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AJC.com > Legislature > Blog > Archives > 2007 > March > 27 > Entry
DEL.ICIO.USHOPE Chest amendment approved by Senate
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
The Senate overwhelmingly approved a proposed constitutional amendment this afternoon to keep lawmakers from using lottery revenue for local pork projects.
The proposed amendment, which passed 45-8, mandates that lottery revenue be used only for the HOPE scholarships, pre-kindergarten classes, and reserves for the programs. The HOPE Chest amendment, promoted by Gov. Sonny Perdue, failed last year in part because Democrats who created the HOPE scholarship didn’t want to give him political ammunition while he was running for re-election.
Perdue originally proposed the amendment after the Atlanta Journal-Constitution reported in late 2004 that the state had spent more than $1.8 billion in lottery proceeds for things other than HOPE scholarships and pre-kindergarten classes. Included were satellite dishes, computers, school construction and other hometown projects. Those expenditures have been discontinued under Perdue.
“This is not about the past. It is not about placing blame on what was spent,” said Sen. Joseph Carter (R-Tifton), the measure’s sponsor. “It is about the future.”
The Senate approved the proposal today after amending it to reverse part of a 2004 HOPE reform law that called for reducing book and fee payments to students if lottery revenues declined. Democrats have opposed any cuts in payments to students the past few years. However, since lottery revenues have continued to climb, student book and fee payments haven’t been cut.
Carter said that if his measure is approved, lawmakers would have to vote in the future if book and fee payments to students should be cut.
The proposal now moves to the House for its consideration.
Permalink | Comments (3) | Categories: Education
Comments
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By Scott
March 27, 2007 2:28 PM | Link to this
I have another way to save money for the HOPE scholarship. The semester that student drops below the the 3.0 GPA, that semester then turns into a loan to be be paid back. I’ve heard of too many cases where kids are given HOPE, then party and flunk out at HOPE’s expense. By the way, keep buying those lottery tickets so more deserving kids can go to college in Georgia!
By John
March 27, 2007 3:11 PM | Link to this
The HOPE Grant and Scholarship should both be interest free loans. If the student gets a 3.0 or better in a course, that portion of the loan should be forgiven; a 2.0-2.99 in a course and the student will have 50% of the loan for that course forgiven. If the students receives a grade of less than 2.0 for a course or DROPS the course the student should have to repay the loan
By Neal Kelley
March 27, 2007 3:55 PM | Link to this
If it is to be a loan.. then I will not buy lottery tickets.. Simply make Hope unavailble to those people who drop below 3.0 GPA. When they do go above 3.0 GPA. Hope will pay for only half of there tution until they can show 2 quarters of above 3.0 GPA.. then Hope will fund them fully again.