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Warning:
Budget Crisis Continues
by State Senator
Chip Rogers
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55%
of all Georgia tax dollars go to public education. This percentage is
higher than most other states in the nation. There is no easy fix, but
I will point out that 40 years ago, classroom teachers comprised about
80% of a school systems personnel; today they make up less than 50%. I
believe any permanent fix must start by recognizing that Federal and State
mandates require an enormous amount of resources. The time, money, and
personnel required to meet all these guidelines would be much better left
in the classroom.
3.
Tort Reform - The elections of 2004 were bad news for the Georgia
Trial Lawyers Association. An overwhelming number of newcomers to the
General Assembly favor major tort reform that could dramatically change
current law as it pertains to awarding damages and potentially cap non-economic
damages in medical malpractice lawsuits. A comprehensive plan was close
to passage last year. The new makeup of the House of Representatives will
likely mean some form of tort reform will pass. The question is how much
and will it make a difference? Doctors say without reform many in their
profession will close their doors because they can't afford the insurance.
Lawyers claim it's mainly the insurance companies fault. My hope is that
we take our time and craft legislation that works to make practicing medicine
a lucrative profession, while maintaining our opportunity to receive fair
compensation for true negligence.
4.
Smoking Ban - This idea is gaining steam, no pun intended. The measure
to ban smoking in almost all public places passed the State Senate last
year by a comfortable margin. A new Republican controlled State House
will likely favor such legislation this year. Polling information says
the public is solidly behind a smoking ban. I just hope we tread carefully
with respect to private property. I am no fan of smoking, but I also recognize
the importance of keeping the government out of private property. Once
we cross that barrier, it is difficult to retreat.
5.
Indigent Defense - The special session last year focused on this issue
alone. Now, eight months later it is clear that we need to revisit the
law. While I strongly support indigent defense, our current criminal penalties
are not conducive to the legislation we passed. For example, almost every
traffic violation carries the possibility of jail time. This would mean
that under the new law, anyone given a ticket for certain motor vehicle
violations could possibly be given access to a taxpayer supported lawyer.
Such a system would put our courts out of business in a hurry. The General
Assembly will likely remove the possibility of incarceration from many
violations.
These
are just five of the hundreds of issues we will face this year. Unfortunately,
space limitations of this article will not allow me to address every issue
that could potentially affect our lives. Please know I rely on your help
and input to make the right decisions. Always feel free to contact me
about any issue.
Chip
Rogers is the State Senator for District 21. You can call him at (770)
516-0543 or fax him at (770) 936-1967. You can also e-mail Chip at ChipRogers2@comcast.net.
Chip also serves on The TowneLaker Community Board.
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Legislators
from across Georgia make their way to the Capitol Monday, January 10 to
begin the 2005 session of the Georgia General Assembly. The message we
will be presented with is almost identical to the one we have seen the
previous two years. Yes, the economy is considerably stronger. However,
the fundamental problems we face with the financing of education and healthcare
are on the verge of sinking our budget.
Below
is a list of the issues I believe will make headlines in this year's session,
but I cannot overstate the current budgetary problems we face. First,
it is important to remember that the budget is the only item we are constitutionally
required to pass each year. In fact, some have suggested we enact the
spending measure and go home. The drop in state tax receipts (I hesitate
to call it state income because the government doesn't really earn the
money) have had a serious impact. The "Rainy Day" fund, which once stood
at about $800 million, is now completely gone. The current Medicaid fund,
which is spent on health care for the poor, elderly, and disabled, is
$270 million in deficit. Finally, the state Health Benefit plan, for state
employees including teachers and their families, is in the red by about
$445 million. We can look at these issues a million different ways, but
I submit that unless significant structural change is implemented, these
problems will never be solved.
Issues
for the 2005 Georgia General Assembly
1.
Medicaid Managed Care - Governor Perdue will present a Medicaid overhaul
package that includes moving 80 percent of current Medicaid recipients
into a new managed care system. The new managed care system would be similar
to one that most citizens receive from their private employers. The Medicaid
reform plan will be the most contentious issue of the session. The Governor's
plan requires that any private healthcare organization wishing to participate
must offer at least the same coverage currently being provided by Medicaid.
News reporting will use every scare tactic at their disposal to make this
a political bloodbath. I would suggest anyone who has a better plan to
please come forward. Band-aids won't fix this massive problem. Left untouched
Medicaid will bankrupt our state barring major, major tax increases.
2.
Education Spending - The state is currently being sued by a group
of South Georgia counties who charge they do not receive enough state
educational funds. Meanwhile, those of us in fast growing metro Atlanta
counties, such as Cobb and Cherokee, lose tens of millions in local property
tax money that is spent elsewhere around the state. We are forced to give
this money despite the fact that more than half the schools in Cherokee
County use trailers to house school children. Currently about
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