Ga Senate signs off on mid-year budget
store several budget cuts the governor had recommended, including $1.2 million to hire more agents and analysts for the Georgia Bureau of Investigation’s Gang Task Force and develop a database to track gang activity, and $1.3 million for local accountability courts, a criminal justice reform initiative aimed at reducing the prison population.
The Senate supported House additions of $235,000 to help the secretary of state’s office with cybersecurity measures and the legal costs of election-related litigation, and kicked in $244,000 in startup costs for the new state commission that will oversee Georgia’s medical cannabis program.
Besides agreeing with many of the budget cuts restored by the House, senators acted on their own to restore $258,000 in cuts to foster care services. Before this year’s legislative session started, Kemp declared improving foster care a major priority.
“In an era where we’re constantly seeking foster-care parents, it’s a good thing to spend this money,” Hill said.
Senate Minority Leader Steve Henson congratulated Hill and members of the Senate Appropriations Committee for restoring many of the governor’s spending cuts. But he complained the midyear budget still leaves the state short of funding many critical needs because of the revenue hit from an income tax cut Republicans pushed through the General Assembly two years ago.
“Our constituents sent us here to make tough decisions,” said Henson, D-Stone Mountain. “If we don’t have state roads, a strong public education system and protections of our drinking water and air, we’re letting the people down.”
The mid-year budget now goes back to the House, which could either agree with the changes the Senate made or resolve the two chambers’ differences in a legislative conference committee.
Even tougher decisions on a $2,000 teacher pay raise proposed by Kemp and whether to follow through with a second phase of the 2018 income tax cut await lawmakers later when they take up the governor’s $28.1 billion fiscal 2021 budget plan.
WILHELM, Katie
Katie Margaret Chapman Wilhelm, age 87, of LaFayette passed away Thursday, March 5, 2020.
She was preceded in death by her husband, Robert “Bob” Wilhelm; parents, Fields Chapman and Elsie Mae Williams Chapman; and brother, Marvin Chapman.
She is survived by her daughters and sons-in-law, Terri (Max) Morrison of LaFayette and Renee (Arnold) Tarpley of Cleveland, Tenn.; grandchildren, David (Sara) Morrison and Jennifer (Joe) - dren; sisters, Margie Lanier of Ringgold and Doris Archer of Nashville, Tenn.; brothers, Dr. Harlan (Doris) Chapman of Dalton, Buddy (Delores) Chapman and Steve (Rosalind) Chapman of LaFayette; and several nieces and nephews.
Funeral service will be held at 3 p.m. Sunday, March 8, 2020 in the Wilbanks Memorial Chapel with Pastor - itation will be held prior to the service from 1 p.m. until hour of service at the funeral home.
Interment at
City Cemetery.
Pallbearers are Josh Chapman, Zack Chapman, Zeb Chapman, Ricky Archer; Shawn Tucker, Kent Chapman, and Phil Chapman.
- tions may be made in Katie’s memory to the Second Baptist Church Benevolence Program.
The family would like to send a heartfelt thank you to Katie’s caregivers Sharon Cockrell, Andrea Swafford, and Lora Chapman and Hearth Hospice.
Arrangements are by Wallis-Wilbanks Funeral Home, LaFayette.
LaFayette
“The most beautiful people we have known are those who have known defeat, known suffering, known struggle, known loss, and have found their way out of those depths.”
— Elisabeth Kubler-Ross
YOUNG, Brenda Faye
Brenda Faye Wallin Young, age 68, of LaFayette passed away Tuesday, March 3, 2020.
She was a member of Linwood Baptist Church. Brenda was a loving wife, mother, grandmother, and great grandmother.
She is survived by her husband, Jerry L. Young; daughter, Star Young; sons, Stacy (Ericka) Young, Jerry D. (Terri) Young, and Herbie (Roxana) Young; grandchildren, Nathan Young, Tristen Young, Matthew Young, Makenzie Young, Makinnon Young and Miley Young; great grandchildren, Hunter Young, Preston Young, and Kaisen Young; and several nieces and nephews.
Funeral service was held at 2 p.m. Friday, March 6, 2020 in the Wilbanks Memorial Chapel with Pastor Jon Al
Interment at
City Cemetery.
Visitation was held Thursday from 5 p.m. to 9 p.m. at the funeral home.
Arrangements are by Wallis-Wilbanks Funeral Home, LaFayette.
LaFayette
Words, however kind, can’t mend your heartache, but those who care and share your loss wish you comfort and peace of mind. May you find strength in the love of family and in the warm embrace of friends.
— Author Unknown
I AM NOT THERE
Do not stand by my grave and weep, for I am not there, I do not sleep. I am a thousand winds that blow. I am diamonds that glint on snow. I am the sunlight on ripened grain. I am the gentle autumn rain. When you awaken in the morning hush I am the swift uplifting rush of am the soft stars that shine at night. Do not stand at my grave and cry. I am not there. I did not die.
— Author Unknown