ATLANTA – The Georgia House of Representatives today passed House Bill 742, the Fiscal Year 2013 (FY 2013) state budget. State Representative Ann Purcell (R-Rincon) successfully advocated for the budget to include increased funding for law enforcement needs throughout the state.
“Public safety should be one of our top priorities, and I am proud that the House budget plan reflects that,” said Rep. Purcell. “This budget ensures that our local heroes have the tools needed to enforce the law and protect citizens across our great state.”
As a member of the House Appropriations Sub-Committee on Public Safety and the Chairman of the Public Safety & Homeland Security Committee, Rep. Purcell successfully advocated for an increase in law enforcement funds in the House Appropriations Committee. The increase would support new Georgia Bureau of Investigation (GBI) researcher positions, a pay raise for GBI agents and Department of Natural Resources (DNR) officers, $10 million for accountability courts and an increased gas allowance for state troopers.
“All of these investments will ensure that Georgia’s criminal justice system continues to excel at providing a safer Georgia,” said Rep. Purcell. “With gas prices increasing dramatically, our state troopers need more money for gas so that they can continue their patrols. This will keep them on the road and ensure that public safety does not decline due to the rising cost of gas.”
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 Ann Purcell represents the citizens of District 159, which includes portions of Chatham and Effingham counties. She was re-elected into the House of Representatives in 2009, and currently serves as Chairman of the Public Safety and Homeland Security Committee, and Vice Chair of the Governmental Affairs Committee. She also serves as a member of the Appropriations, Education, Health and Human Services, Human Relations & Aging, and Economic Development and Tourism committees.
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