Weekly Capitol Update--January 20, 2013
Week One (Days 1-4)
This week the Georgia General Assembly reconvened to begin its 2013 Legislative Session. As this was the start of a new term, all 180 members of the House of Representatives were sworn in followed by the re-elections of Rep. David Ralston (R-Blue Ridge) as Speaker of the House and Rep. Jan Jones (R- Milton) as Speaker Pro Tem.
The first week of legislative activities began with a brisk scheduling of meetings and events involving members of the Waycross City Commissioners, members of the Ware and Charlton County Commission Boards, as well as members of the Ware County School Board. These groups paid a visit to Atlanta and spoke with me concerning the interests of their respective constituencies.
Also, committee assignments were announced this week. I will be returning to the Game, Fish & Parks and Special Rules committees. In addition, I have been assigned to the Human Relations & Aging and Juvenile Justice committees. The Human Aging & Relations Committee deals with issues like elder care, personal care homes and other issues relevant to Georgia’s aging population. The Juvenile Justice committee will deal with legislation related to adoptions, child social services and potential criminal matters that face this population.
The Governor’s State of the State Address.
“The State of the State is strong.”—Governor Nathan Deal, January 17, 2013
Another highlight of the week was Governor Nathan Deal’s annual State of the State address. He outlined his legislative agenda for the year, including juvenile justice reform, boating safety law reforms, stemming cuts to K-12 education, balancing Georgia’s budget in the face of health care budget challenges and economic development initiatives like the deepening of the Savannah Harbor.
The Governor urged the Georgia General Assembly to implement recommendations made by the Special Council on Criminal Justice Reform that may translate into cost savings for tax payers. For example, the cost of each bed in a Youth Detention Center is in excess of $91,000 each year. Governor Deal has requesting $5 million in the FY 2014 budget to create an incentive funding program that encourages communities to create and utilize community-based options such as substance abuse treatment and providing judges with viable sentencing options with a focus to save tax payers dollars.
Public safety measures to change Georgia’s boating laws will include changing the blood alcohol level for Boating Under the Influence from 0.10 to the equivalent of a DUI threshold of 0.08. This is a common sense measure because significant motor impairment is seen at blood alcohol concentrations of 80mg/dl (0.08 %) regardless if you are driving a boat or a car. Other boating safety measures will be considered, and I will be watching this legislation closely as this may have a significant impact on coastal waters.
The K-12 education portion of Governor Deal’s budget will be exempt from the 3% cuts directed at all agencies in this year’s FY 2014 budget. Governor Deal’s budget recommendation will give $156M in additional funding for enrollment growth in K-12 schools in FY2013. For next year, there will be $147 million for enrollment growth and salary increases for teachers based on training and experience. There is also an additional $41 million to fully fund the revised Equalization formulas adopted last year. In addition to exempting K-12 education from this year’s 3% cut, the Governor will restore the 10 days lost from the Pre-K program, bringing the Pre-K program back to 180 days.
Governor Deal defended his decision not to expand Medicaid coverage under the Affordable Care Act (aka, ObamaCare). Georgia is already facing expansion of Medicaid as a result of the downturn in the economy and with the new regulations already being implemented to carry out the federal legislation. According to Governor Deal, even without expanding the eligible population base requested under ObamaCare, the state expects current Medicaid rolls to grow by an additional 100,000 individuals. This new population of Medicaid recipients, along with other mandates of Obamacare such as the extension of the time between the reviews of eligibility, will raise the state’s Medicaid costs by nearly $1.7 billion over the next 10 years.
Also the Governor is requesting the General Assembly to authorize the Department of Community Health to apply a provider fee on hospitals just as is applied on Georgia’s nursing homes. The state faces a $700 million Medicaid shortfall and unless this is not done a reduction of 20 percent in reimbursements to hospitals could occur. Governor Deal believes the failure to pass this legislation could jeopardize hospitals across Georgia and place the legislature in a difficult position of not being able to balance the budget. Legislation has already passed the Senate and will be heading to the House for consideration. The legislation passed 46-9.
As part of the effort to deepen the Savannah Harbor, the Governor is requesting another $50 million in bonds to finance the deepening of this important project. This project has state-wide economic implications. This brings the state’s total contribution to deepen the harbor to $231 million and the remainder of the cost will be assumed by the federal government. According to Governor Deal, Georgia expects to benefit $5.50 for every dollar spent.
Governor Deal Includes Funds for Altamaha Tech Camden Campus.
Governor Deal’s recommendation to the General Assembly for FY 2014 includes funding to address a serious need for workforce development in Southeast Georgia. As part of Governor Deal’s Competitive and Defense Initiatives, he has recognized this critical need in our part of the state. Both the Competitive and Defense Initiatives recognize the need for work force development and Georgia’s dynamic military communities, like Kings Bay, as a fountainhead of economic activity and supply of skilled talent for the state. Camden’s portion of the funds includes a $15.9 million bond to finance a new building to be constructed off I-95 on Exit 7. Governor Deal has met with Georgia’s military base commanders and will continue to seek their counsel in strategies that help the defense presence in the state continue to thrive and produce jobs.
All of Georgia’s military installations together generate approximately $20 billion in economic impact, including salaries, contracts and revenue generated. Georgia’s military bases average about 600 military personnel exiting the service each month and the initiative will ensure Georgia a continuous workforce pipeline in virtually all defense-related areas. Please call Governor Deal’s office and extend him a bit of gratitude for recognizing the importance of Georgia’s military communities, especially Kings Bay Naval Base. Also, it is important to call state leaders and let me know about the importance and impact this project will have on Southeast Georgia and Camden County. If you need further information on who to call, please don’t hesitate to call my office.
Home Brew Competitions May Become Legalized in Georgia
Rep. Spencer has worked with the Department of Revenue and authored a bill that will legalize home brew competitions in the state of Georgia. HB 99 will allow home brewers to produce greater quantities of their craft beers and legalize their transportation to events such as competitions and tastings. Under current Georgia law, it is not permissible for the transport of homemade beer for the purposes of competitions such as tastings and judgings.
Current law only allows for the creation of 50 gallons of home brew per calendar year and to only be used for personal consumption. This legislation would expand the amount one can brew at their private residence up to 200 gallons in a calendar (consistent with federal law). The successful passage of this legislation will provide economic development opportunities for cities that host such events along with local beer festivals. Large home brew competitions are well attended and can have a positive economic impact such as filling up hotel rooms and attendees eating at local restaurants. Also, home brew competitions can highlight Georgia grown agriculture products that could be used to may unique brews such as Georgia honey and Georgia peaches.
While this legislation will have a positive economic effect on Georgia’s tourism industry, it will also impact small businesses that sale home brew kits and accessories. “Currently, there are citizens in this state that are having competitions ‘under the radar’ in order to share recipes”, said Rep. Spencer. “Citizens shouldn’t have to break the law to do something this simple. I see this legislation as a way to advance economic freedom, personal freedom and an opportunity for Georgian’s to positively impact our state’s small businesses and tourism industry.”
Week Two Preview (Jan 21st- 25th)
This coming week, the General Assembly is in recess for appropriations hearings. Various departments will be presenting the Governor’s recommendations to the House Appropriations Committee. The General Assembly will reconvene for Day 5 on Monday, January 28, 2013 at 1 PM.
My capitol office address is: 18 Capitol Square, Coverdell Legislative Office Building, Suite 411-E, Atlanta, GA 30334. Please stop by and visit if you are in Atlanta during the legislative session. I’d love to see you and hear any questions or concerns you may have about issues facing our state. You can also call my capitol office at 404-656-0126 or email me at jason.spencer@house.ga.gov or spencer4hirega@gmail.com. Thank you for allowing me to serve as your representative.
In Liberty, 
Rep. Jason Spencer
Representative Jason Spencer represents the citizens of District 180. He was elected into the House of Representatives in 2010, and currently serves on the Game Fish & Parks, Special Rules, Juvenile Justice, and Human Aging & Relations Committees. 
CONTACT INFORMATION
Please feel free to contact me about any of your concerns.
Legislative web site: www.staterepspencer.com
Email 1: spencer4hirega@gmail.com
Email 2: jason.spencer@house.ga.gov (preferred email for public business)
Atlanta Office Address
411-E Coverdell Legislative Office Building (CLOB)
Atlanta, GA. 30334
District Address
28 Yachtsmen Court
Woodbine, GA. 31569
Phone:
404-656-0126 (Atlanta office)
912-541-0243 (mobile)
912-576-5810 ( home)
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