Georgia lawmakers return to the Capitol today after two days off last Thursday and Friday. With only two days left in session (today and Thursday), there are a number of major issues that still need to be addressed if they are going to make it out of the 2016 session.
Two bills impacting state taxes will be under scrutiny — especially by education advocates who believe both will have a dramatic impact on state funding for public schools and other important state services. HB 238 passed the Senate last week, but goes back to the House since the original version of HB 238 dealt with tax exemptions for aquarium expansions and renovations. The new version, the original SB 280, would reduce the top income tax rate among other things.
The Professional Association of Georgia Educators (PAGE) has put out a call to action on this bill, along with SR 756 — a constitutional amendment that institutes an automatic reduction of the income tax rate when certain conditions are met. Education advocates believe this would cost the state hundreds of millions of dollars annually, jeopardizing funding for education and other services.
In their call for action, they said, “Currently the state is underfunding schools by $466 million. With the partial restoration of ongoing austerity cuts, next year, the school funding gap is set to fall to $166 million. Reducing the funding gap is made possible only with growing state revenue. If this tax package is approved, schools may once again face substantial cuts that caused widespread teacher furloughs, larger class sizes and a shortened school year for many.”
Legislators are also under the gun to put their stamp of approval on the record $23.7 billion budget that is set to take effect July 1. This new budget includes a pay raise for teachers and state workers, as well as a 3 percent bonus for state retirees. The budget also includes over $1.6 billion for new road projects in the upcoming year.
HB 838 has drawn some fire in the final days of the session. This bill sets a minimum commission for insurance agents selling health care policies. The bill is being pushed by Rep. John Meadows (R-Calhoun), a powerful Republican in the House of Representatives, although it was carried by Rep. Shaw Blackmon (R-Bonaire).
The bill would guarantee a minimum 5 percent commission for agents who sell group health policies to small businesses, and sets a 4 percent minimum commission for individual health plans.
Many eyes are also on the state’s Campus Carry Bill — watching to see if lawmakers follow the Governor’s recommendation to make changes. After lawmakers passed the legislation that allows anyone over 21 with a carry permit to have a gun on college campuses, Governor Nathan Deal expressed concerns over a lack of provisions for carrying guns on college campus
day care centers. The Governor also expressed concerns over the number of younger students who will be attending classes on college campuses as part of “Move On When Ready.”
HB 859 can’t be changed because it already sits on the Governor’s desk awaiting his signature. Lawmakers would need to write fixes in a new bill that has already crossed over.
