Governor Perdue Introduces All Georgia Serves Constitutional Amendment

Will Expand the Reach of State-Funded Social Services

ATLANTA – Governor Sonny Perdue today introduced the All Georgia Serves Constitutional Amendment, which would expand the number of social organizations in Georgia able to use state funds to care for our most vulnerable citizens. 

"We need to expand our roster of providers so that we are reaching more areas of the state, and more of our needy Georgians," Governor Perdue said.  "These are programs that should be extended, not limited."

The amendment would remove any uncertainty about the ability of faith-based organizations to accept state funds for providing social services, allowing the best human services providers to serve our neediest families and children. 

"Georgians deserve access to the best family and social services the state can offer," added Governor Perdue. "In many of our rural areas, the only providers in a community are the local churches. There should be no barrier to a church or other faith-based organization to keep them from accepting state funds to help Georgians."

The legislation is being introduced by State Senator Bill Heath, one of Governor Perdue’s Senate floor leaders.

"It is time for this common sense legislation to be passed," said Senator Heath.  "The state should do everything possible to serve Georgians as well and as efficiently as possible.  This amendment allows the state to do just that."

Georgia’s Constitution currently provides that "[n]o money shall ever be taken from the public treasury, directly or indirectly, in aid of any church, sect, cult, or religious denomination or of any sectarian institution."  This presents an even higher barrier to faith-based initiatives than the First Amendment to the U.S. Constitution.  The All Georgia Serves Amendment will bring the Georgia Constitution in line with the U. S. Constitution.