posted November 26, 2007
Sen. Bo Watson told the Pachyderm Club on Monday that the General Assembly may have to tighten its belt due to slipping revenue.
He noted that Finance Commissioner Dave Goetz is already instructing agencies to be ready to trim their departments.
State revenues are running $136 million behind after the first quarter, Sen. Watson said.
He said that may affect getting full implementation of BEP 2.0. He said that was to be phased in to full funding in 3-5 years - depending on the money available.
The new state education formula meant some $12 million in additional funds for the Hamilton County Schools this year and is eventually designed to add $25 million per year.
Sen. Watson said the Legislature is shooting for adjournment next April 9.
He said committee chairmen are setting target shutdown dates.
Sen. Watson said it costs taxpayers $21,252 per day while the Legislature is in session.
He said he inquired about the cost of introducing a new bill and was told it is about $1,000 per bill.
He said one legislator was carrying 181 bills last year and another 150. He said he focuses on only about 30.
Sen. Watson said he will continue to get counties reimbursed the full cost of housing state prisoners. He said Hamilton County spends $59 per day for prisoners at the jail, and the state pays only $35.
He said major legislation in the upcoming session will include the death penalty and the lottery bill.
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