OP ED: Rep. Alan Powell – Week 2, Appropriations Hearings Week

By State House Representative Alan Powell (R) (32)

2021 BUDGET

In the State of the State address last week, the Governor highlighted the incredible challenges we faced as a state last year, as well as an outlook for this year: Georgia will not be facing budget cuts this year; We will continue to invest in economic development to keep Georgia the #1 State for Business; We will fight to make healthcare accessible and affordable; We will prioritize our educators, students, and parents with $647 million to fully fund enrollment growth, and hold schools accountable for enrollment reductions.

As with every year, the second week of the session is devoted to Appropriations Committee hearings to digest the Governor’s proposed budgets, both 2021 supplemental and the 2022 Budget.

As in years past, the biggest expenditures will go to the Dept. of Education for student growth. All other agencies are adjusted on a priority needs basis. The amended FY 2021 budget to be considered per the Governor’s request is a little over 26.5 Billion and the FY 2022 Budget as recommended will be 27.2 Billion.

Should you wish to follow along with the process, you can join the live broadcast at https://www.legis.ga.gov/house clicking the link for the Joint Appropriations Hearing.

COVID VACCINATIONS

Due to the COVID epidemic, the importance and necessity of The Department of Public Health should be highly considered for budgetary expansion, in my opinion. Those of us who experienced the polio epidemic in the 1950’s remember the mass vaccinations, when we kids were taken to the school cafeterias on Saturdays and vaccinations given; Public Health Departments were the planners of that day. Today’s society and the healthcare delivery system appears to be so complicated and cumbersome that a simpler process could be the answer once higher volumes of the vaccines are produced and delivered.

The Georgia Department of Public Health is currently administering the COVID-19 vaccine in Phase 1a+ which includes: Healthcare workers (physicians, nurses, laboratory technicians, EMS personnel, environmental services, etc.); Residents and staff of long-term care facilities; Adults aged 65+ and their caregivers; Law enforcement, firefighters, first responders.

Vaccine supply is very limited and public health departments are scheduling vaccines by appointment only, as are most other providers. Depending on vaccine supply allocations from the federal government, it may be weeks before additional providers will have the vaccine available for quicker and more widespread distribution.

You can find a vaccination site in order to make an appointment here: https://dph.georgia.gov/locations/covid-vaccination-site.

The State Emergency Registry of Volunteers in Georgia (SERVGA) is a statewide secure database of pre-credentialed health care professionals and other volunteers who want to help in case of a public health emergency.

Anyone wishing to volunteer to administer COVID-19 vaccine may apply online at https://dph.georgia.gov/servga.

VOTING REFORM

After this past November election, there has been much talk of reform, most concerning early mail-in voting. There are many issues to consider. I maintain the necessity of a comprehensive ‘evidenced-based system.’

In Georgia, all 159 counties operate the elections in their jurisdiction with State oversight to the laws. I maintain that every county, whether rural or metro, should operate exactly the same so as to give all voters confidence that the process is straight and fair. Legislative procedures and protocol should take precedence in every county to ensure a secure vote. Uniform rules should govern all aspects of mail-in voting, drop boxes, ID matches, counting procedures, accurate voting rolls, and so many other issues.

GAMBLING IN GEORGIA

Gambling issues have been discussed for several years and have gained in public support. This decision requires approval by the voters through a Constitutional Amendment. This year the Professional Sports Team Alliance has actively worked to legalize ‘sports betting’ through the Georgia Lottery without citizen approval. Sports betting is estimated to produce 100 million in revenues with no significant jobs created.

Horse racing and destination casino resorts are estimated to produce 1.2 billion in revenue with high job creation. If recommended to the voters the important question is where this revenue should be spent. I have maintained that if approved, these volumes of money should be dedicated to the one issue that serves all citizens – health care.

Visit www.georgia.gov for various topics of interest and to find state services. As always, please don’t hesitate to call my legislative office at 404-463-3793 if we can be of assistance on any matter of state government.