Group says special session needed to fixed state budget

By Charles Edwards

Atlanta, GA – The state's budget deficit this fiscal year could be as high as 2 billion dollars. That's the estimate from the Georgia Budget and Policy Institute.

However, the group also says it has part of the solution.

Bring lawmakers back to the capitol for a special session. That's the recommendation from Alan Essig; the Institute's executive director. Essig urges Governor Sonny Perdue to call a session no later than September. He says that gives lawmakers more time and options such as raising the state tax on a pack of cigarettes by one dollar.

ESSIG: If you implemented that October First, you could raise over 300 million dollars in the current fiscal year. If you wait till January or February to pass this legislation and it's effective March First, you only raise 150 million dollars.

The trickle down effect from a slumping national economy has slowed state revenue collections. That could mean fewer new state jobs and some state employees could see less of a pay raise or none at all.

Governor Perdue has asked for budget cuts but has not said whether he'll call a special session.