Gov. Sonny Perdue vetoed the 2007 midyear budget on the eve of the final day of the legislative session. Shortly after, he issued this statement:
It does not fund necessary operations.
It does not meet the current expenses of the state.
It does not meet the needs of Georgians.
This budget would lead to furloughs of literacy instructors and prosecutors, stopping cleanup of hazardous waste sites, halting health screening of newborns, letting up on internet predators, leaving us unprepared for a pandemic flu outbreak, and turning a blind eye to meth labs. That is not going to happen on my watch.
Earlier, Perdue had expressed disappointment in a plan to spend $142 million on property tax rebates. He had wanted lawmakers to expand the retirement tax break to include wealthy seniors. It would have cost about the same amount of money, but the House did not consider it.
The veto, although somewhat expected, has forced lawmakers back to the drawing board with just one day remaining in the session.
Lt. Gov. Casey Cagle released a statement expressing hope that lawmakers will reach a resolution swiftly. He said, "The budget process is complex and includes the House, the Senate and the Governor. Tonight the Governor exercised his place in the process and I respect his role."
But some House members hinted they could attempt to override the veto.
Speaker Glenn Richardson (R-Hiram) says he's disappointed.
"The 2007 Amended Budget passed unanimously in both the House and the Senate, and it is difficult to understand why Gov. Perdue has chosen to deny Georgians a $142 million tax break," he said in a written statement. "We will reconvene tomorrow morning so that we may exercise the rights afforded to us in the Georgia Constitution."
"I hope the House leadership will again come to the table and address the needs of Georgians in the most appropriate way," Perdue concluded in his written statement. "There is still time if they want to take that approach. If not, I will call the House and Senate to a special session to get a Constitutional budget that meets the needs of our citizens."
A special session would last at least five days, at more than $48,000 per day.
It does not fund necessary operations.
It does not meet the current expenses of the state.
It does not meet the needs of Georgians.
This budget would lead to furloughs of literacy instructors and prosecutors, stopping cleanup of hazardous waste sites, halting health screening of newborns, letting up on internet predators, leaving us unprepared for a pandemic flu outbreak, and turning a blind eye to meth labs. That is not going to happen on my watch.
Earlier, Perdue had expressed disappointment in a plan to spend $142 million on property tax rebates. He had wanted lawmakers to expand the retirement tax break to include wealthy seniors. It would have cost about the same amount of money, but the House did not consider it.
The veto, although somewhat expected, has forced lawmakers back to the drawing board with just one day remaining in the session.
Lt. Gov. Casey Cagle released a statement expressing hope that lawmakers will reach a resolution swiftly. He said, "The budget process is complex and includes the House, the Senate and the Governor. Tonight the Governor exercised his place in the process and I respect his role."
But some House members hinted they could attempt to override the veto.
Speaker Glenn Richardson (R-Hiram) says he's disappointed.
"The 2007 Amended Budget passed unanimously in both the House and the Senate, and it is difficult to understand why Gov. Perdue has chosen to deny Georgians a $142 million tax break," he said in a written statement. "We will reconvene tomorrow morning so that we may exercise the rights afforded to us in the Georgia Constitution."
"I hope the House leadership will again come to the table and address the needs of Georgians in the most appropriate way," Perdue concluded in his written statement. "There is still time if they want to take that approach. If not, I will call the House and Senate to a special session to get a Constitutional budget that meets the needs of our citizens."
A special session would last at least five days, at more than $48,000 per day.
