March 16, 2009

Georgia State University Legislative Newsletter

SESSION CALENDAR
The General Assembly is in recess today. Lawmakers convene again on Tuesday, March 17 for Day 31. Last Thursday was day 30 which is also known as Crossover Day. Bills must clear either the House or Senate by this day and “crossover” to the other chamber to have a chance of passage this year. Below is the remaining session schedule:

Tuesday, March 17 - LEGISLATIVE DAY 31
Wednesday, March 18 - LEGISLATIVE DAY 32
Thursday, March 19 - LEGISLATIVE DAY 33
Friday, March 20 - LEGISLATIVE DAY 34

Monday, March 23 - LEGISLATIVE DAY 35
Wednesday, March 25 - LEGISLATIVE DAY 36
Thursday, March 26 - LEGISLATIVE DAY 37

Monday, March 30 - LEGISLATIVE DAY 38
Wednesday, April 1 - LEGISLATIVE DAY 39
Friday, April 3 - LEGISLATIVE DAY 40

Budget Update
The FY09 Amended budget has been submitted to the Governor for his consideration. Subcommittees in both the Senate and House are meeting to draw up the FY10 budget. We should see action in the House before March 20.

Legislation of Interest - University System of Georgia
House Bill 700 would make the Georgia State Financing and Investment Commission (GSFIC) responsible for "all procurement, design, project management, construction, and commissioning related activities for all board of regents projects designated in a resolution of the commission authorizing the issuance of bonds for such project."

Opponents argue that HB 700 would speed up the design and construction process. This is not the case. The current design and construction process works efficiently and is supported by the construction industry. Any delays in the process over the past couple of years are related to the timing of G.O. bond sales, which were held up last year by the delay in closing the state’s books and this year by the fluctuations in the market. The timing of bond sales is not under the control of the BOR.

It has been said that passage of this legislation would save $2.1 million. The entire budget for the Office of Facilities at the BOR is $2.1 million. However, only a small portion of the work of the BOR’s Office of Facilities is related to GSFIC‐funded projects. The best estimate of BOR staff time related to GSFIC‐funded projects is approximately $200,000. HB 700 would not even “save” this $200,000; rather, it would merely shift costs to another agency-GSFIC. GSFIC cannot use bond proceeds to defray these increased costs.

In summary, HB 700 would not speed up the design and construction process, and it would not save money.

HB 700 passed the House on a 97-69 vote on Day 30. It is now being considered by the Senate.

Senate Leadership Dinner
On March 9, President Becker, Tom Lewis, and I had the opportunity to have dinner with several members of the Senate Leadership. These members included Senate President Pro Tempore Tommie Williams, Appropriations Chairman Jack Hill, Governor’s Floor Leader Bill Cowsert, Georgia State University Alumni Ronnie Chance and John Wiles.

House Republican Caucus Breakfast
On March 10, President Becker, Tom Lewis, and I had the opportunity to have breakfast with the House of Representatives Republican Caucus. This was well attended by many of the House Leadership including Speaker Glenn Richardson and Governor Sonny Perdue.