lunsford weekly

Under the Gold Dome

State Representative John Lunsford's

Weekly Capitol Update

March 28th, 2009

 

As the 37^th 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

 

 

 

lunsford weekly

Under the Gold Dome

State Representative John Lunsford's

Weekly Capitol Update

March 14, 2009

 

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

 

 

 

lunsford weekly update

Under the Gold Dome

State Representative John Lunsford's

Weekly Capitol Update

March 8, 2009

 

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

 

lunsford weekly update

Under the Gold Dome

State Representative John Lunsford's

Weekly Capitol Update

Your State’s Business

February 28th, 2009

 

As the sixth week (24^th 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 30^th, 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 1^st. 

 

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