Commissioner Jim Martin took his Budget to the Joint Committee in order to address various issues and concerns pertaining to the Governor’s Recommendations for FY 2003. In all, the Department’s adjusted Base for FY 2003 is more than $1.3 billion. There are a number of "cuts" to the Department’s Budget with many of the outside contracts being fully eliminated.

Some of those contracts and programs which are proposed to be "reduced" are:

1) Funding for education for the elderly on legal issues ($284,148)

2) Funding for the Jomandi Theater ($200,000)

3) Funding for Intergenerational Resource Center ($150,000)

4) Funding for the training of caregivers of persons with dementia ($96,000)

5) Funding for Georgians Give Back ($50,000)

6) Funding reduction for Family Connection technical assistance to local collaborates ($404,800)

7) Funding reduction for audits/evaluations of Community Service Boards ($102,242)

8) Funding reduction for one quarter of the FY 2002 enhancement funding for the Home and Community Services Program ($1,000,000)

9) Funding reduction for Family Connection implementation grants to reflect the implementation status of collaboratives ($500,000)

10) Funding for Visiting Nurses Services AIDS money ($222,806)

11) Funding for Life Flight at Georgia Baptist Hospital and the Savannah Memorial Hospital Helicopter ($150,000)

12) Funding for the purchase of clotting factor by Hemophilia of Georgia ($131,000)

13) Funding for Healthy Mothers/Health Babies Powerline ($16,000)

14) Numerous miscellaneous contracts in Division of Public Health ($178,838)

15) Funding reduction for operating Grant in Aid for county health departments ($3.5 million)

16) Reduction of State funding for Cancer State Aid program ($2,021,660)

17) Reduction of community services provided through regions ($2.4 million)

18) Refinance of funding of outpatient substance abuse funds with federal funds ($1,038,500)

There is also a proposed reduction for administrative costs for general administration of $3.4 million.

Additionally, the proposal eliminates several FY 2002 enhancements which the General Assembly made:

1) Funding for Babies Born Healthy ($2.5 million)

2) Funding for one health district epidemiologist ($100,000)

3) Funding for Georgia Asthma Initiative ($75,000)

4) Funding for Effingham County Health Department ($50,000)

Actual contract eliminations are numerous but some include:

1) Suicide prevention ($350,000)

2) Newborn Follow-up (Starting Point) program ($100,000)

3) Scoliosis screening for Children’s Healthcare of Atlanta ($86,000)

4) NAPHCare Pharmacy Contract for Tuberculosis Drugs ($75,000)

5) HIV counseling for healthcare professionals ($70,340)

6) Genetic evaluation and treatment recommendations by Emory Univ. ($59,000)

7) Sudden Infant Death Syndrome Awareness ($35,000)

8) Community Outreach program for substance abuse education ($25,000)

9) Funding for access to healthcare conference sponsored by Fulton County District Administration ($15,000)

10) Augusta Child Advocacy Center ($100,000)

11) Paulding Child Advocacy Center ($100,000)

12) Transitional homes for homeless men ($100,000)

13) Elaine Clark Center ($100,000)

14) ACE program which provides community outreach to youth ($75,000)

15) Georgia Career Information System ($22,779)

16) Kids in Discovery of Self ($20,000)

17) Scottsdale Child Development Center ($20,000)

Three respite beds are to be discontinued at Gracewood Hospital, at a projected savings of $154,845. Additionally, there is to be a reduction in hospital-based personal services in the Mental Health/Mental Retardation/Substance Abuse Division in the amount of $695,296.

The proposed enhancements include the following:

1) Appropriate the Brain and Spinal Injury Trust Fund Benefits ($500,000)

2) Provision of funds to draw down the full allotment of federal Family Caregiver funds ($144,213 in State monies; in total $2,327,795)

3) Efforts to support to reaction to bioterrorism ($2,060,000) which would help fund six additional epidemiologists; 19 emergency coordinators for the various Public Health Districts; State-level epidemiologist, Emergency Coordinator, and Molecular Biologist; Equipment and ongoing expenses for a statewide satellite communications system for each of the 19 Public Health Districts; operating expenses to expand the State’s diagnostic testing capabilities; and development funds for integrated trauma system and to support hospital data collection and emergency simulation training

4) Additional dollars to cover increasing costs of vaccinations for uninsured children, including the cost of a new pneumococcal conjugate vaccine which protects against bacterial meningitis and ear and blood infections ($1,513,940)

5) Funding for the array of services offered to support both children and families in foster care and to expand services to help prevent the removal of the child from the home ($6.2 million)

6) Funding for the Georgia Early Learning Initiative to improve the quality of child care by expanding the tiered reimbursement pilot project and technical assistance in Tift, Clayton, Berrien, and Dougherty counties ($1,580,000)

7) Funds to transition 65 children with mental retardation from state hospitals to community placements ($1,596,629 in State monies; $3,520,061 total)

8) Restoration of State funds reduced for MH/MR/SA mental health services for children in state custody ($1,040,000)

9) Restoration of State funds reduced for MH/MR/SA mental health services for children participating in the Outdoor Therapeutic Program ($1,000,000)

In Tobacco Settlement Funds, there are some proposed reductions as well as an enhancement which include:

1) Reduction of expenditures for the multimedia contract for cancer education ($1,550,000)

2) Reduction in smoking prevention and cessation related contract expenditures ($5,750,000)

3) Provide additional funds to the Cancer State Aid Program to cover medical expenses for uninsured cancer patients ($2,021,660)

Sen. James asked several questions. She was extremely interested in the adult day rehabilitation program listed as the Intergenerational Resource Center (which is located at Ebenezer Baptist Church). She stressed that this program helps senior citizens and asked that it be reconsidered. Commissioner Martin responded that, in making the cuts, the Department looked at what programs were already being done statewide, and this particular program is a local initiative. She was also concerned about the elimination of the contract with Atlanta Fulton County Community Action Authority. Sen. James told Commissioner Martin that she referred many constituents there who cannot afford their gas bills or need help finding housing. Commissioner Martin explained that this contract was for the provision of drug education to senior citizens, and again, the Department found that these services were being offered elsewhere statewide.

Rep. Newt Hudson was among the many to ask about the Healthy Farmers Program, proposed to be eliminated with a savings to the State of $200,000. Rep. Hudson stated that many of the State’s farmers utilized this entity in order to get information about use of chemicals. Sen. Carol Jackson, Rep. Bob Holmes and others also raised questions pertaining to the Healthy Farmers program elimination. Commissioner Martin explained that this contract was to help explain to farmers the injuries in the use of farming equipment and skin cancer risks associated with exposure to the sun. Commissioner Martin stressed that the mission in Public Health is epidemiology and prevention.

Rep. Chuck Scheid inquired about the proposed increase of funds for students in the family foster care higher education scholarship program using new eligibility criteria (this is an enhancement of $260,000). Commissioner Martin explained that these dollars were over and above the HOPE scholarship grants. This $260,000 would help 210 students to stay enrolled in school.

Rep. Richard Royal questioned Commissioner Martin concerning the "telemedicine" initiative and that proposed contract elimination. Commissioner Martin explained that this particular contract was designed for pediatricians to have a second opinion for child abuse case determinations. This program was never implemented.

Basically stating that it was difficult to know where to begin, Rep. Nan Orrock inquired about several items. The substance abuse services which were cut were very troubling as Georgia is already behind on its delivery of such services. Rep. Orrock cited that this was a reason why so many persons fell to the jails to handle. Commissioner Martin explained that there were a number of federal dollars and block grants which can be used to help provide some of the same services rather than using State funds.

Rep. Orrock also asked Commissioner Martin about the proposal to transfer dollars to the Department of Community Health from the Department of Human Resources for the Cancer State Aid Program. She asked specifically if only uninsured women over age 65 with breast or cervical cancer would be assisted – the answer was yes. The reason for the transfer of dollars is that the Department of Community Health provides treatment whereas the Department of Human Resources is more concerned about prevention. Additionally, the Governor has proposed more dollars from the Tobacco Settlement Fund to help the uninsured. Rep. Orrock also complained about the low amount proposed for smoking cessation – she stressed the need for $40 million.

Rep. Anne Mueller asked about the numbers of community placements for the mentally retarded. She also asked Commissioner Martin if parents were questioned about the desire to have their children removed from institutional care and placed back in the community – citing that she understood the court case (referring to the Olmstead decision). She also asked Commissioner Martin to reconsider the monies cut for the Life Flight helicopter in Savannah.

Sen. Joe Burton asked about the Elaine Clark Center in DeKalb County. Sen. Burton, long the Center’s champion, was extremely upset by the $100,000 contract elimination.

Rep. Gail Buckner queried the Commissioner about moving the funding for school nurses out of the Department of Education and to the Department of Human Resources as the nurses were a function of healthcare. Commissioner Martin basically agreed that these nurses were a function of healthcare.

Secretary of State Cathy Cox provided more detail to the Joint Committee on her budget. In portion "A" of her Office’s Budget, its adjusted base for FY 2003 is $31,315,030. There is an enhancement proposed for this portion of the budget in the amount of $3,366,586 for the expansion of the Georgia voter education program, including 13 positions, in preparation for the statewide uniform electronic voting system authorized by SB 213. Secretary Cox fielded a number of questions concerning the expense of these new machines and the educational program – she explained that it would be much better to have four months in which to educate voters rather than two months (in order that voters would know how the new machines worked prior to the primary election). In additional proposed adjustments to this portion of her Office’s Budget, there is $528,725 for the provision of regular operating expense for relocation of the Archives from Capitol Avenue to Clayton State University beginning January 1, 2003. There is another $100,000 for the provision for travel and contract funds to continue the 21^st Century Voting Commission. Ms. Cox also mentioned that a Kennesaw State Professor, known as a national expert on voting equipment and issues, has the knowledge and necessary equipment to conduct the voter training.

In Part "B" of her Budget, relating to the Real Estate Commission, there is a proposed add of $29,840 in order to increase personal services to reflect re-classified Board member expenses and other adjustments. A total adjusted base for this Part "B" is $2,280,522.

Secretary Cox also asked the Joint Committee to consider the Capitol Education Center, a newly constructed facility, which only has three staff positions. The Center was to have $50,000 for printing, but the money was placed in the wrong place in her Budget and was cut. She asked that it be restored, and she asked that the Joint Committee consider dollars for teacher training for the Center.

Additionally, she explained that her Office was responsible for publishing the various rules and regulations for each department within the State which was extremely expensive - she is looking for $150,000 in order to computerize those rules and regulations.

One interesting item was the need for money in order to better Georgia’s activities as an "international" player. Secretary Cox explained that a number of foreign consulates were locating in Georgia and that her Office was responsible for interacting with them. As such, she needs additional dollars in order to help welcome these consulates and have a person fluent in their language available to assist.

Rep. Ray asked about the occupational boards, which the Secretary of State oversees. Secretary Cox explained that all of these boards, regulating various professions, are generating enough dollars to be self sufficient and are actually providing surplus dollars in the State’s general treasury.