The Ashe Advocate – February 8, 2008

Governor signs water plan, eases restrictions on use

On Tuesday, the Senate overwhelmingly approved HR 1022, the House version of the Statewide Water Management Plan. Gov. Sonny Perdue signed the plan into law on Wednesday and announced he was relaxing some of the water use restrictions imposed in 61 counties last year during extreme drought conditions.

Unless their local governments keep the tighter restrictions in place, residents now may fill swimming pools and hand-water established plans and use sprinklers on new landscaping. Local governments must still meet a state mandate to reduce water consumption by 10 percent.

I want to encourage you to contact members of the Fulton County Commission and the DeKalb County Commission. Ask them to act quickly on the matter of the transfer of Grady Memorial Hospital. There are serious issues about both management and money that need to be addressed as soon as possible. Their contact information is listed below:

Fulton County Commissioners:
John Eaves, Chairman, 404-730-8206 or john.eaves@fultoncountyga.gov ; Robb Pitts, 404-612-8210 or robb.pitts@co.fulton.ga.us ; Lynn Riley, 404-730-8213 or lynne.riley@co.fulton.ga.us ; Tom Lowe, 404-730-8218 or tom.lowe@co.fulton.ga.us ; Emma Darnell, 404-612-8222 or emma.darnell@co.fulton.ga.us ; Nancy Boxill, 404-612-8226 or nancy.boxill@co.fulton.ga.us ; William "Bill" Edwards, 404-612-8230 or william.edwards@co.fulton.ga.us.

DeKalb County Commissioners:
Elaine Boyer, 404-371-2844 or jnmcbrid@co.dekalb.ga.us ; Jeff Rader, 404-371-2863 or jrader@co.dekalb.ga.us ; Larry Johnson, 404-371-2425 or larryjohnson@co.dekalb.ga.us ; Burrell Ellis, 404-371-4907 or burrell@burrellellis.com ; Lee May, 404-371-4745 or lmay@co.dekalb.ga.us ; Kathie Gannon, 404-371-4909 or kgannon@co.dekalb.ga.us ; Connie Stokes, 404-371-3053 or conniestokes@co.dekalb.ga.us .

At the request of numerous constituents, I am working with my colleagues to pass HB 1061, which would resolve the legal issues that plague the practice of shipping wine into Georgia. This legislation is pending in the House Committee on Regulated Industries.

Georgia students and property taxpayers could see some much-needed help under a tax relief bill I co-sponsored last week. Data released this week shows that under HB 1057, Fulton County schools would recover $13.1 million and Atlanta city schools would receive almost $8 million in state funding, reversing previous cuts that caused the tax burden to shift to local property owners.

This proposal would produce a win-win scenario under which our schools receive relief from the state's unfunded mandates, and property owners release true tax relief. Under the legislation, local school systems that lower property taxes can access their share of $300 million in restored state education funding.

The allocations would come the next two years from the state's $1.6 billion reserve fund -- $300 million this year and $300 million next year toward the Quality Basic Education formula that funds public education in Georgia. HB 1057 is based on the Georgia values of equipping our students for the future and promoting the American dream of home ownership by reducing property taxes.

On Friday, House members approved a midyear adjustment to the annual state budget for the current fiscal year, which ends June 30. The supplemental budget measure, which now moves to the Senate for its consideration, restores some of Gov. Sonny Perdue's education funding cuts and also adds money for health care programs.

The amended budget, HB 989, restores $30.7 million for equalization grants, which provide assistance to schools systems that do not have as much "wealth per student" as systems in more affluent counties. The governor's plan would have slashed that funding.

The measure also sets aside $53 million to fund long- needed improvements in the state's system of trauma care and puts an extra $6.5 million in the indigent care trust fund, reimbursing hospitals for the medical care they provide to uninsured and low-income patients who can't pay their bills.

Join the effort to encourage an increase in the Homestead Exemption. Legislation I have co- sponsored would cut Atlanta/Fulton property taxes by $1,400 a year, lowering monthly tax payments for homeowners by more than $100. For many families, this savings could be the difference between keeping and losing their home. Click here for more information from the Atlanta Neighborhood Development Partnershiip Inc. and to get involved in the effort to keep Atlantans in their homes through an increased homestead exemption.

Friday, I met with a group of folks to discuss a possible state law solution to the serious problem of copper resale. People all over Georgia are concerned about copper being stolen. It appears that the state law may be strong enough and this is a matter of local enforcement of the already existing law. I'll keep you informed.

PS: In years past I have asked a policy question in these weekly reports. Would you like me to go back to that format for your response and input? If so, please let me know.

• Rep. Kathy Ashe (D-Atlanta) represents the 56th District (Fulton County) in the Georgia House of Representatives. Contact her at 409 Coverdell Office Building, Atlanta, GA  30334; by phone at 404-656-0116 or by e-mail at kathyashe56@mindspring.com.