ATLANTA, GEORGIA – Hart , Franklin and Madison County State Representative Alan Powell says continued weakness in the state’s finances led to a conservative approach to the 2013 budget. By Rep. Alan Powell Last week, your House of Representatives voted to approve a $19.2 billion annual state budget for fiscal year 2013, which begins July 1.
This is an increase of approximately $700 million over the amended budget for the current fiscal year, reflecting a 4.7 percent overall increase in revenues over the past eight months. The new budget is still about $2 billion less than the FY 2009 plan enacted just before the onset of the economic recession. Per capita spending on state operations is 20 percent less than it was a decade ago. Although there are signs the Georgia economy is slowly improving, this is still a time to proceed with caution regarding the commitment of tax dollars.
This budget plan includes the elimination of 540 government positions. Public education remains Georgia’s highest priority, receiving more than 54 percent of the state’s appropriated revenues. Increased state funding for our schools will restore 10 days of instruction to the Georgia Pre-Kindergarten program, bringing the Pre-K year to 170 days of instruction and nine professional learning days.
Also included is $112.5 million to fully fund K-12 enrollment growth and pay increases for teachers based on their training and experience. Also, the school nurse program receives an additional $3.5 million in the House budget. Other funding increases in the House version of the budget are allocated toward fuel expenses for the Georgia State Patrol, intended to keep troopers on our roads despite rising gas prices, and $10 million in more funding for accountability courts. These highly specialized courts provide the state with a more cost-efficient system for dealing with non-violent, first-time offenders who may be suffering from mental illness or drug addiction.