State Rep. Mike Cheokas, D-Americus and State Sen. George Hooks, D-Americus, speakers at Tuesday’s Rotary meeting, talked about the state of the State of Georgia.

Cheokas said the state budget is definitely the most pressing issue that is facing state legislators. He said the state’s supplemental budget is facing a $2.2 billion shortfall in 2009. He said the State of Georgia is not allowed to operate in the “red” and the Legislature must find ways to eliminate this shortfall by the end of the fiscal year, June 30.

Cheokas said Governor Sonny Perdue is asking all state governmental departments and agencies to slash 6-10 percent from their budgets. No state workers will receive pay raises and some will likely be laid off soon.

He expects Perdue to ask the Legislature soon to repeal the homeowner’s tax relief plan. Cheokas estimates this repeal, if approved, will save the state about $428 million in the fiscal year 2009.

He pointed out that Perdue was on the cover of Monday’s Wall Street Journal. The publication interviewed the Governor about his plans to turn Georgia into the “Bass Fishing Capitol of the World.”

Hooks said his mind is always geared to doing what is best for the people of his district. He said he represents the largest legislative district in area in the entire U.S.