Notes From The Senate

Georgia State Senator Jack Hill of the Fourth District took these notes last week at the Capitol in Atlanta.


BY STATE SENATOR JACK HILL
4th District
January 22, 2010

Budget Briefings
Governor Sonny Perdue released his amended FY10 and FY11 budget recommendations to the General Assembly on Friday, January 15, 2010. During Senate and House Appropriations Committee hearings last week, lawmakers heard presentations from state agencies regarding their individual budgetary concerns and the impact that can be expected in FY10 and FY11.

In July, Governor Perdue announced a $900M reduction in the revenue estimate for the FY 2010 Budget due to the sharp drop in revenues the last 6 months of FY09. The 2010 Amended budget presented by Governor Perdue raises that reduction to $1.44B.

2010 AMENDED BUDGET PROPOSALS
The FY10 Amended revenue estimate is 7.3% below FY09 actual revenues and 8.5% below the original FY10 General budget revenue estimate of $16.99B. The FY10 Amended revenue estimate represents a 23% decline from the original FY09 General budget ($20.1B) proposed by Governor Perdue just 2 short years ago. Governor Perdue is now projecting a $1.44B shortfall for FY10.

To combat this shortfall, Governor Perdue has proposed an additional 3 furlough days for state employees and teachers, bringing the total to 6 for this fiscal year. This measure alone would save the state nearly $245M. For additional funds, the Governor has chosen to liquidate $140M from the Other Post Employment Benefit reserve fund designated for the health benefits of future retirees. The budget also proposes to shift the State Health Benefit Plan to a cash basis using $67M in funds set aside for bills that are funded from “Incurred but Not Reported” (IBNR).

Education
Governor Perdue has allocated an additional $92.8M to the QBE formula to fund K-12 enrollment growth of 0.67%. Although this is an increase, the Governor’s recommended budget reduced the QBE formula by $188M for the 6 furlough days. This paired with a $281M across the board reduction brings the total QBE base funding to a -5.6% reduction, although partially offset by federal stimulus funds to local systems.

The Governor has called for a $9.7M reduction in Georgia’s school nutrition program and a $4M reduction to its Special Needs Scholarship Fund. Pupil transportation would also be cut by $24.7M and the Equalization formula would decrease by 4% or $17.5M.

To meet increased growth in enrollments, the FY10 HOPE program includes an increase of $146,963 for the HOPE GED, $49.3M for the HOPE Grant, $2.1M for private school HOPE Scholarships, and $26.9M for public school HOPE Scholarships.

Higher Education
The Amended budget recommends a net cut of 7.76% to the Regents funding formula, a net cut of 7.48% to the Technical Colleges funding formula, and the elimination of the Guaranteed Educational Loans Program. $33.7M in Lottery funds would supplant State General Funds to finance the HERO Scholarship, Leveraging Educational Assistance Partnership Program (LEAP), North GA Military Scholarship Grants, North GA ROTC Grants, and Tuition Equalization Grants.

Medicaid, Peachcare, and Public Health
Governor Perdue has designated $20.3M in additional funds to the Department of Behavioral Health for state hospital improvements and $8.6M in state matching funds for private hospitals to assist in indigent and uncompensated care.

The Governor has also called for an 11% reduction in Low Income Medicaid, a 3% reduction to the Medicaid Aged Blind and Disabled fund, and a 9% reduction to Georgia’s Public Health Grant in Aid, generating the state nearly $90M in savings.

Corrections
The FY10 Amended budget recommends the closure of Scott State Prison (closed August 2009), Bostick State Prison (May 2010), and the Bill Ireland Juvenile Facility (January 2010) for a total savings of nearly $20M.

Next week’s column will include a summary of Governor Perdue’s FY2011 General budget proposals.

JOBS PROGRAM FOR EMPLOYERS
The Department of Human Services (DHS) has received nearly $200M in federal stimulus funds to be put towards a temporary, subsidized employment program for 5,000 adults. All families with dependent children and incomes of less than 300% of the federal poverty level (approximately $60,000 for a family of four) are eligible to participate.

Employers who choose to participate in this program will receive an 80% subsidy for employing adult workers for up to six months at minimum wage or above. The subsidy expires September 30, 2010.

For more information regarding eligibility requirements please send all inquiries to:
Employers: TANF-Employers@dhr.state.ga.us
Job Seekers: TANF-Jobseekers@dhr.state.ga.us


I may be reached at
234 State Capitol, Atlanta, GA 30334
(404) 656-5038 (phone)
(404) 657-7094 (fax)
E-mail at Jack.Hill@senate.ga.gov
Or Call Toll-Free at
1-800-367-3334 Day or Night
Reidsville office: (912) 557-3811



Angela Touhy
Senate Appropriations
234 State Capitol
Atlanta, Georgia 30334
404-656-5038