Your Georgia Desk

From Governor Nathan Deal

Deal unveils Opportunity School District legislation

Governor seeks reforms to improve schools that have consistently failed to boost student achievement

Gov. Nathan Deal’s Senate floor leader Butch Miller (R-Gainesville) today introduced legislation to create an Opportunity School District that will allow the state to temporarily step in to assist chronically failing schools, giving students and parents hope for a better future.

“While Georgia boasts many schools that achieve academic excellence every year, we still have too many schools where students have little hope of attaining the skills they need to succeed in the workforce or in higher education,” said Deal. “We have a moral duty to do everything we can to help these children. Failing schools keep the cycle of poverty spinning from one generation to the next. Education provides the only chance for breaking that cycle. When we talk about helping failing schools, we’re talking about rescuing children. I stand firm on the principle that every child can learn, and I stand equally firm in the belief that the status quo isn’t working.”

In the governor’s proposal, persistently failing schools are defined as those scoring below 60 on the Georgia Department of Education’s accountability measure, the College and Career Performance Index (CCRPI), for three consecutive years.

The Opportunity School District would take in no more than 20 schools per year, meaning it would govern no more than 100 at any given time. Schools would stay in the district for no less than five years but no more than 10 years.

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Your Georgia Desk

From Attorney General Sam Olens

Attorney General Sam Olens Urges Nine Oil Companies to Eliminate Synthetic Drugs from Retail Locations

Attorney General Sam Olens has asked nine oil companies to collaborate with their franchisees to help eliminate synthetic drugs from retail locations operating under their brand names, including gas station and convenience stores.

The use of synthetic drugs has increased dramatically over the past four years. In 2010, more than 11,000 people, many of whom were younger than 17, went to the emergency room after using synthetic marijuana. Since then, thousands more have been harmed by synthetic drugs. In 2014, one health department reported a 220% increase in emergency room visits due to the ingestion of synthetic marijuana. Over this same period, enforcement agencies confirmed more than 130 instances of branded gas stations having sold synthetic drugs.

“I, along with 42 of my colleagues, strongly encourage these nine oil companies to cooperate with our request to remove synthetic drugs from franchise retail locations,” said Attorney General Olens. “Synthetic drugs are a threat to public safety and public health, and these dangerous substances should not be for sale in a legitimate place of business.”

In a letter signed by 42 other attorneys general, Attorney General Olens expressed concern over the problem of gas stations and convenience stores operating under brand names of reputable oil companies and selling illegal and extremely dangerous synthetic drugs. Many of these well-known retail locations give the appearance of safety and legitimacy to dangerous synthetic products. Enforcing stronger policies against the sale of synthetic drugs in retail locations can protect the brand reputations of these oil companies while also protecting our youth.

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Your Georgia Desk

From The Senate Press Office and Senator Burt Jones 

Senate in a Minute: Day 13

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Your Georgia Desk

From The Senate Press Office and Senator William Ligon

Senate in a Minute: Day 12

Your Georgia Desk

From Senator Judson Hill

2015 Session Weekly Update # 4 – Capitol News from Sen. Judson Hill

We have settled into the 4th week of the 2015 Session. Local delegations have begun to meet to plan strategies for local legislation and our Appropriation Committees have been working hard in order to adjust the proposed budget for the 2015-2016 year. Bills are slowly beginning to move between the House and the Senate.Below is a list of notable legislation that has been introduced in the Senate and is under deliberation in their respective committees.

On Monday, the Senate Appropriations Committee will vote on the proposed Supplemental FY 2015 State budget. We have worked on adjusting the current FY 2015 ($20.8 billion) budget, later and we will also vote on the FY 2016 ($21.1 billion) budget. This 

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Your Georgia Desk

From Senator Frank Ginn

Unanimous Support for Education in the Georgia State Senate

Last week, the Georgia State Senate convened for Days 9, 10 and 11 of the 2015 legislative session. Senate Appropriations subcommittees met throughout the week to review HB 75, the supplemental appropriations bill for FY 2015. The bill will likely hit the chamber floor this week, where it will be voted on by the full Senate. If the Senate passes an amended version of HB 75, it will need to be sent back to the House before being sent to Governor Deal’s desk for a signature. If the House does not agree with the Senate’s version of HB 75, a conference committee from both chambers will be appointed to work out the differences. Only then will HB 75 be able to be sent to Governor Deal for his final approval.

The Senate unanimously passed legislation for the second time since session started—showing that we clearly have a bipartisan commitment to improving the education and overall welfare of Georgia’s children. Senate Bill 2 will provide Georgia’s students with another pathway to success by allowing students the opportunity to earn a high school diploma while also completing rigorous coursework at a Technical College. Not only will this help students reach education and career goals more efficiently, but it will also send a clear message to potential business investors that Georgia has a skilled workforce at the ready to fill their open positions.

The Technical College System of Georgia (TCSG) will work with the State Board of Education to identify gaps in the workforce where skilled professionals are needed. Local school boards will be given reports about these areas of need and encouraged to use them in order to better assist their students in making educational choices. As lawmakers, it’s our responsibility to make sure students have multiple avenues for success at all education levels—by passing SB 2, we are keeping education a top priority in our state.

The Honorable Chief Justice Hugh P. Thompson of the Supreme Court of Georgia delivered his annual “State of the Judiciary” address to a joint session of the House and Senate; highlighting the accomplishments of Georgia’s Judicial Branch as well as the challenges ahead.  Georgia’s courtrooms are committed to protecting individual rights and liberties, upholding the rules of law, and providing a forum for the peaceful resolution of disputes that is fair, impartial, and accessible to all. The courts serve as the third leg of an important tripod. They provide balance to the executive and legislative branch.

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Your Georgia Desk

From Senator Jeff Mullis

Update from the Gold Dome

Last week, the Georgia State Senate convened for Days 9, 10, and 11 of the 2015 legislative session. Capitol business is quickly starting to pick-up as lawmakers continue to file legislation and resume the committee process. I am proud to say the Senate unanimously passed its second bill in a row showing a strong bipartisan commitment to Georgia’s children.

Senate Bill 2, sponsored by Sen. Lindsey Tippins (R – Marietta) seeks to provide Georgia’s students with another pathway to a brighter future through our education system. Students will be allowed to advance their careers by earning a high school diploma while pursuing a degree at a Technical College. Not only will this help students reach education and career goals more efficiently, but it will also send a clear message to potential business investors that Georgia has a skilled workforce at the ready to fill their open positions.

The Senate and the House of Representatives met for a joint session on Wednesday to hear the Honorable Chief Justice Hugh P. Thompson of the Supreme Court of Georgia deliver his annual “State of the Judiciary” address.  Chief Justice Thompson updated lawmakers on the accomplishments of the judicial branch over the last year and the challenges that lie ahead.

Georgia’s courtrooms are committed to protecting individual rights and liberties, upholding the rules of law, and providing a forum for the peaceful resolution of disputes that is fair, impartial, and accessible to all.  Lawmakers have been dedicated to criminal justice reform and the growth of specialty courts, specifically the Veterans Court remains a crowning achievement of those efforts.  Our veterans returning home from combat with brain injuries, mental health problems, and drug and alcohol dependencies too often end up in the criminal justice system.  Georgia currently has seven Veterans Courts which serves those who have sacrificed everything for our freedom and gives them every chance to succeed.

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Your Washington – GA 6 – Desk

From Congressman Tom Price 

The President’s Reckless Budget

President Obama has released his Fiscal Year 2016 budget. The President’s proposal includes a $2.4 trillion spending increase, a $2.1 trillion tax increase and adds $8.5 trillion to the national debt. And, as expected, his budget never, ever balances. As we have seen over the past several years, this fiscally irresponsible approach will yield less opportunity for the middle class and a crushing burden of debt that threatens both our future prosperity and our national security. A proposal that never balances is not a serious plan for America’s fiscal future. Especially when we have to borrow money just to afford the programs that are already in place.

Clearly, a new direction is needed. As Chairman of the House Budget Committee, I look forward to working with my colleagues to build a budget that will balance and not take more from hardworking families just to spend more in Washington. After all, every dollar that is taken from Americans in taxes – and every dollar borrowed – is a dollar that can’t be spent on real priorities like paying for a child’s education, buying a car, paying rent, paying a mortgage, or buying a house. That is why the budget that we will present to the American people will make government more efficient and accountable to hard-working taxpayers, lift the regulatory burden on families and job creators, and embrace the innovative spirit that drives American entrepreneurship and success. This is how we, as a nation, can lay the foundation for a healthy economy and a responsible federal budget.

Transparency & Accountability

Last week, the House of Representatives debated and passed two pieces of legislation, H.R. 50 and H.R. 527, to increase transparency at regulatory agencies so they are forced to consider the impact their directives have on states and small businesses across the country. Job creators and hard-working families have experienced the slowest recovery from an economic downturn in modern history, due in no small part to an overactive regulatory regime at the federal level. It is imperative that we ramp up accountability across the board and shine a light on the number of unfunded mandates that are handed down from Washington in order to recognize, and hopefully mitigate, the damage that’s being done. It’s an important part of creating an economic environment conducive to growth and opportunity.

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Your Washington – GA 1 – Desk

From Congressman Buddy Carter

From Our Nation’s Capitol Column- Week Five

Monday, February 2, 2015:  I start the week in Glynn County to speak at the Georgia Foreign Trade Conference.  This annual conference is important to shipping and maritime companies as well as the many businesses associated with the Georgia Ports Authority and the movement of international freight. We are truly blessed to have two of the finest international ports in the country right here in the First District located in Brunswick and Savannah.  Immediately upon returning to Washington, I join other members of the Committee on Oversight and Government Reform to be briefed on the testimony we will be receiving tomorrow from the Inspectors Generals (I.G.) and their concern that agencies are uncooperative in working with the I.G.’s and prohibiting them from doing their jobs.  The I.G.’s were created by Congress and are intended to be non-partisan, independent watchdogs of the taxpayers for fraud, waste and abuse of the various departments within the federal bureaucracy.  Next, I have a phone interview with an Atlanta radio station regarding the recent gun smuggling problem at the Atlanta airport, as well as a phone conference with Dr. Svein Oie, Dean of the College of Pharmacy at the University of Georgia, my alma mater, regarding an internship we are trying to set up for this summer with the school.  Afterwards, I have a telephone interview with the Atlanta Journal Constitution regarding the President’s budget announcement today and his inclusion of funds for the Savannah Harbor Expansion Project (SHEP). Next, I head to the House Chamber where I am “managing the floor” for two bills, H.R. 361, the Medical Preparedness Allowable Use Act, and H.R. 615, the Department of Homeland Security Interoperable Communications Act.  “Managing the floor” means that I am presenting the bills on the floor and controlling the debate by yielding time to other members who wish to speak on the bills.  Afterwards, we pass these two bills as well as H.R. 623, the Social Media Working Group Act of 2015.Continue Reading..

Your Georgia Desk

From Governor Nathan Deal

Deal: January revenues up 3 percent

Gov. Nathan Deal announced today that Georgia’s net tax collections for January totaled $1.86 billion, an increase of $53.9 million, or 3 percent, compared to January 2014. Year-to-date, net tax collections totaled $11.47 billion, which was an increase of $570.75 million, or 5.2 percent, compared to the previous fiscal year, when net tax revenues totaled almost $10.9 billion through seven months. Year-to-date gross tax revenues, before refunds and distributions to local governments, totaled $14.88 billion, which was an increase of $834 million, or 5.9 percent, compared to the year-to-date total of $14.05 billion in January 2014.

The changes within the following tax categories made up the majority of January’s net tax increase:

Individual Income Tax:  Individual Income Tax collections for January totaled approximately $1.06 billion, down from $1.07 billion in January 2014, for a decrease of $12.75 million, or -1.2 percent.

The following notable components within Individual Income Tax account for the net decrease:

•      Individual Withholding payments were down $18.75 million, or -2.2 percent

•      Individual Income Tax refunds issued were up $41 million, or 221.3 percent

•      Estimated payments were up nearly $31.5 million, or 16.3 percent
•      All other Individual Tax categories including Income Tax Return payments were up $15.5 million

Sales and Use Tax: Gross Sales Tax collections deposited during the month totaled $1.02 billion, which was an increase of $77.25 million, or 8.2 percent, compared to FY 2014. Furthermore, net Sales Tax collections increased nearly $45.75 million, or 9.1 percent, compared to the previous year, when net Sales Tax totaled $498.75 million. The adjusted distribution of sales tax to local governments totaled $474.75 million, which was an increase of $31 million over last year’s distribution. Refunds of overpayments increased just $0.5 million year-over-year.

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