"Hogzilla" a thing of the past?

Hogzilla, the name given by Max Brantley to the portion of the General Improvement Fund designated for individual legislators, looks like it has effectively come to an end in the legislature, at least the way it has operated in the past. This does not mean that attempts to fund local projects with state fingerprints have ended. The initial proposal this session included the enactment of a commission to dole out funds, but the Senate ended that idea yesterday before adjourning for the weekend. Because the deadline for filing appropriation legislation is Monday (by House rule), the House has scrambled to develop a fall-back plan for GIF.

The proposal is as follows:

1) Increase the turnback funds for cities and counties and put the obligation on those entities to fund projects in the area if they so choose. We may be prohibited from passing local and special projects, but once funds are appropriated to local governments, they are free to use the funds however they choose. The idea of some is that legislators can continue to have input and direction with those governments in determining what projects are to be funded, but that is still contrary to the purpose of increasing turnbacks and to put an end to local legislation (plus, much of the criticism comes from the legislator's ability to prefer some projects over others -- it's strictly a political deal, many say). Plus, local governments, of course, can use their turnback funds however they choose (well, you know the limits). Increasing turnback funds is the only true way to send money to local districts and avoid the problems associated with Amendment 14 of the state constitution.

2) Because a very large portion of GIF is directed to rural fire departments and senior citizen centers, there will be legislation proposed before Monday to supplement Act 833 (for the RFDs) and to increase funds to another entity (perhaps ADED) to assist those organizations.

This still puts some organizations in a predicament (including some colleges and universities that are used to receiving legislative-side GIF, and other civic clubs like the Boy Scouts, etc.), but it appears as though those appropriations would still be okay under the statewide impact theory or the increased turnback funds to those areas. Will it work? I have no idea, but it sounds like a pretty good plan for the GIF advocates. The House will not be extending the deadline to file appropriation bills, so it may be the only plan we have this session.