Published Tuesday, December 02, 2008

Lawmakers may have to cut state spending $2.3 billion

The Times-Herald

Expect fewer government services and -- possibly -- higher taxes, members of Coweta's state legislative delegation said at the Tuesday morning "Eggs and Issues" breakfast sponsored by the Newnan-Coweta Chamber of Commerce at Central Educational Center.

State Rep. Lynn Smith (R-Newnan), State Rep. Billy Horne (R-Sharpsburg), and State Sen. Mitch Seabaugh (R-Sharpsburg) all agreed the upcoming session of the Georgia General Assembly is going to be one of the toughest ever, as they battle to overcome a projected $2 billion budget deficit and work to reinstate the Taxpayer Relief Grant that saves the average taxpayer $220 to $250.

"Our biggest issue is going to be the budget," said Seabaugh. "You've heard there's going to be a $1.6 billion gap. But I have to tell you that it's going to be much larger -- maybe as high as $2.1 billion to $2.3 billion."

That's going to require some massive spending cuts, Seabaugh said.

"We'll have to cut that much out of the budget," or 10 percent, he said.

Elected officials will be "looking at every agency, and at every activity that agency is doing," Seabaugh said.

Agencies will be asked point blank, "How is this a fundamental purpose of government?" he said. If it can be justified, then elected officials will have to examine what the "proper level of funding" might be, he said, and measurement tools must be adopted to determine whether government programs are actually achieving their stated purposes and goals.

"How do they define success?" Seabaugh said. If no one can say what success might be, he said, "then how do I go back to you and say that we're doing a good job?"

It's time for government agencies to "think outside the box," he said.

"We need to be assured that they are being efficient with the resources that we are giving them," said Seabaugh.

Since education comprises 54 percent of the state budget, he said, it's hard to imagine a scenario that doesn't somehow affect education.

"How do we cut 10 percent of the budget without affecting education?" Seabaugh said.

Seabaugh said he has "tried to be clear" about his position on the Taxpayer Relief Grant that Gov. Sonny Perdue has rescinded. At the same time, he said, there are some legitimate concerns about funding the grant.

Horne said that the timing of Perdue's decision was bad because it came just as local governments were approving their millage rates.

"I'm in favor of keeping it (the grant) in there this year," Horne said. "The timing was very bad. I do believe we can come up with the $500 million.

Horne agreed that legislators are "going to have to make some tough, tough decisions." But, he said, "I think we can do it.

"Unfortunately, that's just the way it is," he said. "If there's wasteful spending, we're going to find it this time."

Horne said he personally wants to minimize the impact of those spending cuts in the areas of transportation, education and public safety.

"Those are priorities for me," said Horne.

Funding a statewide trauma network should also be a high priority, he said.

"If you're on I-75 and you're in south Georgia and you suffer a head trauma, I hate to tell you this, but you're in trouble," he said. "There's nowhere to take you."

Smith asked, "Does anyone here think we're in a recession?" which prompted a few laughs.

"Times are tough this year," Smith said. "The state government is not a business, so sometimes we don't immediately respond to budget trends... but the burden of government falls on all of us. We pay the cost of government. We need to make sure it's directed where it needs to go."

So if you hear about a program whose funding might be in danger, she said, "just keep that in mind" before picking up the phone.

If programs continue to be funded at their current levels, she said, "that might mean more tax to you."