Nimmer gives update from State Capitol

Each year, the legislature handles two budget bills. The first, the Amended Fiscal Year 2016 budget, allows us to make mid-term adjustments to account for any differences in the state’s revenue estimates and the actual revenue collected during the fiscal year. We have seen an increase in state revenues in each of the past three years. We have also seen a continued increase in population; Georgia has grown by more than two million people over the last five years. Due to this population growth, we needed to increase several items in the amended 2016 budget. To assist with increased attendance in our schools, a $109.9 million adjustment to K-12 education was included. We also included additional funds to assist with the increase in our Medicaid roles. These are only a few examples of what was included in the $44.6 billion 2016 Amended Budget that passed on Thursday, January 28.

Now we must fully turn our attention to the Fiscal Year 2017 budget (July 1, 2016 – June 30, 2017). We will use revenue projections to set guidelines for all state expenditures for the coming fiscal year. House Appropriations subcommittees will now begin to take a closer look at the Governor’s budget proposals and will eventually pass portions of the suggested budget out of their respective committees. Following this process, those individually passed budgets will then come to the full House Appropriations Committee. After a couple of more checks and balances, the budget will eventually receive a full vote on the House floor. If the House passes the budget, it then moves over to the Senate side and the process begins all over. When the Senate and House agree on the budget, it goes to the Governor’s desk for his approval and signature. Passing the budget is unlike any other process that we undertake.

This week we also heard from the Judiciary branch through Chief Justice Hugh P. Thompson’s State of the Judiciary Address in a joint session with our colleagues from the Senate. Justice Thompson stressed the importance of having a 21st century court system that keeps up with our ever expanding state. While Georgia’s population has nearly doubled since 1983, the number of judges in Georgia has only grown 16 percent. We will keep the Chief Justice’s comments in mind as we craft this year’s budget. I most appreciated the Chief Justice’s closing words, “In Georgia, we may like the law, we may not like the law, but we follow the law.”

I am thankful that folks from home continue to visit our state’s Capitol. I was honored to recently host my pastor, Brother Mike Stone and his family, of Emmanuel Baptist Church in Blackshear. Brother Mike served as the keynote speaker for the Georgia March for Life Rally at the Capitol. Brother Mike is a passionate advocate for the right to life and we were honored to have him share such an important message in Atlanta.

This past week, along with several of my colleagues, I attended the Appling County Chamber of Commerce banquet in Baxley. The chamber staff did an outstanding job of welcoming our delegation and highlighting the achievements of local businesses over the last year. I enjoyed spending the evening with local business leaders. On Wednesday, I had the privilege of meeting with this year’s Leadership Wayne class at the Capitol. We had a productive discussion over lunch about the issues facing our community and our state. One issue that we discussed was the disposal of coal ash in the Broadhurst landfill in Wayne County. As I shared with the class, myself, along with my colleagues, Representative Bill Werkheiser and Senator Tommie Williams have been in constant contact with locally elected officials and with the Georgia Environmental Protection Division about this issue. We have been working to ascertain all of the facts about the situation and keep the dialogue open between all involved parties. While we cannot dictate the actions of Republic Waste, we can do our parts to be certain that they abide by the law and take all necessary precautions to protect the environment and the safety of Wayne County. I would encourage you to keep in contact with your local officials and be a part of the dialogue as this process moves forward.

This week both chambers of the General Assembly voted on an adjournment resolution which will dictate the calendar for the rest of this legislative session. The 40th and final day of this 2016 session, otherwise known as “sine die,” will be March 24th. This will be one of the fastest sessions in recent memory and there is much to be done between now and then.

As you know, we recently observed the national holiday in observance of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Dr. King was a proud Georgian, and he spent his entire life peacefully advocating for equality for all men, women and children, regardless of the color of their skin. A gifted orator, Dr. King has many memorable quotes, and I will close with one of my personal favorites, “The time is always right to do what is right.” It is my pledge to always try and do what it right for District 178 and for the great State of Georgia.

Thank you for the honor of serving as your representative. Please do not hesitate to contact me if I may be of assistance. I can be reached via email at chad.nimmer@house.ga.gov or by phone at (912) 288-7181 or (404) 651-7737.