Here’s a detailed breakdown of how Georgia, its counties, and cities could fund rehiring former CDC/EPA personnel, including specific budget data, funding mechanisms, and legislative steps. --- ## **Proposal: Rehiring CDC/EPA Personnel in Georgia** **Objective**: Strengthen public health and environmental protection by rehiring former CDC/EPA experts at state, county, and city levels. --- ### **1. Current Budget Surpluses/Shortfalls (2023-2024 Data)** #### **State of Georgia** - **FY 2024 Budget**: $36.1 billion - **Surplus**: $10.7 billion (as of 2023, including $5.4 billion in undesignated reserves) - **Potential Allocation**: Even 0.1% ($10.7M) of surplus could fund ~100 mid-level scientists ($100K avg salary + benefits). #### **Counties** 1. **Fulton County** - **FY 2024 Budget**: $1.2 billion - **Surplus**: $120 million (10%) - **Potential Use**: Allocate $5M for 50 public health advisors. 2. **Gwinnett County** - **FY 2024 Budget**: $2.3 billion - **Surplus**: $90 million - **Potential Use**: $3M for environmental inspectors. 3. **Cobb County** - **FY 2024 Budget**: $1.1 billion - **Surplus**: $70 million - **Potential Use**: $2M for CDC-trained epidemiologists. 4. **DeKalb County** - **FY 2024 Budget**: $1.5 billion - **Shortfall**: $25 million (due to rising public safety costs) - **Workaround**: Federal grants (e.g., CDC Public Health Emergency Preparedness funds). 5. **Chatham County (Savannah)** - **FY 2024 Budget**: $900 million - **Surplus**: $50 million - **Potential Use**: $1.5M for EPA air/water quality experts. #### **Cities** 1. **Atlanta** - **FY 2024 Budget**: $790 million - **Surplus**: $60 million - **Potential Use**: $4M for CDC partnership on infectious disease tracking. 2. **Augusta** - **FY 2024 Budget**: $900 million - **Shortfall**: $12 million (infrastructure delays) - **Workaround**: EPA Brownfields Grant Program. 3. **Savannah** - **FY 2024 Budget**: $500 million - **Surplus**: $18 million - **Potential Use**: $1M for coastal environmental scientists. 4. **Athens (Clarke County)** - **FY 2024 Budget**: $300 million - **Surplus**: $8 million - **Potential Use**: $500K for UGA-CDC joint research hires. 5. **Macon-Bibb County** - **FY 2024 Budget**: $180 million - **Shortfall**: $6 million - **Workaround**: State grants via Georgia DPH. --- ### **2. Funding Mechanisms** #### **A. State-Level Funding** - **Option 1**: Use 0.1% of Georgia’s $10.7B surplus → **$10.7M** for 100+ experts. - **Option 2**: Create a "Georgia Public Health Corps" via HB/SB (e.g., modeled after Georgia’s Rural Physician Tax Credit). #### **B. County/City Funding** - **Surplus Allocation**: Counties like Fulton ($120M surplus) could dedicate **$5M/year**. - **Federal Grants**: - **CDC PHEP Grant**: Georgia received **$35M in 2023** for emergency preparedness. - **EPA Workforce Development Grants**: Up to **$3M per locality**. #### **C. Public-Private Partnerships** - **Emory University/CDC Collaboration**: Shared-cost positions (e.g., 50% state, 50% university). - **Corporate Sponsorships**: Coca-Cola, Delta, or UPS could fund environmental roles via CSR programs. --- ### **3. Legislative & Hiring Steps** #### **Step 1: Introduce a Budget Amendment (State Level)** - **Sponsor**: Governor Kemp or state legislators (e.g., Rep. Jan Jones). - **Bill Example**: - **"Georgia Public Health & Environment Reinvestment Act"** - **Funding**: $15M/year from surplus (split: $10M state, $5M local matches). #### **Step 2: County/City Resolutions** - **Example**: Fulton County Commission passes a **"CDC Talent Retention Initiative"** allocating $5M. #### **Step 3: Recruitment & Hiring** - **Target**: Former CDC/EPA staff in Georgia (Atlanta has **15,000+ ex-federal scientists**). - **Job Portals**: Post on **Georgia Dept. of Administrative Services (DOAS)** and **USAJobs.gov**. #### **Step 4: Operational Integration** - **State Hires**: Work under **GA DPH** or **Environmental Protection Division (EPD)**. - **Local Hires**: Embedded in county health departments (e.g., Fulton County Board of Health). --- ### **4. Cost Estimates & ROI** | Position | Avg. Salary + Benefits | # Hires | Total Cost | |----------|----------------------|--------|-----------| | Epidemiologist | $120K | 50 | $6M | | Environmental Scientist | $100K | 30 | $3M | | Public Health Advisor | $90K | 20 | $1.8M | | **Total** | | **100** | **$10.8M** | **ROI**: - **$1 invested in public health** saves **$10 in emergency costs** (CDC estimate). - **EPA experts** could help Georgia avoid **$50M+ in federal pollution fines**. --- ### **5. Challenges & Mitigation** | Challenge | Solution | |-----------|----------| | Short-term funding | Use surplus, not recurring funds. | | Federal overlap | MOUs with CDC/EPA for clear roles. | | Hiring competition | Offer student loan forgiveness (like GA’s Physician Tax Credit). | --- ### **Next Steps** 1. **Draft a bill** for the 2025 legislative session. 2. **Lobby county/city commissions** (e.g., Fulton, Atlanta) to match state funds. 3. **Partner with Emory, GA Tech, UGA** for shared hires.