WEEKLY LEGISLATIVE REPORT—February 1, 2008

Senate makes history with override of governor’s veto

By Sen. Tim Golden

History was made in the Senate chamber Monday when, for the first time in 34 years, a Georgia governor’s legislative veto was overridden by both houses of the General Assembly.

HB 529, which was adopted by both the House of Representatives and the Senate during the 2007 session, was later vetoed by Gov. Sonny Perdue. The legislation itself is an organizational law that makes both the House and Senate budget offices legal entities.

Former President Jimmy Carter was governor in 1974, the last time that both houses voted to override a veto. Still pending in the Senate are 11 more override measures that passed the House on the first day of the current session. Veto overrides require two-thirds approval by both houses.

Lt. Gov. Casey Cagle said of the Senate’s action, “While we respect the office of the governor, the Senate agreed it was important that the language in this bill reflect the role the Senate Budget Office plays in providing valuable assistance to the Senate throughout the budget process.”

On Thursday, the Senate Finance Committee took the lead on bringing some tax relief to Georgia property owners. The Committee favorably reported SR 687, which would allow cities, counties and school systems to call referendums to reduce property taxes with an offsetting 1-cent local sales tax.

Many local governments have stated they could eliminate their portion of property taxes with the revenues from a special sales tax. This measure calls for a constitutional amendment and thus must be approved by two-thirds of both the Senate and House and then by a majority of voters in the November General Election.

The joint Senate-House Transportation Funding Study Committee has issued its recommendations for addressing a serious shortfall in state funding for much-needed improvements to the state’s highway system and other projects.

In addition to calling for greater efficiency in state Department of Transportation operations and an expanded use of public/private partnerships, the committee is recommending two potential methods of raising revenues for road building:

• A statewide, 1 percent transportation sales tax that would replace the current 7.5 cents per gallon motor fuel tax, which would require a constitutional amendment.
• A regional SPLOST, under which counties could join together and implement a special one-cent local option sales tax to fund regional transportation needs if a majority of voters in those counties approve.

Both of these recommendations will be introduced in the form of legislation to be considered during the current session and are certain to generate much debate as a solution to traffic congestion in the metropolitan Atlanta area and the need for better highways throughout the state.

On Friday, the Members of the House and Senate from the 2nd Congressional District selected a new Department of Transportation (DOT) Board member, electing Rep. Johnny Floyd of Cordele, to this important post. 

It was my pleasure to support, and second Johnny’s nomination, as our new DOT representative.  He brings a wealth of experience to this post, and will be an outstanding representative for our area in this new capacity.  Our area delegation is proud to have him in this position.

Rep. Floyd replaces long time board member Billy Langdale.  Billy Langdale was a strong voice for many years on the DOT Board.  I know I speak for many in thanking him for his many years of service on the Board representing our transportation interests. 

• Sen. Tim Golden represents the 8th District (Brooks, Cook, Lowndes, and Thomas counties) in the Georgia State Senate.  Contact him at 121-A State Capitol, Atlanta, GA 30334; by phone at 404-656-7580; or by e-mail at tim.golden@senate.ga.gov.