Afterschool Dollars Continue through 2008 Session

The 2008 Georgia legislative session ended April 4^th with only one of the priority issues of the session passing through both chambers - a statewide water plan. The House and Senate could not come to agreement on the much talked about issues of tax reform, transportation and trauma care.The issue of afterschool fared well, however, especially given that many issues fell hostage to political battles and reduced state revenues.

Afterschool Dollars in the FY09 Budget

On the 40^th day, the General Assembly allocated $14 million in federal TANF dollars in the Fiscal Year 2009 (FY09) budget to support afterschool programs in community-based organizations and schools. This program served over 19,000 children and youth all across the state last year. An evaluation of afterschool programs funded through this initiative found positive results including fewer school absences and more positive attitudes about school than those who did not attend the programs.

In addition, the advocacy efforts of afterschool and child care advocates paid off with a $20.3 million transfer of TANF dollars to the state's child care subsidy program for FY09. These dollars should support between 5,000 and 6,000 children and youth from low-income families. These subsidies are essential to ensuring children and youth have a safe and supportive place to go while their parents work and move towards self-sufficiency.

Also of note in the FY09 budget is the inclusion of $50 million to reduce the austerity cuts (leaving a $91 million gap) faced by public schools that began in 2003, as well as full funding of the equalization grants for low-income school districts.

The fate of these budget allocations as well as the rest of the FY09 budget now lies in the Governor's hands. The Governor has 40 days to exercise his veto, once bills reach his desk. In the case of the budget, the Governor has line-item veto power, which means he can strike individual appropriations without vetoing the entire bill. Advocates, legislators, and citizens anxiously await the Governor's actions on the budget and other bills passed by the General Assembly during the last days of the session.

Legislative Overview

While the final days were long and contentious, some bills mentioned in Georgia Afterschool's updates managed to make it through both chambers. Two study commissions will take place before the end of the calendar year - one reviewing the state's pre-K program and another examining school funding issues. HB 1054, the bill to consolidate child-serving agencies, passed both houses and is expected to be signed by the Governor.

HB 1209 will allow school districts to waive certain state education regulations such as teacher certification and class size requirements by agreeing to higher accountability measures such as higher graduation rates and standardized test scores. This bill, known as the "IE2" bill because it grew out of the Governor's Investing in Educational Excellence Taskforce, underwent a number of changes as it passed between chambers and eventually passed on the final day. The other major education bill receiving a stamp of approval by the General Assembly was HB 881 which establishes a state-level Charter School Commission to review and approve charter school applications. An update of bills tracked by GAIC can be found below.

Moving Forward

Legislators have returned to their districts and many will now focus on the November elections. GAIC will continue to follow the Governor's signatures and vetoes for the 2008 session. As GAIC prepares for the 2009 session, we would love to hear from you about any afterschool issues you would like brought to legislators' attention. Remember, you are experts and your knowledge and advocacy can help make positive change for youth in Georgia! Email Korynn Schooley with your thoughts or questions.

If you have questions or would like more information, contact Korynn Schooley at 404.527.7280 or kschooley@afterschoolga.org.

Green bill numbers were passed by both chambers; red bill numbers failed in one chamber and will have to be re-filed next session for consideration.

Children and Youth

HB 1054 (Rep. Sharon Cooper - Marietta) passed the General Assembly on the final day of the session. The Children and Family Service Strengthening Act of 2008 would consolidate a number of child welfare and youth agencies in order to coordinate services for at-risk children and youth. This bill is expected to be signed by the Governor. Passed the House; passed the Senate; awaiting the Governor's action.

SB 506 (Sen. Joseph Carter - Tifton): The Student Health and Physical Education Act (SHAPE) failed to pass the House on Day 40. The bill would have required schools to conduct fitness assessments for K-5 students and report the aggregated results to the Department of Education; also, schools would have been required to provide the physical education courses mandated by Georgia law. Passed the Senate; failed in the House.

The Health and Human Resources Commission was established through an Executive Order. The Commission will study the Department of Human Resources and the divisions and departments under its purview and make recommendations on a restructuring plan to improve efficiency and effectiveness of services delivery by July 2, 2008.

Education

HR 791 (Rep. Jan Jones - Alpharetta) establishes the House Study Committee on Georgia's Pre-K Program to review the status and challenges of the Pre-K Program, including the possible inclusion of 3-year-olds in the program, and make recommendations by December 31, 2008. Passed the House. (This is the final action as it does not have to pass the Senate or be signed by Governor)

HB 881 (Rep. Jan Jones - Alpharetta) was passed by the legislature on Day 40. HB 881 establishes a third avenue for charter schools to be created in Georgia. In addition to local school boards and the state Board of Education, the Georgia Charter Schools Commission also would have authority to grant charters. Passed the House; passed the Senate; awaiting Governor's action. 

HB 905 (Rep. Fran Millar - Dunwoody): the Building Resourceful Individuals to Develop Georgia's Economy (BRIDGE) ACT passed the House mid-session but was tabled by the Senate and therefore died. HB 905 would have provided grants for public schools to implement focused programs of study in high-demand career fields. Passed the House; tabled by the Senate.

HB 1209 (Rep. Brooks Coleman - Duluth) was signed into law on April 9^th (Act 394). The "IE2 bill" will allow school systems flexibility from certain regulations in exchange for increased academic accountability and consequences for not meeting accountability measures. Signed by Governor.

SR 1213 (Sen. Dan Moody - Alpharetta) passed the Senate on the 40^th day. This resolution creates a study committee to review the school funding formula known as QBE, school equalization grants, virtual schools and capital outlay funds and make recommendations by December 31, 2008. Passed the Senate (final action).

Transportation

SB 402 (Sen. Tommie Williams - Lyons) died in the House Health and Human Services Committee. SB 402 would have established the Georgia Coordinating Council for Rural and Human Services Transportation to coordinate human service transportation in rural and urban areas of the state. Given that transportation is a critical challenge for many human service programs, including afterschool programs, this bill could have helped improve access to programs. Passed the Senate; died in the House Health and Human Services Committee.

Budget and Taxes

HR 1246 (Rep. Glenn Richardson - Hiram) & HB 1244 (Rep. Charles Martin - Alpharetta): While the talk of the 2008 session, House and Senate leaders could not reach a compromise on tax cut proposals. The myriad of proposed tax cuts including the House's car tag tax elimination, the Senate's income tax reduction, property tax assessment caps and elimination of the state portion of property tax, failed to make it out of conference committee. Died in conference committee.

HB 989/AFY08 budget (Rep. Ben Harbin - Columbia): The amended FY08 budget passed the House and Senate on March 20th and was signed by the Governor on March 21st. Signed by the Governor.

HB 990/FY09 budget (Rep. Ben Harbin - Columbia): The House and Senate passed the FY09 Conference Committee budget on the last day of session and sent to the Governor for signature. The Governor has the authority to line-item veto the budget bill which means he can single out specific items to veto without vetoing the entire bill. Passed the House; passed the Senate; awaiting Governor's action.