ATLANTA – The Georgia House of Representatives today passed House Bill 742, the Fiscal Year 2013 (FY 2013) state budget. State Representative Terry England (R-Auburn) successfully advocated for the budget to include funding for the construction of a Lanier Technical College satellite campus in Barrow County.
“I am pleased to announce that the House’s budget plan allows Lanier Technical College to build a satellite campus in Barrow County,” said Rep. England. “Lanier Tech holds an outstanding tradition of preparing people for successful careers. In time when technical training is in high demand by employers, this new campus will ensure that the college is able to meet this growing demand by extending that longstanding tradition to even more students.”
“Prior to this, local funds had been almost exclusively used for construction and renovations of the Barrow County Campus. This funding shows that the state realizes the importance of adult education to Barrow County and its residents,” said Rep. England.
As Chairman of the House Appropriations Committee, Rep. England successfully advocated for approximately $16 million in 20-year state bonds to be added to the FY 2013 budget for Lanier Technical College to build a satellite campus in Barrow County. The new campus will be constructed in conjunction with the new Barrow County College and Career Preparatory Academy. This joint effort will allow the Barrow County campus to be used by students of both academic bodies.
“Since Georgia is still struggling to recover from the economic recession, House Appropriations worked to create a more efficient use of state resources. The creation of a joint campus that can easily be used by two different schools is just one example of those efforts to maximize efficiencies,” said Rep. England.
The FY 2013 state budget directs spending for all state agencies, departments, and programs from July 1, 2012 to June 30, 2013. Although the $19.2 billion state budget reflects a slight increase from the FY 2012 state budget, when adjusted for inflation the FY 2013 budget continues to reflect decade-old per-capita spending levels.
Now that the Georgia House of Representatives has passed the FY 2013 state budget with a vote of 151 to 21, the legislation will be sent to the state Senate for consideration.
Representative Terry England represents the citizens of District 108, which includes portions of Barrow County. He was elected into the House of Representatives in 2005, and currently serves as the Chairman of the Appropriations Committee and Ex-Officio of the Ways & Means Committee. He also serves as a member of the Agriculture and Consumer Affairs, Industrial Relations, Education; and Natural Resources & Environment committees.
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