GAIC Legislative Update

February 2, 2009
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gaic logo Budget and Revenues Top the Agenda

After a week off for budget briefings, the General Assembly reconvened the week of January 26th for five legislative days. Swift action on two revenue bills took place: HR 1, Rep. Ed Lindsey's bill to cap property tax assessments and HB 143, which would require the Homestead Tax Relief Grants (HTRG) to be funded this year. Although these bills would not directly impact afterschool programs, they would impact state and local budgets -- thus, affecting the amount of public funding available for afterschool and other human services needs.

Both bills passed out of House Ways and Means and were expected to be voted on by the full House on Friday. The HTRG bill did pass the House but HR 1 was not taken up - perhaps because it did not have the votes to pass. The issue is not going away, however, and will certainly come up for a floor debate and vote this session. More information on these bills can be found in the Legislative Tracking section.
Four-Day School Week Bills Filed

Two bills have been filed (HB 193 and HB 198) that would allow school systems to move to a four-day school week. GAIC is concerned about care for children and youth on the "fifth" day of the week. Almost 72% of Georgia's school-age children live in households in which both parents (or the single parent) are in the labor force, which means parent schedules aren't likely to accomodate a major change in the school week schedule. In addition, a recent Georgia PTA/GAIC survey found that there are not enough afterschool programs to meet the current demand -- let alone the demand for programs if students have a full weekday without school.
 
GAIC is working with the sponsors of these bills to include language that would ensure local community input before a decision is made to move to a four-day school week. A shortened school week may work in certain school systems but schools should make the decision in partnership with parents, community members, afterschool and child care providers.
Federal Economic Stimulus Bill Moving Fast

As you have no doubt heard by now, Congress is working on the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009. The House has passed its version and the Senate is expected to vote on its own proposal this week. A Conference Committee bill will likely be sent to President Obama by February 13th. 

Currently, both House and Senate versions include funding to support children and youth in afterschool, including a $2 billion increase in the Child Care and Development Block Grant which would mean $83 million for Georgia to provide about 20,000 more child care and afterschool subsidies over the next two years. The House version (but not Senate) includes funding to expand the Afterschool Supper program to all states (the pilot program currently operates in eight states). In addition, both bills include funding that could be used to support afterschool if state leaders or local policymakers choose to do so. For example, both proposals include increases in Title I funding which would translate to $420 million for Georgia as well as state stabilization funding to help close budget holes and fund education and other key services ($2.03 billion for Georgia). For a full listing of these items, visit the Afterschool Alliance.

GAIC is tracking developments closely and providing recommendations to state leaders on investments in afterschool and youth development to build our future workforce, maintain parent workforce participation, and employ new workers.
GAIC Legislative Tracking

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

Children, Youth and Families

HB 228 Rep. Mark Butler (R - Carrollton) introduced the long-awaited bill to reorganize the Department of Human Resources and Department of Community Health. The House Appropriations Committee appointed a subcommittee to consider funding issues for the reorganization. Status: House Appropriations


Education

HB 149 Rep. Jan Jones (R - Alpharetta) filed the "Move on When Ready Act" which would allow eleventh and twelfth grade students to attend postsecondary schools for high school credit. Status: House Education

HB 175 (Rep. Kathy Ashe, D - Atlanta) would repeal the law passed during the 2008 session that establishes tax credits for donations to organizations providing scholarships for private school tuition. Status: House Ways and Means

HB 193 (Rep. Tom Graves, R - Granger) would allow the State Board of Education to define an "equivalent" requirement for days of instruction (currently set at 180 days) thus allowing schools to move to a four-day school week. Status: House Education

HB 198 (Rep. Mark Williams, R - Jesup) would allow schools to move to a four-day school week without receiving State Board of Education approval. The bill would change the 180-day requirement to an hours equivalent, allowing local systems to set their own schedules.  Status: House Education

HB 208 (Rep. Alisha Morgan D - Austell) would provide a certification on high school diplomas for students meeting bilingual skills requirements. Status: House Education

HB 215 (Rep. Steve Davis, R - McDonough), entitled the "Graduating Everyone Matters Act," would establish three different high school diplomas: general, career/technical/vocational or college preparatory. Status: House Education

HB 229 (Rep. Brooks Coleman, R - Duluth) is a reworked bill from last year's session. The Student Health and Physical Education (SHAPE) Act would require school systems to conduct annual fitness assessments for 4th through 12th grade students during physical education class. Aggregate results would be reported to the State Board of Education. Status: House Education

SB 60 (Sen. Lester Jackson, D - Savannah) would allow local school districts to set a minimum age for dropping out of high school (referred to as "maximum compulsory attendance") of age 16, 17 or 18. Current law sets a statewide maximum compulsory attendance age of 16. Status: Senate Education and Youth


Revenue

HR 1 (Rep. Ed Lindsey, R - Atlanta) would cap property assessment growth to 3 percent per year or the rate of inflation, whichever is less. This is a Constitutional Amendment that, if passed by both houses of the legislature, would be put on the ballot in the 2010 general election. Status: Passed House Ways and Means

HB 143 (Rep. Larry O'Neal, R - Bonaire) would require the current budget (FY09) to include funding for The Homestead Tax Relief Grants (HTRGs) - property tax breaks of roughly $250 per homeowner which the Governor did not include in his budget proposal. In future years, HTRGs would only be funded if state revenues are sufficient. Status: Passed the House
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Contact Information
Korynn M. Schooley
Policy and Advocacy Manager
404.527.7280
kschooley@afterschoolga.org
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