For the past three days, state lawmakers have been going through a policy boot camp of sorts. Today that camp turned off the lights and shut the doors as the 26th Biennial Institute for Legislators concluded. Lawmakers got an earful about tough issues waiting for them when they meet in January. Governor Sonny Perdue says the most difficult issue will be the budget. Taking a page from the national scene, Perdue called on legislators to help him with an aggressive infrastructure plan:
“I intend to use the good balance sheet and the good name and the good credit rating of Georgia to do our own stimulus package for the state of Georgia. And I hope you’ll assist us with that.”
Of course, unlike the federal government, Georgia can not run an annual deficit. However, Perdue thinks the state is positioned to lead the country to economic recovery. Perdue says long-term education and transportation funding here in Georgia is crucial to this proposal. President Elect Barack Obama has proposed a similar package which Governors discussed with him.
“We’ve encouraged him to look at our country’s long-term needs, investing in projects, not one-time fixes for budgets that may or may not have been well managed. Simply doling out money to states to fill budget gaps, is no different than handing it out to companies with
flawed business models.”
Obama says any infastructure spending directed towards the states will needed to be spent quickly or the government will take it back. In Georgia, revenues were still down 1.3 percent overall for the fiscal year. The Governor said it’s likely that Georgia will have to cut more than the 6 percent reductions already underway in state departments and agencies.
“I intend to use the good balance sheet and the good name and the good credit rating of Georgia to do our own stimulus package for the state of Georgia. And I hope you’ll assist us with that.”
Of course, unlike the federal government, Georgia can not run an annual deficit. However, Perdue thinks the state is positioned to lead the country to economic recovery. Perdue says long-term education and transportation funding here in Georgia is crucial to this proposal. President Elect Barack Obama has proposed a similar package which Governors discussed with him.
“We’ve encouraged him to look at our country’s long-term needs, investing in projects, not one-time fixes for budgets that may or may not have been well managed. Simply doling out money to states to fill budget gaps, is no different than handing it out to companies with
flawed business models.”
Obama says any infastructure spending directed towards the states will needed to be spent quickly or the government will take it back. In Georgia, revenues were still down 1.3 percent overall for the fiscal year. The Governor said it’s likely that Georgia will have to cut more than the 6 percent reductions already underway in state departments and agencies.
