Recess allows legislators time to analyze budget

I'm back from vacation with the family... will work on catching up this week!

 

Jacksonville Times Union 

ATLANTA - Legislators may technically be "in recess" this week and next, but that doesn't mean playing or even the adult version of time off. Instead, it means intense scrutiny of the state's beleaguered budget.

By technically recessing, the leaders of the General Assembly have actually given themselves more time to focus on the budget without the distractions of other types of legislation, or the parade of beauty queens and high school athletes receiving recognition and chambers of commerce hosting luncheons and receptions.

The House and Senate appropriationscommittees will take the unusual step of meeting together daily in the middle of the session to go over the $18 billion budget line by line with the agency heads requesting the money. Most other committees won't be allowed to meet, other than those considering bills on taxes, water conservation and transportation.

A third of the House serves on the appropriations committee, and just more than half the Senate. The House Transportation Committee has 36 members, Ways & Means 28 and Natural Resources 30. So, it's not like every lawmaker will be idle.

"We have a difficult, difficult budget task in front of us," said House Majority Leader Jerry Keen.

His Senate counterpart predicted lawmakers will go beyond merely cutting.

"I believe what we are facing today, what we are facing over the next two years, is going to call for us to go beyond simply the appropriations process to look at other statutory changes that are necessary, and that opens up an entire spectrum of possible answers," said Senate Majority Leader Chip Rogers.

One idea gaining steam is to "raid the University System" by moving those appropriations to other agencies, because colleges have the option of raising tuition. With record enrollment and tuition currently among the lowest in the nation, the schools could squeeze more out of parents, the thinking goes.

"I suspect that higher education will be called on to contribute to the shortfall," said Senate Appropriations Chairman Jack Hill.

Regular sessions of the full House and Senate resume March 8.

Posted via email from Jim Nichols for GA State House