Governor meets with local lawmakers; topics of water, budget discussed
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Gov. Sonny Perdue (right) talks with Georgia Northwestern Technical College President Craig McDaniel on Thursday before a meeting held to discuss state water strategies and other issues with regional legislators. (Ryan Smith, RN-T.com)
“What we hope … is to present some alternatives to legislation in January,” he said.
The closed-door gathering took place at Georgia Northwestern Technical College.
State Reps. Katie Dempsey, R-Rome; Barbara Massey Reece, D-Menlo; and Rick Crawford, D-Cedartown, were among those who sat down with the governor ahead of next year’s General Assembly.
"It gave us a historic perspective on our state as we prepare for the 2010 session," said Dempsey on Friday morning. "Budget, water and other issues were discussed to help us all get ready to make our time as effective as possible as we face a challenging time."
A federal court recently ruled that Georgia is not authorized to draw drinking water from Lake Lanier, which serves much of the metropolitan area. The state has three years to find a solution.
“It was a fruitful and candid discussion,” Crawford said. “But it’s not appropriate to talk about it at this time because some aspects are very sensitive.”
The state budget was another topic of discussion.
“I wanted to make them aware that my goal is to have a functional, balanced budget when we get back in January,” said Perdue. “The messages were well received.”
State Sen. Preston Smith, R-Rome, said he and several other Republican senators have a separate meeting with Perdue scheduled later.
The senators were wrapping up a two-day conference in Gainesville with Lt. Gov. Casey Cagle that focused on water, health care, the budget and how to stimulate the economy.
“We have to reverse the financial trend that continues to spiral downward,” Smith said. “We’re on a trajectory that puts us $1.3 billion below projections, so another round of cuts have to be made if we’re not going to raise taxes.”
Of the 50 states, Georgia collects the lowest amount per capita from residents, Smith said, and its spending is down to the 2003 level. With nearly a million residents added since then, the per capita-spending is now the lowest in 20 years, he said.
The governor also visited Cedartown High in Polk County and Cass High in Bartow County to give out education awards.
Staff writer Diane Wagner contributed to this report.
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