2 questions for Columbus legislative delegation

We asked the seven members of the Columbus legislative delegation two questions as General Assembly works to finish its business by March 24. They have six legislative days left in a session that has been dominated by budget concerns, religious liberty legislation, a controversial campus carry bill and a proposal that would allow casinos in Georgia.

The two most critical pieces of local legislation are still up in the air. Columbus State University has requested nearly $6 million to complete two construction projects on the main campus. Currently, there is $2.95 million in the House and Senate versions of the budget.

Local legislation that would allow Columbus residents to vote on whether or not to thaw the city’s residential property tax freeze passed the House on Tuesday and moves to the Senate.

Here’s what we asked and here’s what they said:

▪ What’s the most important thing that’s happened thus far this session?

▪ What’s the most critical issue to address in the closing days?

Sen. Josh McKoon, R-Columbus

Most important development:

“In my opinion the most notable developments are really about those issues that have not moved. I expected we would see debate on a bill to allow funding of MARTA through a longer term local option sales tax for counties in the Metro Atlanta region, but that bill did not make it to the floor for debate. I also thought a constitutional amendment on casino gaming and/or legislation legalizing gambling on horse racing would be considered but neither bill made it to the floor of the House or Senate. I think one of the more significant items to pass was Senate Resolution 388, which repeals the anti-Catholic Blaine Amendment language from the Georgia Constitution regarding taxpayer funding of faith based organizations. As Georgia considers partial privatization of DFCS services, this would significantly increase the options available for non-profit entities to handle some of those services.”

Most critical issue:

“I think the most critical issue to address, as it is every year, is our budget for the upcoming fiscal year. The Senate will take up the budget late next week and then I anticipate there will be a conference committee to hammer out any disagreements. There are a number of fiscal issues, both statewide in terms of the level of education funding, raises for state employees and, on the local side, funding for capital projects like those requested by Columbus State University.”

Sen. Ed Harbison, D-Columbus

Most important development:

“We have the funding for Columbus State University’s library in the budget, and it is important that the delegation work to keep it in there. We need to continue doing what we can do to keep the college growing, which it is doing by leaps and bounds.”

“We have been focusing too much on the sexy things like guns and gays, but we need to focus more on other things that are important. There is about $10 million in the budget to help families who care for those with Alzheimer’s. We don’t need that to get left in the wake.”

Most critical issue:

“We need to expand the HOPE Scholarship so that it includes more students. Right now, I have a bill that is in the House that would help veterans attending Columbus Tech and the state’s other technical colleges by giving them credits for the jobs they did in the military. We need to pass that bill.”

Rep. Calvin Smyre, D-Columbus

Most important development:

“The General Assembly has one constitutional obligation each year, and that is to pass a balanced state budget. This budget will serve as a spending guide for the state beginning July 1, 2016 through June 30, 2017. The FY 2017 budget is the largest budget in our state’s history at $23.7 billion, which is an increase of $673.9 million, or 2.9 percent over the amended FY 2016 budget. ... Funding for Columbus State University was also included in the FY 2017 budget and $35 million was included in the FY 2016 amended for Mercer School of Medicine and Morehouse School of Medicine to assist in primary healthcare.”

Most critical issue:

“The most critical issue remaining to be addressed is the issue surrounding our business climate for the state, including workforce development, criminal justice reform and second-chance options. We have to continue addressing reform by funding state juvenile justice facilities and expanding our courts and education opportunities through the budget process. Legislative issues dealing with re-entry and recidivism in our justice system are workforce development issues. With continued funding, we can continue to drive Georgia’s recidivism rate down, which is at its lowest rate in 30 years.”

Rep. Carolyn Hugley, D-Columbus

Most important development:

“The most important thing of the Session to date has been the passage of some of the Promise Kept legislation offered by the House Democratic Caucus. These bills have garnered bipartisan support and will help Georgia support our military families.

“Georgia is home to 10 active military installations, more than 750,000 veterans and over 105,000 active duty military personnel and civilians, but our veteran and military families often still lack the resources they need to thrive. Georgia lags behind several of its Southern neighbors like South Carolina when it comes to fulfilling the Department of Defense’s 10 key metrics for creating the best environment for military families possible. The “A Promise Kept” initiative aims at fulfilling our obligation to Georgia’s military families and veterans.”

Most critical issue:

“As the Session draws to a close, the most critical thing that we must do is to reject the RFRA Bills to keep our state open for business and free of discrimination of any kind.”

Rep. Debbie Buckner, D-Junction City

Most important development:

“I thought it was great last week when Rep. (Dave) Belton (R-Buckhead) was in the well promoting his study committee to assess what we as a state need to do to best prepare for future BRAC processes. He mentioned the Promise Kept bills — promoted by the House Democratic Caucus. He stated, ‘These are good measures and need to be acted upon.’”

Most critical issue:

“Another recent concern is SB-383, a billboard bill. According to beautification groups and urban tree supporters, the bill allows any commercial property owner abutting any State of Georgia Highway the right to cut all vegetation including trees planted under a beautification project. It will preclude future beautification projects like our recent Veterans Parkway streetscape plan. It usurps local tree cutting and planting ordinances.

“Columbus citizens have spent over $250,000 in private funds litigating similar legislation in order to protect our local trees planted under local and state approved beautification plans. Because this legislation expands the ability to cut public trees to any commercial property owner, we are working on amendments to improve the bill.”

Rep. Richard Smith, R-Columbus

Most important development:

“The most important thing — and the only thing we are legally required to do — is pass the budget. The House has passed its version and now it is working its way through the process. When it gets out of the Senate, it will go into a conference committee. Everything else we do is gravy.”

Most critical issue:

“We have to finish the budget so that we can fund the new programs and get the bonds in place for the new facilities at the universities. I know we have casinos, Religious Freedom Restoration Act and campus carry bills to look at. We still have work to do.”

Rep. John Pezold, R-Columbus

Most important development:

“House Bill 919 allows for a new tax credit to benefit rural healthcare facilities around Georgia. These have been the hardest hit lately and this will help them to remain solvent and serve more patients in underserved areas. That is an important area we have addressed.”

Most critical issue:

“Simple: We need to pass good legislation and not pass bad legislation. And there is plenty of the latter out there.”

This story was originally published March 8, 2016 at 7:38 PM with the headline "2 questions for Columbus legislative delegation."