WEEKLY LEGISLATIVE REPORT Return to Pressroom Return Home
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WEEKLY LEGISLATIVE REPORT Return to Pressroom Return Home |
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WEEKLY LEGISLATIVE REPORT – March 9, 2007 Career academies will benefit all Georgians By Rep. Quincy Murphy As a strong supporter of education, I am co-sponsoring House Bill 570, which would increase graduation rates, potential job opportunities, and educational opportunities for students by establishing and providing start-up funds for career academies through the partnership of technical colleges and local boards of education. The State Board of Technical and Adult Education would divide the state into regions and disburse funds for career academies established as charter schools. I strongly believe this legislation will strengthen local economies, assist families with improving their quality of life, and further improve the overall wellbeing of the state. I am also co-sponsoring HB 561, which would provide additional tax relief for disabled veterans, granting a new homestead exemption for any veteran with a total or partial service connected permanent disability, and provide that the percentage of the homestead exempted shall be the same as the percentage of disability. The bill will also ensure continuation of the exemption for a non-married surviving spouse or minor children and provide for the preservation of previously granted exemptions. It is awaiting consideration in the House Ways and Means Committee. The Georgia Board of Community Health voted Thursday to stop accepting new applications for financially stressed PeachCare for Kids program. This move seems to be unnecessary, however, because Democratic leaders in Congress said they will expedite more federal funds for the children’s health insurance program. Speaker Nancy Pelosi and other House leaders held a news conference to announce that an Iraq war appropriations bill will also include $735 million to eliminate funding shortfalls in 14 states, including Georgia, that operate state children’s health insurance programs. The state government is able to keep the program running until the congressional action takes place. On my recent trip to Washington, D.C., to meet with congressional leaders on this situation, I was assured that Georgia would be completely reimbursed for any stopgap expenditures the state would have to make to prevent any interruption in PeachCare availability. Other legislation the House will address upon reconvening on March 19 is HB 185, which would allow judges to impose the death penalty if nine or more of the 12 jurors recommend it, instead of the currently required unanimous jury vote to impose the death penalty. With the number of recent cases in Georgia in which people who have served many years in prison are now being release because their convictions are overturned due to DNA evidence, I have a great deal of concern over making it easier to impose the death penalty. This bill is pending in the House Judiciary (Non Civil) Committee. The House will also attend to three education bills: SB 10, SB 39, HB 262 and HB 187. SB 10 provides state funded vouchers for disabled students to attend schools outside their resident districts. Having already passed the Senate and a House committee, it is awaiting consideration in the House Rules Committee before a final vote in the House. SB 39 allows a school district to convert to a charter school district. It is awaiting consideration in the House Rules Committee. HB 262 allows school systems to shorten the 180 day school year by up to 10 days. This bill is currently in the House Education Committee. HB 187 authorizes school systems to pay for road, bridge, and utility work associated with school construction funded by sales taxes. It is under consideration in the House Ways and Means Committee. Three other bills the house will be taking into consideration are SB 15, SB 38, and HB 77. SB 15 and SB 38 are proposals that address the issue of immigration in Georgia. The first bill increases penalties for driving without a valid driver’s license and empowers jailers to determine the nationality of violators. It is awaiting consideration in the House Judiciary Committee. The second bill requires Georgia residents to have a Georgia driver’s license or Georgia identification card to register their automobiles and obtain a car tag. SB 38 has been referred to the House Committee on Motor Vehicles. HB 77 would ban the use of red light cameras in Georgia. It is currently in the House Rules Committee. The House Appropriations Committee is continuing to deliberate over the annual state budget. To date, the midyear supplemental budget will add $659 million in spending through the end of the current fiscal year (June 30). The fiscal budget for 2008 is slated at $20.2 billion. The General Assembly will reconvene on March 19 at 1 p.m. for the 28th day of the 40-day session.
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