February 17-- Notes From Senator Jack Hill
After taking off a full week to conduct subcommittee hearings, the House of Representatives worked on its version of the FY 2020 Amended Budget this week and the Senate held its own preliminary hearings as it began to consider the Amended Budget.
GOVERNOR'S PROPOSED 2020 AMENDED BUDGET
In an earlier column, we covered the cuts in the Amended budget proposed by the Governor. Here are some facts and additions that have been proposed for the amended budget the House and Senate are both considering:
The Amended Budget totals $27.30 billion and by the time that transfers were made and cuts applied, the total barely increased 1.1% growth over actual FY 19 collections. Lottery Proceeds are budgeted at $1.231 billion, which is down from FY 19 collections of $1.4 billion. This budget reduces $96.4 million just in position vacancies, frozen positions and reorganizations or reductions. Features of this budget include:
- $113.7 million for midterm K-12 enrollment growth
- Trues up the various scholarships funded by the Lottery, HOPE Scholarships and Grants for both public and private colleges.
- Adds $23 million in state funds to the Indigent Care Trust Fund for Disproportionate Share Hospital payments for private deemed and non-deemed hospitals.
- Adds $420,000 for development of a Gang database and $685,000 for six staff positions with the GBI Gang Task Force.
- Adds $25 million for the Forestland Protection Grants to counties.
JANUARY REVENUES SHOW GOOD GAINS
Finally, a productive, positive month came through in January's revenue report, showing an increase of 4.5% and $100.7 million. Individual Income Taxes were up 4.3% and Net Sales Tax collections were up a strong increase of 4.6%. All Income Tax categories were up as withholding payments coming in at an increase of 4.2%. Corporate Income Taxes were positive showing an increase of $28.2%. Title Ad Valorem Taxes were down 20.1% but Tag, Title and Fees showed an increase of 19.1%. Tobacco and Alcoholic Beverages taxes were both negative at -4.5% and -0.9% respectively.
MOTOR FUEL TAXES/FEES POSITIVE
Motor Fuel Taxes and fees were up $9.8 million, or 6.11% in January.
YEAR TO DATE NUMBERS LOOK BETTER IN JANUARY
Accumulated Year to Date statistics showed a definite increase for state revenues at $14.206 billion. Total Revenues were up 0.9% for the year or a $133.04 million gain. Our calculations now show the state only under budget around $26.16 million.
Individual Income Taxes are showing a slight increase of 0.4% as of the end of January, over 2019. Corporate Taxes are up $67.7 million and Net Sales Taxes are up $82.4 million or 2.2% for the year since July. Tobacco Taxes are negative at 3.7% and Alcoholic Beverages are positive at 3.3%. Title Ad Valorem Taxes are down $82.7 million Year to Date.
FUEL TAXES RETURN TO POSITIVE TERRITORY
Fuel Tax revenues look much better after January showing an increase of $7.4 million, up less than 1% for the Fiscal Year.
BILLS INTRODUCED LATE LAST WEEK
SB 335: This legislation puts dependency hearing cases over civil and criminal hearings in trial court. It requires the clerk of each juvenile court to collect data on all cases in which a child is alleged or adjudicated to be a child in need of services. It authorizes the Department of Human Services to assist licensed child-placing agencies with their casework while also requiring a level of training for foster parents. It also waives the admission fees to state parks for foster children and their foster families.
SB 338: This bill regulates the protection of animals by requiring an annual license fee, requiring applicants to submit a criminal background check, and authoring the Agriculture Commissioner to enforce such regulations.
SB 357: Allows carrying weapons or long guns in a church by those who have a valid license with permission of the governing body or authority of the place of worship.
SB 358: The muscadine grape is designated as the official Georgia grape.
SB 362: Removes the cap cost of impounding an animal, the selling and impounding of the animal, and reporting of the sale of the animal. The cost to feed and care for impounded animals is raised from $5.00 to $25.00 per animal.
SB 363: This bill amends the computation of taxable net income for military retirement pay. The percentage of income increases based on age. From the ages 50 to 59, the percentage of taxable net income receive will increase from 10% to 100%.
SB 367: This bill eliminates the five state mandated tests that are in excess of the federal requirement. It also shortens the length of Georgia School Milestones by removing comparability requirements, allows flexibility on timing for high school writing assessments and creates a testing window within the last 25 school days.
VISITORS FROM THE FOURTH
This week we welcomed 100+ members of the Effingham Chamber of Commerce as well as high school students from Effingham County to the Capitol. Students were able to meet their representatives and tour the capitol. Spokesmen from the University of Georgia, Georgia Tech and Georgia Southern spoke to the students as well. We also welcomed the Farm Bureau Chapters and Young Farmers. The dedication of the $135 million Nathan Deal Judicial Center brought visitors from the Atlantic Judicial Circuit.
Full transcripts of bills may be found at http://www.legis.ga.gov/en-
