Senators Billy Hickman and Clint Dixon Address the “Schools Supplies for Teachers Act”

ATLANTA (March 11, 2024) –Last week, Senators Billy Hickman (R–Statesboro) and Clint Dixon (R–Gwinnett) held a press conference alongside Rep. Bethany Ballard (R–Warner Robins) and Chairman of the Georgia Council Literacy, Scott Johnson, to discuss Senate Bill 464, the “School Supplies for Teachers Act.” This measure mandates the State Board of Education to establish a program for the Department of Education to allocate funds for eligible teachers to purchase school supplies online. Additionally, the amendment to SB 464 would specify a universal reading screener that each public school and local school system must adopt and administer.

Continue reading “Senators Billy Hickman and Clint Dixon Address the “Schools Supplies for Teachers Act””

Senators Billy Hickman and Clint Dixon to Hold Press Conference on the “School Supplies for Teachers Act”

ATLANTA (March 6, 2024) — Tomorrow, March 7, Chairman of the Senate Committee of Higher Education Sen. Billy Hickman (R–Statesboro) will be holding a press conference alongside Chairman of the Senate Committee on Education and Youth Sen. Clint Dixon (R–Gwinnett), Rep. Bethany Ballard (R–Warner Robbins) and Chairman of the Georgia Council on Literacy Scott Johnson, to discuss Senate Bill 464, the “School Supplies for Teachers Act.”

Continue reading “Senators Billy Hickman and Clint Dixon to Hold Press Conference on the “School Supplies for Teachers Act””

Sen. Sally Harrell Files “Georgia Good Faith Grant Act” Comprehensive Needs-Based Scholarship to Expand Access to Higher Education

ATLANTA (March 6, 2024) – Today, Sen. Sally Harrell (D–Atlanta) announced a bipartisan effort to expand access to post-secondary education for Georgia students. Senate Bill 526, the “Good Faith Grant Act,” co-sponsored by Chairman of the Senate Committee on Higher Education Sen. Billy Hickman (R–Statesboro) and Sen. Sally Harrell (D–Atlanta), creates a comprehensive needs-based scholarship program for Georgia students that qualify for college admissions, but might not qualify for the Hope Scholarship. Georgia is one of just a few states that does not have a needs-based scholarship program.

Continue reading “Sen. Sally Harrell Files “Georgia Good Faith Grant Act” Comprehensive Needs-Based Scholarship to Expand Access to Higher Education”

Senate Passes “Georgia Development Impact Fee Act”

ATLANTA (March 4, 2024) – Last week, the Georgia State Senate approved Senate Bill 208 and Senate Resolution 189, both measures sponsored by Georgia Senate Transportation Chairman and Chief Deputy Whip Sen. Greg Dolezal (R-Cumming). SB 208 introduces development impact fees for education for fast growing counties such as Forsyth, while SR 189 would place a ballot measure on the November ballot, allowing voters to change the Constitution to empower local boards of education to impose, levy, and collect these fees, utilizing the proceeds to contribute to the cost of additional educational facilities.

Continue reading “Senate Passes “Georgia Development Impact Fee Act””