State budget cuts hit us locally very hard.  Decatur County is facing a drop in state funds of at least $500,000.  This, of course, is in addition to the drop in sales tax revenue which hits both the city and county government.  Bainbridge College is facing a $1.5 million cut eliminating jobs and educational programs.

Now, only days after saying they thought our revenue collections would be flat, the Governor reports on Monday that net revenue collections for the month of February 2010 decreased 9.9% over last year. (ytd 12.7%)

There is no confusion that the problem is our economy with 7 million jobs lost over the last couple of years.  There is no quick fix to the great recession, budget shortfalls and 20% unemployment (in reality).

There is no debate that business creating jobs is the solution. Is a $500 credit for new hires fixing anything? No, but it looks like the politicians are doing something.

Businesses can not expand and hire if they have no idea of future costs.  As Congress "debates" (read bribe and strong arm) how they will overcome over 70% of the US citizens that want the Health Care bill scraped, business sits on the sideline waiting.

As "green jobs" and a "green transformation" is discussed (read a huge increase in the cost of energy), business sits on the side.  As new taxes on business are discussed, business sits on the sideline.

I would suggest that our "jobless recovery" can not become a real recovery until the federal government gets out of the way.  Since we know they will not do what is best, to adjourn for the year, they need to be convinced to stop the madness.

Cal Thomas writes
The president would achieve real success by cutting taxes, eliminating unnecessary regulations and liberating the free enterprise system to do what it does best: create products and services people will buy so that companies will hire people.

That has always been the formula that has produced a strong American economy. Government produces little that people want to buy. Government mostly takes from those who produce. Government can spread wealth, as this president is attempting to do -- but it can't create wealth. So by spreading wealth rather than allowing wealth to be created, the result is less wealth to spread.

The economic power of America is in Americans, not in government.

We can achieve true Health Care Reform, but we all know this present bill is not going to achieve reform.

Who can stop the madness?
Well, people's outrage has them almost stopped, but bribes and strong armed tactics may ultimately win out and destroy our economy for the next 10 years.

I believe it is time for our local leaders to step up and, crudely stated, grow some.

How many City Councils and County Commissions have passed resolutions against the present Health Care Bill, the one that has put our economy in limbo? I'd guess none.

And where are our local Chambers of Commerce?  They should be leading this charge as an organization.

Where are our educational leaders, who I bet now realize that maybe the progressive agenda needs to wait for a better time?

Contrary to doing what the vast majority of our local leaders know they should do, they just might need something from Congressman Sanford Bishop in the future.  Hello? Either the federal government won't have any money, or you will be under their thumb anyway.

The old saying is so true, politics is local.  Well I say let's make it local and demand our local leaders take a stand.

More about the state budget
The decline in revenue is resulting in a FY 2010 budget shortfall of an additional $1.4 billion, for a total FY 2010 budget shortfall of $4.6 billion.  These and more cuts carry through 2011.  The FY 2012 budget deficit is projected at $1.94 billion.  (According to GBPI)

Georgia's FY 2011 $18 billion budget breaks down like this, so where do you think the major cuts will come?  Taxes anyone?

Contact information for Congressman Sanford D. Bishop
Washington, D.C. Office, Phone: (202) 225-3631
Albany Office, Phone: (229) 439-8067
Columbus Office, Phone: (706) 320-9477
Thomasville Office, Phone: (229) 226-7789

BTW,
Decatur County Schools will be out for furlough days this Thursday and Friday, March 11 and 12.

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