General Government Subcommittee of Appropriations As Chairman of the General Government Subcommittee of Appropriations, I lead efforts to review the budgets of twenty-four state agencies including the Department of Revenue, Secretary of State, Department of Natural Resources, and Department of Driver Services.  Balancing the state budget is a key responsibility of the General Assembly, and I am proud of our work thus far to craft a budget for fiscal year 2017 that reflects our priorities as a state and our values as hardworking Georgians. Growing the Entertainment Industry in Georgia With attractive tax incentives, Georgia’s entertainment industry has grown exponentially in the last several years.  To continue moving in the right direction, I co-sponsored HB 956, “Georgia Musical Recording and Synchronization Act,” which creates an income tax credit for music, film, and television companies that record a state certified promotion and put it in their credits. Retirement Coverage for Certain Law Enforcement Officers   Last Thursday my legislation, HB 690, was read and referred in the Senate.  HB 690 extends retirement coverage for certain former law enforcement officers.  Now it will move on to committee to be debated. Visit from Georgia Congressional Delegation   The House of Representatives was honored to hear from three of our congressional representatives last week. We are grateful for everything they do to move our country and our state forward! Valdosta State University Day at the Capitol  Last week, I filed the resolution to recognize Wednesday, February 24, 2016, as Valdosta State University Day at the Capitol! I look forward to seeing student leaders, staff, and alumni of the school soon. I enjoyed introducing Lowndes High’s Sarah Lee (elected Speaker of the House for the 2016 Youth Assembly through the State YMCA) to Georgia House Speaker David Ralston. What an honor to have US Congressman Austin Scott and VSU student Griffin Bell (Thomasville) at the Capitol this week. Thanks to Bradley Cohen for serving as a House Page this week! Proud to welcome Thomas County REALTORS to the General Assembly! Enjoyed spending some time with Lowndes County REALTORS at the Capitol this week! My Legislation HR 1048 – Girl Scouts; 100th anniversary; honor HB 867 – Thomasville, City of; levy an excise tax HB 939 – Revenue and taxation; setoff debt collections by the Administrative Office of the Courts; revise terms and procedures HR 1337 – Valdosta State University Day at the capitol; February 24, 2016; recognize; student leaders at Valdosta State University; commend HB 952 – “Georgia Professional Regulation Reform Act”; enact HB 956 – “Georgia Musical Recording and Synchronization Act”; enact HB 965 – “The Honorable Jimmy Carter Cancer Treatment Access Act”; enact HB 932 – Thomas County; levy an excise tax HR 1394 – 4th Annual Legislative Fly-In at the capitol; February 18, 2016;recognize; Georgia Airport Associations and leadership Jim Galloway, Blake Swafford, Jason Pinnix, Kevin Britton, Mike Matthews and Mario Evans; commend HR 1352 – Walters, Justin; commend HR 1359 – Colquitt County Packers football team; winning 2015 Class AAAAAA State Championship and National Rankings; commend HR 1357 – Lewis, Ms. JoAnne; retirement; commend HB 690 – Employees’ Retirement System of Georgia; provide that certain law enforcement officers obtain creditable service in system under certain conditions; provisions HB 748 – Thomas County Magistrate Court; impose and collect county law library fees as part of court costs; provide HB 744 – Crimes and offenses; sexual contact between school personnel and students; prohibit HR 1128 – Watkinsville Garden Club; 75th anniversary; recognize HB 814 – “Educating Children of Military Families Act”; enact HB 817 – Education; certain youth athletes receive instruction in baseball dugout safety; require HB 825 – “Protecting Military Children Act”; enact HB 819 – Education; development of a list of training materials in mental health, behavioral and learning disabilities; provide HB 836 – Sales and use tax; property used in renovation and rehabilitation of affordable housing; provide exemption HR 1170 – Georgia Career and Technical Student Organization Day at the capitol; February 17, 2016; recognize HB 763 – Sales and use tax; exemption regarding certain food and food ingredients; remove sunset HR 1029 – State YMCA of Georgia and its Center for Civic Engagement and “Y” Club programs; sponsor Youth Assembly; commend HR 1030 – Sauls, Mr. Roy Randall; condolences HB 1188 – State YMCA of Georgia and its Center for Civic Engagement and “Y” Club programs which sponsor Youth Assembly among other programs that cultivate youth civic engagement and recognize the important work that the YMCA does in communities across Ga.; commend Click here for all of my 2016 legislation. Follow the General Assembly Online   You can read the details of all legislation online at www.legis.ga.gov.  Please feel free to contact me at my legislative office — 245 State Capitol, Atlanta, GA  30334; by phone at 404-463-2247; or by email at amy.carter@house.ga.gov. Sincerely, Amy A. Carter State Representative, District 175 Chairman, General Government Subcommittee, Appropriations Committees:  Agriculture and Consumer Affairs, Education, Governmental Affairs,  Higher Education, Small Business Development PO Box 4930, Valdosta, GA  31604, (229) 245-1092 245 State Capitol, Atlanta, GA  30334, (404) 463-2247, fax (404) 463-2249