No sooner had the State House passed the midyear budget, than representatives learned they had a problem: too much pork, according to Lt. Gov. Casey Cagle and Senate leaders.
In a statement, Cagle says the amended budget should be “reserved for limited spending on urgent matters.”
The House version would send more funds to the Peachcare and public defender programs, which are both running out of cash. But it also contains money for tourism projects, like Governor Sonny Perdue’s “Go Fish” initiative to add boat ramps and other amenities for anglers.
“We have all advocated that the amended budget should be for mid-year education adjustments and emergencies only,” Senate Speaker Pro Tem Eric Johnson (R-Savannah) said in a written statement. “We are not opposed to the projects and proposals put forth by the Governor or the House. We simply believe they should be debated within the FY 08 budget."
House members were not pleased with the Senate’s stand.
“For them to come here at the last minute with this little game, it’s unfortunate,” said House Appropriations Chairman Ben Harbin (R-Evans). “It doesn’t slow the process down, but it makes us have to work a little harder. But, if it’s the game they want to play, we’re going to make sure we send them a really good budget before we get it over there.”
Harbin says his committee will review the budget again tomorrow and Friday. But he stands by the House's product. As of now, he says, "nothing is negotiable."
The General Assembly must pass both the midyear budget and next year’s budget in the next 11 legislative days. It has delayed budgetary decisions because lawmakers wanted to know that the U.S. Congress would help fund Peachcare. Those assurances came last week.
