Wednesday, March 16th marked the 30th legislative day of the 2011 session.  Known as “Crossover Day,” this critical day marks the last chance, with rare exceptions, that House bills will have to pass the House and make their way to the Senate and vice versa. Over the remaining ten legislative days, the state House will focus on legislation that has already been passed by the state Senate.  Due to this deadline, the House worked long hours this week, debating and voting on long lists of legislation on Monday and Wednesday.

Zero Based Budgeting
Given the economic recession that has so drastically affected our state, we have worked hard this session to balance the state budget and make necessary spending cuts while continuing to provide vital services for Georgians.

To allow for a more thorough examination of our expenditures at the state level, my colleagues and I passed Rep. Stephen Allison’s HB 33 which I campaigned on and was proud to co-sponsor. This measure is designed to increase efficiencies and decrease wasteful spending by implementing a zero-based budgeting system.  Specifically, HB 33 would require state departments and agencies to submit detailed budget for a comprehensive audit.  This would allow us to fully examine every detail of the entire state budget over a six year period and further eliminate fraud and waste and prioritize spending.

HB 33 would also consolidate the House Budget Office and Senate Budget Office into one Joint Legislative Budget Office, a simple change that is projected to save the state up to $1 million annually.

Fighting Obamacare
On crossover day the House passed HB 461 authored by Rick Jasperse which I was proud to co-sponsor.  This bill provides another tool in our arsenal to combat Obamacare in this state. In an age where state rights continued to be trampled HB 461 allows Georgia to form interstate compacts with other states in a national effort to demand states’ rights and defeat Obomacare. The measure passed 108-63 over vocal objections, mostly from Democrats.

Criminal Justice Reform
In addition to reforming our state’s budget process, we also passed legislation to create the Special Council on Criminal Justice Reform for Georgians. This council will study criminal justice reform during the interim and make legislative recommendations to a joint legislative committee before the 2012 session.

The intent of this bill, HB 265, is to find solutions that will allow the state to ensure public safety while decreasing the cost of our corrections system.  It is imperative that we look at these reforms.  Georgia currently spends more than $1 billion a year and has the fourth-highest incarceration rate in the nation. However, recent studies suggest that an estimated three-fourths of the state’s prison population is believed to have some type of drug addiction, which could be treated at much lower costs than imprisonment.  For example, Georgia pays $49 per day per inmate housed in a state prison, compared to $1.50 per day for probation supervision or $16 per day for community treatment at a Day Reporting Center.

Maximizing our states influence in selecting the next president.
Along with measures to reform our justice system, we passed legislation that brings our state election laws into compliance with the rules of the national political parties.  Specifically, House Bill 454 grants the Secretary of State the discretion to select the date for Georgia’s presidential primary in each presidential election year.  The presidential primary date selected by the Secretary of State would have to fall between December 1st of the year prior to a presidential election and the second Tuesday in June of the presidential election year.  By granting the Secretary of State this additional flexibility, we can maximize Georgia’s role in selecting our nation’s presidential candidates.

Tax Reform – Is it a Fair Tax or a Girl Scout Attack?
I have continued to be inundated with complaint emails about how HB 385 would impose a tax on Girl Scout cookie sales, veterinarian services, etc. The AJC editorial cartoon even had a Georgia GOP elephant throwing a girl scout into a volcano.  Please take time to read discover the rest of the story.

Last year the House passed a bill forming a Tax Council comprised of an elite panel of economists and businessmen  to study our tax code and make recommendations to reform Georgia’s very old tax system. The goal was to create the best possible environment for economic growth and jobs. According to the bill that was passed last year, the Tax Council’s recommendations had to be submitted in the form of a bill. Of course, this doesn’t mean we have to pass the bill as it is was originally submitted. The main theme of the plan is to reduce state income tax in exchange for putting sales tax back on groceries, some services, and the removal of many special interest exemptions and credits. The plan is to help us be more competitive with surrounding states that don’t have income tax. If you like the Fair Tax, this is a cousin of that plan.

The bill “as is” was originally submitted will not go forward, although we might see some variation of the bill. As a small businessman you can rest assured that I will not vote for the any version of this bill unless it is revenue neutral and good for jobs in Georgia.

My first bill before the Senate
On Tuesday I will present my HB 227 before the Senate subcommittee of Education & Youth. If it passes out of subcommittee it will go before the full committee the following day. I had mistakenly reported last week that I thought it would go before Health & Human Services in the Senate. Since this bill deals with education and youth it makes sense in either committee.

This bill gives school personnel immunity to administer auto-injectable epinephrine to save a child’s life in anaphylactic shock.  Tragically a child can die within 20 minutes of the first sign of anaphylaxis due to a food allergy or bee sting.  Presently a child is required to have a prescription to carry an epi shot, yet statistics show that half of the deaths due to bee stings occurred the first time the child was stung.

Sunday Sales
As you have probably heard in the news the Senate passed Sunday Sales. I predict that it will come to the House floor for a vote in the next week or two.
I would enjoy hearing your thoughts on SB 10 which would allow local communities the option of holding a referendum on allowing retails stores to sell alcoholic beverages on Sunday. Under current law a community can allow a bar or restaurant to serve alcohol on Sunday, but they can’t allow a retail store to sell on Sunday. The result is that a person can get drunk at a bar or restaurant if they choose, but you can’t buy a bottle of wine at a retail store. This bill would bring consistency to state law.
What are your thoughts? I promise to read your email even if I don’t respond. Of course, I will do my best to respond to all constituents who have questions or concerns needing to be addressed.

Appreciation for our soldiers and those who serve them.
In wrapping up I would like to take a moment to let you know about some amazing men and women who were honored this week at Atlanta Hartsfield-Jackson International Airport.  Based out of the airport, the U.S. Central Command’s Rest and Recuperation (R&R) leave program and Military Personnel Assistance Point program work 365 days a year to assist members of the United States Army, Navy, Marine Corps, Air Force, and Coast Guard with transit to and from Afghanistan, Iraq, and Kuwait. Last year alone, this group of 20 soldiers and civilians supported the R&R needs of more than 166,500 troops who traveled through our great state.

Sponsored by Speaker Ralston and Rep. Smith, HR 528 honors military personnel and commends the dedicated efforts of the United States Army Human Resources Command and the USO in support of military personnel and their families.  The resolution also conveys the profound appreciation of the Georgia House of Representatives for all members of the United States military, who stand ever ready to lay the ultimate sacrifice upon the altar of freedom.  With three brothers serving in the military it was an honor and a privilege to serve as your representative when we voted to pass this meaningful resolution.

Now that Crossover Day has passed, the remaining ten legislative days will be used to consider legislation already passed by the Senate.  Please let me know if you have any comments or questions regarding any of these bills. As the Senate bills begin to make their way through the House committee process I will be sure to consider your comments.

You’re my boss and I work for you.  If you have questions or concerns please do not hesitate to contact me.  You can reach me at my Capitol office (404) 656-0325, cell (404)-723-8989, or email josh.clark@house.ga.gov

Josh Clark
State Representative, District 98
612-E Coverdell Legislative Office Building
18 Capitol Square
Atlanta, GA 30334
O. 404-656-0325
C. 404-723-8989
www.votejoshclark.com

“Never doubt that a small group of thoughtful, committed people can change the world. Indeed, it is the only thing that ever has” – Margaret Mead