Link to Legislative Daily Reports of Actions taken
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Please join myself and Senators Horacena Tate and Donzella James for Town Hall Meetings this month. The first meeting will be held at the QLS Senior Center on Danforth Rd. in South West Atlanta on March 24th. The second meeting will be held at the Conerstone Baptist Church in Lithia Springs on March the 26th. We will be on hand to discuss HOPE Scholarships (HB 326), Budget, Pre-K program changes, Taxes and other legislation being debated on important State issues.
In this issue is the most recent copy of the changes to HB 326 that passed the House. The Senate is now debating while the Governor has agreed to a compromise to keep the full day Pre-K and reduce the number of open Pre-K slots to 2,000 from 5,000.
Thanks for sending me your comments and position on these and other State Issues.
Call my office (404-656-0314) and schedule a day to come and visit me at the Capitol.
Roger
State Representative HD 64
Benjamin E. Mays High School Visit
Jennifer Freeman, Parent Liaison, India Allen and Hudman Evans of the Science and Mathematics Academy discuss the changes to the HOPE Scholarship and its impact on their attending college as well as their support for the Parent Protection Act (HB 311) introduced by State Representative Roger Bruce.
UNDER THE GOLD DOME
BILLS OF INTEREST
HB 326 - HOPE program; comprehensive revisions; provide
-BILL SUMMARY
: House Bill 326 revises provisions of the Helping Outstanding Pupils Educationally (HOPE) Scholarship and Grant programs, as well as the 'Georgia Lottery for Education Act.'
We welcome your comments and suggestions for new legislation that will improve Georgia for Georgians.
Significant Legislative Highlights for the
Week of February 28 - March 4, 2011
House Bill 87- Illegal Immigration Reform and Enforcement Act of 2011
Rep. Matt Ramsey (R- Peachtree City)
On Thursday, February 3, 2011, the House of Representatives passed by a vote of 113-56 the Illegal Immigration Reform and Enforcement Act of 2011. This bill mirrors the Arizona legislation passed last year. The bill calls for the following:
Authorizes state and local police to verify the immigration status of certain suspects.
Punishes certain people who knowingly transport or harbor illegal immigrants
Requires many private employers to verify that their newly hired employees are eligible to work in the United States.
Empowers people to sue local and state government officials who don't enforce existing state laws aimed at illegal immigration.
Penalizes people who "willfully and fraudulently" use fake identification to get a job in Georgia.
SB 86 - Repeal of Requirement for Comprehensive Plans (Qualified Local Governments)
Sen. Frank Ginn (R- Danielsville)
The current bill reduces planning requirements on local governments and provides a streamlined Development of Regional Impact (DRI) process.
The bill passed the Senate State & Local Government Operations Committee on Thursday, March 3, 2011.
Concurrently, Senate Resolution 265 has been offered by Sen. Ginn, which creates a Joint Study Committee on State-Local Government Mandate Review.
HB 92- Early Voting
Rep. Mark Hamilton (R- Cumming)
This bill shortens the early voting period from 45 days to 21 days, as well as makes the early voting period in Georgia consistent for all elections - city, county, state and federal.
The bill also requires polls to be opened on the second Saturday prior to an election.
