Day 6- January 26, 2009

Tonight on Lawmakers, an in-depth interview with Appropriations Chairs, Representative Ben Harbin and Senator Jack Hill; highlights of last week’s budget briefings and Senate leadership unveils legislation that could impact transportation funding and control in Georgia.

David Zelski and Nwandi Lawson sat down earlier today with Appropriations Chairs Senator Jack Hill and Representative Ben Harbin to talk about the state of Georgia’s budget. It’s an inside look at last week’s budget briefings and the areas of challenge and opportunity that exist for Georgia in a difficult economic climate.

Senate Majority Leader Chip Rogers and Senate Transportation Chair Jeff Mullis held a press conference this morning to announce their plans for two pieces of legislation that could impact the way transportation projects are funded and managed. Senate Bill 39 would provide for a 1% sales tax for special transportation districts within the State. Senate Bill 40 would allow the General Assembly to designate agencies or authorities to control state highway system projects. Lawmakers’ Minoo Hosseini has that story.

The Senate Appropriations Committee today passed a measure that would require the Governor to submit a zero-based budget annually to the General Assembly, starting in 2011. The current system is a continuation budget. Lawmakers’ Valarie Edwards explains.

Highlights from last week’s budget briefings include excerpts from State School Superintendent Kathy Cox, Transportation Commissioner Gena Evans and Department of Human Resources Commissioner B.J. Walker. University System Chancellor Erroll Davis and Trey Childress, Director of the Office of Planning and Budget, both reflect on the future of HOPE scholarship funding.

And the Georgia Student Finance Commission holds an information session at the Capitol today to tell students that “Yes, You Can” find a way to fund your college education in Georgia. Lawmakers’ Tiana Fernandez has more.

All that and more tonight on Lawmakers at 7 PM.

Lawmakers repeats on GPB Radio at 8 PM tonight and on GPB television at 5:30 AM tomorrow morning. You can also catch a repeat of Lawmakers on GPB Knowledge at 7 AM tomorrow. GPB Knowledge is available to those with digital television receivers at .3 of your local GPB transmitter, for example 20.3 in Augusta, or 8.3 in Atlanta.