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In 2007, there were several hundred bills debated and discussed in a tie for the longest session per some
historians since 1885. I could not summarize every bill considered. These bills are summarized due to a much higher volume of mail, emails and phone calls about them.
The
Cable TV bill ranked highest in years for contact by constituents.You wanted competition and lower fees and urged the bill's support for that purpose.
As to Jekyll Island,
I went there during the session to look at the island and the threatened development. It was a true eye opener for me, and I became determined to do all I could to protect the
southern portion of the island. I supported these bills as described in detail below. These bills are subject to review by the Governor.
HOUSE BILL 229 - HOPE -TOUGH TRIGGERS RELAXED
Before this bill passed,
2004 legislation went into effect which provided that books and fees under HOPE could be eliminated after three years of reduction in collections. I opposed and fought hard against this in 2004 due to 100s of millions of reserves available and the fact that the way the law read, a $1.00 reduction in collections would kick in the cuts to books and fees. This new legislation provides three more reasonable scenarios in the event of a specified decrease in lottery proceeds from one fiscal year to another:
1.If the year-end balance of lottery proceeds for a fiscal year is less than 90 percent of the year-end balance of the preceding fiscal year, then
scholarships and grants for books must not exceed $150.00 per year beginning in the next fiscal year and thereafter (for some books can top $5, 6 or 700.00 or more per year).
2.If the year-end balance of any fiscal year thereafter is less than 90 percent of the year-end balance of the preceding fiscal year, all scholarships and grants for books
will be totally eliminated beginning in the subsequent fiscal year and thereafter.
3.If the year-end balance of any further subsequent fiscal year is less than 90 percent
of the year-end balance of the fiscal year immediately preceding, all scholarships and grants for mandatory fees shall be eliminated beginning with the next fiscal year and
continuing after that.
By having a fixed percentage of 10% instead of a $1.00 reduction, the threat is greatly reduced to students who would have immense struggles if their
books and fees were eliminated from HOPE.
HOUSE BILL 128: SALES TAX HOLIDAY RENEWED
This legislation reauthorizes a sales tax exemption started years
ago by Sen. Tim Golden and Governor Barnes for school-related supplies during the first weekend in August 2007, and for energy efficient products during the first weekend in
October 2007.
HOUSE BILL 227: CABLE TV (Consumer Choice for Television Act)
This bill authorizes video service providers to obtain a franchise to provide
service. This is done via the Secretary of State (SOS) or by the local government and creates the competition
between cable companies. A statewide franchise fee is percentage of gross revenues, and the fee will apply to local governments who provide written notice to the SOS showing that their jurisdiction is within the provider’s designated service area. Statewide franchise holders cannot discriminate on the basis of low income areas by denying service to a specific area.
HOUSE BILL 214: Jekyll Island:
The current lease of Jekyll Island is renewed to the Jekyll Island Authority by another 40 years, but the bill also contains a
provision prohibiting new development on the environmentally sensitive south end of the island. This provision was added as an amendment by the Senate.
http://www.georgia.gov/00/article/0,2086,4802_6107103_72682316,00.html is the link where the Senate Debate can be found. You should copy and paste the link to find it. Go to April 19 and click on 19b and then fast forward to 2:28:30. It lasts over an hour and I took part at 3:19:55
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