“The economic downturn has forced a number of tough budgetary decisions, but we have worked closely with the House and Senate leadership to manage the state in a thoughtful, conservative way and ensure Georgians are receiving value for their tax dollars,” said Governor Perdue. “We have maintained our triple-A bond ratings, which has saved the state nearly $100 million, and we continued funding our top priorities to ensure the basic responsibilities of state government are being met.”
The final FY11 budget totals $17.9 billion in state funds, a reduction of more than $300 million since it was originally recommended to the legislature. This budget is $3.5 billion less than the original FY 2008 budget recommendation.
“We have actively managed the budget in a step-down approach as revenues have continued to slide, and today the state has 6,000 fewer employees than two years ago,” said Governor Perdue. “Just as Georgians are balancing their checkbooks and making tough decisions in difficult times, the state must and will do the same.”
While there are spending cuts throughout both budgets, the Governor did recommend and the legislature approved additional funding into the state’s mental health system to stabilize staffing levels in state hospitals and improve care for patients.
The FY 2011 budget includes just over $858 million in bond projects, including $171 million in construction, equipment and school buses for Georgia’s K-12 schools. There is also $177 million in projects at our state’s universities and another $45 million at technical schools, for a total of $393 million in education that signals a clear and continuing investment in Georgia’s future.
The budget bill includes $200 million in transportation projects in the bond package as well. The Governor had recommended $300 million to jump start needed projects around the state. The General Assembly did agree with the Governor’s recommendation to include $68 million for the deepening of the Savannah River harbor. As the environmental studies near completion, the joint federal-state project will deepen the shipping channel from 42 feet to 48 feet allowing the world’s biggest ships to call on the Savannah Port.
Governor Perdue issued five line-item vetoes, which will save the state more than $1.1 million in debt service in FY11 on projects that total almost $12 million in bond funding. The Governor also issued 15 agency directives to ignore intent language included in the budget. The budget is an appropriations act, not general law, and therefore intent language is non-binding. As the language is non-binding, the Governor may authorize agencies to utilize funds subject to non-binding intent language in accordance with the overall purpose of the appropriation and within their general law authority. Vetoed items and messages regarding non-binding information language to disregard are included below.
Line-Item Vetoes by the Governor
Section 50, pertaining to State of Georgia General Obligation Debt Sinking Fund, page 153, line 4675:
This language authorizes the appropriation of $174,400 in debt service to finance projects and facilities for the Department of Education, specifically to fund 20 percent of the cost of reconstruction at the Clarkdale Elementary School in Cobb County through the issuance of $2,000,000 in 20-year bonds. This project was not vetted through the current Department of Education capital outlay process and was not requested by the agency. Further, in FY 2010, the state appropriated $22,170,155 to match $217,755,090 in federal funds for flood disaster relief to support area reconstruction efforts. Therefore, I veto this language (page 153, line 4675) in the provisions relative to Section 50 State of Georgia General Obligation Debt Sinking Fund and the state general funds of $174,400.
Section 50, pertaining to State of Georgia General Obligation Debt Sinking Fund, page 154, line 4691:
This language authorizes the appropriation of $558,080 in debt service to finance infrastructure expansion at Kennesaw State University in Cobb County through the issuance of $6,400,000 in 20-year bonds. This project is largely focused on alleviating traffic congestion both in the Chastain Road/I-75 interchange and at Kennesaw State University. This project is more appropriately evaluated, programmed, and funded through the Georgia Department of Transportation. Therefore, I veto this language (page 154, line 4691) in the provisions relative to Section 50 State of Georgia General Obligation Debt Sinking Fund and the state general funds of $558,080.
Section 50, pertaining to State of Georgia General Obligation Debt Sinking Fund, page 156, line 4704:
This language authorizes the appropriation of $12,208 in debt service to finance projects and facilities for the University System of Georgia, Board of Regents, specifically to acquire land to complete the Greene County Library in Greensboro through the issuance of $140,000 in 20-year bonds. This project was not identified as a priority and was not requested by the agency. In addition, the purchasing of land to build a library parking lot is a local responsibility. It has been the position of this administration to follow the state approved agency capital outlay process to determine the capital needs for the State. Therefore, I veto this language (page 156, line 4704) in the provisions relative to Section 50 State of Georgia General Obligation Debt Sinking Fund and the state general funds of $12,208.
Section 50, pertaining to State of Georgia General Obligation Debt Sinking Fund, page 157, line 4711:
This language authorizes the appropriation of $172,124 in debt service to finance the design for facilities expansion on the Winder-Barrow Campus of Lanier Technical College in Barrow County through the issuance of $740,000 in 5-year bonds. This project was not identified as a priority and was not requested by the agency. In addition, this project ranks second on the priority capital needs list at the college. It has been the position of this administration to follow the state approved agency capital outlay process to determine the capital needs for the State. Therefore, I veto this language (page 157, line 4711) in the provisions relative to Section 50 State of Georgia General Obligation Debt Sinking Fund and the state general funds of $172,124.
Section 50, pertaining to State of Georgia General Obligation Debt Sinking Fund, page 157, line 4715:
This language authorizes the appropriation of $235,440 in debt service to finance projects and facilities to expand the Health Classroom Building on Currahee Campus at North Georgia Technical College in Stephens County through the issuance of $2,700,000 in 20-year bonds. This project was not identified as a priority and was not requested by the agency. It has been the position of this administration to follow the state approved agency capital outlay process to determine the capital needs for the State. Therefore, I veto this language (page 157, line 4715) in the provisions relative to Section 50 State of Georgia General Obligation Debt Sinking Fund and the state general funds of $235,440.
Certain language contained in this appropriations bill is included for informational purposes and thus does not constitute an appropriation. Because the language is not an appropriation, it is non-binding, and the Governor may authorize the agencies to utilize those funds in accordance with the overall purpose of the appropriation and within the general law authority of the agency. Passages of non-binding information language to disregard are included below.
Intent Language Considered Non-binding
Section 15, pertaining to the Department of Behavioral Health and Developmental Disabilities, page 23, line 642:
The General Assembly seeks to instruct the department to restore funding for the Emergency Receiving Facility at Central State Hospital's Powell Building. The department is authorized to provide services in the community for Developmental Disability Consumers in accordance with the purpose of the program and the general law powers of the Department.
Section 15, pertaining to the Department of Behavioral Health and Developmental Disabilities, page 23, line 668:
The General Assembly seeks to instruct the department to restore funding for the Emergency Receiving Facility at Central State Hospital's Powell Building. The department is authorized to provide services in the community for Mental Health Consumers in accordance with the purpose of the program and the general law powers of the Department.
Section 16, pertaining to the Department of Community Affairs, page 31, line 906:
The General Assembly seeks to earmark $75,000 for the House of Mercy in Columbus in the Special Housing Initiatives program. The department is authorized to operate the program in accordance with the purpose of the program and its general law powers of the Department.
Section 17, pertaining to the Department of Community Health, page 34, line 1032:
The General Assembly seeks to instruct the department to provide a rate increase for inpatient and outpatient hospital reimbursement by 12 percent and hold critical access hospitals harmless in the adjustments in the Aged, Blind and Disabled Medicaid program. The department is authorized to determine reimbursement rates based on funds appropriated and Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) approval.
Section 17, pertaining to the Department of Community Health, page 37, line 1110:
The General Assembly seeks to earmark $600,000 for operating expenses of the Erlanger Life Force Air Ambulance program in the Health Care Access and Improvement program. The department is authorized to provide air ambulance services in Northwest Georgia in accordance with the purpose of the program and its general law powers of the Department.
Section 17, pertaining to the Department of Community Health, page 41, line 1239:
The General Assembly seeks to instruct the department to provide a rate increase for inpatient and outpatient hospital reimbursement by 12 percent and hold critical access hospitals harmless in the adjustments in the Low Income Medicaid program. The department is authorized to determine reimbursement rates based on funds appropriated and Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) approval.
Section 17, pertaining to the Department of Community Health, page 42, line 1264:
The General Assembly seeks to instruct the department to provide a rate increase for inpatient and outpatient hospital reimbursement by 12 percent and hold critical access hospitals harmless in the adjustments in the PeachCare Program. The department is authorized to determine reimbursement rates based on the latest provider fee models, revenue estimate, holding exempt hospitals harmless, and Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) approval.
Section 17, pertaining to the Department of Community Health, page 44, line 1327:
The General Assembly seeks to earmark $200,000 for a new residency program in the Georgia Board for Physician Workforce: Graduate Medical Education program. The Department is authorized to operate the program in accordance with the purpose of the program and its general law powers of the Department.
Section 23, pertaining to the Department of Education, page 68, line 2068:
The General Assembly seeks to instruct the department to eliminate funds for SAT Prep. Use GACollege411 for ACT and SAT practice tests in the Testing program. The department is authorized to operate the program in accordance with the purpose of the program and its general law powers of the Department.
Section 23, pertaining to the Department of Education, page 68, line 2069:
The General Assembly seeks to instruct the department to reduce funds for PSAT ($815,000) and AP exams ($4,200,000) in the Testing program. The department is authorized to operate the program in accordance with the purpose of the program and its general law powers of the Department.
Section 23, pertaining to the Department of Education, page 68, line 2070:
The General Assembly seeks to instruct the department to eliminate funds for the CRCT for grades 1 and 2 in the Testing program. CRCTs in grades 1 and 2 ensure that students in those grades are meeting state standards and give parents confidence that their children are making adequate progress. CRCTs in grades 1 and 2 also help prepare students for the CRCT in grade 3, the passage of which is required to move on to 4th grade. It is unwise to eliminate the CRCT in grades 1 and 2. The department is authorized to operate the program in accordance with the purpose of the program and the general law powers of the department.
Section 23, pertaining to the Department of Education, page 68, line 2071:
The General Assembly seeks to instruct the department to eliminate funds for the writing assessment for grades 3 and 5 in the Testing program. Writing is one of the most fundamental skills a student must master in order to be prepared for later grades and ultimately to succeed in life. Failing to administer writing assessments in grades 3 and 5 will have a detrimental effect on students and could possibly lead to an inadequate amount of instruction in this fundamental skill. The department is authorized to operate the program in accordance with the purpose of the program and the general law powers of the department.
Section 27, pertaining to the Department of Human Services, page 84, line 2597:
The General Assembly seeks to instruct the department to reduce funds for regional managers and regional field program specialists in the Federal Eligibility Benefit Services program. The department is authorized to operate the program in accordance with the purpose of the program and its general law powers of the Department.
Section 31, pertaining to the Department of Labor, page 100, line 3093:
The General Assembly seeks to earmark $24,287 for the Georgia Talking Book Center in Augusta through the Vocational Rehabilitation program. The department is authorized to operate the program in accordance with the purpose of the program and its general law powers of the Department.
Section 36, pertaining to the State Properties Commission, page 109, line 3360:
The General Assembly seeks to instruct the State Properties Commission as to what funds should be remitted to the State Treasury. Payments to the Treasury by the State Properties Commission should align with the Governor's Revenue Estimate. This language dictates a matter controlled by general law and is therefore null and void.
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