Albers: Tax Increases Not The "Right Way" To Fund Road Projects

Submitted by State Senator John Albers (R-Roswell)

Last week, the Georgia Senate completed day 33 of the 40-day legislative session. With Crossover Day successfully behind us, my colleagues and I are now focused on getting our bills heard in the opposite chamber. This process means that senators stand before House committees to present their bills and representatives do the same before Senate committees.

Last week, the Senate passed SB 132 which expands dual enrollment opportunities for all high school students. Under current Georgia law, only high school juniors and seniors are permitted to enroll in dual enrollment programs where they take post-secondary classes to receive high school and college credit. If SB 132 becomes law, students from 9th through 12th grades, whether they are enrolled in public, private or home schools, will be eligible to participate in dual enrollment programs.

Post-secondary institutions that offer dual enrollment credits to high school students are required, by law, to waive the tuition and fees and provide books for eligible students. Having this opportunity available to students will allow them to begin working on their college degrees without having to worry about the cost.

Thursday, the Senate State and Local Governmental Operations Committee heard testimony from citizens who live in the proposed cities of LaVista Hills and Tucker in Dekalb County, as well as the city of South Fulton in Fulton County. We passed both House Bills concerning LaVista Hills and Tucker out of committee. House Bill 514, pertaining to the city of South Fulton, is a local bill and will require signatures from a majority of the senators who represent the affected areas.

Wednesday, we celebrated the brave men and women who serve our local and statewide police departments during Law Enforcement Appreciation Day at the Capitol. It was inspiring to see so many fill the Senate Chamber. Governor Nathan Deal spoke to everyone in attendance and encouraged us to thank our local law enforcement officers for the work they do on a daily basis.

Friday was a big day in the Senate! We passed two important bills that will keep our public safe and healthy. First, we were able to pass HB 76, the Fiscal Year 2016 budget. The Senate Appropriations Committee met with experts from each department to determine the amount of funding each department requires and from there, we worked to ensure they are able to receive this funding.

HB 76, the general budget for the state’s 2016 fiscal year, passed on Friday. It is the initial guide for all state spending, and the only piece of legislation that the General Assembly is absolutely required to pass. HB 76 includes plans for enhanced funding for education, transportation, maintaining State Health Benefit Plan coverage for non-certificated school employees and support for Georgia’s rural hospitals.

As businesses continue to open and grow in our great state, our population will continue to grow. It is important that we have the funding available to enroll their children in our school systems. The Senate agreed with the House recommendation to add $152.4 million for Quality Based Education growth in enrollment and training and experience for teachers.

We have seen an increase in data breaches over the past year, with Home Depot, Target and health insurer, Anthem, that have put millions of people at risk. The Senate allocated $250,000 towards the creation of a new cyber security program operated under the Georgia Emergency Management Agency in an effort to prevent cyber security breaches from happening in the future.

Friday, the Senate also passed HB 170, the transportation Funding Act of 2015. This bill works to add an additional $1 billion to transportation funding in an effort to repair and maintain our state’s roads.The Senate version of HB 170 varies moderately from the House version. The Senate has reduced the excise tax to 24 cents per gallon in comparison with the 29.2 cent tax the House proposed and added a $5 rental car fee. I attempted to amend this bill to eliminate any new taxes. Georgian families and businesses are burdened enough. We can solve this problem by prioritizing our spending and growth. Ultimately, I voted against this large tax increase.

We have many projects that need to be completed in our state. One of these projects is the I-285/SR400 interchange, which most of us pass each day on our way to work. This project is estimated to cost approximately $950 million. The need for additional funding is there, but I do not believe increasing taxes is the right way to do it. HB 170 will now go back to the House to be approved.

I am humbled that you chose me to represent the 56th Senate District and I will do my best to ensure that your best interests are in the forefront of my decision making process. If you have any questions or concerns regarding pending legislation, please feel free to reach out to me at any time!

Sen. John Albers serves as chairman of the State and Local Government Operations. He represents the 56th Senate District which includes portions of North Fulton and Cherokee counties. He may be reached at his office at 404.463.8055 or by email at john.albers@senate.ga.gov.

Photo credit: Georgia General Assembly