February 20, 2009
Georgia State University Legislative Newsletter
SESSION CALENDAR
We have reached the mid-point in the 40 day session. The General Assembly is in recess today. Lawmakers convene again on Tuesday, February 24th for day 22. The legislature recently agreed to split the 40-day legislative session into two parts, a move that lawmakers hope will give them flexibility to deal with the economic stimulus package.
The House and Senate agreed to meet three days a week through March 25 and then return in late June. The General Assembly is constitutionally required to meet for no more than 40 days a year, although those 40 days do not have to run consecutively.
Budget Update
The supplemental budget for FY09 will be voted out of House Appropriations Committee the week of February 23. Governor Perdue has lowered the revenue estimate following a report of a $273 million decline in revenue collections for January. Agencies will see their FY09 budgets cut an additional 1%, placing the average cuts for FY09 at 10.5%.
Legislation of Interest – University System of Georgia
We are monitoring HB 400, BRIDGE legislation, which will create a track for high school diplomas focused on technical education. Rep. Jan Jones has introduced legislation, HB 149, to encourage high school students to accelerate and take college courses which would count against their high school requirements.
Georgia State University Legislative Alumni
The University is proud to have 26 alumni serving as lawmakers in the General Assembly this session.
SENATE
David Adelman, D-Decatur M.P.A., 1995
Ronnie Chance, R-Tyrone B.B.A. Marketing, 1991
Bill Hamrick, R-Carrollton J.D., 1992
Emanuel Jones, D-Decatur Attended; Graduate of University of Pennsylvania and Columbia University
Chip Rogers, R-Woodstock M.B.A., 1995
Freddie Powell Sims, D-Albany M.Ed. Elementary Education, 1977
Curt Thompson, D-Norcross J.D., 1993
Renee Unterman, R-Buford Associate Nursing Degree, 1976
John Wiles, R-Marietta Attended; Graduate of George Washington University
HOUSE
Kathy Ashe, D-Atlanta Ed.S. Education, 1973
David Casas, R-Lilburn B.A. History, 1996
Jill Chambers, R-Atlanta Attended;
Brooks Coleman Jr., R-Duluth Ph.D. Administration/Curriculum, 1978
Rick Crawford, D-Cedartown M.A. Political Science, 1991; J.D., 1994
Carol Fullerton, D-Albany B.S. Urban Administration
Rich Golick, R-Smyrna J.D., 1992
Tom Graves, R-Ranger Attended; Graduate of University of Georgia
Billy Horne, R-Newnan M.B.A. Business, 1998
Jan Jones, R-Alpharetta M.B.A. Finance, 1982
Roger Lane, R-Darien B.B.A. Business, 1970
Howard Maxwell, R- Dallas B.B.A. Accounting, 1975
Howard Mosby, D-Atlanta B.B.A. Finance, 1992
Matt Ramsey, R-Peachtree City J.D., 2005
Glenn Richardson, R-Hiram B.A. Political Science, 1981; J.D., 1984 (first College of Law class)
Wendell Willard, R-Atlanta Attended; Graduate of Atlanta Law School
John Yates, R-Griffin B.B.A. Accountancy, 1959
House and Senate Higher Education Committee Dinners
The House committee dinner was Feb. 4 and the Senate committee dinner was Feb. 17. Both were well attended and gave institutions of the University System of Georgia an opportunity to express thanks for the hard work these members do to support higher education in Georgia.
GSU Experts address House and Senate Higher Education Committees
In response to questions raised by a misreading of the GSU Media Guide, researchers involved in the study of the role of male prostitution in the spread of disease, particularly HIV, and the role of societal values upon teenage attitudes towards oral sex and the increase of sexually transmitted diseases as a result of such attitudes. Both the House and Senate Committees on Higher Education listened to our researchers explain the relevance of their work. The committees were unanimous in their support for the work that helps the legislature understand these important issues of social and health policy.
Congressional Reception in Washington, D.C.
On February 10th and 11th, President Mark Becker and university officials visited with members of the Georgia Congressional Delegation. President Becker informed Georgia’s Senators and Representatives of the services GSU provides for the state and provided information on a number of research initiatives in the hears of healthcare, detection of biological agents, law enforcement, and education. On February 11th, President Becker and the Alumni Association hosted a reception in the United States Capitol for members of Georgia’s Congressional Delegation.
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