Johnson said the state needs to tread lightly on cutting the budget in areas such as education and infrastructure, which will be the basis of future economic growth. The state also should not neglect training for laid-off workers so they can get jobs when the economy recovers, and other social services that benefit Georgians in an economic downturn.

“When there’s a significant cut in education funding, that affects children who are in our schools,” he said. “At a time when we need social services the most, the more we lean on the programs, is at a time these revenues are shrinking. It goes beyond education. It goes to crime. Crime’s on the rise.”

Lawmakers also should keep in mind Southwest Georgia’s economic potential in the form of tourism related to its natural resources and beauty, Johnson said.

“You need to make tough choices,” he said. “But it goes back to effective leadership, and that’s what’s needed. We need state legislators who are creative enough to come up with a new economic development plan for rural areas.”