In committee action on this day, the Senate Education and Youth Committee started the festivities by giving SR 152 a “do pass” recommendation. Dr. Charles Knapp presented information from the Governor-appointed "Tough Choices for Tough Times" task force. While he presented the six recommendations, he focused on three of the recommendations for Georgia: Move on When Ready; Teacher Quality and Preparation; and, World Class Curriculum. To quote Dr.Knapp, "I was the hors’doeuvre for the voucher discussion."
Senator Johnson presented SB 90 (the voucher bill) and stated very clearly that the bill was intended to "support public education." Once again, Senator Johnson referred to the “alphabet soup” groups that represent school administrators and who oppose the bill even though (according to Senator Johnson) "more dollars are being spent and they are showing no improvements." He stated, “Trust in God, and make everyone else bring data.” His figures purported to show that only the 50% funded by the state would follow the student. [Editor's note: We all know that the state does not contribute 50%, and the amount is decreasing daily.] Senate Minority Leader Robert Brown from District 26 did not agree. He passionately argued that SB 90 does not support public education; it supports private schools and students of rich parents who can afford private school tuition. Senator Brown continued that if public schools are not doing an effective job, it is the responsibility of the legislators to improve public education, and it is in the nation’s interest to invest in public education. He went on to state, “Choice comes with a price. Rich people pay for it, and poor people can’t buy the services." In the time remaining, various educational associations/organizations, parent groups and other organizations spoke against the bill. Arguments included the fact that data does not support that private school students are higher achievers or that vouchers have worked in other states. One parent spoke in support.
No action was taken on SB 90, and Chairman Weber stated that the committee would convene probably next week to hear additional testimony on the bill.
Over on the House side, the initial presentation of #HB 400!, the BRIDGE bill, was made. This bill requires the development of an individual program of study for all eighth grade students and an annual review of that program of study with the parents each school year until the student's graduation. In the case of dual or joint enrollment courses, secondary and post-secondary credit will be awarded immediately upon course completion. Sue Snow, Associate State School Superintendent, spoke in support. DOE has worked on this bill and gives a tentative 'thumbs-up.” Funding issues were mentioned, but mostly ignored. The federal stimulus package was mentioned as a source of revenue. The DOE would be responsible for the training of counselors and graduation coaches to implement parts of the bill. At the minimum, eleven focused programs of study in high demand, high skill, and high wage academic and career fields would have to be developed by the DOE. The BOR could support if they had an opportunity in the future to make suggestions and to “tweak” some of the language. House Education Committee Chairman Brooks Coleman stated that the BRIDGE will be heard again on Thursday and would move on to the full committee. No formal action was taken.
In other legislative action on the House side:
HB 200 — Safety Belts Failure to Use — passed with the exclusion of school buses.
HB 201 — Safety Belts in New School Buses — no vote was taken. [Editor's note: Keep your seat belt fastened; there are 20 days left!]
In the Ad Valorem Subcommittee of the House Ways and Means Committee, a vote was taken on SB 83 (increases homestead exemptions statewide). The bill received a "do pass" (vote of 5-3). This bill will double the homestead exemption from $2,000 - $4,000 with automatic adjustments annually. Also, and for the first time, municipalities and city schools will be subject to the $4,000 exemption. Representative O’Neal expressed concerns that the bill can be interpreted as a new $4000 exemption (not just a $2,000 increase) in some counties because of language in the bill stating “any exemption granted by this Code section shall be in addition to and not in lieu of any other homestead exemption…” The author of this bill concurred (Senator Rogers of the 21st) and used Cobb County as an example where the Homestead Exemption would increase from $10,000 to $14,000. It has been estimated that local revenue to school districts will be reduced by over $66 million if this bill is approved by the voters in a referendum (highly likely!).
Education bills of interest continue to drop. GSSA has summarized the following (click on the bill number to read GSSA's summary and/or the full text of the bill.):
HB 400 -- the aforementioned BRIDGE bill
HB 423 -- home school students and dual enrollment
SB 132 -- the "Dropout Deterrent Act"
SB 137 -- a reprise of last year's Interstate Compact on Military Children, which passed the General Assembly but was vetoed by Governor Perdue
SB 143 -- proposed changes to the Open Meetings Act
SB 160 -- a Senate version of the bill calling for Veteran's Day to be a mandatory school holiday in Georgia
SR 173 -- urges all four-year colleges to have a teacher education program
The General Assembly will gather on Thursday, February 19, for more committee meetings and for their twenty-first official day of the 2009 session. |