Georgia’s spending process, however, could benefit from a healthy dose of fiscal conservatism. Something is terribly wrong when one of the wealthiest counties in the state, Cobb, is the leading recipient of pork projects. Among the more than $10 million of state taxpayer dollars designated for Cobb was $8 million for an unnamed charter school, $2.5 million for an arts center and grants for, among other things, a high school athletic program, and school laptop computers and roof repairs.

If Cobb County can afford these expenses, why are state taxpayers subsidizing the wealthy residents of Cobb? Clinch and Wheeler, two of the poorest counties in the state, received no local grants from the state. Don’t they have any unmet needs? Were they too proud to ask? Did their elected officials vote the wrong way on a certain issue?

The issue is not to single out Cobb County. Nearly everyone plays this game, and local projects are sometimes defensible. A capital investment in the port in Savannah, while it certainly helps the citizens of Chatham County, also benefits Georgia’s overall economy. If one of the poorest counties in the state needs help meeting certain basic health and safety needs, there is an argument for the state to step in to assist.

But how do we decide what “projects” are legitimate and which are “pork?” Georgia should adopt a set of stringent tests to limit this practice before someone builds a “bridge to nowhere.”

A good start would be to ask these questions of every proposal: Is this a core function of government or could it best be funded in the private sector? Is this a state or local responsibility? Does this project benefit a broad group of citizens or a special interest? Is there evidence this is a local responsibility that cannot be met because it would place an undue burden on local government? Do local elected officials justifiably support the project? Has the project gone through an open debate to determine that it merits priority?

Sunshine is a proven preventive measure for spending abuse. Rep. Jill Chambers led the way this year by bringing the same focus on disclosure and transparency to state spending as she has with the MARTA budget. Her legislation won unanimous approval in the Legislature. It requires an annual summary of all state contracts of $20,000 or more in electronic format so citizens will be able, as President Bush put it when he signed similar federal legislation, “to Google their tax dollars.”

We’ll post more details on the FY08 Budget as we get them.

As for the HB94, the FY2007 Supplemental budget, that was vetoed by the Governor late Thursday night. First thing Friday morning the House overrode the veto, however the Senate refused to address the matter on a technicality: the Governor never transmitted his veto to the House. Because of this, the Governor will most likely call a special session.

Stay tuned for more information…….

This is probably the first time a Georgia Governor vetoed a tax cut in recent memory.

The House will most likely hold an override vote tomorrow.

The AJC is reporting:

Georgia homeowners would get a $100 property tax cut under a budget agreement reached Tuesday night by state House and Senate leaders….

House leaders proposed the tax cut after they reached an impasse with Senate leaders on the midyear budget for fiscal 2007, which ends June 30. Strong state tax collections have given lawmakers extra budget dollars this year.

Members of the House said senators had portrayed them as big spenders because they had tried to include projects such as museum funding and Perdue’s “Go Fish Georgia” fishing tourism program in the budget.

The Senate gutted the midyear budget of those projects, and the two sides did not appear near a deal when they began negotiations Tuesday.

The House budget negotiators counterproposed with the tax cut, and the Senate accepted.
(Budget deal gives residents tax break | ajc.com)

Travis Fain has a good explanation as to why this is being done via a property tax refund here

Mr. Speaker: I know this compromise probably doesn’t make you popular with your caucus right now. I know $100 isn’t a massive windfall to taxpayers upon which you can ride to re-election next year. However you did the right thing.

Lt. Gov. Cagle: Thank you for sticking to your guns and not backing down. The press was salivating at the prospect of an internal GOP fight and I’m sure there was pressure to compromise to make this unpleasantness go away.

Next up is the FY2008 Budget which will also contain pork. Stay tuned to Georgia Porkbusters for more.

HB94 must now be approved by both bodies (a formality) and then is on to the Governor for signature

State of Georgia
Office of the Lieutenant Governor

For Immediate Release
Contact: Jaillene Hunter
Jaillene.Hunter@ltgov.ga.gov
404-656-5030
April 10, 2007

Lt. Governor Casey Cagle Calls On House to Pass FY2008 Budget By Thursday

(Atlanta, GA) – Lt. Governor Casey Cagle today called on the Georgia House of Representatives leadership to release its hold on the FY2008 budget and pass it by Thursday, April 12th. Cagle’s request follows a statement from the House that it will not agree to stand in recess for budget work, ensuring the legislature will adjourn its 40 day session on Friday, April 20th.

“It is now day 34 of the 40 day legislative session, and the Senate still has not received the FY2008 budget, which represents the most important constitutional task we have as a legislature. Given that the House leadership has publicly stated they will not agree to stand in recess to work on the budget, the reality is that if we do not receive the FY2008 budget by this Thursday, the 36th day, there will not be enough time left to act on it prior to the conclusion of this legislative session.

“Today, the Senate will vote on our version of the FY2007 supplemental budget. We stand ready to begin meeting in conference with the House as soon as this afternoon. We also call on the House leadership to pass the FY2008 budget by Thursday, so that we are not forced to return in special session in order to pass a budget.

“I encourage the House leadership to choose the responsible course of action, and move expeditiously. The Senate has moved the FY2007 supplemental budget without wasting a single day, and we stand ready to do the same with the FY2008 budget as soon as we receive it from the House.”

The Representative for Dooly County is Johnny Wilson Floyd - first elected in 1989 as a Democrat and recently “converted” as a Republican. Mr. Floyd is quite wealthy and is the Chairman of the Ameris-Cordele Bank, President & Owner of Floyd Timber Co. and President of Cordele Realty.

HT: Bill Kecskes for describing the site.

This is a work in progress. Please come back soon.