Dear Friends and Supporters,

        The 2010 Legislative Session has been the toughest economic environment since the Great Depression. The legislature was challenged to fulfill our constitutional obligation of passing a balanced budget amidst significant revenue shortfalls, while trying to maintain essential services for Georgians. Tough decisions were made to balance the budget and the effect of those tough decisions may not be realized for a few years. Legislation was also passed in key areas such as public safety, natural resources, and transportation.
 

        The session began with state revenue estimates dropping nearly 18 percent decline from 2009 levels, an approximate $3 billion decrease in funding from FY 2009 to FY 2011. By shifting funds from FY 2011 to fill gaps in the remainder of the 2010 budget, we still had to find $1.35 billion in the FY 2011 budget. In the end, the budget was balanced by making over $1 billion in cuts while trying to protect services like education, health care, and public safety. We restored education grants for Georgia's students and increased funding for 2,000 Pre-K slots, bringing total enrollment to 84,000. In the area of Higher Education, we increased HOPE programs by using lottery funds. For example, the budget includes increasing the HOPE Grant by $75.9 million and HOPE Scholarships for public schools by $84.5 million. The budget also includes $450,000 for continued operations at the Columbus Crime Laboratory and $437,602 for three new special agents with in the Georgia Drugs and Narcotics Agency to investigate prescription drug abuse.

        Georgia’s trauma death rate has been as high as 20 percent above the national average due to the state’s lack of an adequate system. Therefore, the General Assembly worked to pass Senate Resolution 277 which creates the Georgia Trauma Trust Fund (GTTF). This resolution proposes an amendment to the Constitution that transfers motor vehicle registrations to the state treasury for the purpose of funding a Georgia Trauma Trust Fund. There will be a $10 annual charge on each licensed passenger vehicle. The trauma charge will be collected at the same time the law requires collection of license plate and decals for vehicles. Fees collected would be placed into the GTTF and be solely dedicated for management and improvements to the state trauma care system. If Georgia voters approve the measure in November, the fund will become the state’s first dedicated funding source for the statewide trauma network, possibly generating up to $90 million a year and saving over 1,000 lives each year in Georgia.

 
        With a federal judge ruling that metro Atlanta residents have no right to tap Lake Lanier for their drinking water, and we have three years to work out a plan with Alabama and Florida, the legislature had to act. Therefore, we passed the Georgia Water Stewardship Act (SB 370) which takes proactive steps in planning for water enhancement during future extreme drought conditions and additional water emergencies. The bill requires certain state agencies to identify opportunities to provide programs and incentives for voluntary water conservation and enhancement of the state’s water supply. It allows local governments to impose more stringent water restrictions on outdoor water use during non-drought periods than those imposed by the state and establishes a new outdoor watering restriction. The bill also requires the Environmental Protection Department to promulgate minimum standards and best practices for monitoring and improving the efficiency and effectiveness of water use by public water systems. In an effort to promote conservation, the bill requires all new multi-tenant residential, retail, and light industrial buildings to be constructed in a manner which will permit the measurement of water use. It calls for the Department of Community Affairs to amend applicable state minimum standard codes to require the installation of high-efficiency plumbing fixtures in all new construction. Finally SB 370 creates a Joint Committee on Water Supply to study the status of the state’s current reservoir system and identify creative financing options for additional water supply needs. These are important steps toward protecting our supply and helping us in our current negotiations with Alabama and Florida.

        Studies have shown that texting while driving is worse than drinking and driving. Now add that to Georgia’s congested highways and we have a real problem. The General Assembly passed two bills that will prohibit drivers from writing, sending, or reading a text-based communication on a wireless telecommunications device, including instant messages, e-mail, and Internet data, while operating a motor vehicle. House Bill 23 prohibits drivers under 18 who have an instruction permit or a Class D license from operating a motor vehicle while engaging in wireless communication using a wireless telecommunications device. Such drivers will be punished by a $150.00 fine and assessed 1 point on their driving record. The fine will be doubled if the driver is involved in an accident at the time of a violation. Senate Bill 360 addresses drivers over the age of 18 and only applies to texting communications. The will also receive a conviction will result in a $150.00 fine and an assessment of one point on the violator’s driving record.

        Achieving transportation funding legislation for Georgia has been a challenge for many years. We finally passed transportation legislation this year which divides the state into 12 regions and allows each region to hold referendums on local projects. If approved by the voters in a referendum, this legislation provides for a 1 percent regional transportation sales and use tax to be imposed for a period of ten years in 12 newly created special districts. The geographical boundary of each region corresponds with and is coterminous with the geographical boundary of the 12 regional commissions. Any plan must include preparations to receive these funds should you, the voters, approve it. Therefore, this legislation is a three-phase plan so we can complete transportation projects efficiently, effectively and with transparency. Through this transportation plan, DeKalb County will have greater representation at the table. This ensures that DeKalb will be well served and that we are successful in getting important DeKalb County transportation improvements on the project list.
To strengthen DeKalb we passed HB 203 which corrects language from 2008 legislation that prevented the DeKalb County Development Authority from utilizing its bonding authority for private sector investments, and limited the County's ability to use Recovery Zone Bonds that were awarded to DeKalb County through the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009. This legislation will once again make the DeKalb County Development Authority competitive with our neighboring counties. Additionally, DeKalb County renewed their Service Delivery Strategy agreement with our municipalities. This allows the County and the municipalities to remain eligible for millions of dollars in state grants like DCA's Livable Communities Initiative funding.

 
        With this challenging session completed, I am reminded that the future of our economy is uncertain and we must continue to build our revenue and strengthen our state through economic development. I welcome all of your questions and comments regarding legislation passed this session as well as other issues that are of importance to you. I can be reached via phone at 770-939-5969 or email at henson718@bellsouth.net.

Sincerely,

Steve

Steve Henson

State Senator, 41^st District 

Sen. Steve Henson represents the 41st Senate District which includes portions of DeKalb and Gwinnett counties. He may also be reached at his office at 404.656.0085 or by email at steve.henson@senate.ga.gov.