Day 21- March 8, 2010

Tonight on Lawmakers, February revenue figures are announced, and the continued decline is likely to mean more budget cuts; House and Senate leaders look to fee increases to help shore up the State’s budget; a new tax intended to pay for a new domed stadium in Atlanta passes the House; and we check in with Tom Crawford of The Georgia Report to catch up on what took place at the Capitol during the two week recess.

February Revenue Figures Down 9.9%

Governor Sonny Perdue has just released the much anticipated (and somewhat feared) February revenue figures. The net revenue collections for the month of February 2010 (FY 2010) totaled $567,251,000 compared to $629,448,000 for February 2009 (FY09), a decrease of $62,197,000 or 9.9 percent. The percentage decrease year-to-date for FY10 compared to FY09 is 12.7 percent.

This announcement is likely to create a need for legislators to make even more adjustments to the FY 2010 and FY 2011 budgets. For the latest legislative news tune in to Lawmakers tonight at 7 PM.

Day 16- February 10, 2010

Tonight on Lawmakers, the 2010 Amended Budget passes the House Appropriations Committee, reflecting a 6.2% decrease in state revenue from 2009 projections—over $1 billion; the office of the Secretary of State comes under fire over furlough days; the Senate authorizes the State Department of Transportation to adopt a design–build method, which could bring in additional federal stimulus dollars; and First Lady Mary Perdue visits patients at Children's Healthcare of Atlanta at Scottish Rite.