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Proposed cuts to higher education a major concern

March 5, 2010

The Appropriations Committees of the Senate and House of Representatives just completed two weeks of hearings on the annual state budget for fiscal year 2011, for the purpose of considering more cuts to the $18.2 billion spending plan proposed by Gov. Sonny Perdue.

The governor is forecasting a 4.2 percent growth in revenue for next year, despite the fact that state tax collections have declined for 14 consecutive months and are now down by 13 percent through the first seven months of fiscal year 2010. It has been estimated that the amended budget for this year will have to be cut by at least another $200 million, and the 2011 budget is facing an overall shortfall of at least $1.5 billion.

Legislative budget writers are considering drastic actions in order to balance the budget. More personnel cuts will probably be necessary. Department heads are being asked for lists of employees who are fully vested in state pension benefits and could be encouraged to retire early.

The most controversial budget proposal is a recommendation to slash another $300 million from Georgia's public colleges and universities. Having already cut $380 million from the University System budget since 2008, further deep reductions would be painful for college students, faculty and staff and the state's economy.

Under the proposal, Columbus State University would lose $6.1 million in funding and 44 staff positions. Course offerings would be reduced by 240 sections, affecting 6,000 students. Statewide, a 35 percent student tuition increase is on the table, and elimination of the Georgia 4-H program has been suggested.

These proposals have resulted in a public outcry that is expected to increase as long as these catastrophic cuts to higher education are considered. Our University System has made great strides over the past 20 years in expanding opportunities for students all over the state to get a college education. No one I know wishes to see that progress reversed.

'Zero Tolerance' Reform: The Senate Education & Youth Committee has approved legislation aimed at bringing common sense to Georgia's so-called "zero tolerance" school disciplinary laws, which were intended to crack down on serious charges of having weapons in school but have too often resulted in students being criminalized for minor and insignificant infractions. SB 299 would prevent the immediate jailing of a student without a hearing and give judges more discretion into how they handle cases. The legislation, along with SB 332, which would require schools to include on their annual discipline reports the number of zero tolerance cases, will now be considered by the full Senate.

Property Tax Revisions: The Senate Finance Committee has approved SB 346, which would revise and streamline the procedures for appealing property tax valuations. This measure would standardize the process by which property owners can appeal the value assigned by tax assessors to their property and would require counties to mail valuation notices to property owners every year, along with information on how they can file an appeal. SB 346 now awaits a vote on the Senate floor.

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Senator Ed Harbison — Georgia Senate District 15

Capitol
432 State Capitol
Atlanta, GA 30334
Phone: 404.656.0074
Fax: 404.463.5547

District 15
P.O. Box 1292
Columbus, GA 31902
Phone: 706.610.7120

Email: ed.harbison@senate.ga.gov

Ed Harbison © 2010

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