GAE Legislative Hotline - January 19, 2010

From the inbox:

GAE DAILY LEGISLATIVE HOTLINE 2010
 
The General Assembly is in recess today--through Friday, January 22, and reconvenes on Monday, January 25.
 
The Governor released his Amended FY 2010 and FY 2011 budgets at the end of last week.  Over the last six months, Georgia has seen double digit declines month-to-month in state revenues.  We knew that cuts were coming and that they were going to hurt.  After reviewing the proposed budgets, there are many areas of concern.  Highlights of the Governor's education recommendations include:
 
FY 2010 Amended Recommendations-
- 3 additional furlough days this year for a total of 6
- Reduce funding for National Board Certification by 4%
- Reduce the employer share of the State Health Benefit Plan
- Reduce funding for Regional Education Service Agencies (RESAs) by 9.6%
- Reduce funding for School Nurses by 4%
 
FY 2011 Proposed Budget Recommendations-
- Eliminate funding for National Board Certification
- Eliminate funding for the Education Technology Centers (ETCs)
- Eliminate funding for the Georgia Youth Science and Technology Center
- Eliminate funding for the National Science Center and Foundation
- Increase employer contribution to the Teachers' Retirement System
- Reduce QBE formula funding more than a half a billion dollars
- Eliminate funding for Regional Education Service Agencies (RESAs)
- Reduce funding for School Nurses by 5.5%
 
In this dire economic environment, we must urge our legislators to make the tough decisions and protect Georgia's investment in the bright future of the 1.7 million children in our public schools.  Since education provides perhaps the largest return, it is important for Georgians to view education as an investment and less of an expenditure.
GAE recommends the General Assembly to create a TEF (Tax Examination, Economic Development, and Funding for Public Schools) Commission to examine current practices and make recommendations on tax policies, economic development incentives, and funding for public education.  For short-term relief, GAE recommends a temporary ½ cent sales tax to assist with the deep budget cuts in education.
 
It is time to tell legislators: Invest Today OR Pay Tomorrow
 
GAE is coming together at the Capitol on Saturday, January 23, 2010 at 1:00 p.m.  "GAE will rally together.  For our students.  For our jobs.  For our health benefits.  For our profession.  Stand with us."

 

Posted via email from Jim Nichols for GA State House