Gov. Brian Kemp told state agencies Wednesday that he is  projecting an 11% drop in state tax collections in the upcoming fiscal year due to the coronavirus recession.That will likely be seen as good news.Kemp’s projection means lawmakers will have about $2.6 billion less to spend in fiscal 2021 - which begins July 1 - when they reconvene this month to pass a budget.That’s less of a cut than originally anticipated.“Tough decisions will need to be made in your agencies and under the Gold Dome to balance the budget without compromising our values,” the governor told agency leaders...…Gov. Brian Kemp told state agencies Wednesday that he is  projecting an 11% drop in state tax collections in the upcoming fiscal year due to the coronavirus recession.That will likely be seen as good news.Kemp’s projection means lawmakers will have about $2.6 billion less to spend in fiscal 2021 - which begins July 1 - when they reconvene this month to pass a budget.That’s less of a cut than originally anticipated.“Tough decisions will need to be made in your agencies and under the Gold Dome to balance the budget without compromising our values,” the governor told agency leaders...WW…

With the COVID-19 pandemic changing the way many Georgians shop, Gov. Brian Kemp on Monday signed legislation allowing stores and at least some restaurants to deliver beer, wine and booze to homes.Only a decade ago Georgia didn’t allow stores to even sell alcoholic beverages on Sundays, but the political climate has changed greatly since then. The coronavirus pandemic, which persuaded more Georgians to have groceries and other goods delivered to their homes, helped spur that change and made easier to pass“House Bill 879 is a great example of how Georgia’s regulatory system allows for...…With the COVID-19 pandemic changing the way many Georgians shop, Gov. Brian Kemp on Monday signed legislation allowing stores and at least some restaurants to deliver beer, wine and booze to homes.Only a decade ago Georgia didn’t allow stores to even sell alcoholic beverages on Sundays, but the political climate has changed greatly since then. The coronavirus pandemic, which persuaded more Georgians to have groceries and other goods delivered to their homes, helped spur that change and made easier to pass“House Bill 879 is a great example of how Georgia’s regulatory system allows for...WW…

The chairman of a U.S. House coronavirus subcommittee sent Gov. Brian Kemp a letter Wednesday saying Georgia is not in compliance with White House COVID-19 task force recommendations and requesting detailed plans for dealing with the pandemic.U.S. Rep. James Clyburn, D-South Carolina, said Georgia is not following at least six recommendations from the task force, including mask mandates, strict limits on indoor dining and tighter restrictions on social gatherings.“I am writing to request information about the private guidance the administration has provided to Georgia and whether you plan...…The chairman of a U.S. House coronavirus subcommittee sent Gov. Brian Kemp a letter Wednesday saying Georgia is not in compliance with White House COVID-19 task force recommendations and requesting detailed plans for dealing with the pandemic.U.S. Rep. James Clyburn, D-South Carolina, said Georgia is not following at least six recommendations from the task force, including mask mandates, strict limits on indoor dining and tighter restrictions on social gatherings.“I am writing to request information about the private guidance the administration has provided to Georgia and whether you plan...WW…

The state of Georgia ended fiscal 2020 last week about $1 billion in the hole as the coronavirus recession held down income and retail sales that produce tax revenue.The drop in revenue forced state officials to slow spending and use reserves to balance the books. Unlike the federal government, the state can’t run a deficit.The drop in revenue since mid-March showed the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic, which forced the shutdown of many business and record unemployment.The state gets most of its money from sales and income taxes, and those were off 1.4% and 3.9% for the fiscal year that...…The state of Georgia ended fiscal 2020 last week about $1 billion in the hole as the coronavirus recession held down income and retail sales that produce tax revenue.The drop in revenue forced state officials to slow spending and use reserves to balance the books. Unlike the federal government, the state can’t run a deficit.The drop in revenue since mid-March showed the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic, which forced the shutdown of many business and record unemployment.The state gets most of its money from sales and income taxes, and those were off 1.4% and 3.9% for the fiscal year that...WW…

Brenda Simmons had been working for the state agency that investigates child abuse cases and helps the poor sign up for food stamps for more than 20 year when the Great Recession hit Georgia’s economy like a sledgehammer in 2008.Georgians lost their jobs, homes and businesses. State government, which provided salaries to about 300,000 teachers, university staffers, state patrol officers, prison guards, park rangers and meat inspectors, saw tax collections plummet. That brought layoffs, pay cuts, furloughs, the elimination of programs and closing of facilities.For Simmons and her colleagues...…Brenda Simmons had been working for the state agency that investigates child abuse cases and helps the poor sign up for food stamps for more than 20 year when the Great Recession hit Georgia’s economy like a sledgehammer in 2008.Georgians lost their jobs, homes and businesses. State government, which provided salaries to about 300,000 teachers, university staffers, state patrol officers, prison guards, park rangers and meat inspectors, saw tax collections plummet. That brought layoffs, pay cuts, furloughs, the elimination of programs and closing of facilities.For Simmons and her colleagues...WW…

The state could face at least a $4 billion shortfall over the next 15 months without more federal aid, likely meaning layoffs and furloughs across the government in the coming year, a new report out Monday says.For fiscal 2021, which begins July 1, the shortfall could top 10% of current state spending, which goes for everything from teacher salaries to prisons, health care to road building.Gov. Brian Kemp said Monday that leaders have “tough conversations about the state budget” ahead. report said beyond the initial financial hit due to the coronavirus shutdown of the national economy,...…The state could face at least a $4 billion shortfall over the next 15 months without more federal aid, likely meaning layoffs and furloughs across the government in the coming year, a new report out Monday says.For fiscal 2021, which begins July 1, the shortfall could top 10% of current state spending, which goes for everything from teacher salaries to prisons, health care to road building.Gov. Brian Kemp said Monday that leaders have “tough conversations about the state budget” ahead. report said beyond the initial financial hit due to the coronavirus shutdown of the national economy,...WW…

Days away from a re-election runoff, agreed to pay a $6,500 state ethics fine for failing to disclose his role as CEO of two non-profits, one of which netted him $195,000 in city grant money.The state ethics commission approved a consent agreement with Howard imposing the fine Thursday. Howard was accused of 14 violations, which he admitted to in the consent agreement.In a statement, Howard said he was pleased to get the matter resolved. He lashed out at unidentified critics whom he said have equated the ethics violations with criminal conduct.“Their arguments have been false, as they were...…Days away from a re-election runoff, agreed to pay a $6,500 state ethics fine for failing to disclose his role as CEO of two non-profits, one of which netted him $195,000 in city grant money.The state ethics commission approved a consent agreement with Howard imposing the fine Thursday. Howard was accused of 14 violations, which he admitted to in the consent agreement.In a statement, Howard said he was pleased to get the matter resolved. He lashed out at unidentified critics whom he said have equated the ethics violations with criminal conduct.“Their arguments have been false, as they were...WW…

The coronavirus pandemic may have changed the way state government operates for good, and that means tens of millions of dollars in savings at a time when lawmakers are desperately trying to patch holes in the budget.Thousands of state staffers were sent home to do their jobs remotely, and agencies — like many businesses in the United States — found that they could get work done with less office space, fewer phones and equipment, little to no travel expenses, and meetings and training held virtually.Now they are proposing more than $20 million in savings on rent, telecommunications, travel,...…The coronavirus pandemic may have changed the way state government operates for good, and that means tens of millions of dollars in savings at a time when lawmakers are desperately trying to patch holes in the budget.Thousands of state staffers were sent home to do their jobs remotely, and agencies — like many businesses in the United States — found that they could get work done with less office space, fewer phones and equipment, little to no travel expenses, and meetings and training held virtually.Now they are proposing more than $20 million in savings on rent, telecommunications, travel,...WW…

State agencies were told Friday they should plan on cutting more than $3.5 billion from their budgets in the upcoming fiscal year, a move that could bring furloughs and layoffs among Georgia’s 200,000 teachers and state employees.With the coronavirus pandemic shutdown and recession hitting state finances hard, Gov. Brian Kemp’s budget office and the leaders of the House and Senate budget committees sent a memo to agencies asking them to develop new spending proposals for fiscal 2021, which begins July 1. The amount they should expect to cut: 14%, no exceptions.That includes K-12 schools,...…State agencies were told Friday they should plan on cutting more than $3.5 billion from their budgets in the upcoming fiscal year, a move that could bring furloughs and layoffs among Georgia’s 200,000 teachers and state employees.With the coronavirus pandemic shutdown and recession hitting state finances hard, Gov. Brian Kemp’s budget office and the leaders of the House and Senate budget committees sent a memo to agencies asking them to develop new spending proposals for fiscal 2021, which begins July 1. The amount they should expect to cut: 14%, no exceptions.That includes K-12 schools,...WW…

The $1.9 trillion COVID-19 relief bill President Joe Biden is expected to sign this week would flood Georgia’s state government with about $4.7 billion and local governments with billions more.The big question at the state Capitol these days is, “What do we do with all that money?”To put it in perspective, it’s the equivalent of adding about 17% to the $27.2 billion state budget for the upcoming fiscal year .The state constitution gives Gov. Brian Kemp the say over how the money will be spent, and his staffers note the federal Treasury Department will have to provide guidelines for using...…The $1.9 trillion COVID-19 relief bill President Joe Biden is expected to sign this week would flood Georgia’s state government with about $4.7 billion and local governments with billions more.The big question at the state Capitol these days is, “What do we do with all that money?”To put it in perspective, it’s the equivalent of adding about 17% to the $27.2 billion state budget for the upcoming fiscal year .The state constitution gives Gov. Brian Kemp the say over how the money will be spent, and his staffers note the federal Treasury Department will have to provide guidelines for using...WW…