From the inbox:
The following bills have passed the Georgia General Assembly and are awaiting the Governor's signature. GAE has monitored and advocated either for or against (and offered an alternative) to each piece of legislation represented. On the last day of session, many of the bills became vehicles for legislative initiatives that may not have had a chance of passing on their own.
Please contact the Governor and request that he signs the following legislation:
HB 243 - The original proposal eliminated the 10% stipend for all National Board Certified Teachers. We were able to get the bill amended to allow teachers who already receive the bonus to continue receiving it. However the funding is contingent upon yearly funding by the General Assembly. Governor Perdue still has discretion over line item veto in the FY 10 budget and could possibly veto HB 243. Therefore we strongly encourage you to contact the Governor and ask him to support the budget line item for National Board Certified Teachers as passed via House Bill 243.
HB 251 - Public school student allowed to attend another school within the district provided permanent classroom space is available and parents assume responsibility and cost for transportation.
HB 149 - "Move on When Ready" Act - Public school students given the option to attend community college or technical school to complete work for their high school diploma.
HB 193 - School calendar based on hours, with a minimum of instructional time each day. School systems also given the option, beginning 2010-2011, to close schools on Veterans Day [November 11] to enable students, teachers, etc. to participate in Veterans Day programs.
SB 178 - Includes language from the BRIDGE bill [HB 400], which gives students a choice of focused programs of study and prepares them for postsecondary studies and careers.
HB 63 - Tax Allocation Districts (TADs) tightens the definition of redevelopment area associated with TADs-eliminates vague, overbroad and undefined terms, limits TADs to "urbanized" areas.
SB 8 - Students allowed to carry auto-injectable Epinephrine and requires every school system to adopt a policy authorizing the carrying and administration of such prescriptions.
HB 229 - School systems to conduct an annual fitness assessment program one time each school year for students in grades one through twelve.
HB 371 - Allows increased TRS investments in equities when markets are stable.
Please request the Governor to veto the following legislation. Click here to contact the Governor:
HB 100 - Tax credit program for Student Scholarship Organizations (SSOs). SSOs are Tax shelters that funnel funds to private schools depleting public school resources.
HB 233 - Property tax assessments capped at 3%.
HB 280 - Governor's initiative to start new, fully-certified math and science teachers at the same salary as a fifth year teacher.
Marcus W. Downs
Director of Government Relations
Georgia Association of Educators
do with it what you will.
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