National Planned Parenthood Controversy spurs legislative action in Georgia
Week Six of the 2016 Georgia General Assembly saw significant bills emerge from House committees and some made it to the House floor for votes. Week six also saw the passage of the 2017 state budget. This budget is for the state fiscal year beginning on July 1, 2016. This week I will highlight some significant budget items, as well as some of the bills that may be of interest.
The 2017 budget includes $124 million for almost 13,000 for new K-12 students that we anticipate will enter our school systems in August of 2016, as well as the 2,172 new teachers we will need as teachers for this growing population. In addition to funding for enrollment growth in our K-12 system, the 2017 budget includes $300 million in new dollars to assist local school systems in eliminating teacher furlough days and provide pay raises for educators. On the Higher Education front, the 2017 budget includes $53.8 million in additional funds for the Hope Scholarship program and $5.3 million for the Zell Miller Scholarship program. There is also $29.4 million in new funds for K-12 students participating in the Move on When Ready program. Finally, our public libraries will see a long needed increase of $3.73 million.
In the budget area of Human Resources, there is funding allocated for 175 new DEFACs case workers statewide. I am hopeful these funds will make a positive impact on a group of state workers that have been overloaded for many years. There are new monies for the CASA program (Court Appointed Special Advocates) and additional money for Family Connections, which operates in every county in Georgia.
Some legislation of interest from last week included House Bill 555. HB 555 requires the clerk of a juvenile court to report the number of petitions granted or denied by the Juvenile Court Judge for an abortion without parental consent to the Administrative Office of the Courts on an annual basis. The legislation does not require the name of the judge or the juvenile to be reported, simply the number of cases. Data is important in making effective policy and this bill seeks to gather data. House Bill 762, which passed the House last week, addresses the unlawful buying, selling, or offering to buy or sell a human body or parts to include human fetuses, and it makes such acts punishable by a fine not exceeding $25,000 and/or by imprisonment for one to five years. This legislation was a product of the national Planned Parenthood controversy.
Every column this year I have asked to hear from folks on the legislative proposal to bring casino gambling to Georgia. Last week I heard from several more people regarding this issue. To date, the tally is 35 against and 22 for bringing casino gambling to Georgia. Thanks to those who took the time to respond. I want to know what you think about this important issue. If you want to share your opinion on this issue or any others, please contact me. I can be reached at 404-656-0325 or [email protected].
