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Major issues addressed during 2008 legislative session Over the course of the 2008 session of the General Assembly, lawmakers addressed a host of issues ranging from water to education to dog fighting. But on the session's final day, time ran out on legislation dealing with several important issues, including trauma care funding, a proposed transportation solution and tax reform. Here is how some of the major legislative proposals fared in 2008: Budget: HB 990 outlines a $21.2 billion state spending plan for fiscal year 2009, including a 2.5 percent pay increase for educators and other state employees and restoring $50 billion of a proposed $141 million in cuts to local school funding. Tax relief: Proposals to eliminate the ad valorem tax on automobiles, reduce state income tax and freeze property tax valuation assessments all fell by the wayside on the final day of the session as agreements were not reached on differences between the House and Senate proposals. Water: The governor has already signed into law HR 1022, which implements the Statewide Water Management Plan, establishing 11 water districts where policy decisions will be made at the regional level. SB 342 streamlines the state's permitting process for impounding more reservoirs. Trauma care: The House failed to vote on a final version of HB 1158, which would have instituted a $10 license tag fee to generate revenues for funding improvements to the state's trauma care network. This will remain a high-profile issue and a top priority for the 2009 session. Education: HB 1209 offers flexibility to local school systems regarding state mandates, in exchange for the schools agreeing to meet academic performance goals. SB 458, which would have provided private school vouchers to students whose public school is deemed to be failing, was not approved. Transportation: SR 845, a proposal to allow counties to join together and implement a special purpose local option sales tax for transportation projects on a regional basis, if approved by voters, fell three votes short of the necessary two-thirds majority in the Senate. Transportation funding will also likely be at the top of next year's legislative agenda. Economy and tourism. HB 1088, which I introduced, designates and promotes agricultural tourist attractions around the state. HB 1100, which I co-sponsored, offers an income tax credit of up to 20 percent to motion picture, television and video game producers who spend at least $500,000 on productions in Georgia. SB 359 establishes a "Made in Georgia" program to promote the sale of goods produced by Georgia manufacturers. Identity theft: HB 130 would allow consumers to "freeze" their financial information controlled by a credit reporting agency to thwart identity theft. Certificate of Need: SB 433 is a major revision of the state's certificate of need (CON) law, which regulates the construction of new health care facilities. The bill allows some ambulatory centers to operate without a CON if they meet certain criteria and treat indigent patients. The legislation also allows for a Cancer Treatment Center of America to open in the Atlanta area. Sales tax holidays. HB 948 gives Georgians a break on back-to-school items and energy efficient appliances and provides a sales boost for retailers in our state. The 2008 sales tax holidays for school supplies, clothing and computer equipment are scheduled for July 31-Aug. 3. For energy efficient products, the sales tax-free period will be Oct. 2-5. Forest land protection. HR 1276 and HB 1211 provide tax incentives to encourage land owners to keep their land in trees and make large, contiguous tracts less vulnerable to development or conversion to other non-forest uses. In order to qualify for the new property tax land classification, land owners must commit to a covenant to keep the land in the qualifying forest use. Dog fighting: HB 301 broadens the definition of dog fighting as a criminal offense and strengthens the penalties for violations. I continue to be honored to serve as your voice in the House of Representatives, and I want to thank this newspaper for the opportunity to report to you on a weekly basis during the 2008 session. Please contact me whenever I can be of service. Rep. Butch Parrish (R-Swainsboro) represents the 156th District (Bulloch, Candler, Emanuel and Johnson counties) in the Georgia House of Representatives. Contact him at 508 Coverdell Office Building, Atlanta, GA 30334; by phone at 404-656-0213 or by e-mail at butch.parrish@house.ga.gov.
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