Fri., January 28, 2011 7:52am (EST)

Lawmakers Battle Over Zero-Based Budgeting

By Associated Press

Updated: 2 years ago

ATLANTA  —   Hours after a Senate attempt to undo an outgoing veto be ex-Gov. Sonny Perdue, the House on Thursday declined to back up its sister chamber, with its leader saying he prefers working with his current boss to picking a fight with his former one.

Speaker David Ralston says the House will send Senate Bill 1 into committee and introduce its own legislation, House Bill 33, on Monday when the Legislature reconvenes.

At issue is the concept of zero-based budgeting, which would require certain state agencies to justify all of the expenditures each year. Under the current system, department heads are required only to explain why they need more money than their current funding levels.

Ralston said Thursday the new proposal is a more legal and responsible approach to the issue.