The 2012 legislative session of the Georgia General Assembly will begin Monday, Jan. 9. Here are some of the major issues that are expected to be addressed during this year’s session:

 State Budget The state budget is a major piece of business for lawmakers every session, and for the past several years, Georgia has had to deal with decreasing state revenues. That situation has turned around to some extent during the current fiscal year, which began July 1, 2011. Through November, total tax collections for the five-month period showed an increase of 6.8 percent. However, we are still a long way from where we were revenue-wise before the economic recession began in the fall of 2008. Georgia’s unemployment rate in November was 9.9 percent, marking the 52^nd consecutive month our state has exceeded the national jobless rate, which is now 8.6 percent. We are still dealing with a distressed economy, calling for a more fiscally responsible approach to the state budget. Tax Restructuring

Legislation that would have implemented some of the recommendations of a special tax council during the 2011 session was held over for further study. One of these proposals would repeal the state sales tax that manufacturers pay on the cost of energy used in their processing plants. Supporters of eliminating the tax say this is a problem that needs to be addressed because it holds back economic development and employment opportunities as Georgia is one of only 10 states where manufacturers pay a sales tax on energy. Other tax incentives for employers that would create jobs in our state will also be considered. To help offset revenue losses, some lawmakers are also proposing to reinstate the state sales tax on groceries, increase the tobacco excise tax or increase the state sales tax rate in general. Changing the state’s tax structure will again be a lively topic for debate.

 Transportation

As the result of legislation that was passed in 2010, Georgia voters are scheduled to go to the polls during this year’s July 31 primary and decide whether to approve a one-cent sales tax, proceeds from which would be used to fund transportation improvements on a regional basis in the counties of each region where the tax referendum is approved. A proposal has been made to change the election date for the regional sales tax (T-SPLOST) vote from July to the November general election, when voter turnout is historically higher. The proposal failed to reach a vote during the General Assembly’s special session last August but is expected to be brought up again during the 2012 session.

 Criminal Justice ReformA special council has recommended an increased use of probation and flexibility in sentencing for non-violent offenders to reduce the financial and human costs of Georgia’s overcrowded prisons. It is estimated that Georgia currently spends more than $1 billion a year and has the fourth-highest incarceration rate in the nation. Among the proposals recommended by the council include allowing judges to depart from mandatory minimum sentences in certain circumstances, expanding the use of Drug, DUI and Mental Health Courts and changing many traffic offenses from misdemeanors to violations. Gov. Nathan Deal is supportive of the proposals, and legislative leaders have said criminal justice reform will be a priority issue during the upcoming session. Requirements for AssistanceLegislation has been introduced to require drug testing for those receiving Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF) benefits. Supporters of the measure said it would ensure that taxpayer funds are not being used to subsidize drug addiction. A separate proposal would require those receiving unemployment benefits to complete 24 hours of community service each week. The bill’s sponsor said the measure would enable unemployed Georgians to give back to their communities, acquire new skills, network, obtain references and gain valuable experience while looking for jobs. Redistricting

On Dec. 23, the U.S. Justice Department granted pre-clearance for Georgia’s proposed new legislative and congressional district maps.  They were approved by a majority of the General Assembly last August and subsequently signed into law by Gov. Deal. The maps are still expected to undergo challenges in the federal courts, a situation lawmakers will have to monitor during the legislative session in case any changes are necessary. If the new maps, as currently drawn, do take effect in the 2012 election cycle, our current House District 11 will be renumbered as District 12 and will continue to cover all of Chattooga County and part of Floyd County, picking up several new precincts in Floyd County. As a member of the Reapportionment Committee, I am pleased that we were able to keep Chattooga County whole in the new district map.  My priorities have been to keep small rural counties from being split and to keep complete precincts together.  

 Water ManagementGov. Deal has signed off on the recommendations of a water supply task force, which establishes guidelines for spending $300 million in state money over the next four years to expand current reservoirs and build new ones. The governor said state and local governments as well as citizens share a mutual interest in making sure Georgia has an adequate and sustainable water supply for the future. The task force’s final report recommends the funds be spent to build new reservoirs, expand existing reservoirs and drill wells. Other IssuesSeparate bills have also been proposed that would authorize counties to hold non-partisan elections for local offices (sheriff, tax commissioner, clerk of court, coroner, county commissioner, school board, etc.); allow persons to carry concealed firearms in public without having to obtain a gun permit; and remove the statute of limitations on prosecuting persons for child molestation or rape. 

Please continue to contact me with your views on the issues or whenever I can be of service.

Rep. Reece may be reached at 404-656-7859 or barbara.reece@house.ga.gov.  Rep. Reece serves on the Education Committee, State Institutions and Properties Committee, Science and Technology Committee, and the Legislative and Congressional Reapportionment Committee.  She is also Vice-Chairman of the Rural Caucus.