Georgia faces great challenges in the years ahead in reaching its potential as a prosperous state offering opportunities for its residents and communities. As Georgians, we know we must improve our education system, make quality health care and social services accessible, and upgrade our transportation system. The current national economic crisis has been a severe setback that exposed the weakness of our state’s fiscal foundation and its ability to provide the services Georgians need today and in the future.
We recognize the importance of adequately funding public services. We know that a strong, productive revenue system is crucial to continued public investments in partnership with businesses and community organizations.
The national recession has brought rising unemployment and declining state and local revenues to meet rising needs. Cuts have been made to K-12 education (including teacher furloughs and larger class sizes), higher education (including fewer class offerings), literacy services, child protective services, crime labs, domestic violence centers, state troopers, prisons, public health departments, environmental protection, state parks, and many other services upon which families rely, especially in a time of recession.
As the economy continues to falter, it is now clear that the state’s plan to cut an additional $2 billion in the coming years from its already weakened budget will deepen the problems of our state and delay its recovery. Many families will no longer have access to needed services. As stimulus funds expire, additional services will be on the chopping block, including Medicaid and PeachCare, Meals on Wheels, public safety, federal benefits eligibility workers, and additional cuts to public education. In addition, Georgia will continue to face major investment needs in mental health, transportation, and water infrastructure-needs that if not met will result in federal intervention or economic contraction.
On the positive side, Georgia’s leaders increasingly are recognizing the need for a balanced approach that includes revenues. They see that this will help to solve our short-term and long-term problems because the problems we face are too big for a single solution, and relying too heavily on spending cuts will poorly position Georgia for the return of prosperity. These leaders need encouragement, both at the capitol and in their communities, for taking a balanced approach. The time for groups to come together to advance a balanced solution that includes revenues to meet public needs is now.
