John Lunsford

The 2009 Legislative Session of the Georgia General Assembly officially adjourned Sine Die Friday, April 3^rd.  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.

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

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.

As your elected State Representative, it’s my duty to be honest and truthful to the people I represent.  Today, I want to explain and clarify the current economic situation in Georgia.  Like the majority of states across our nation, Georgia is experiencing an economic crisis and I want to forewarn the people in my district that there is no easy solution and we may have to take drastic steps in order to balance the budget including  the difficult task of deciding what cuts will be made. 

A balanced budget means that the amount of money spent during the fiscal year cannot exceed the amount of money collected.  This makes the budget process very complex, but ensures that the state of Georgia does not operate with a deficit.  Budget cuts of 10 % or more have already been enforced and additional cuts are expected.  The state revenue for January of this year dropped over 14%, a decline of around $260 million compared to January of last year.  But it’s evident that further budget cuts will have to be made.  The state of Georgia is now looking at close to $3 billion in cuts which will undoubtedly affect everyone in our state. 

This week, several important pieces of legislation were voted on in the House.  HR1 failed to obtain a constitutional majority by a vote of 105-67.  This Resolution would have allowed the citizens to vote on limiting the Property Tax Reassessment Caps on residential and commercial property.  The vote failed mainly because of the Democrats who voted against it, but it will be up for reconsideration. Most legislators realize that it’s important to have greater accountability of taxing authorities and transparency for the citizens in Georgia, so when this legislation comes up again, it’s my hope it will pass. 

Another bill relating to property tax reform, HB 233, passed the House on Friday by a vote of 110-63.  This Bill creates a two-year moratorium on property reassessment increases and requires that each parcel of property be reassessed at least once during that time. The property reassessment can be decreased during this time, but not increased.  Legislators are working together on this in an effort to keep property taxes down and make sure that reassessments are fair.  

As the economy worsens, unfortunately crime in Georgia is increasing.  HB 140 relates to the Georgia Bureau of Investigation and would create a state-wide blue alert system to increase the apprehension of violent criminals who kill or seriously injure local, state, or federal law enforcement officers.  This bill is in the House Rules Committee and if passed would ensure the protection of our officers in Georgia and would help make certain that violent criminals are apprehended.  

This past week in the House was one of serious scrutiny as we carefully consider the best avenues for balancing our budget. Just as every family in Georgia is facing tough decisions about paying bills with less income, as legislators we must be responsible and methodical in our approach to making decisions regarding our state. My responsibility to you is my concern and 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.

The 2009 General Assembly session has slowed down due to the current economic crisis and the looming $2 billion revenue to the state.  This critical shortage has forced the entire membership to first stop and understand that there isn’t any money for special projects, and worse yet, most current programs will face reductions in funding or outright elimination.  There is a very good reason why there hasn’t been much legislation looked at, because we are all looking at the budget, and determining how it affects us.

The schedule for the General Assembly has been modified by the leadership of the House and Senate.  This was done to slow the pace down of the constitutionally-mandated, no more than forty day session of which as of this past Friday, came to 15 days.  We are waiting to see what the federal stimulus package does for education and Medicaid funding which consumes a majority of the roughly $19 billion annual budget total.  The General Assembly will meet on Tuesday through Thursday of each week until the end of March, hoping to finish in 35 days.  It also will leave five days for a brief session should the economic crisis worsen and adjustment needed for the Fiscal Year 2010 budget.

The House has passed several meaningful pieces of legislation including House Bill 141, a bill that further updates our state banking code.  This includes amending the definition of “net assets” and “financial institutions”, reestablishes what a credit union is and is not, as well as other house-keeping rules.  This bill passed easily, 162-5.  We also modified the threshold requirements to purchase corporate owned life insurance from 10 employees to 2 employees.  H.B. 80 passed unanimously.

In an effort to help those who work in the state’s largest business, agriculture, we have ratified the Governor’s executive order which provides a state sales tax exemption for the sale of dyed fuel oils which are used exclusively for agriculture, timber growing, harvesting, and mining or construction purposes.  This bill, H.B. 121 passed unanimously also.  We also passed H.B. 69, a bill that would allow for the change in criteria for determining “candidate for non-resuscitation” from needing two physicians to only one.  The bill also clarified that 2 physicians were required to concur on an order not to resuscitate.  This bill easily passed 153-4.  We unanimously passed H.B. 128, a bill that would exempt from occupation taxes, administration fees, and regulatory fees, those self-employed individuals that are also disabled veterans or blind.

One bill that has received and will receive continued attention is Governor Sonny Perdue’s plan to create a “hospital tax.”  The bill, H.B. 307, was introduced this week as a way to overcome the $423 million shortfall in the state’s Department of Community Health’s budget.  The bill would require hospitals to pay the state a 1.6 percent “provider-fee” out of their net patient revenues.  The taxes collected will allow the DCH to leverage those funds for additional Medicaid funding from the federal government.  At this point in time, the legislation faces an uphill battle as many in the legislature don’t understand Hospital finance and worse yet don’t have time to learn it.

I will keep you informed through weekly updates. 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