LUMPKIN COUNTY, Ga. — With the state’s legislative calendar suspended due to a budget impasse between lawmakers and Gov. Brian Kemp last week, there was little to report when State Rep. Kevin Tanner held his weekly town hall at the Wagon Wheel restaurant.

Although the meeting lasted only one hour, it was long enough for more than four inches of snow to fall on top of wet highways, turning Hwy. 19 Business into an ice skating rink that stranded motorists for hours.

Lumpkin County Sheriff’s deputies got a helping hand directing traffic from State Sen. Steve Gooch (R-Dahlonega), who stood outside Town and Country Village for more than hour helping to push, pull and guide cars to safety off the roadway. Road conditions were so poor even four-wheel drive vehicles had a difficult time getting through. (See the accompanying photo)

In discussing last week’s budget impasse, Tanner said, “We (lawmakers) have to get comfortable with the budget and where the cuts are coming from. It is up to the governor to recommend cuts, but it is up to the General Assembly to write a budget. The Appropriations Committee in the House takes that responsibility very seriously. It’s not something we just want to rubber stamp.”

Gov. Brian Kemp has called for a 4 percent cut in spending this fiscal year and 6 percent in FY 2021. The governor’s goal is to save taxpayers $200 million this fiscal year and $300 million next year.

Despite the impasse, HB 276 was passed and signed into law by the governor. It puts into effect the collection and remittance of sales taxes by online marketplace facilitators starting April 1, 2020.

“The marketplace facilitator bill is estimated to have an increase in revenue of $150 million which is substantial but we are not going to see that yet.” Tanner said.

He also addressed the economy and Georgia’s workforce. “The biggest threat to the economy is the workforce. Somehow we have to find ways to help drive folks into the right place in the job market. There are a lot of high demand positions that are going unfilled that are very well paid and a lot of them don’t require a college education.”

Tanner will hold another town hall meeting next Saturday at the Georgia Racing Hall of Fame in Dawson County.

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