ENGLAND: HOPE, K-12 funding issues discussed

Before we discuss the proposed changes to HOPE, let’s first look at the tremendous success of the programs. Since its creation in 1993, more than 1.2 million Georgians have received a HOPE scholarship or grant. The scholarship currently covers full tuition for Georgia residents who maintain a 3.0 grade point average (GPA) while attending a public college or university in the state. Qualifying Georgians attending a private college or university receive a $4000 scholarship for tuition. Additionally, the scholarship provides a $150 book allowance each semester and pays mandatory student fees that averaging $420 a year. Thanks to HOPE, Georgia has increased the number of students earning a college education, while also keeping our highest achievers in-state. One study estimates the college attendance rate among all Georgia 18- to 19-year olds increased by as much as 8 percentage points due to HOPE. More students than ever scoring in the top 10 percent on the SAT choose an in-state college.

Because HOPE is most known for college scholarships, some may not realize that the HOPE program also includes grants that pay tuition for Georgians seeking a technical certificate or diploma at one of the state’s 26 technical colleges. Thanks in part to the HOPE Grant, technical college enrollment increased 25 percent in 2010 alone. This has had a tremendous impact on our state’s workforce development needs. In fact, many businesses have touted HOPE as an incentive to locate and create jobs in Georgia.

Georgia’s Pre-K program is the final spoke in our lottery-funded education system. Our Pre-K has enrolled more than 1 million students, including 53 percent of today’s four-year-olds. At a cost of $4200 per child, Pre-K offers more than six hours of daily instruction, giving our youngest students a head start on their education and building a foundation that will prepare them for success in their later learning.

To save these vitally important programs and preserve HOPE for the future, it is important that we quickly initiate changes that are necessary to preserve the financial stability of these programs. Gov. Deal, Speaker Ralston, Lt. Gov. Cagle, and other state leaders have worked together in a bi-partisan effort to do just that. After weeks of discussion, these state leaders along with House Minority Leader Stacy Abrams outlined their Hope-saving program changes this week. These changes will allow HOPE and Pre-K programs to be maintained and adjusted yearly according to lottery revenues. This bi-partisan supported plan to save Georgia’s HOPE and Pre-K programs has already been introduced in the General Assembly as House Bill 326. We passed this bill through the House Appropriations Committee on Thursday, February 24th and it awaits a floor vote by the whole House of Representatives.

Under HB 326, next year, merit-based HOPE scholarship students attending public colleges and universities, as well as technical college students, will receive 90% of 2011 tuition amounts. HOPE scholarship students attending private colleges and universities would receive $3,600 for tuition. The HOPE Scholarship will continue to require a 3.0 GPA. The plan also creates the Zell Miller Scholarship, which will offer full tuition to Georgia’s public colleges and universities to students who graduate from high school with a minimum 3.7 GPA and 1200 on the SAT or 26 on the ACT. Books, fees and remedial college classes will no longer be covered.
HB 326 would also adjust Pre-K to a four-hour daily instruction program. This slight reduction will allow us to add 5,000 new slots to address Georgia’s lengthy Pre-K waiting list. It also affords us the ability to add $4.2 million to increase the quality of the program. Further, we will be able to provide $4.5 million for extended day slots for at-risk children. With these adjustments, we will be able to expand the number of children benefited by our Pre-K programs.

This is especially important because, according to W. Steven Barnett of the National Institute for Early Education Research, high quality preschool education can help children develop substantial gains in language, cognitive, social, and emotional participation.

In addition to considering revisions to save the HOPE programs, we also passed several important bills this week.

House Bill 192 addresses our need to adequately fund the state’s K-12 public schools. This legislation creates the State Education Finance Study Commission, which would study and evaluate the costs and resources needed to educate a child in Georgia. The Commission’s findings will be used to develop a comprehensive K-12 educational funding formula reform that would allow the state to meet the modern needs of our elementary, middle, and high schools. This process is important because the state’s current K-12 funding formula has not been sufficiently updated since 1985, when it was originally established.

Though well designed for its time, the current formula lacks in accounting for inflation, technology enhancements, and other modern education needs.

We also passed House Bill 92 this week. This legislation improves Georgia’s in person, no excuse, early voting law by implementing a standard, statewide, early voting start date. Under HB 92, advance voting in Georgia general elections would begin on the fourth Monday preceding a primary and general election and as soon as possible prior to a runoff. The early voting period would then run through the Friday immediately prior to each election. During that period, early voting locations would be open during normal business hours on weekdays. Additionally, if the election includes a federal or state office, early voting locations would also be open on the second Saturday preceding an election from 9 a.m. through 4 p.m.

By implementing HB 92, the state should be able to better serve Georgia voters and also eliminate the unnecessary waste of funding unused early voting times. The change would also reduce voter confusion and remorse by allowing more time for residents to reach a fully informed decision before casting their vote. This change would not affect early voting by mail or absentee voting. All Georgia voters would still be able to mail their ballot up to 45 days early and request ballots up to 180 days prior to an election.

Finally, HB 179 was one of the last bills passed this week. This legislation would allow billboard signs to be displayed at a lower height than currently found along Georgia roads. Specifically, roadside billboards could be no higher than 75 feet from the ground. By narrowing the view zone in this way, drivers will see billboards closer to eye level, allowing them to see the signs without having to look up from the road.

As we continue to discuss and vote on pending legislation, I want to know how you and your family feel about issues concerning the future of Georgia. I am always eager to hear your thoughts and concerns. Please feel free to call me with any questions or comments that you might have regarding legislation like HB 326 or state programs.

You can reach me at my capitol office, the address is 245 State Capital, Atlanta, GA 30334 and the office phone number is 404.656.2247. Thank you for allowing me to serve as your representative.