ATLANTA (June 8, 2009) – Maybe it was a little anticlimactic since Governor Perdue lowered the Revenue Estimate a week ago and assessed agencies 25 percent of the June allotments, but the May revenues are in and while certainly not positive, are actually about 6 percent under the worse case scenario envisioned a week ago.
 
Revenues for the month of May were down 14.4 percent overall or some $211.7 million down from May of 2008.  Individual income tax collections were down 21.2 percent continuing a consistent negative trend.  May sales taxes were down overall $181 million or 20.2 percent.  Of that, local sales tax collections were down $173 million, so most of the loss occurred in local collections. Motor fuel taxes were down an additional $23 million for both excise and sales taxes.  Corporate income taxes were down about $10 million.
 
So, Year-To-Date figures continue to disappoint and cause that sinking feeling.  Overall, revenues are down over 10 percent or $1.5 billion dollars for the first 11 months.  Individual income taxes are down 11.0 percent or $884 million.  Sales taxes are down overall $780 million or 8.0 percent of which the state portion is -$404 million or -7.6 percent.  Motor fuel taxes are down collectively $126.8 million or -13.7 percent.  Corporate income taxes are down $211 million or -26.7 percent. 
 
The state has now used up about $300 million of the $562 million in the Shortfall Reserve Fund with a month to go.
 
This week’s column also continues a review of legislation passed by the 2009 General Assembly.
 
NATURAL RESOURCES
 
SB 110 – Senate Bill 110 allows county permitted agents to trap beavers on public right of ways.
 
SB 111 – This bill allows belt or hat mounted lights to be used for hunting for which lights are legal.
 
SR 12 – This resolution continues by constitutional amendment existing rewards for successful oil and gas exploration off Georgia’s coast and on land.   It includes alternative fuel development to fossil fuels.
 
PUBLIC SAFETY
 
SB 20 – This new measure prohibits a local government from enacting policies that create a “sanctuary” for illegal aliens that results in illegal aliens not being reported to authorities.  Violations would cause a loss of state assistance or grants.
 
SB 196 – This legislation increases the fines when a serious injury is the result of a right of way violation.  The bill includes a 30-day license suspension for failing to yield right of way to a motorcyclist or farm vehicle.  SB 196 also increases the administrative fee the DUI schools can charge by $7, with the fee being passed through to the Department of Driver Services.  The bill also clarifies language in the law related to penalties for driving without a license.
 
HB 2 – This bill calls for the state to direct local governments to comply with federal immigration law concerning verifying legal status of incarcerated individuals.  It also requires every public employer to register and participate in the federal authorization program to verify employment eligibility of new hires.  A website posting will suffice for this requirement.  Finally, it clarifies “public benefit” in requiring the verification of legal status in granting different state or local benefit programs.
 
Please remember to contact me in my office on the issues that are affecting you and your area.  I am here to represent you and it is an honor for me to work on your behalf.  As always, I’d like to thank members of the Senate staff, who contribute regularly to my column. 
 
 
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Sen. Greg Goggans represents the 7thSenate District, which includes Atkinson, Bacon, Berrien, Clinch, Coffee, Echols, Lanier, Pierce and Ware counties and a portion of Cook County.

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