Day 38, was a long and arduous day. SB 47 the voucher expansion legislation passed the House floor by a 91-71. This adds Section 504 students for eligibility for this expanded version of the special needs voucher. The representatives supporting the bill went to the chamber well with emotional laced testimony as their go to strategy to swing votes. Well, it worked. They never addressed the specific concerns of accountability and transparency of the public money moving to private schools. They chose to gloss over that concern as well as the others that were enumerated from opponents. I appreciate the work many of you did with your local representatives and the extra effort you engaged in throughout the session. Believe it or not -it does have an impact.
Click link for voting results for SB 47
Voting results for SB 47 by representative
Other education bill voted on House floor:
SB 153 – GOAL Academy funding from the state charter commission tot eh Department of Education and continues their current funding level through the end of their current charter contract at which time a new funding calculation will be applied. A study committee including the GOAL academies will provide a recommendation on that new calculation.
The FY22 budget has hit a small delay and will be revealed next week.
Next week will bring the session to Sine Die and none to soon. Day 39, is Monday, March 29, and Day 40 is Wednesday, March 31.
GSSA news: Reminder that Spring Bootstrap is April 21-22, 2021, in Savannah at the Marriott Riverfront. The conference room block has been sold out but you can still reserve a room at the current rate by calling the hotel directly. John Maxwell is our keynote speaker and we will be posting the robust conference agenda very soon.
Quote: It is hard for any man to resist the highest bidder. (a quote referenced many times during each legislative session)
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