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DEL.ICIO.USLawmakers to state department heads: Fiddle with the budget, and pay for it in January
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
We’re told a letter from the Legislature’s top budget writers has hit the in-boxes of the state’s agency heads today, warning them that they accept Gov. Sonny Perdue’s shifting of some spending in the current state budget at their peril.
Says the letter: “You should be aware that any expenditure conflicting with the intent of the appropriation jeopardizes our confidence in your ability to act as a proper steward of public funds. In writing the 2008 Amended Budget, we reserve the option of reducing or eliminating funding for your agency by that amount.”
In other words, cross us and you’ll pay for it in January.
The memo comes from House Speaker pro tem Mark Burkhalter; House Majority Leader Jerry Keen; House Appropriations Chairman Ben Harbin; Senate President pro tem Eric Johnson; Senate Majority Leader Tommie Williams and Senate Appropriations Chairman Jack Hill.
Perdue’s redirection of funds is one of the Republican-on-Republican issues that had legislators furious in May and ready to call a special session.
For instance, the budget approved by the Legislature included $1.59 million for a decade-old foreign language program for 29 elementary schools across the state.
When Perdue signed the budget, he directed the Department of Education to instead send each elementary school in the state $1,200 for foreign language materials, a move foreign language advocates say won’t do much good.
“Obviously the House, the Senate, the Speaker of the House, and the President of the Senate all feel that ours is an important voice in the legislative budget process,” said Clelia Davis, spokeswoman for House Speaker Glenn Richardson.
Read the entire letter on the jump.
July 19, 2007
MEMORANDUM
TO: All Agency Heads
FROM: Rep. Mark Burkhalter, House Speaker Pro Tempore Rep. Jerry Keen, House Majority Leader Rep. Ben Harbin, Chairman, House Appropriations Committee Sen. Eric Johnson, Senate President Pro Tempore Sen. Tommie Williams, Senate Majority Leader Sen. Jack Hill, Chairman, Senate Appropriations Committee
SUBJECT: HB 95 (SFY 2008 Budget) and Legislative Intent
This memo serves as our respectful notice that we expect you to adhere to the legislative intent of HB 95 (SFY 2008 Budget) passed by the General Assembly and signed into law by the Governor. The Governor has the authority to use a line item veto and he has exercised that power. And, as you know, the Appropriations Bill is a legislative document by which “the General Assembly shall annually appropriate those state and federal funds necessary to operate all the various departments and agencies.” (Constitution of Georgia, Article III, Section IX, Paragraph II).
Legislative intent contained in the language of HB 95 should be adhered to as you spend the appropriations contained in the bill. The conferees urge you to confer with the House and Senate leadership on any issues in question as to the intent of the Legislative Branch in HB 95. This is especially important where there is confusion brought about by the Governor’s “Redirect” message.
You should be aware that any expenditure conflicting with the intent of the appropriation jeopardizes our confidence in your ability to act as a proper steward of public funds. In writing the 2008 Amended Budget, we reserve the option of reducing or eliminating funding for your agency by that amount.
Please do not hesitate to contact the House or Senate Appropriations Offices or the leadership individually if you have any questions. The Senate Budget and Evaluation Office and the House Budget Office stand ready to assist as well.
Comments
Commenting is now closed for this entry.
By Johns Creek Resident
July 25, 2007 10:00 AM | Link to this
Typical tactics of the new Republican rule. Boy how things have changed. $1200 per school will do nothing to benefit any program and we wonder why our students are becoming increasingly inferior to students in other countries. Burkhalter is such a joke. I just wish the Democrats were more oganized. I’d like to hear what they have to say given it’s becoming increasingly difficult to be a Republican anymore.
By connie
July 25, 2007 10:21 AM | Link to this
Do they mean they will get anyone who does the legal thing with the budget? What kind of hoodlums are they? Its scary that they have this much power which they are are willing to abuse for their own immature purposes.
By Taxpayer
July 25, 2007 10:55 AM | Link to this
Good for the House and Senate reminding the department heads that the Legislative body of Georgia Govenment set the budgets in this state not The governor!!
By Ben
July 25, 2007 11:32 AM | Link to this
I am so glad to see our leaders in the legislature stand up to the “governor”. It’s about time. Thank you to all who sent this message to the department heads. You are to be commended. Keep Sonny in line.
By No More Rednecks
July 25, 2007 12:15 PM | Link to this
Governor Perdue was not happy about this. When he was informed about it, he took another long swig from his jug and demanded access to his “varmint gun.” When informed that this behavior was inappropriate for a sitting Governor, Perdue then told an aide that he was “a goin’ ta tar them skallywags a new Cagle.” He then added “Git off mah land!”
By Uncle Jessie
July 25, 2007 1:40 PM | Link to this
Perdue ain’t no Redneck. He don’t drank & he never been to Redneck Games. Rednecks does good thangs for us like whuppin Cornwallis and freeing us from King George, hmmm might have to do it again.
By Jerry Keen Luv's to eat like a king (on the lobbyists dime)
July 25, 2007 6:04 PM | Link to this
Jerry Keen, keep youth mouth shut when it comes to spending. You’ve never met a lobbyist you wouldn’t turn down for a meal. It may be legal, but it ain’t right:
http://www.ajc.com/metro/content/printedition/2007/07/22/lobbyistbox.html
How many meals do you eat a year with average every day voters from your distirct? How can you justify a $400 meal for you and your wifey on a lobbyist dime? A $50 lunch?
I’m surprised you don’t weigh 300 lbs.
By RJ
July 25, 2007 7:59 PM | Link to this
Glad to see the efforts afront to make the General Assembly a real player again in the fiscal affairs of state government. “Redirect” and “Budget Deferral,” are unconstitutional gimmicks started by know it all Zell Miller. These made up tricks are tantamount to willful violation of the State Constitution and as such, grounds for impeachment not only of the Governor but a do nothing Attorney General, as well.
By toggle
July 25, 2007 10:10 PM | Link to this
Good point, RJ. Zell was always quite the triskter. Always willing to spin things.
Main question about this, though … doesn’t Smiley - er, the Guv - appoint most agency heads?
(Purposeful Mel Brooks/Blazing Saddles reference … he favors him and everything!)
By Whitney
July 26, 2007 7:53 AM | Link to this
This is interesting. According to the Governor, budget tracking language isn’t part of budget bill that he signs so it isn’t part of the law. I guess the legislature needs to send the entire budget document to the Governor to be signed so he can only line item veto.
Another thing…the esteemed Attorney General seems to be asleep at the wheel. While he did issue a letter, so I’m told, that stated Perdue had the authority under the line item veto to change the intent of the funding, he fails to realize the constitutional predicament this creates around the balance of power. Under his direction, the Governor can change any budget item or its intent. In this scenario why does Georgia even need a legislature?
By RJ
July 26, 2007 9:12 AM | Link to this
Whitney, language in the state Constitution is quite clear…only the General Assembly has the authority to appropriate funds for the operation of state government. The Governor can only recommend. Moreover, the Governor can only do what the state Constitution allows and he must do what it dictates… anything less can be a willful breach of duty to upohold the Constitution, which a Governor is sworn to do.
The Attorney General can only issue Opinions about Constitutional questions. However, an AG Opinion can take the force of law if unchallenged.
Perdue’s arrogant assumption of power in the the fiscal affairs of government is clearly unconstitutional on its face. All of us who Cherish respect for the law and our state Constitution should welcome these brave new moves by the General Assembly.
By Freddy K.
July 30, 2007 5:32 PM | Link to this
Have elections pretty regular, don’t we? Might be time for somebody elses butt to be in that governer’s chair. I am still waiting to vote on that that we were all promised. Politians all about what I want and not the people I represent. Go figure, huh, is it time for a new crop?