As the General Assembly cleared the halfway point of its 2010 session, a series of surprises were the order of the day.  Among the biggest was the decision of the lawmakers to take two full weeks off after this day, with no plans to reconvene until March 8.  It is clear why this break is being taken:  The state's revenue numbers continue to tank, and it is becoming more and more apparent that revenues will fall short of being able to fund even the 2010 Amended Budget (Senate version approved today), let alone the FY2011 Budget.  House and Senate leaders will meet over the lengthy recess period to discuss alternatives, and word from insiders is that "everything is on the table."  Capitol observers wonder if "everything" includes new revenue sources, and the little birds that chirp on occasion say that might be the case.  In any event, it could well be the case that ARRA funds that had been saved and designated for FY2011 might well have to be pulled into 2010 to fund the remainder of this fiscal year, and if that becomes reality, the "funding cliff" that had been anticipated for 2012 will come a full year earlier.  All other issues pale in comparison to the funding crisis in state government.

Of course, there are "other issues" in the world of education and elsewhere.  Up for discussion and a vote on this day in the Senate Education and Youth Committee was Senator Chip Rogers' (R-Woodstock) SB 361, the latest version of a voucher bill.  This one attempts to expand the Special Needs Voucher bill from two years ago, this time adding foster children, children of military parents, and children with 504 plans.  Also expanded in this version of vouchers is an attempt to have voucher recipients take local money with them, just like they do under the legislation that created the soon-to-be-litigated Charter Schools Commission.  The bill received a "do pass" recommendation from this committee on a voice vote (no hands in the air) and now moves to the Senate Rules Committee for possible placement on a future Senate calendar.  [In this writer's opinion, to have our elected leaders search for new ways to route taxpayers' dollars to private schools at a time when those same leaders cannot find ways to fund the basic services of government without massive cuts is paramount to legislative malfeasance.  However, it is clearly a years-long pattern that has developed, and Capitol-watchers in the world of education, while perplexed, are not surprised.]

Over in the House on this day, that chamber acted upon one education bill:  HB 977, which requires local boards to hold hearings if they decide to give administrators raises in years when teachers are furloughed.  This bill is one that legislators love to support, as it plays well in the public.  It is a classic example of enacting statewide law in response to individual incidents, a practice that is very, very common in our General Assembly (and, in others).  This bill now moves to the Senate, where it will undoubtedly receive an enthusiastic welcome.

Also in the House on this day, the House Education Committee met to hear several bills, but ended up in the midst of a heated debate over HB 215, Representative Steve Davis' (R-McDonough) bill from last session calling for a return to the days of two diplomas.  Opinions on this bill are strong and divided, and Superintendent Cox found herself in the eye of a legislative storm as she vigorously defended the work of the Department of Education and State Board of Education over the last few years as the current graduation rule was developed.  Committee Chairman Brooks Coleman promised a more thorough discussion of this bill when the General Assembly returned from the long recess.

Also part of this committee meeting was a presentation by Kathleen Mathers, Director of the Governor's Office of Student Achievement, on the testing debacle in which the state and local schools find themselves.  Mathers and Superintendent Cox responded to questions as the session ended around noon.

The long recess is not welcomed by many, as it most certainly delays the possibility of timely budget information that is desperately needed by local systems as they prepare for the next school year.  However, the delay is now set, and GSSA will follow the budget talks as closely as we are allowed to follow them.  The next daily report will come at the end of the day on March 8.