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Under the Gold Dome: The Council’s Weekly Legislative Recap
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The Georgia Legislature was not in Session this week but held Joint-Appropriation Hearings Tuesday through Thursday and will reconvene for Legislative Day 5 on Monday, January 23rd. At the Joint-Appropriation hearings, State Agency heads discussed the Governor’s proposed budgets for each department and answered questions from members of the House & Senate Appropriations Committees.
At the beginning of the Joint-Appropriation hearings on Tuesday, Governor Kemp presented his Amend Fiscal Year (FY) 2023 and Fiscal Year (FY) 2024 budget recommendations. The recommendations included in the budget report are designed to meet the state’s financial obligations while also investing in the education, health, and safety of its citizens. Governor Kemp’s $32.5 billion FY 2024 state budget proposal outlines plans to spend more than $2 billion more than this year’s record budget, and with an all-time high state surplus of more than $6 billion. The Governor’s budget priorities include:
· Reallocation of $35.7 million within OneGeorgia to establish the Rural Workforce Housing Fund. This will allow local development and housing authorities to prepare land for housing that supports upcoming economic development projects and ensures the workforce accessibility to housing.
· $1.1 billion for a one-time Homeowner Tax Relief Grant program which will provide property tax relief of, on average, $500 for every eligible homeowner.
· Allocation of $1 billion to provide a second state income tax refund of $250 for single filers and $500 for joint filers, to eligible taxpayers in Georgia.
· In comparison to the Amended FY 2023 budget, there is an additional allocation of $91 million to GDOT in FY 2024 for roads and bridges projects statewide.
· $1 million for the establishment of the Professional Engineers and Land Surveyors Board (ACEC Georgia Legislative Priority)
· Another round of $2,000 raises for teachers, educational support staff, and state employees
· $129 million grant proposed for the Technical College System of Georgia’s “Quick Start” facilities to support the emerging electric vehicle industry
· Fully fund the HOPE Scholarship program for the first time since then Governor Nathan Deal and the legislature cut HOPE benefits more than a decade ago due to growing demand for scholarships combined with rising tuition costs.
· Amended FY 2023 Bill Governor’s Rec (HB 18)
· Amended FY 2023 Tracking Sheet Governor’s Rec (HB 18)
· FY 2024 Bill Governor’s Rec (HB 19)
· FY 2024 Tracking Sheet Governor’s Rec (HB 19)
This week, Speaker John Burns and the House Committee on Assignments announced new standing committee chairs for the 2023-2024 Georgia Legislative Sessions. The Council for Quality Growth looks forward to working with the 2023 House Committee Chairs and members.
On the first legislative day, the Georgia General Assembly adopted Adjournment Resolution SR 6 establishing a complete 40-day legislative calendar. Crossover Day, or legislative day 28, has been set for Monday, March 6th and the last day of the legislative session or Sine Die is scheduled for Wednesday, March 29th.
Looking back at 2022, please click here to view a comprehensive recap of the 2022 Georgia Legislative Session. Additionally in 2022, the Joint Study Committee on the Electrification of Transportation; Georgia House Study Committee Regulation, Affordability, and Access to Housing; and the Senate Development Authorities and Downtown Authorities Study Committee held several meetings to research and develop policy recommendations to determine the best course of action.
· Joint Study Committee on the Electrification of Transportation Report
· Georgia House Releases Study Committee Report on Regulation, Affordability, and Access to Housing
· Senate Development Authorities and Downtown Authorities Study Committee Report
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