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South Georgia at the State Capitol

By State Sen. Greg Goggans

goggansheadshotATLANTA (Sept. 4, 2009) In 1993, the state established the Georgia Lottery with the intent of raising revenue for two educational programs, the HOPE Scholarship Program and the Pre-Kindergarten Program.  HOPE, Helping Outstanding Pupils Educationally, was developed to assist Georgia students in affording higher education.  The Pre-Kindergarten Program was created to help four-year-old students gain access to preparatory programs for kindergarten.

The HOPE Scholarship Program has been a great success for education in Georgia.  Over 1.1 million students have taken advantage of the program with $10.6 billion in awards.  Just this past year, more than 111,770 students in Georgia received the HOPE scholarship. That’s up from 42,797 since the start of the program. Continue reading “South Georgia at the State Capitol”

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Setting the Record Straight on Property Taxes

By Sen. Chip Pearson                                                                                                                  

Sen. Chip Pearson
Sen. Chip Pearson

ATLANTA (September 3, 2009) – Property owners beware.  Some counties are sadly misleading taxpayers to believe the Legislature is responsible for any potential property tax increases this year.  They suggest this is due to there being no Homeowners Tax Relief Grant (HTRG) in the Fiscal Year 2010 state budget. 

Continue reading “Setting the Record Straight on Property Taxes”

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Senator Rogers helps lead the Fight to Protect Health Care Freedom

ATLANTA (Sept. 3, 2009) – Senate Majority Leader Chip Rogers (R-Woodstock) with members of the Republican Caucus announced the introduction of a Constitutional Amendment to protect health care freedom in Georgia.  They gathered at the State Capitol today telling the federal government that it cannot force Georgians to purchase health care and cannot force a public option.

Continue reading “Senator Rogers helps lead the Fight to Protect Health Care Freedom”

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State Sen. Judson Hill and the Republican Caucus announce Georgia’s Positive Plan for Health Care

ATLANTA (Sept. 3, 2009) – State Sen. Judson Hill (R-Marietta), joined by members of the Republican Caucus, announced today the  Health Care States Rights Protection Constitutional Amendment to protect Georgia’s citizens from being forced into government-run health care.  They also offered positive, free-market based solutions to reform Georgia’s health care system.

Continue reading “State Sen. Judson Hill and the Republican Caucus announce Georgia’s Positive Plan for Health Care”

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Sen. Butterworth Notifies District of Informational Meetings to Address Changes to the State Health Benefit Plan for Retirees

ATLANTA (August 27, 2009) – State Senator Jim Butterworth (R-Clarkesville) is notifying his district of informational meetings regarding the changes to the State Health Benefit Plan (SHBP) for retirees. These changes are in response to the current fiscal crisis facing Georgia. They are an effort to reduce costs and liability, saving the state $2.4billion, while still providing efficient and quality health care. Continue reading “Sen. Butterworth Notifies District of Informational Meetings to Address Changes to the State Health Benefit Plan for Retirees”