Georgia Legislative Watch

On a vote of 51 to 2, the Georgia Senate today passed House Bill 989; the supplemental budget for fiscal year 2008.

While the vote in favor of the budget was lopsided, the debate itself did not go without any fanfare. State Sen. Emanuel Jones (D-Ellenwood) introduced an amendment that would restore $30 million in equalization funding to education.

Jones’ amendment failed on a vote of 17-36. Before the vote, Senate President Pro Tempore Eric Johnson (R-Savannah) took issue with Sen. Jones’ claim that “in practice, [the supplemental budget] represented a $30 million cut [in education].”

“There are zero cuts in the fiscal year ‘08 budget,” Johnson said. “The debate on equalization grants does not belong in the ‘08 budget. It’s appropriate for ‘09 not ‘08.”

H.B.989 now goes to a conference committee where negotiators from the House and Senate will craft a compromise on spending for the rest of fiscal year 2008.

HB95 - General appropriations; State Fiscal Year July 1, 2007 - June 30, 2008
Sponsored by: Richardson,Glenn 19th

A BILL to make and provide appropriations for the State Fiscal Year beginning July 1, 2007, and ending June 30, 2008; and for other purposes.

HB94 - Supplemental appropriations; State Fiscal Year July 1, 2006 - June 30, 2007
Sponsored by: Richardson,Glenn 19th

A BILL to amend an Act making and providing appropriations for the State Fiscal Year beginning July 1, 2006, and ending June 30, 2007, known as the “General Appropriations Act;” and for other purposes.

HB85 - State Fiscal Year; July 1, 2007- June 30, 2008; provide appropriations
Sponsored by: Harbin,Ben 118th

A BILL to be entitled an Act to make and provide appropriations for the State Fiscal Year beginning July 1, 2007, and ending June 30, 2008; to make and provide such appropriations for the operation of the State government, its departments, boards, bureaus, commissions, institutions, and other agencies, and for the university system, common schools, counties, municipalities, political subdivisions and for all other governmental activities, projects and undertakings authorized by law, and for all leases, contracts, agreements, and grants authorized by law; to provide for the control and administration of funds; to provide an effective date; to repeal conflicting laws; and for other purposes.

HB84 - State Fiscal Year; July 1, 2007 - June 30, 2008; provide appropriations
Sponsored by: Harbin,Ben 118th

A BILL to be entitled an Act to make and provide appropriations for the State Fiscal Year beginning July 1, 2007, and ending June 30, 2008; to make and provide such appropriations for the operation of the State government, its departments, boards, bureaus, commissions, institutions, and other agencies, and for the university system, common schools, counties, municipalities, political subdivisions and for all other governmental activities, projects and undertakings authorized by law, and for all leases, contracts, agreements, and grants authorized by law; to provide for the control and administration of funds; to provide an effective date; to repeal conflicting laws; and for other purposes.