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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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