The 2011 Legislative Session of the Georgian General Assembly came to a close last month after 40 Legislative Days that stretched out over four months. We began the session with some important issues to address and hard work at hand. We passed a balanced budget, reformed the HOPE scholarship and passed an illegal immigration reform package.
The legislature passed an $18.2 billion budget for the 2012 Fiscal Year, fulfilling our constitutional duty to pass a balanced budget. We worked hard to successfully balance the spending plan while faced with a $1.5 billion shortfall. This budget is 13.6 percent less than the budget in 2009. We prioritized spending to address the projected $273 million shortfall in the State Health Benefit Plan and cover loans in the Unemployment Insurance Trust Fund. The budget includes funds to improve customer service in state agencies. In order to save tax dollars, the legislature is consolidating payroll services for a number of state agencies and programs and eliminating all state funding for the Aviation, Music and Sports halls of fame, making them self-sufficient.
The headlining issue from the last day of session was the passage of HB 87, an illegal immigration reform package. The Senate and House reached agreement on a bill aimed at curbing illegal immigration in Georgia. The Illegal Immigration Reform and Enforcement Act of 2011 requires businesses with 10 or more employees to use E-Verify, the federal online program used to verify an employee’s citizenship. Small businesses will have an additional six months to come under the E-Verify requirement, and companies who commit “good faith” violations have 30 days to correct the error before facing penalties. In response to concerns about how the bill’s provisions would impact Georgia agriculture industry, the bill calls for a study about how the legislation would affect the industry and the federal guest worker program. The legislation also makes it a crime to knowingly transport illegal immigrants while committing another criminal offense, and allows law enforcement officers to verify a person’s immigration status while investigating a criminal suspect. The bill now goes before the governor for his approval.
I am very proud of our efforts to craft a sustainable solution for the HOPE Scholarship Program. The lottery-funded HOPE is by far the best program of its kind in the nation. We should be truly proud that we will continue to offer our students the gift of a quality education. Unfortunately, with tuition prices and population steadily increasing, while lottery sales having plateaued, reform was an unavoidable. Reforming the program now keeps Georgia on the forefront of education innovation and ensures our children and grandchildren will benefit from this generous program.
As always, it’s an honor to serve you, the 17th Senate District. If you have any questions or if I can be of service, please don’t hesitate to contact me.
Recently elected in 2010, Sen. Rick Jeffares represents the 17th Senate District. He can be reached by phone at 404-656-0503 or by e-mail at rick.jeffares@senate.ga.gov.
