Dahlonega-Lumpkin County Chamber of Commerce

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE -- April 10, 2009

2009 Legislature passed real education and ethics reform bills

The 2009 Georgia Legislature, both House and Senate, was anything but a “do nothing” legislature.  We were able to 1) provide Georgians with real education reform and 2) make changes in our laws to promote ethical and efficient government.

Why did we focus on these issues this session?  Because these issues came out of our House Republican Caucus meeting last fall as issues that were important to our members and to the citizens of Georgia.  The number one issue was property taxes, but I will wait until next week to write about that.

With respect to education reform, we passed four important bills:

HB 149 - Move On When Ready Act - will allow 11th and 12th grade students to leave their assigned high schools and attend a college or technical school to complete graduation requirements while earning college credit.  State public education funding - but not county funding - will follow the student to the institution.

There have been recent articles discussing the applications of school systems near us who have applied for Charter School status, most notably Gwinnett, Forsyth, and Hall.  The following is another example of reform and flexibility.

SB 178 - Waiver of Expenditure Controls and Building Resourceful Individuals to Develop Georgia’s Economy bill - is two bills which were combined on the last day of the session.  It allows local school boards greater flexibility to meet their students’ needs and work within their financial capacity.  This can be accomplished by suspending expenditure controls on state funding to local school systems for direct instructional costs, media center costs, and staff and professional development costs for school years 2009 and 2010.  Sunset date is July 1, 2011.

This legislation will ensure that all students will have a personalized graduation plan as well as the opportunity for dual enrollment (technical and university track).  The bill seeks to increase student interest by creating programs that combine real world experience with increased academic rigor.

HB 280 authorizes additional compensation for math and science teachers.  Georgia has a significant shortage of these teachers, and this bill will increase their state salary schedule.  We hope to attract college math and science majors and experienced professionals into these teaching fields as well as increase retention of current teachers.

HB 193 allows school boards the flexibility of changing the length of school days as long as the number of hours meets the 180 day requirement.  The bill also provides that schools may be closed on Veteran’s Day beginning with the 2010-2011 school year.  Initial discussions of HB 193 would have made school closings mandatory, but many of us spoke out against that recommendation.  Lumpkin and Dawson Counties have wonderful programs with students honoring veterans.

Parents, there is another item in HB 193 of which you should be aware: "It shall be unlawful for any person to knowingly and intentionally or recklessly disrupt or interfere with the operation of any public school, public school bus, or public school bus stop as designated by local school boards of education.  Any person violating this Code section shall be guilty of a misdemeanor."

With respect to ethics, we passed one bill affecting two areas concerning legislators:

SB 168 - Campaign Contributions and Income Tax Payments - makes it easier for members to file their campaign contributions reports.  Currently, legislators must file both electronically and provide a paper copy to the Ethics Commission.  This legislation deletes the requirement of a paper copy.

When the AJC published a list of legislators behind in their taxes, you were irate.  So were we.  SB 168 provides that if a member has failed to pay his or her personal income taxes, the Department of Revenue will inform the Chairman of the House and Senate Ethics Committees so that the problem can be corrected.  That "correction" can include expulsion and loss of seat in the chamber.

In our justice system a person is innocent until proven guilty.  Well, the same goes for taxpayers.  Some of those listed by the AJC are in the process of litigation and, until that is settled, may not owe any taxes.

In next week’s column, I’ll review property tax legislation that came out of the 2009 Session.  Keep in touch with me on issues that concern you.  Between legislative sessions I can be reached at 689 N. Chestatee Street, Dahlonega, Georgia 30533; 706/864-6589; e-mail This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it .  Or contact Gerald Lewy, my Communications Director, at 706/344-7788.  He’ll know how to get your message to me.  Remember, the secret of good government is a well-informed electorate.

for more information contact:                    
Gerald Lewy                                
Communications Director
House District 9 – Amerson
471 Cloudland Road
Dahlonega, Georgia 30533
phone/fax: 706/864-4613
e-mail: This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it