Consolidation Tops Legislative Session for Local Leaders

The 2012 Georgia Legislative session kicked off today. Local leaders have one goal that’s to get a consolidation bill passed.

” This session for us locally is going to be all about consolidation,” says State Representative Allen Peake.

Legislators got straight to work after promising to break with the traditional slow start to the session and get to business on their first day back at the Capitol.

State Senators spent the day voting on final passages on legislation from last year.

State Representative Nikki Randall tells 41 NBC the Bibb Delegation will present a finalized consolidation bill to the House in the upcoming weeks.

“We are very close. We’ve worked really hard. The spirit of compromise amongst the delegation is amazing,” says Randall. 

Local leaders have an optimistic outlook on getting the bill passed. ” For 6 years I’ve been working hard trying to get us there so we have one voice speaking for our government,” says Peake.

State Representative Bubber Epps adds,” we’re going to get more accomplished than the previous years and I look forward to it.”

According to lawmakers, this session will also be filled with managing the State budget. 

“The budget will always be tough. We don’t have enough money this year, again. There’s going to be some more cuts I’m afraid,” says State Representative Robert Dickey. 

A proposed 2% budget cut across state agencies is expected to be introduced.

State Senator Cecil Staton says he’s not sure that’s the best way to shave the deficit. “I am not really fond of across the board cuts, because there are somethings more important than others.”

Leaders are anticipating a big year, which will give them a shot at finally letting voters decide how they want their community run.