One of the biggest tasks that await lawmakers during each session of the General Assembly is putting together a balanced budget, but that may not be as daunting a task as some previous years. The state, it turns out, is flush with money.
Senate President Pro Tem Butch Miller of Gainesville said Thursday the state's rainy-day fund is completely full and the state still has a $2 billion surplus.
"I would like for us to be looking for an opportunity to shore up some areas that need some attention," Miller said.
Lawmakers may also consider a second reduction in the state income tax or an elimination of it all together. Miller, who will be a candidate for lieutenant governor in 2022, has already made elimination of the state income tax one of his top issues.
"Everybody says you can't do it," Miller said. Well, guess what? Florida did it. Well, guess what? Tennessee did it. … We should really dive into this issue, look at it closely and determine if it's right for Georgia, instead of just dismissing it. We will never get anything accomplished if we don't try. And I think this is a viable option."
Miller and the other five members of the Hall County legislative delegation discussed the tax issue and many others during the annual Eggs & Issues Breakfast sponsored by the Greater Hall Chamber of Commerce.
Rep. Lee Hawkins didn't dismiss the elimination of the income tax. But he cautioned that audience that sales taxes and other fees would likely have to rise to recoup the lost revenue.
"It's not a bad idea," Hawkins said. "But on the other side, being chair of (the) Budget (Committee), I'm looking at a budget where 50 percent is income tax. So, it's big hole on create. I just want to know if this is something that the public really wants to get behind."
The lawmakers also discussed a number of other issues including:
REDISTRICTING: The General Assembly last month wrapped up a special session to deal with the decennial redrawing of district lines for the state house, state senate and U.S. congressional districts. Those maps, which made some significant changes to some districts, were signed by Gov. Brian Kemp, they are likely headed to court.
One of the biggest changes was the redrawing for the Democratic Sixth District to exclude Democrat suburbs in Cobb County while adding suburbs in Forsyth and Dawson counties. Rep. Lucy McBath, the incumbent in the Sixth District, has said she will run in the Seventh District against Democratic incumbent Rep. Carolyn Bourdeaux.
Lawmakers also made changes on the local level, drawing Rep. Emory Dunahoo, whose district includes much of South Hall County, out of his district. His new district includes a small portion of Hall and much of Jackson County. He has said he will run for election in that district.
Miller said he is confident the maps will withstand a court challenge, but he acknowledged the difficulty that comes with the redistricting job.
"It's intensely personal," he said. "It's intensely partisan. It's intensely combative. There's no way to make everyone happy."
SPORTS BETTING AND CASINO GAMBLING: The issue of sports betting, parimutuel betting and casinos has been an issue that has risen up for a number of years, but lawmakers said they didn't think there was enough support to expand laws of gambling.
"When you look at it on paper, I think you see one of the greatest economic development opportunities in the history of the world," said Rep. Matt Dubnik. " But then when you look at it from the other side, and the other lens, and what it can possibly bring with it, I'm not so sure that it is the greatest opportunity ever that we could consider. … I would not be shocked to see it. But I still think the light is fairly dim."
IN-STATE TUITION FOR DREAMERS: Miller strongly said he believes immigrants in the Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals program, often referred to as Dreamers, should be allowed to have in-state tuition at the state's public colleges and universities. He pointed out that those young people are already getting a free education in the public school system.
"A DACA child that came here at three years old didn't walk across the Rio Grande, Miller said. "Someone brought him here, his parents brought him here or his family brought him here. He grew up here, he went to school here, and we have invested millions of dollars in his education. I think that if we want these young people to be productive members of our society, and contribute, then we're gonna have to educate and not put them at a disadvantage."
MEDICAID EXPANSION: Lawmakers showed little interest in expanding Medicaid beyond pushing the Biden administration to finally accept two waivers passed by the General Assembly. Those waivers would expand who was eligible in Georgia to receive Medicaid, but they came with requirements that people be employed or enrolled in school.
"We've been more than willing to expand this, but we do have those stipulations," Hawkins said.
GOVERNOR'S RACE: Former Sen. David Perdue's decision to enter the governor's race means a vicious Republican primary likely awaits followed by another battle with likely Democratic nominee Stacey Abrams.
Sen. Bo Hatchett said the Republican Party needs to be unified, not divided. He said Kemp did a great job navigating the state through COVID.
"He has kept our economy open," Hatchett said. "He's kept our state open, despite a lot of pressure from someone in the White House. I think he has done a fantastic job. I also have the utmost respect for David Perdue. But at this time, you know, I think one of the things that we have to do as a party and as a people and as a state is to unify and I'm worried that this is not going to take us in that direction."
