FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE – March 5, 2010

Contact: Sen. Tim Golden, 404-656-7580 or tim.golden@senate.ga.gov

Proposed cuts to higher education a major concern

By Sen. Tim Golden

The Appropriations Committees of the House of Representatives and the Senate have been meeting jointly the past two weeks to consider more potential cuts to the $18.2 billion spending plan proposed by Gov. Sonny Perdue.

The governor is forecasting a 4.2 percent growth in revenue for next year, despite the fact that state tax collections have declined for 14 consecutive months and are now down by 13 percent through the first seven months of fiscal year 2010. It has been estimated that the amended budget for this year will have to be cut by at least another $200 million, and the 2011 budget is facing an overall shortfall of at least $1.5 billion.

Legislative budget writers are considering drastic actions in order to balance the budget. More personnel cuts will probably be considered. Department heads are being asked for lists of employees who are fully vested in state pension benefits and could be encouraged to retire early.

The most controversial budget proposal is a recommendation to slash another $300 million from Georgia's public colleges and universities. Having already cut $380 million from the University System budget since 2008, further deep reductions would be painful for college students, faculty and staff and the state's economy.

For Valdosta State University, the proposed cuts would amount to $8.9 million and cause the elimination of 22 positions. Approximately 1,600 VSU students would be affected by program elimination, and Masters of Social Work enrollment would be limited. Statewide, a 35 percent student tuition increase is on the table, and elimination of the Georgia 4-H program has been suggested.

These proposals have resulted in a public outcry that is expected to increase as long as these catastrophic cuts to higher education are considered. Our University System has made great strides over the past 20 years in expanding opportunities for students all over the state to get a college education. I do not want to see that progress reversed and plan to fight these additional budget cuts. We have one of the best systems of higher education in the country, but we have been backtracking in that regard for some time now. Continuing down that path puts our state's future at risk.

Help for Forest Industry: On March 1, the Senate Finance Committee approved legislation in which I am a lead co-sponsor that would ensure property tax fairness for the owners of forest land. SB 409 would require that any tax break or exemption granted to a business that uses "raw forest products," such as a biomass energy plant, must also be granted to the owner of the property where that product is harvested. This is good legislation for PCA and other manufacturers in our district, as well as the forest industry. The bill now awaits consideration by the full Senate.

Property Tax Revisions: The Finance Committee also approved SB 346, which would revise and streamline the procedures for appealing property tax valuations. This measure would standardize the process by which property owners can appeal the value assigned by tax assessors to their property and would require counties to mail valuation notices to property owners every year, along with information on how they can file an appeal. SB 346 now awaits a vote on the Senate floor.

'Zero Tolerance' Reform: The Senate Education & Youth Committee has approved two bills that I co-sponsored aimed at bringing common sense to Georgia's so-called "zero tolerance" school disciplinary laws, which were intended to crack down on serious charges of having weapons in school but have too often resulted in students being criminalized for minor and insignificant infractions. SB 299 would prevent the immediate jailing of a student without a hearing and give judges more discretion into how they handle cases. The legislation, along with SB 332, which would require schools to include on their annual discipline reports the number of zero tolerance cases, will now be considered by the full Senate.

2010 Census: You should receive your census questionnaire by mail sometime this month. The census is important for a number of reasons. It will determine state population counts and determine representation in the U.S. House of Representatives, as well as boundaries for state and local legislative and congressional districts. Census data also guides planning for new hospitals, roads, job training centers, schools and other programs essential to communities. It is also vital for residents of Senate District 8 to be counted in the 2010 census. Estimates show that between 2000 and 2008, Lowndes County experienced a population gain of 12,348, while Thomas County grew by 2,965 residents, Cook County gained 770 residents and Brooks County declined by 34 residents. In the 2000 Census, Cook Countys response rate was 62 percent, Lowndes County 61 percent, Thomas County 60 percent and Brooks County 57 percent, compared to the national response rate of 67 percent and the Georgia response rate of 65 percent. I encourage everyone to participate in the 2010 Census. It is critically important and only takes a few minutes. For more information, visit www.census.georgia.gov.


Sen. Tim Golden represents District 8 (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.