Rep. Benton speaks on proposed budget cuts

Given the state’s budget crisis, Rep. Tommy Benton is a marked man.


When the speaker for last Wednesday’s chamber breakfast couldn’t attend because of icy roads, Benton was hastily drafted to fill in — and explain those proposed cuts from the Board of Regents that would eliminate the Extension Service and the 4-H programs.

The District 31 Republican took it in good humor, joking about a need to keep moving so as to be a less viable target. But he fired a shot of his own as well.

Benton’s presentation came just days after the Board of Regents released its “plan” for cutting $300 million from its budget as requested by the joint appropriations committee trying to balance the 2011 budget with a $1 billion revenue shortfall.

“The appropriations committee asked the University System to come up with $300 million in cuts without raising tuition,” Benton pointed out. “And the hubbub has been the cuts that the University System came up with — 4-H, the nursing programs, all of those things that are going to get folks riled up and fill my email box completely.”

Noting that he tries to answer all emails, Benton said he welcomed the response.

“But if you would like to have your voice heard by the University System of Georgia, you need to write the chancellor’s office,” he added.

That address is chancellor@usg.edu.

“That’s where the situation is with the University System,” Benton concluded. “We tell them how much they’ve got to cut, but they will be the ones to determine what programs to cut.”

The Jefferson Republican also addressed the unspoken matter of raising taxes to cover the deficit.

“Most economists tell us right now that this is not the time to raise taxes,” he said. “A lot of people are hurting, and they can’t afford the taxes they’re already paying.”

The pain is likely to extend into the next legislative session as well. Benton pointed out that federal stimulus funds that have softened the blow of cutting funds will be gone.

“When those dry up, that’s $2 billion we’re going to have to find,” he said.

Benton conceded that there has been talk of creating new revenue through increasing the sales tax, but he said “its just not a good climate” for increasing taxes.

That led Jefferson mayor Jim Joiner to comment.

“But by cutting education funds, you’re forcing local boards to eventually raise their taxes, so you are raising taxes one way or another,” Joiner said. “You’re forcing other people to do it, is what you’re doing.”

Benton replied by pointing out that there has been talk of increasing the taxes on cigarettes.

“I have no problem with that; I don’t smoke,” he said, drawing laughter.

He said some people have also proposed removing all exemptions from sales taxes, but added that such a move could hurt Georgia retailers, citing the purchase of farm equipment from out of state as a repercussion.

Since 2006, the state budget has fallen from $21 million to about $15 billion. Asked what the priorities would be once revenues begin to rebound, Benton said he expected education would be “first on the list, since it’s the largest thing (expense) to begin with.”

“Whether or not we’ll ever get back to 2005, 2006 levels, I really doubt it,” he added. “Not for a good while.”

On other legislative matters, Benton pointed out that the House is looking at a water bill and a transportation bill, both of which are in subcommittees. Asked by Commissioner Bruce Yates about legislation proposing to “reform” property tax assessments, Benton said he has not yet read the legislation.

The General Assembly reconvened this week after two weeks off, an attempt, said Benton, to cut the cost of the legislative session.

Only three committees were authorized to be in Atlanta during that time, Benton explained, the joint Appropriation Committee and the transportation and natural resources subcommittees.

Benton also repeated his speculation that once the 2011 budget is finalized, the General Assembly may be adjourned.

“That keeps us from doing any more damage than what we would have done if we stayed the whole 40 days,” he said.