Amended budget includes increases for education, state law enforcement and foster parents
A Busy Time….
It’s been a busy couple of weeks at the Georgia House, as lawmakers met in various committees to start reviewing legislation before sending bills to the House floor. To me, this is the hardest part of my job, as every bill must be thoroughly looked at, and in some cases revised to make sure that when it comes time for a vote, the bill will become the best law that we can make it.
Education spending
Our most important bill that we’ve passed so far has been HB 43, the Amended Fiscal Year 2017 budget (AFY 2017). The original 2017 fiscal year budget, set during the 2016 session, placed state spending at $23.7 billion, but to recognize any differences between the projected estimate and actual revenue obtained, the legislature must also pass an amended state budget. HB 43 recognizes $606.2 million in additional revenue, or 2.5 percent more than the initial FY 2017 budget, and brings the total appropriation for the AFY 2017 budget to $24.3 billion.
Following last week’s budget hearings and the diligent work of the members of the House Appropriations Committee, and the House Budget and Research Office, the amended budget, was introduced on the House floor, and passed overwhelmingly by a vote of 174-1.
Investments in our children and in the state’s education system are always an essential part of any budget, and HB 43 was no different. It includes $108.9 million for midterm enrollment growth to ensure that every child has the educational resources they need. This year’s amended budget also accounts for the growing needs of our institutions of higher learning.
The budget allocates $16.7 million to meet the projected growth of Move on When Ready, a program allowing eligible Georgia students to take advantage of dual enrollment and progress at their own pace, and $2.3 million to create the Georgia Center for Early Language and Literacy at Georgia College and State University, an education training center for developing literacy skills among children from birth to age 8 throughout the state.
Investments in education are investments in Georgia’s future, and I am proud of the work we have done, and are continuing to do, for our state’s students.
State law enforcement pay raise
Additionally, the House fully supported Gov. Deal’s recommendation to support our public safety officials and appropriated $25.1 million in the budget for a 20 percent pay raise for these dedicated state law enforcement officers. This increase impacts officers and criminal investigators across 16 state agencies, including the Department of Public Safety, the Department of Community Supervision and the Georgia Bureau of Investigation and I’m pleased we passed these important budget items.
Foster parent per diem raise
The House members also funded a number of other critical financial needs, including an immediate rate increase for the Division of Family and Children Services (DFCS) foster parents. We provided $974,712 to expedite the 57 percent per diem rate increase for these foster parents by moving the effective date to April 1, 2017. The AFY 2017 budget also provides $746,243 for a $1 per day increase for the relative, or kinship, foster care providers also effective April 1, 2017. Every little bit can help these families and caregivers who play such a vital role in the wellbeing of these children.
Contact me
It’s been hectic, but as always, you are my top priority. If you have concerns or questions, or need some help with a state problem, please don’t hesitate to get in touch. I can be reached in Atlanta at 404-651-7737 or locally at 706-754-0706. If it’s easier, email me at [email protected]. I’m honored and humbled to represent you, and I’d like to thank you for giving me that privilege!
About the author: Rep. Terry Rogers (R-Clarkesville) represents the 10th Georgia House District which includes portions of Habersham and White Counties. Rogers is Governor Nathan Deal’s Senior Floor Leader in the House of Representatives. He serves as Vice-Chairman of the Appropriations Subcommittee, Economic Development & Tourism Committee, and State Planning & Community Affairs Committee. Rogers also is a member of the Defense & Veterans Affairs, Human Relations & Aging, Regulated Industries, and Rules Committees.
