to be a living person and the current version which passed out of the Senate by a vote of 34 to 22 would limit at least one form of embryonic stem cell research.  Although initially intended to restrict multiple births through invitro fertilization, the bill was given an in-dept look once debate opened up on the Senate floor.  The current version of the bill would restrict researchers from mixing human and animal genes.  Also, it mandates that embryos be created for the purpose of making babies.  This bill will now come to the House for consideration. 

The Insurance Delivery Enactment Act of 2009, HB 321, passed the House with bipartisan support on Thursday with 171 members voting for the bill.  This bill amends the Georgia Code by changing the definitions of group accident, sickness insurance, and true association.  Also, the bill reduces the number of people required for an association from 25 to 10 people.  This bill now requires that spouses be included under a policy issued to a legal entity providing a multiple employer welfare arrangement.  Other changes relate to the amount of insurance under the policy and makes changes in the required number of years in existence from 5 to 3 years.  We want to help our small businesses in Georgia to be able to continue to grow and offer group health insurance to their employees at reduced costs. Your opinions and concerns are important to me and I consider it an honor to serve you at the state capitol and in our district. If you would like to reach me, please call me at (404) 656-7573 or write me at: State Rep. John Lunsford, 401, State Capitol, Atlanta, GA  30334 or e-mail me at john.lunsford@house.ga.gov

Leave a Comment

Posted in Budget, General, Legislative Sessions, News

Posted by: John Lunsford | March 10, 2009

Weekly Capitol Update: Cross-Over Day Coming Up

As the 27th day of the legislative session ends, the legislature is in full swing. As we become closer to legislative Day 30, Cross-over day, bills are moving fast as we are trying to get bills out of committee and onto the House floor for a vote so it can be sent to the Senate for consideration.
This week, one of the large accomplishments was an effort to fund transportation.  Accompanying House Bill 277 is House Resolution 206 and both passed out of the House this week.  HB 277, the Georgia 2020 Transportation Act, passed out of the House on March 3rd by a vote of 149-18 and HR 206, to establish a Transportation Trust Fund, passed by 151 to 15.  This bill and resolution would create a transportation trust fund, establish an oversight committee, and allow an authority to administer and disperse the fund. Voters will have the opportunity to approve a Constitutional Amendment on the ballot in the general election in 2010 which would allow a 1% sales tax for state wide transportation projects and improvements. The major transportation initiatives are detailed in the legislation and it includes specific transportation projects across the state.  Also, the fourth penny of sales tax currently collected on motor fuel would be redirected from the general fund to transportation.  It would raise approximately $25 Billion during the next decade.  Transportation is a priority and we are trying to come up with a solution.
The House and Senate have differing legislative solutions to try and solve our transportation needs. The main difference is the Senate version would make the sales tax regional. The different versions for funding transportation will hopefully be worked out in Conference Committee.
As I have described in the previous weeks, our economy in the state and across the nation is struggling. We are faced with decreasing state revenues and we, as legislators, are facing more budget cuts than we ever have in previous years.  Federal stimulus funds will help to offset some of the cuts; however, with state revenues now estimated at $1.6 billion less for the fiscal year that begins July 1st, even more cuts are going to have to be implemented. 
As I have stated already, we have never experienced cuts to this extent in the state of Georgia and difficult decisions have to be made, none of which are easy. From the Federal Stimulus Package, we are going to accept approximately $1.1 billion which will help to soften the cuts, but many more cuts will have to be made. From the stimulus funds, $467 million will be used for the revised 2009 budget, to help fill some of the gaps. The rest of the Federal Stimulus money will be used to help cover some of the shortages in the 2010 budget.
Some have argued that we should accept all federal money that we are offered; however, as legislators in Georgia, we somewhat disagree.  For some of the Federal Stimulus funds we could accept, there are strings attached. As your elected officials, we are trying to figure out what the strings are and what federal money we are willing to accept. We have to do what is most beneficial to the people we represent and to the state of Georgia. Your opinions and concerns are important to me and I consider it an honor to serve you at the state capitol and in our district. If you would like to reach me, please call me at (404) 656-7573 or write me at: State Rep. John Lunsford, 401, State Capitol, Atlanta, GA  30334 or e-mail me at john.lunsford@house.ga.gov.

Leave a Comment

Posted in General, Legislative Sessions, News

Posted by: John Lunsford | February 28, 2009

Weekly Capitol Update: You State’s Business

As the sixth week (24th legislative day) of Georgia’s legislative session wraps up, many necessary items on the agenda were accomplished.  The Georgia House passed out the mid-year budget this week, which was a sigh of relief for some.  Overall, the bills that were passed covered a wide variety of issues. 

The budget is always the number one item on the agenda for the legislative session.  The supplemental appropriations bill for fiscal year beginning July 1, 2008 and ending June 30th, 2009 was passed out of the House on Thursday by 168 to 5.  The $18.9 billion midyear budget includes funding for the operation of State government, its departments, boards, bureaus, commissions, institutions, and other agencies.  With the aid of federal money (around $145 million), we were able to avoid some of the difficult cuts; however, we still had to cut back.  Given the challenges and constraints of these economic times, the budget we passed was very reasonable.  We tried to keep from hurting those that are most vulnerable in our society.  As I’ve mentioned in previous reports, the economic situation we are in makes detailing the budget for the state of Georgia a very difficult task.  We had to make approximately $2.6 billion in cuts and it was not an easy choice.  We realize that we are in hard times right now and we tried to restore funding that was necessary for the people.  For instance, we funded the Homeowner’s Tax Relief Grants and other various programs, such as the Meals on Wheels, which many of our seniors rely on. 

Education is a priority and in the budget we tried to restore some of the funding for education.  We realize how essential our local school systems are and how budget cuts can have drastic effects on our communities.  Now we will have to focus our attention to the next fiscal year which begins July 1st. 

SB 31, the Nuclear Energy Financing Act passed the House on Thursday by a vote of 107 to 66.  This Bill will allow Georgia Power to charge customers early to expand nuclear power reactors, a savings of approximately $300 million.  The average increase will be around $1.30 on each customer’s power bill.  By allowing Georgia Power to pre-bill, it will save customers money.  It will allow Georgia Power to raise customer rates in increments over seven years, instead of raising rates at the time of construction, which would have been around 12.4%. This bill will provide Georgia’s citizens with low cost and clean energy and in return will reduce the state’s reliance on coal and natural gas.  We are fortunate to have companies that are willing to invest in Georgia.  Since this bill has been passed by the House and Senate, it will now go to Governor Perdue. 

In 2008 we passed HB 1133 which provided an income tax credit to donations made to Student Scholarship Organizations (SSO).  These organizations provide scholarships for those attending public schools to attend private schools.  HB 100 passed out of the House on Tuesday and it modifies the legislation previously passed.  We authorized the Student Scholarship Organizations to allow private school students to also be able to receive scholarships and tuition grants. HB 100 requires the Student Scholarship Organization (SSO) to obligate 90% of its annual revenue for scholarships and tuition grants.  This ensures that multi-year scholarships will be funded.  The SSO will have to verify this obligation.  To simplify the tax credit, we also changed the taxpayer’s contribution limit to the amount expended or 75% of the taxpayer’s income tax liability, whichever is less.  Also included in this bill were requirements regarding privacy protection for donors and the organization.  As legislators, we want to ensure that we clarify and perfect any previous legislation so we have the best, most comprehensive legislation that affects the people we represent. I will keep you informed as the legislative session proceeds. Every legislator is accountable to the people he or she represents and I welcome your comments and input. Your opinions and concerns are important to me and I consider it an honor to serve you at the state capitol and in our district. If you would like to reach me, please call me at (404) 656-7573 or write me at: State Rep. John Lunsford, 401, State Capitol, Atlanta, GA  30334 or e-mail me at john.lunsford@house.ga.gov.

Leave a Comment

Posted in Budget, General, Legislative Sessions

Older Posts »

Categories