General Assembly hears FY 09 budget recommendations
By SEN. CHIP PEARSON

Chip Pearson

We got down to business under the Gold Dome this week, as legislators from across the state attended the annual budget hearings. In this process, members of the Senate and House Appropriations Committees meet to hear from agency heads and others on their budgetary needs and concerns. Over the next few months as we look at the Fiscal Year 2009 budget proposals, we will focus on the things that are important to all Georgians - education, transportation, healthcare and of course natural resources. Let's look at some key initiatives that are realized in the current version of the FY 09 state budget. Water Reservoirs - Increasing capacity

I was quite pleased to see the Governor's commitment to increasing water storage capacity in the state. As you know, the ongoing drought has become a

major issue for state leaders, who are now moving quickly to ensure that future generations of Georgians will always have a constant supply of fresh, clean water. The Governor has recommended the inclusion of $120 million in the amended FY 08 and FY 09 budgets for new water projects. This includes $11 million in existing resources to fully fund both the resource assessments and regional planning components of the Statewide Water Plan, which passed both chambers of the General Assembly last week. In addition, $40 million has been included in the amended FY 08 budget, while $30 million in bonds were recommended in the FY 09 budget for the planning, design and construction of new water reservoirs. Also, I plan to introduce the Reservoir Development and Drought Relief Act this year in an effort to enhance water storage throughout the state.

If passed, the Drought Relief Act will make the state of Georgia a partner with local governments and water authorities in the effort to increase water capacity. Under this legislation, communities can apply for funding to enlarge existing reservoirs and obtain permits to construct new ones. Additionally, the bill will make the state a true partner with local communities to secure necessary federal permits, which we hope will streamline the permitting process to build reservoirs. Many times the permitting process for a new reservoir takes years, and we hope to change that in 2008.

Education

Members of the Appropriations Committee were pleased to see that the Governor is building on his plan to keep all of Georgia's children in school. Last year, Gov. Perdue put money in the budget to add graduation coaches in Georgia's middle schools. It is troubling to think that thousands of children are not on track to graduate, and each year nearly 2,000 students drop out of school before the ninth grade. In FY 09, Gov. Perdue has added $14 million to create the Very Important Parent Recruiter program for at-risk elementary, middle and high schools. Another $14.4 million will be put in the budget to continue funding the graduation coach program, and $6.4 million in lottery money for additional pre-kindergarten slots. This year, both budgets recognize how important it is to keep our kids in school, and I am confident we will continue to see success of programs like the Graduation Coaches.

Statewide Trauma Care

In 2006, a study committee met across the state to look closely at our trauma centers - or rather lack thereof. With more than nine million citizens, Georgia has only four level-one trauma centers - hospitals that can treat any emergency. Those trauma centers provide 24-hour, seven-day-a-week teams of trauma surgeons and other specialists capable of handling the most severe injuries within the "golden hour," that first hour after a traumatic injury, such as a car accident or a gunshot wound. This "golden hour" often means the difference between life and death or longterm disability.

It is expensive to fund level-one and level-two trauma centers, and the price tag to increase these centers to sufficiently care for those injured in this state could be close to $85 million. The Governor recognizes the enormous toll that traffic accidents and trauma care exact on Georgia and its citizens. According to the Governor's office, traffic accidents not only cost billions of dollars each year, but also take hundreds of lives.

We have several ideas to fund the trauma centers. One idea is to increase fines on those who engage in reckless behavior - including those who disobey speed limit laws in this state, and those who drive under the influence of drugs and alcohol on our highways. The Governor's "Super Speeder" legislation is one possible source of funding for a statewide trauma network, but we need to consider all possibilities when it comes to this important issue. He is recommending $53 million for the State Trauma Commission to reimburse physicians, EMS providers and trauma hospitals for uncompensated care. Much of this funding could be derived from the implementation of the new Super Speeder laws.

Keep in mind that all fiscal requests made to the General Assembly and the Governor's recommendations are subject to change. There is no guarantee that any or all of these funds will be appropriated to a particular agency or program. As legislators, it is our responsibility to ensure that tax dollars are spent wisely and efficiently, and several changes could be made before the amended FY 08 and FY 09 budgets become law. Look to my column next week for updates on Week 2 of the 2008 Session. As always, please contact me in my office on the issues that are affecting you and your area.

Please feel free to contact Sen. Chip Pearson at his office in Atlanta at 404.656.9221 or by email at chip@team51.org.