GAIC Legislative Update

March 2, 2009
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Afterschool Funding Maintained in House AFY09 Budget 
 
Last week the House passed its version of the budget for the current fiscal year (July 1, 2008 - June 30, 2009). Good news for afterschool advocates -- the House Amended Fiscal Year 2009 (AFY09) budget sustains the afterschool funding through the Department of Human Resources' TANF program ($14 million), which serves upwards of 28,000 youth across the state. The budget also maintains funding levels for child care and afterschool subsidies ($226 million) to stay on target of serving approximately 54,000 children and youth each month for the rest of this fiscal year.

The House proposes using some of the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act funds to balance the budget -- $145 million of the Act's fiscal stabilization funds to offset budget cuts for schools and $475 million in Medicaid dollars to free up state funds to pay for the Homeowner's Tax Relief Grants.The AFY09 budget now moves to the Senate for consideration.
Accessing Stimulus Dollars

While federal guidance is still being drafted for much of the federal stimulus money, it's not too early to start thinking strategically about accessing funding and talking to policymakers about how your afterschool or summer program supports families, kids and the economy.

A few helpful ideas and links:

  • The Finance Project has put together a brief on accessing stimulus dollars.
  • Many local school systems will receive an influx of Title I dollars in the coming months. Talk to your local principals and your school system's Title I Director about their plans for these funds and the possibility of supporting afterschool and summer learning programs.
  • If your program provides summer jobs for youth, consider contacting your local Workforce Investment Board. Georgia is scheduled to receive $31.7 million in Workforce Investment Act (WIA) youth employment and training funding with a focus on creating summer jobs for youth ages 16 to 24.
  • Check out the Afterschool Alliance's Wiki on the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act with ideas on how to access funds.
GAIC Legislative Tracking

GAIC tracks bills of interest to afterschool advocates throughout the legislative process. The following list includes status updates of relevant bills filed or moving this past week.

Education

HB 37 (Rep. Roger Bruce, D-Atlanta), the "Parent Protection Act," would require employers to allow employees to take up to 24 hours of unpaid leave annually to attend school conferences, child care registration and medical appointments. Status: House Industrial Relations

HB 149 (Rep. Jan Jones, R - Alpharetta), entitled "The Move on When Ready Act," would allow 11th and 12th grade students to attend postsecondary schools for high school credit. Status: Passed the House

HB 229 (Rep. Brooks Coleman, R - Duluth) would require school systems to conduct annual fitness assessments for 1st through 12th grade students during physical education class. Aggregate results would be reported to the State Board of Education; individual results would be provided to parents. Status: Passed the House

SB 84 (Sen. Bill Heath, R-Bremen) is the result of a study on school board governance, in light of the issues with the Clayton County School Board during 2008. The bill would require local school boards to have at most seven members and abide by an ethics policy. The bill gives the Governor the power to remove board members if a school system is placed on probation by an accrediting agency and board members can remove fellow board members by a 2/3 vote. Status: Passed the Senate

SB 90 (Sen. Eric Johnson, R-Savannah), known as the "universal voucher" bill, would provide vouchers ($5000 on average) to parents to send their child to any private or public school in the state. The receiving school would have to accept the student and parents would have to arrange transportation. Status: Passed Senate Education and Youth

Revenue and Taxes

HB 100 (Rep. Earl Ehrhart, R - Powder Springs) passed the House last week. The bill would increase the tax credit for contributions made to Student Scholarship Organizations (SSOs), which provide funding for public school students to attend private schools. If passed, the tax credit would equal actual expenses up to 75% of income tax liability (up from $1000 for single filers and $2500 for joint filers). Status: Passed the House.

HB 233 (Rep. Ed Lindsey, R - Atlanta) would freeze property assessment growth for the next two years.  Status: Passed the House; Passed the Senate by Substitute; Substitute Moves Back to House
Track the Stimulus Funds
 
Find out where the American Recovery and Reinvesment Act money is going at Recovery.gov.
 
 
Quick Links


Contact Information
Korynn M. Schooley
Policy and Advocacy Manager
404.527.7280
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