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AJC.com > Legislature > Blog > Archives > 2009 > February > 05 > Entry
DEL.ICIO.USHouse moves to protect HOPE book grant
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
The House voted overwhelmingly Thursday for legislation that could help HOPE scholars keep their $300 book allowance, at least for now.
Under legislation that passed 159-0, lottery revenues would have to fall 8 percent below HOPE and pre-kindergarten costs before the state cut the allowance from $300 to $150.
Under current law, that would happen if lottery revenue fell $1 short of paying for HOPE and pre-kindergarten. Continued cuts in following years would also occur if revenues fell $1 or more short of expenses.
The House bill would eliminate book allowances completely if revenues fell to only 84 percent of the cost of HOPE and pre-kindergarten in the second year. Mandatory fee payments to HOPE students would be eliminated if, in the third year, revenues fell 25 percent short of funding HOPE AND pre-kindergarten.
State officials say expenses for the two programs may top lottery revenue to pay for them by next year. If that happens, students could lose part of their book allowance by the fall of 2011 under current state law.
House Appropriations Chairman Ben Harbin (R-Evans), said he sponsored the new legislation because there is no HOPE emergency. The lottery-funded programs have reserves of more than $960 million. That’s more than enough to fund both programs for an entire year without any additional money.
A similar bill by Harbin passed the General Assembly last year but was vetoed by Gov. Sonny Perdue.
Permalink | Comments (13) | Post your comment | Categories: Legislature
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By Derrick
February 5, 2009 1:32 PM | Link to this
How can the lottery talk of short comings and a lack of funds for students to get book money when the CEO gets such a big bonus?
By Twobesure
February 5, 2009 1:34 PM | Link to this
Thank goodness for sensible people in these trying times. I still believe that the Lottery Director should not have gotten the size of bonus that she got. If the State of GA can withhold raises and cutbacks and possible furloughs, then that Lottery entity should consider doing away with bonuses especially since the Salaries are above normal.
By sageboy
February 5, 2009 3:33 PM | Link to this
There are alot of states that would love to have our Lottery Director. Start cutting her bonuses and see how long she’s here. She’s met or exceeded lottery projections ever since she’s been here and her bonuses were performance based. I think the Hope Scholarship should remain tied directly to lottery profits. When lottery income is up, raise benefits. When it’s down, start cutting. Everyone, including the legislature, needs to keep their hands off of HOPE & let it do what it was originally designed to do.
By Trisha
February 5, 2009 3:52 PM | Link to this
When I was teaching at the college level in Georgia, HOPE students received cash vouchers to purchase textbooks. Needless to say, most went through entire semesters with no books. That cash was spent on anything and everything else.
By Tonya
February 5, 2009 4:34 PM | Link to this
I am in college and I can tell you that the HOPE helps all of us in books. So Trisha school must have been grimmy…. College is no joke and cost a great deal of money to attend.
By bunchofbull
February 6, 2009 8:18 AM | Link to this
Trisha is correct. I teach at the college level now and the book allowance is going for anything (booze, eating out, partying???) but books. Eliminate it now and save the program precious money that could be spent elsewhere.
By Hopeful for HOPE
February 6, 2009 8:24 AM | Link to this
I’m hopeful that HOPE’s book funding stays around. With one in college and another coming up (2011) our family will need it. Sorry there are some abusers of the system, but there are many more (like us) that use it correctly.
By beth
February 6, 2009 8:36 AM | Link to this
Surely this can’t be true! How can the Hope Scholarship possibly be short on funds? I thought the reason the head of the lottery and her staff all received such outrageous bonuses at a time when other state employees were being furloughed was because their revenues continued to grow and exceed expectation. Does this mean perhaps she received a bonus when her revenues are also “off” like everyone else? If so, what warranted her getting such a bonus? In DFCS, our business is booming! Applications are pouring in from people who have never had to apply for assistance before. But, as usual, we are told to process these applications timely, with a smile and courteous service, and possibly do it in less time with less pay due to furloughs. I say leave the Hope scholarship alone. This is the one and only fair way that working class parents can get a break and help with their kid’s college.
By Becky
February 6, 2009 8:40 AM | Link to this
My son is a student at GSU and he does not receive cash but a credit at the bookstore.
By Ty
February 6, 2009 10:32 AM | Link to this
This is ridiculous. As a current UGA student I can assure you that my HOPE book money goes directly into books. However, just to get my books under $300 I have to buy them used off of half.com. I’ve had two books this semester that cost $175 apiece. Include that with the mandatory $40 “case study” book, that’s $215 just for one class. The lot of you have no right to stereotype college students to what you see on television. Some of us are actually earning our degree.
By Michelle Harris
February 6, 2009 11:05 AM | Link to this
If things do not get better there will be harder times for the kids coming out of high school. I do not understand all these new changes that’s happening. I think we need more education on theses hard times.Everyone that is in college use their money for books. I know I did,they are very costly those who do not use the money for books that is their problem.
By romar
February 6, 2009 11:09 AM | Link to this
Stop stealing!!! Keep your hands out of the cookie jar! As many people that plays the lottery,I refuse to beleive in ANY short fall!! Stop Stealing!
By Rorshach
February 6, 2009 11:30 AM | Link to this
How can you pass a class without the required texts? If this is happening certain college teachers need to be sent packing along with the guilty students unless of course they belong to a PC protected sub-group. In which case I withdraw my criticism totally and ask for forgiveness.