Atlanta Weather

| Traffic

Search
Political Insider

Johnson: Don’t expect a special session for budget cuts

12:26 pm July 9, 2009, by jgalloway

Eric Johnson, the Savannah state senator and Republican candidate for governor, is betting against a special session of the Legislature to address new budget cuts.

Which, he admits, is politically convenient to him and other Republicans.

Johnson was on WGAU (1340AM) radio in Athens this morning. Talk show host Tim Bryant kindly provided the sound – which you can listen to here.

Said Johnson:

“I suspect we’re going to have to cut the state budget by another $1 billion or more. But the governor has the ability to do that.

“And the Legislature getting involved and going up to Atlanta and fighting and protecting their special interests and their district money — that isn’t necessarily going to be helpful.

So my suspicion is that the leadership and the governor are basically going to hold hands and basically give a nod approval to what the governor recommends — which [is] going to be tough.

“As a fiscal conservative, I don’t gloat about what we’re going through, ‘cause real people are getting hurt….But cuts are coming, because we’re not going to raise taxes.”

Bryant asked if it wasn’t helpful for someone who isn’t on the ballot in 2010 — i.e., Gov. Sonny Perdue — to be officially responsible for the butcher’s bill.

Answered Johnson:

“There’s some truth to that. But there’s also constitutional powers. The Legislature doesn’t want to be left out.

Certainly the two budget offices, the two appropriations chairmen, the leadership of both parties can be consulted and can have input without having a special session.

For instant updates, follow me on Twitter.

  • Print

12 comments Add your comment

retiredds

July 9th, 2009
1:45 pm

So reality is settling in. The Republicans are no better at managing Georgia’s budget than were the Democrats. And wasn’t it one of their own who wanted to return the State “rainy day” surplus to Georgian’s last year. Think of where the state would be without those dollars and stimulus money. Go, you conservative folks. Maybe another tea party is in order.

DW

July 9th, 2009
2:58 pm

“The leadership of both parties can be consulted”? Not “will”, not “can”-as in, “not required”. So much for “taking responsibility”…

Base

July 9th, 2009
3:17 pm

This is pure mismanagement by the Repubs. Sorry Sonny and his henchmen will do brain surgery with a meat ax . The Repubs are doing great harm to our state and the citizens won’t know it for years.How about cutting the budget legislature and Gov office.Also cut out all authorities like GRTA.

Keith

July 9th, 2009
4:03 pm

So with the average citizen hurting badly from this worldwide economic downturn, we have two choices: (1) The Republicans make cuts to reduce government spending or (2) Follow the Democrats and raise taxes, hurting average families and costing the state even more jobs. Folks when the economy finally turns Georgia will come back faster than most of the other states becasue of the Republican policies… businesses will chose georgia for their expansions.

GoOx

July 9th, 2009
5:40 pm

How long has Johnson been in the Senate, wasn’t he in a leadership position for a good portion of the time? Didn’t the budget swell during that time?

We need my man Ox. He knows how to reorganize, his is the only agency thats open late.

BuckSpadleyCrispyGod at Large

July 9th, 2009
6:11 pm

“We need my man Ox. He knows how to reorganize, his is the only agency thats open late.”

Uh, no, no we don’t Your man ox is another lying shyster. This state is full of lying shysters. eric johnson, sonny, deal, the list goes on & on. We need new people, hate to tell you this, but people with REAL CHARACTER! Ox, ej, purdue, barnes, deal and all of the rest of the garbage is just that: garbage. New folks, please.

linda

July 9th, 2009
8:03 pm

I agree we need new folks to run. But whom? Any suggestions?

TRUTH

July 10th, 2009
7:42 am

Eric Johnson= Saxby Chambliss

Clarence

July 10th, 2009
8:18 am

This has nothing to do with mismanagement of one party (and I’m a loyal Dem). This is simply a revenue problem – the state isn’t bringing in enough money.

The Snark

July 10th, 2009
9:17 am

Keith — perhaps you haven’t noticed that corporate headquarters have been leaving Georgia for the last twelve years one after another, due to poor schools, interminable traffic, etc., etc.? I realize that low taxes has become a religion and an end it itself for ideological Republicans, but good God man, this state cannot govern itself or provide the most basic services to its citizens.

whoknowz

July 10th, 2009
9:57 am

If the Gov can change the budget without the leg, why is it that the only thing the leg has to do, according to the state constitution, is pass a budget? The legislature seems to have become an unnecessary expense.

And how can any of the legislators running for higher office expect the public to take them seriously as leaders if they can’t even step up to the plate for this?

BoDiddley

July 10th, 2009
10:35 am

“If I were cynical…thank God I’m not…” LOL!