Vouchers in Georgia

This week, SB 361 sponsored by Sen. Chip Rogers (Dist. 21) was given a due pass by the Senate Education and Youth Committee in a 5-2 vote.  The provisions of this measure expands the state's school special needs voucher program to include military families, foster care children and children who operate with what educators have come to know as "504 plans."  Consequently, the Georgia Special Needs Scholarship (GSNS) Program would be renamed the "Georgia Early HOPE Scholarship."  The bill now moves to the Senate Rules Committee.

Under this legislation, taxpayer money would be used to send students to any school of their choice, including private schools.  While previous legislation had certain requirements for participating schools, this bill removes those stipulations and allows any school to apply as long as the Department of Education is notified of its intention to enroll vouchered students.  Private schools would not be held to any federal or state educational requirements, nor would they be prohibited from operating single sex or religious schools.  Public school transfers are also allowed, and trailers must be considered when determining if space is available. 
 
The Georgia residency requirement would also be waived, and instead, a student must have spent the prior school year in a Georgia public school to be eligible.  In cases where the eligible student is attempting to enroll in a school outside of his or her resident school system, SB 361 gives these schools "sole discretion" to accept the student.
 
As with special needs scholarships, the student is entitled to the voucher until graduation or a return to public school.  Funding available to an eligible student would come from "a proportional share of state categorical grants, non-QBE state grants, state equalization grants, and all other state grants and a proportional share of funding for transportation, food services, and building programs."

HEALTHCARE

Hospital Tax

On Wednesday, February 17th, HB 307 Rep. Cole (Dist. 125) had the Gold Dome buzzing from a hearing in the House Appropriations Committee's Special Subcommittee.  The bill proposes to raise taxes on hospitals and insurance companies by 1.6%. The bill, a priority of Gov. Perdue, was created to help fund a $300 million shortfall in Georgia's Medicaid funding for FY 2011. The proposal would also raise insurance premiums charged by managed-care networks. Several speakers rose to address the committee and voice opposition to the hospital tax.   

Cigarette Tax

Work Going On During Adjournment

The General Assembly will have joint appropriations committee hearings next week Tuesday and Wednesday. House Speaker David Ralston has indicated that only three other committees will be able to meet during this recess -- Transportation, Natural Resources & Environment, and Ways & Means.

Department Of Education is being heard Tuesday, Feb 23, from 8:00am - Noon.  Public Comment at 11am.

Legislation

EDUCATION

SB 387- Sen. Weber (Dist. 40)
Provides student in grades K-12 with web based advisement, career advisement, career awareness inventories and other academic skills evaluations of career interests. Also, provides for online graduation plans that will help guide the student on what courses to take to be successful in post secondary education. Status:  Senate Read Second Time

HB 906- Rep. Neal (Dist. 1)
Provides for annual contracts to be given to certify personnel in elementary and secondary education. Status: Senate Read Second Time

HB 907- Rep. Casas (Dist. 103)
Proposes that a minimum of five hours of instruction be in English and Language Arts, reading, science, social studies and other academic subjects. Status: Senate Read Second Time

HB 905- Rep. Dickson (Dist. 6)
Quality Basic Education Act. Provides for local school systems with construction project under the advance funding category to meet specific educational needs. These projects will be for the following: destruction or damage to educational facilities by fire or natural disasters, facilities declared hazardous to health, priority projects and consolidation of schools. Status: Senate Read Second Time

SB 427- Sen. Weber (Dist. 40)
Proposes amendments to Title 20, establishing the Georgia Foundation for Public Education.  This Foundation would solicit and accept contributions of money and in-kind contributions of services and property for the purpose of supporting educational excellence in Georgia. Status:  Senate Read and Referred

HB 908- Rep. Casas (Dist. 103)

Temporarily eliminates state expenditure controls placed on local school systems through the Quality Basic Education Act. Local systems will have total flexibility through "blanket waivers" that eliminate: (1) expenditure controls on media center, direct instruction, and staff development costs; (2) minimum spending requirements on classroom expenses; (3) funding for additional instruction days. Status:  Senate Read and Referred
 
HEALTHCARE

SB 407- Sen. Hill (Dist. 32) and HB 1184- Rep. Ramsey (Dist. 72)
Provides health insurance policies by out-of-state providers to Georgia citizens. The business of insurance would be competitive by allowing other state's insurance companies to base policies to citizens in Georgia. Would also provide standards that out of state insurance companies would have to follow. Status for SB 407: Senate Read and Referred Status for HB 1184: House Second Readers

SB 309- Sen. Hill (Dist. 32)
Provides health insurance policies by out-of-state providers to Georgia citizens. Requires written applications in order for out-of-state policy insurers to sell insurance. Standard guidelines must be provided in all contracts in order to know what benefits are provided to the beneficiary within Georgia. Status: Senate Read and Referred
 

ENVIRONMENT

SB 370- Sen. Tolleson (Dist. 20)
Requires Georgia Department of Natural Resources and related agencies to examine and reorganize programs that encourage voluntary water conservation.  Provisions include requiring building and new construction to install high-efficiency toilets, showerheads, faucets, and other water conservation practices in residential and mixed-use buildings.  This bill also creates the Joint Committee on Water Supply, evaluates agricultural watering methods, implements a phased-in approach requiring public water systems to create water loss detection programs, and requires periodical water reports.  Status:  Senate Committee Favorably Reported