Showing posts with label education. Show all posts
Showing posts with label education. Show all posts
Thursday, April 1, 2010
Day 33- April 1, 2010
Tonight on Lawmakers, Governor Sonny Perdue's proposed hospital provider tax fuels long and heated debate in the Senate; an update on Ethics reform legislation; the Senate passes a measure that would allow local school systems to increase class sizes in an effort to save money in a lean budget year; legislation that would prevent so-called "double dipping" by State retirees working on contract passes the Senate; ant it's the end of another legislative week, we'll check in with Tom Crawford of The Georgia Report.
Monday, March 30, 2009
Day 38- March 30, 2009
Tonight on Lawmakers, the Senate Appropriations Committee passes its version of the 2010 budget; looking for a compromise on the Transforming Transportation Investment Act; the Senate approves a bill that would allow parents to send their children to any public school provided there is adequate space at the school; an amendment is offered to a House bill to legalize Sunday sales of alcohol; and, final passage of the Governor’s initiative to increase salaries for Georgia’s math and science teachers.
The Senate Appropriations Committee today approved its version of the 2010 State budget. The $18.6 billion spending plan is expected to go to the full Senate for a vote on Wednesday, the 39th legislative day. With the final day of the legislature scheduled for Friday, leaving roughly 48 hours for House and Senate negotiators on the expected Conference Committee to reach a compromise.
On Friday, the House Transportation Committee said no to a proposal backed by the Governor to re-align the State’s transportation agencies. Senate Bill 200, the Transforming Transportation Act did pass the Committee by substitute, but with substantial changes. Lawmakers’ Valarie Edwards reports.
Legislation dealing with several alcohol sales provisions was debated but eventually tabled in the Senate today. The issues within House Bill 115 include alcohol sales at the Gwinnett County Braves stadium and opening a new package store within 500 yards of an existing package store. However, today’s debate centered on an amendment by Senator Seth Harp which would allow local municipalities to vote on whether to allow alcohol sales on Sundays.
An education initiative of Governor Sonny Perdue received final passage today. House Bill 280 hopes to address Georgia’s shortage of math and science teachers by increasing compensation levels. This measure would move a teacher certified in math or science up in salary equal to six years of credible service.
The State’s 2,500 National Board Certified Teachers will continue to receive a 10% salary bonus when the State can afford it. But House Bill 243, would eliminate the incentive for future recipients of the certification. That legislation failed to pass the Senate today, but will be reconsidered. Lawmakers’ Tiana Fernandez has more.
A bill that would allow parents to send their children to any public school, provided there is adequate space at that school, passed the Senate this afternoon. House Bill 251 is sponsored by Representative Alisha Morgan. Lawmakers’ Brittany Evans reports.
The House today voted to require foreclosure deeds to be recorded within 90 days. Representative Mike Jacobs’ explained the need for Senate Bill 141 in the current economic climate.
The House also approved a new option for property tax assessment appeals. Supporters of Senate Bill 240 say the current process is “unfriendly to tax payers”. Under provisions of the legislation, taxpayers would get the option of a “binding arbitration appeal” of their property tax assessment. Lawmakers’ Emily Banks has that story.
All that and more tonight on Lawmakers at 7 PM.
Lawmakers repeats on GPB Radio at 8 PM tonight and tomorrow morning on GPB television at 5:30 AM. You can also watch a repeat of Lawmakers tomorrow morning on GPB Knowledge at 7 AM. GPB Knowledge is available to those with digital television receivers at .3 of your local GPB transmitter, for example 20.3 in Augusta, or 8.3 in Atlanta.
The Senate Appropriations Committee today approved its version of the 2010 State budget. The $18.6 billion spending plan is expected to go to the full Senate for a vote on Wednesday, the 39th legislative day. With the final day of the legislature scheduled for Friday, leaving roughly 48 hours for House and Senate negotiators on the expected Conference Committee to reach a compromise.
On Friday, the House Transportation Committee said no to a proposal backed by the Governor to re-align the State’s transportation agencies. Senate Bill 200, the Transforming Transportation Act did pass the Committee by substitute, but with substantial changes. Lawmakers’ Valarie Edwards reports.
Legislation dealing with several alcohol sales provisions was debated but eventually tabled in the Senate today. The issues within House Bill 115 include alcohol sales at the Gwinnett County Braves stadium and opening a new package store within 500 yards of an existing package store. However, today’s debate centered on an amendment by Senator Seth Harp which would allow local municipalities to vote on whether to allow alcohol sales on Sundays.
An education initiative of Governor Sonny Perdue received final passage today. House Bill 280 hopes to address Georgia’s shortage of math and science teachers by increasing compensation levels. This measure would move a teacher certified in math or science up in salary equal to six years of credible service.
The State’s 2,500 National Board Certified Teachers will continue to receive a 10% salary bonus when the State can afford it. But House Bill 243, would eliminate the incentive for future recipients of the certification. That legislation failed to pass the Senate today, but will be reconsidered. Lawmakers’ Tiana Fernandez has more.
A bill that would allow parents to send their children to any public school, provided there is adequate space at that school, passed the Senate this afternoon. House Bill 251 is sponsored by Representative Alisha Morgan. Lawmakers’ Brittany Evans reports.
The House today voted to require foreclosure deeds to be recorded within 90 days. Representative Mike Jacobs’ explained the need for Senate Bill 141 in the current economic climate.
The House also approved a new option for property tax assessment appeals. Supporters of Senate Bill 240 say the current process is “unfriendly to tax payers”. Under provisions of the legislation, taxpayers would get the option of a “binding arbitration appeal” of their property tax assessment. Lawmakers’ Emily Banks has that story.
All that and more tonight on Lawmakers at 7 PM.
Lawmakers repeats on GPB Radio at 8 PM tonight and tomorrow morning on GPB television at 5:30 AM. You can also watch a repeat of Lawmakers tomorrow morning on GPB Knowledge at 7 AM. GPB Knowledge is available to those with digital television receivers at .3 of your local GPB transmitter, for example 20.3 in Augusta, or 8.3 in Atlanta.
Wednesday, March 18, 2009
Day 32- March 18, 2009
Tonight on Lawmakers, the house passes a measure to strengthen regulation of food processing plants by the Georgia Department of Agriculture; the Senate approves legislation to reset HOPE Scholarship funding triggers because of strong lottery proceeds; Senator Don Thomas says it’s time for the State to require the use of seatbelts in pickup trucks; Funding for school nurses is restored, but talk of furloughs for Georgia’s teachers surfaces; Legislation that would create a program for high school juniors and seniors to move on when ready to college or technical school passes committee; and our leadership series of interviews continues with Senate Rules Chair Don Balfour.
The House today approved Senate Bill 80, which would give the Georgia Department of Agriculture more investigative powers. Drafted in response to a recent salmonella outbreak tied to a food processing plant in Blakely, Georgia, the legislation would require food processors to report any lab results that compromise food safety to the Department of Agriculture.
The Senate passed three House bills this morning. House Bill 157, changes triggers for HOPE Scholarship funding restrictions. Lottery reserves are richer than estimated two years ago when the triggers were set. House Bill 80 would lower the minimum number of employees to be eligible for health insurance contracts. House Bill 202 would provide for a maximum compensation to be used for computing contributions and benefits for retirement and pensions.
The House today passed House Resolution 334, urging Congress to oppose the Freedom of Choice Act, which prohibits state or federal intervention in women’s reproductive rights. Representative Jerry Keen told the House that although the current Congress has not introduced the legislation, its passage would imperil several Georgia laws.
A special House subcommittee met today to decide the fate of Senate Bill 200, the Transforming Transportation Investment Act. That legislation, backed by Governor Sonny Perdue, would reorganize the State’s transportation agencies. Lawmakers’ Valarie Edwards has that story.
Georgia is currently the only state that does not require the use of seatbelts in pickup trucks- that issue brought Senator Don Thomas to the well on a point of personal privilege this morning. Senator Thomas sponsors Senate Bill 5, which would change this law to require seatbelt use in trucks unless the vehicle is being used in an agricultural pursuit. The bill passed the senate earlier this session with little opposition. Thomas says it’s time to save lives and pass the bill in the House.
The House is expected to vote on the fiscal year 2010 budget tomorrow. Although the education line items have been approved, Appropriations Subcommittee Chair Representative Edward Lindsey suggests that furloughing teachers on some non-classroom days might retain jobs in peril. Representative Lindsey went on to say that the House version of the budget restores $30 million in funding for school nurses.
The Senate Education and Youth Committee passed House Bill 149 today. The “Move on When Ready Act” seeks to create a program that would allow juniors and seniors in high school to attend postsecondary schools for credit, paid for by State funds. The bill is sponsored by Representative Jan Jones and is backed by Governor Perdue. Lawmakers’ Minoo Hosseini reports.
Our leadership interview series continues with Senate Rules Chair Don Balfour. David Zelski had a chance to interview Senator Balfour today about the difficulties a Rules chair faces at crossover day, when tough choices have to be made. They also spoke about the controversial legislation that Senator Balfour sponsored that would allow utility companies to charge current customers for future power plant construction.
All that and more tonight on Lawmakers at 7 PM.
Lawmakers repeats on GPB Radio at 8 PM tonight and tomorrow morning on GPB television at 5:30 AM. You can also watch a repeat of Lawmakers tomorrow morning on GPB Knowledge at 7 AM. GPB Knowledge is available to those with digital television receivers at .3 of your local GPB transmitter, for example 20.3 in Augusta, or 8.3 in Atlanta.
The House today approved Senate Bill 80, which would give the Georgia Department of Agriculture more investigative powers. Drafted in response to a recent salmonella outbreak tied to a food processing plant in Blakely, Georgia, the legislation would require food processors to report any lab results that compromise food safety to the Department of Agriculture.
The Senate passed three House bills this morning. House Bill 157, changes triggers for HOPE Scholarship funding restrictions. Lottery reserves are richer than estimated two years ago when the triggers were set. House Bill 80 would lower the minimum number of employees to be eligible for health insurance contracts. House Bill 202 would provide for a maximum compensation to be used for computing contributions and benefits for retirement and pensions.
The House today passed House Resolution 334, urging Congress to oppose the Freedom of Choice Act, which prohibits state or federal intervention in women’s reproductive rights. Representative Jerry Keen told the House that although the current Congress has not introduced the legislation, its passage would imperil several Georgia laws.
A special House subcommittee met today to decide the fate of Senate Bill 200, the Transforming Transportation Investment Act. That legislation, backed by Governor Sonny Perdue, would reorganize the State’s transportation agencies. Lawmakers’ Valarie Edwards has that story.
Georgia is currently the only state that does not require the use of seatbelts in pickup trucks- that issue brought Senator Don Thomas to the well on a point of personal privilege this morning. Senator Thomas sponsors Senate Bill 5, which would change this law to require seatbelt use in trucks unless the vehicle is being used in an agricultural pursuit. The bill passed the senate earlier this session with little opposition. Thomas says it’s time to save lives and pass the bill in the House.
The House is expected to vote on the fiscal year 2010 budget tomorrow. Although the education line items have been approved, Appropriations Subcommittee Chair Representative Edward Lindsey suggests that furloughing teachers on some non-classroom days might retain jobs in peril. Representative Lindsey went on to say that the House version of the budget restores $30 million in funding for school nurses.
The Senate Education and Youth Committee passed House Bill 149 today. The “Move on When Ready Act” seeks to create a program that would allow juniors and seniors in high school to attend postsecondary schools for credit, paid for by State funds. The bill is sponsored by Representative Jan Jones and is backed by Governor Perdue. Lawmakers’ Minoo Hosseini reports.
Our leadership interview series continues with Senate Rules Chair Don Balfour. David Zelski had a chance to interview Senator Balfour today about the difficulties a Rules chair faces at crossover day, when tough choices have to be made. They also spoke about the controversial legislation that Senator Balfour sponsored that would allow utility companies to charge current customers for future power plant construction.
All that and more tonight on Lawmakers at 7 PM.
Lawmakers repeats on GPB Radio at 8 PM tonight and tomorrow morning on GPB television at 5:30 AM. You can also watch a repeat of Lawmakers tomorrow morning on GPB Knowledge at 7 AM. GPB Knowledge is available to those with digital television receivers at .3 of your local GPB transmitter, for example 20.3 in Augusta, or 8.3 in Atlanta.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)