Governor Deal signs FY 2014 Budget
Governor Nathan Deal signed a $19.9 billion state budget on May 7 that will increase spending by 4.6 percent over this year, primarily to cover higher education and health-care costs. Of the $522 million increase in spending over fiscal 2013, $246.7 million will go toward Georgia’s Medicaid and PeachCare for Kids programs. Another $147 million will cover enrollment growth in the state’s public elementary and secondary schools. In order to meet reduced revenue estimates and growth needs in K-12 and Medicaid, state agencies again took 3 percent budget cuts, with the exception of select public safety and human services agencies.
The budget included $58.8 million in 20-year general obligation bonds for construction of the new Law/Humanities Building at Georgia State University to be built on the Park Place site, near the Georgia Pacific Building. Also included is $63 million for new USG formula funds, which are critical in meeting enrollment demands along with $49.2 million in bonds for major repairs and renovations.
The FY 2014 budget also includes $13 million to increase the pre-k instructional calendar to 180 days, providing $312 million in lottery funds for 84,000 slots for 4-year-olds and increases the award amount for HOPE scholarships and HOPE grants by 3 percent over FY 2013.
Governor Deal did not veto a single line item in the budget adopted by the General Assembly in late March. The FY 2014 spending plan takes effect July 1 and runs through June 30, 2014.
April Revenues Increase
Georgia’s net tax collections for the month of April 2013 totaled $1.73 billion for an increase of $201 million, or 13.2%, compared to April 2012. Year-to-date, net revenue collections totaled $14.1 billion for an increase of $808 million, or 6.1%, compared to the same point last year.
Sandra Deal visits GSU campus
In honor of Child Abuse Prevention Month, First Lady Sandra Deal and the Georgia Children’s Cabinet dedicated a “Pinwheels for Prevention Garden” at GSU’s Child Development Center.
On April 16, First Lady Deal encouraged Georgians to take action in support of child abuse prevention and healthy child development by planting a pinwheel garden at GSU’s Child Development Center. The Georgia chapter of Prevent Child Abuse America is housed within the Center for Healthy Development at GSU’s Institute of Public Health.
On March 25, Governor Nathan Deal presented a proclamation to First Lady Sandra Deal declaring April as “Child Abuse Prevention Awareness” month in Georgia. The pinwheel garden planting and dedication marks the state-level implementation of the national Pinwheels for Prevention campaign, introducing the pinwheel as the new symbol for child abuse prevention. Since April 2008, more than three million pinwheels have been distributed nationwide.
General Assembly Members begin Congressional Campaigns
With the announcement by U.S. Senator Saxby Chambliss that he will not seek another term as one of Georgia’s two U.S. Senators has put in motion several open Congressional Districts for the 2014 election. House Majority Caucus Chair Donna Sheldon (R-Dacula) has announced she will be entering the race to replace Paul Broun in the U.S. Congress representing Georgia’s 10thCongressional District. Senate Higher Education Chairman Bill Cowsert (R-Athens) had indicated an interest in joining the race but decided it is not the right time to make such a dramatic change and will be running for re-election to the State Senate for District 46 in 2014.
House Majority Whip Edward Lindsey (R-Atlanta) and Sen. Barry Loudermilk(R-Cassville) have announced they will be entering the race to replace Phil Gingrey in Georgia’s 11th Congressional District.
In coastal Georgia’s 1st Congressional District, Sen. Buddy Carter (R-Pooler) has announced he plans to enter the race to replace Jack Kingston. Rep. Ben Watson (R-Savannah) plans to run for Sen. Carter’s State Senate District 1 seat.
Incumbent congressmen Paul Broun,Phil Gingrey and Jack Kingston as well as former Secretary of State Karen Handel have all entered the race to replace U.S. Senator Saxby Chambliss.
Governor Deal Issues Five Veto Statements
VETO No. 1
HB 635 changes the term of office and membership of the Dodge County-Eastman Development Authority by terminating the two members appointed by the Heart of Georgia Regional Airport Authority and allowing the Dodge County Board of Commissioners to appoint one member and the bill sponsor to appoint one member.
VETO No. 2
HB 636 abolishes the Heart of Georgia Regional Airport Authority and transfers the Authority’s powers, duties, assets, liabilities and debts to the Dodge County-Eastman Development Authority.
VETO No. 3
HB 193 attempts to bring back input exemptions that had previously been sunset. The 2010 Special Council on Tax Reform and Fairness for Georgians recommended “that all nongovernment and nonbusiness input exemptions sunset so that the Legislature may determine if economic or non-economic justifications exist for renewing these exemptions.”
VETO No. 4
HB 240 attempts to address concerns voiced by speech language pathologists that clinical fellows are not reimbursed by Georgia Medicaid. However, Georgia Medicaid only enrolls fully licensed providers for reimbursement. On close review, this legislation would expand the number of eligible providers that could bill for Medicaid reimbursement and open the door for additional providers, who are not yet fully licensed, to pursue similar legislation.
VETO No. 5
SB 11 would re-establish the Georgia Geospatial Advisory Council and give that council various powers and duties to evaluate and develop data on the geospatial capabilities and needs of the State. Despite any underlying merits of the bill, this legislation would create a new state entity and add additional duties to various state agency officials without funding in the 2014 budget.
Signed Legislation of Interest
HB 45, sponsored by Rep. Earl Ehrhart(R- Powder Springs), allows the USG to write off small amounts due to the State and carry forward certain fees and revenue through July 1, 2016. This mechanism allows the USG to better manage their operational budget to meet critical needs on campus. Signed May 6, 2013. Effective upon its approval by the Governor.
HB 131, sponsored by Rep. Valerie Clark (R-Lawrenceville), provides that dual credit courses, in core subject areas, shall be treated in the same manner as advanced placement and international baccalaureate courses for purposes of determining eligibility for the HOPE scholarship. Signed April 19, 2013. Effective July 1, 2013.
HB 142, sponsored by Speaker David Ralston (R-Blue Ridge), would cap lobbyist gifts at $75 per expenditure and eliminate lobbying registration requirements for volunteer advocates. Exceptions to the $75 cap include committee dinners, dinner for caucuses and lobbyist funded travel, with limitations. Anyone who is compensated by the entity for which they lobby or anyone who is reimbursed by an organization for more than $250 of lobbying expenses in a year must register as a lobbyist. Signed May 6, 2013. Effective January 1, 2014.
HB 143, sponsored by Speaker David Ralston (R-Blue Ridge), will require greater transparency in campaign finance by requiring disclosure of all contributions of more than $100 received between January 1st of each year and the convening of the General Assembly’s regular session. Signed April 24, 2013. Effective January 1, 2014.
HB 232, sponsored by Rep. Paul Battles (R-Cartersville), to give the Board of Regents of the University System of Georgia the authority to set the ORP employee contribution rates. The Board of Regents of the University System of Georgia will determine the employee and employer contribution rates annually. Additionally, the Board of Regents of the University of Georgia will perform a review of the rates every three years. Signed May 6, 2013. Effective July 1, 2013.
HB 284, sponsored by Rep. Jimmy Pruett (R-Eastman) creates protocols for informing parents about the dangers of concussions and for identifying and treating players with head injuries. Any student in a public or private k-12 school who shows signs of a concussion would be removed from practice and games and would not be able to return until a doctor says it is safe. Signed April 23, 2013. Effective January 1, 2014.
HB 287, sponsored by Rep. Matt Hatchett (R-Dublin), transfers the Division of Archives and History from the Office of the Secretary of State to the Board of Regents of the University System of Georgia. Signed May 6, 2013. Effective July 1, 2013.
HB 315, sponsored by Rep. Sharon Cooper (R-Marietta) requires continuing competency requirements in order for nurses to renew their licenses and requires nurses and hospitals to report to the state Board of Nursing suspected violations of licensing regulations by other nurses. Signed May 6, 2013. Effective July 1, 2013.
HB 318, sponsored by Rep. Ron Stephens (R-Savannah), identifies new sources of venture capital funding for high-tech and start-up companies by extending the current angel investor tax credit and creating a new public-private mechanism for funding called Invest Georgia. Signed April 29, 2013. Effective upon its approval by the Governor.
HB 324, sponsored by Rep. Matt Dollar(R-Marietta), would remove the new requirement that HOPE scholars have to fill out the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) form. Signed April 24, 2013. Effective July 1, 2013.
HB 332, reconstitutes the Georgia Board of Nursing. Currently, there are eight members on this board, this legislation increases membership to 13 members to be appointed by the Governor and confirmed by the State Senate. Signed May 6, 2013. For purposes of making initial appointments to the reconstituted Georgia Board of Nursing, this Act shall become effective upon its approval by the Governor. For all other purposes, this Act shall become effective on July 1, 2014.
HB 349, sponsored by Rep. Rich Golick(R-Smyrna) provides that incarcerated individuals who qualify for HOPE GED vouchers may use such vouchers within 12 months of release. Signed April 25, 2013. Effective on July 1, 2013, and shall apply to offenses which occur on or after that date. Any offense occurring before July 1, 2013, shall be governed by the statute in effect at the time of such offense.
HB 372, sponsored by Rep. Christian Coomer (R-Cartersville), lowers the minimum cumulative grade point average required for maintaining eligibility for a HOPE grant from 3.0 to 2.0 for technical colleges. Signed April 24, 2013. Effective July 1, 2013.
HB 487, sponsored by Rep. Matt Ramsey (R-Peachtree City), would put the control and enforcement of video poker machines to the Georgia Lottery Corporation. A share of the profits from those machines would then go into the HOPE Scholarship program. Signed April 10, 2013. Effective upon its approval by the Governor.
HB 517, sponsored by Rep. Chuck Williams (R-Athens), would allow local governments to ease restrictions on beer and wine sales within 100 yards of a college. Signed May 7, 2013. Effective July 1, 2013.
SB 24, sponsored by Sen. Charlie Bethel (R-Dalton), would shift the responsibility of levying the provider fee from legislators to the Department of Community Health. The Governor currently appoints the nine-member DCH Board. The fee, which is a percentage of a hospital’s net revenue, allows the state to draw matching federal dollars which are then distributed out to hospitals based on the amount of Medicaid care they provide. The bill will preserve more than $400 million a year in federal funding for Medicaid. Signed February 13, 2013. Effective July 1, 2013.
SB 62, sponsored by Sen. Judson Hill(R-Marietta) establishes the Federal and State Funded Healthcare Financing Programs Overview Committee. Signed May 7, 2013. Effective upon its approval by the Governor.
SB 136,) sponsored by Sen. Butch Miller (R-Gainesville) would lower the legal Blood Alcohol Concentration (BAC) limit from 0.10 to 0.08 for Boating Under the Influence (BUI). Signed April 23, 2013. Effective May 15, 2013.
Helpful Links
Information on legislative activities including all bills and resolutions as well as webcast of daily sessions in both Chambers and committee meetings are available via the General Assembly website at www.legis.state.ga.us.
Government Affairs Team
Tom Lewis, Senior Advisor to the President
Julie Kerlin, Director of Government & Community Affairs
Jason Thomas, Assistant Director of Government & Community Affairs
Debbie Jones, Associate to the Director
Georgia State University
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