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Oct. 6, 2011 – On Oct. 4, members of 2020 Georgia hosted a forum for local leaders to explore ways to protect Georgia’s investment in the economy of coastal communities. The group, a statewide coalition of more than 80 organizations and community leaders, supports a balanced approach to the state budget that includes new revenues.
Georgia’s cuts-only approach to state finances is hurting families on the coast of Georgia prompting local organizations to take action. As part of its statewide effort to reach out to communities threatened by a cuts-only approach, 2020 Georgia co-hosted the forum with Step Up Savannah, The Coastal Health District, and Chatham County Safety Net Planning Council, Inc.
The health of our state and its people is directly connected to our investment in it,” said W. Douglas Skelton, M.D., District Health Director, District 9-1, with The Coastal Health District and partner with 2020 Georgia. “We need to protect all of the public health programs which serve and protect coastal Georgians.”
More than 50 individuals were in attendance, including Georgia Legal Services, Armstrong Atlantic State University, Chatham County Health Department and Hospice Savannah. Attendees were provided an overview of the FY2012 budget, including revenue and budget changes over the past four years, and a more in-depth analysis of health care and its impact on local economies.
“Cuts will only get us so far, we need to look at revenue sources as well if we want to remain competitive,” said Daniel Dodd, Executive Director with Step Up Savannah and partner with 2020 Georgia.
Presenters included Tim Sweeney, director of health policy at the Georgia Budget & Policy Institute; Charles Hayslett, founder and CEO of Hayslett Group and campaign manager for Partner Up! for Public Health; and Suzanne Donovan, communications director at Step Up Savannah.
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