Rep. Dan Gasaway (R-Homer) represents the 28th GA House District. His district includes Stephens and Banks Counties and the southern end of Habersham.
The State Budget, School Bus Driver Insurance, and Medical Marijuana
Week Two of the Georgia General Assembly had highs and lows. The Governor released his proposed budget, and Appropriations hearings began. The good news is the mid-year checkup on the Fiscal Year 2015 budget (ending June 30, 2015) shows that state revenue is $276 million over what the General Assembly projected at this time last year. Hopefully, some of this additional money will flow to public education for the current budget year. All school systems in the 28th District are under significant financial pressure and relief is needed.
One of the lows of the week came from a line item in the Governor’s proposed 2016 budget. The proposed budget mandates that all non-certified public school employees who work less than 30 hours per week be removed from the State Health Benefit Plan (SHBP). This group would include school bus drivers and lunch room personnel. I have heard from many of you regarding this proposal. Many have said that insurance is the reason they chose to drive a school bus. The loss of this benefit would likely lead to the loss of drivers and/or create a higher wage requirement to retain drivers. The SHBP is facing real and significant financial challenges, as are all health plans in our country. However, I am hopeful the General Assembly will find a better solution to the health plans budget problems. I will update you on this issue as the session progresses.
In last week’s column I mentioned the Medical Cannabis issue which many in the community are following. This week I want to discuss in more detail where we are as a state, in this public policy debate. First, to answer a question I received last week, “Are y’all legalizing the smoking of marijuana?” The answer is NO.
Though many people have become more informed regarding this issue, misinformation still abounds. Oils extracted from cannabis plants have been found to provide significant relief to some patients suffering from various medical conditions. Most notably in our community, children suffering from medical conditions resulting in severe and regular seizures are finding relief from this experimental oil when other medications prove ineffective. Many of these families are being forced to move to Colorado because the oil is legal and available there. This brings us to House Bill 1 of this session of the General Assembly.
What is HB 1 proposing for Georgia? The current legislation includes decriminalization of possession of cannabis oil with less than 5% THC of the finished product for individuals who have a qualifying medical condition. (THC or Tetrahydrocannabinol is the mind altering chemical found in some cannabis plants) The legislation also includes the creation of a commission that is mandated to provide to the General Assembly by December 2015 a recommendation for the best regulatory structure for in-state cultivation, processing, and distribution of medical cannabis.
Anyone with questions about this issue or any other issues before the General Assembly may reach me at 404-656-0325 or [email protected].
