|
Greetings! Today is Legislative Day 7 out of 40. Last week we had Budget Hearings. We still haven’t voted on any bills, but I understand we may be voting on some on Friday.
In this Issue:
- Environmental Justice Forum: Setting An Agenda - This Saturday!
- Budget Hearings - Governor Proposes, General Assembly Perfects!
- Housing -
- Special Purpose Home Repair
- Senior Homestead Exemption
- Tax Center
- Stop Period Poverty - End the Tampon Tax
- Page Program
- At the Capitol
- In the Community
|
|
Will You Join Me on this Saturday, January 27th for Environmental Justice Forum, Setting An Agenda?
|
|
Recap of the October 28th Environmental Justice Take Action Forum & Listening Session
|
|
|
State Representative Becky Evans, New Life Community Alliance, and Science for Georgia invite DeKalb citizens, community, faith, healthcare, and business leaders and people who are concerned about impacts of environmental health for the “Environmental Justice Forum: Setting an Agenda” on this Saturday, January 27, 2024 from 10am to 12 Noon. Sign up HERE
On Oct 28th we met and you determined what was important to you and your community. We’ve been working hard identifying on-going environmental testing projects in your area, possible new projects that we can start, and environmental health information. Here is information if you want to learn about who spoke and what we did at that event. Environmental Justice Take Action Forum and Listening Session – Science Lookup
On this coming Saturday, January 27, we invite you to a catch-up setting where we share what we have learned, provide information on ongoing projects in your neighborhood, and get your opinion on what to do next. We also welcome fresh faces and voices!
We are pleased that two of our guest presenters will be:
Maria Houser, DeKalb Consent Decree and Environmental Compliance Director will update us on:
- Progress of the water and sewer line replacement along the South River watershed
- Progress of the new Snapfinger WasteWater Treatment Plant.
Kathy Reed, DeKalb Sustainability Coordinator will update us on:
- DeKalb’s exciting recent announcement from ARC about our Green Communities Certification
- Trees Atlanta's Front yard tree program (an opportunity for residents to have a tree planted in their yard at no cost)
- Encourage residents to sign up for Engage DeKalb to stay informed of all future sustainability initiatives and opportunities for public engagement
- Let residents know about Georgia Bright, the solar leasing program for low to moderate income families to reduce energy burden
Sign up HERE. We hope to see you on this Saturday, January 27th!
|
|
Where are YOUR Tax Dollars Going?
|
|
|
|
Our State Budget is a moral document, and you can see that the priorities are for Education and Healthcare. We are doing much more for Education, which I am happy about! But still no extension of Medicaid to help the working poor. This budget proposes returning $1.1 Billion to taxpayers by accelerating a state income tax cut, and THANKFULLY starts investing more in one-time capitol investments, spending some of our undesignated surplus! More on that below...
|
|
The Georgia Legislature was not in Session last week but held Joint-Appropriation Hearings Tuesday through Thursday, Jan 16 - 18. At the Joint-Appropriation hearings, State Agency heads discussed the Governor’s proposed budgets for each department and answered questions from members of the House & Senate Appropriations Committees.
At the beginning of the Joint-Appropriation hearings on Tuesday, Governor Kemp made a brief virtual appearance to present his Amend Fiscal Year (FY) 2024 and Fiscal Year (FY) 2025 budget recommendations. He walked lawmakers through the highlights of his proposed budget, including $2 billion in infrastructure spending and a proposed tax cut. In the Amended FY 2024 budget, he proposed $37.5 billion which is a $5 billion increase in funding from the original budget passed last year. For the FY 2025 budget, Governor Kemp has proposed a slimmer $36.1 billion budget that starts on July 1, 2024.
State economist Bob Buschman outlined how Georgia is doing economically and that the state will continue to perform even as a mild recession is projected for this year. The Department of Economic Development’s 2024 budget is set to increase from $41.7 million to $74.3 million. $29.2 million of that increase is reserved for the Georgia World Congress Center Authority relating to public safety and infrastructure costs as the state is hosting the 2026 FIFA World Cup and 2025 College Football Playoff National Championship.
To view all the presentation and budget resources from the House Office of Budget and Research, please click here.
Governor Kemp's Amended FY 2024 & FY 2025 Budget Recommendation Highlights:
- Additional $1.5 billion in state funds allocated to the Georgia Department of Transportation for projects that directly help move commuters and freight
- $200 million of the $1.5 billion will go to the Local Maintenance and Improvement Grant, essentially doubling the amount available to local governments for Fiscal Year 2024 to $418 million. This money will be well spent on local road engineering, construction, paving, and maintenance.
- $250 million of new state funds into the Georgia Environmental Finance Authority for local water and sewer projects across the state and will raise the fund's capacity for new projects to $325 million, and the overall portfolio to nearly $750 million
- Last session the Governor and legislature created the Workforce Housing Fund with an initial investment of $35.7 million. To date, over $17 million of this has been awarded to 9 projects. The approved projects so far have been grants for water, sewer, and road construction around single and multi-family housing developments. The Governor is proposing an additional $50 million in the Amended 2024 budget and $6 million in base funding for the Fiscal Year 2025 budget that will go to this Fund, ensuring these types of strategic investments continue.
- The budget recommendations also include $178 million for the design and construction for a dental school at Georgia Southern University and $50 million for a medical school at the University of Georgia.
- $1.4 billion in additional spending on K-12 education
- Providing state employees and teachers with 4% raises
- $500 million for the Employees’ Retirement System
- $205 million in new funds for mental health
Good Reads on the budget from the press:
Kemp proposes pay hikes for 300,000 Georgia teachers, state employees
Pay raises and higher education spending headline Gov. Brian Kemp’s proposed budget in Georgia – WABE
State agency heads outline spending plans for Georgia’s child welfare, safety-net, mental health – WABE
Overview of Georgia’s 2025 Fiscal Year Budget
|
|
|
|
I attended all three days of the Budget hearings in person. I was glad I did, because I was able to observe interactions firsthand, and I was able to ask several questions, even though I am not an Appropriations committee member.
|
|
Flat Tax Offers Small Benefit to Most
|
|
|
|
Georgia moved from a progressive state income tax to a flat tax a few years ago, which I voted against, with graduated steps reducing the tax. The Governor is proposing to accelerate the cut - most middle income Georgians will only receive $34 in tax relief. Think of all those Child and Parent Services (CAPS) slots we could fund with these millions of dollars!
Overview of Georgia’s 2025 Fiscal Year Budget
|
|
State Undesignated Surplus Reaches Unprecedented $10.9 Billion
|
|
|
|
Even with investing $1.9 Billion for one time expenses from surplus this year, we have $10.9 Billion remaining in undesignated surplus! I will continue to fight for state investments in housing and early child care and learning. And of course we have the need to provide healthcare insurance to our low income working families!
|
|
What is the State doing to tackle the Housing Crisis?
|
|
Many of you know that I have been fighting for more state investments in Housing, meeting with the Governor’s staff, Office of Policy and Budget, and Commissioner Nunn of Department of Community Affairs, over the past two budget cycles. We LOVE our Low Income Housing Tax Credits, and we do NOT want to jeopardize them.
However, with our HUGE surplus, and with the huge need out there, we should be BOLD about investing our state dollars in Housing. This budget does propose investing more in Rural Workforce Housing, increasing from $37 million to $50 million, which is wonderful.
What we have in this budget is a very small increase in Special Housing Initiatives - Increase of $2.2m in amended FY 2024, and increase of $3.8 m in FY 2025, to pursue new federal grant opportunities. This is so frustrating, because we COULD invest tens of millions of this undesignated surplus, for one time spending, in the Housing Trust Fund for grants for home repair and building affordable housing, but we have not yet been persuasive enough. We will continue to explore ALL options for the state to do more to invest in housing, especially for our low income families and veterans!
|
|
Special Purpose Home Repair Program in DeKalb
|
|
I have been listening to many of you, asking for help with home repairs. In DeKalb, thanks to some federal dollars, there is some funding for Special Purpose Home Repair. Special Purpose Home Repair Program – Commissioner Mereda Johnson
Open Application Period: December 28, 2023, through 3 PM on February 9, 2024
For additional information call 404-371-2727 or email : sphr@dekalbcountyga.gov
|
|
Lack of Housing Assistance Keeps Parents from their Children
|
|
| A long term investigation by WABE and ProPublica found that inadequate housing was the sole reason 20% of children were kept in foster care in Georgia. The 5-year review of spending for the Georgia Division of Family and Children Services spent more than $450 million on programs that can be used to keep families together but less than half of 1% went to housing assistance. It raises questions about values, solutions and where and how money is spent for long- and short-term solutions for some families and children in our state. The topic also may challenge your view about the role of government. Read it here. |
|
|
Senior Homestead Tax Exemption - Are you Eligible?
|
|
|
|
It is important to me for our seniors to be able to age in place, and I was proud to sponsor three bills increasing senior homestead exemptions last session - the first changes in 30 years! We hope hundreds if not thousands of DeKalb seniors will be eligible. Now we need DeKalb Senior Homeowners to check your exemption status and apply today!
|
|
For ALL State Tax Payers - Register with the Georgia Tax Center!
|
|
Ahead of tax filing season, the Department of Revenue is encouraging Georgia taxpayers to take advantage of the streamlined services offered by the Georgia Tax Center (GTC) by creating their accounts. The GTC, a system designed for both individuals and businesses, provides the ability to manage tax-related obligations in a user-friendly and efficient manner.
“By encouraging the creation of GTC web logons, the Department of Revenue aims to serve taxpayers with a reliable and efficient tool to navigate their tax-related responsibilities,” said Commissioner Frank O’Connell. “We are always looking for ways to empower customers to self-serve through our online resources.”
Individuals utilizing the GTC can easily check their refund status, verify a return, submit necessary documentation, and make payments. Businesses can register a new Georgia business and search for a license or registration (alcohol, motor fuel, sales and use tax, tobacco). GTC also offers license registration, renewals, and many other services catering for both individuals and businesses online. This initiative is geared towards saving Georgians valuable time while ensuring improved experience in meeting their tax needs.
The goal is to streamline the process of these tasks for taxpayers by ensuring the service is user-friendly. GTC provides a secure and convenient online service system, allowing taxpayers to manage their obligations with ease
|
|
STOMP out the Taxes on Menstrual Products!
|
|
We find ourselves in the midst of a nationwide movement, with 29 states already taking significant strides to eliminate the so-called "tampon tax" or "pink tax" on menstrual products. It's disheartening that Georgia, a state where over half the population is women, still imposes a tax on essential items like tampons and menstrual care products, branding them as luxury items - under Georgia law, menstrual products are subject to a full 4% tax.
Period products are not a luxury - they are essential goods, and their affordability directly affects public health outcomes. Our commitment to public health should extend to ensuring that no one faces the risk of infection or toxic shock syndrome due to limited access to menstrual products.
Recent surveys reveal that a quarter of teens and a third of adults face challenges affording period products. This struggle is particularly pronounced among Black and Latinx communities compared to their white counterparts.
Over the past 40 years, numerous states, including our neighbors in Texas, have abolished sales tax on period products. It's encouraging to see bipartisan efforts, like those in Kentucky, where both Republican and Democrat-sponsored bills aim to waive the tampon tax. This issue transcends political lines and is fundamentally a public health matter that impacts individuals across all demographics.
I am working to ensure Georgia joins the ranks of states that have not only eliminated the tampon tax, but have also allocated funds to provide free menstrual products in schools. Kentucky Representative Willner's federal bill, which sets aside $2 million for public schools to supply these products to students in grades 6 through 12, is a step in the right direction. There is more that we can and should do, and I will advocate for change at the state level as well as at the federal level.
Let's make menstrual equity a reality in Georgia. THANK YOU Georgia STOMP!
|
|
|
If you have a middle schooler who is interested in the political process, I encourage them to sign up to be a Page during the Legislative Session! Sign up is HERE.
|
|
|
|
Speaking at Recovery Day at the Capitol - Georgia is a leader in using Peer Recovery Coaches, and in going out into the community to reach people where they are - Recovery is Real!!!
|
|
|
|
After a budget hearing, I was glad to personally meet a contact to help me help a woman whose brother with a disability had his Medicaid abruptly terminated.
|
|
|
|
Emory University President Greg Fenves and his wife Carmel host legislators and state staff at their beautiful home every year - here I am pictured with them and Rep Kim Schofield.
|
|
|
|
The Women's group at Central Presbyterian invited me to give a preview of the Legislative Session!
|
|
It is my honor and privilege to serve as our state representative. Please let me know if I can be of service to you.
Sincerely,
|
|
Representative Becky Evans
Georgia's 89th House District, DeKalb County
|
|
|
|
