Follow us on

Thursday, May 23, 2013 | 4:36 p.m.

Powered by The Atlanta Journal-Constitution

Web Search by YAHOO!
 

Posted: 6:16 p.m. Wednesday, Jan. 9, 2013

HOPE, pre-k to get a boost in Deal’s budget proposal

  • comment(2)

By Greg Bluestein

The Atlanta Journal-Constitution

Georgia’s lottery-funded education programs will be getting a boost in Gov. Nathan Deal’s budget proposal.

The governor said Wednesday he wants to add 10 days to the state’s pre-kindergarten schedule, a $13.1 million increase that will restore it to a full 180-day calendar. Deal also said that in the budget proposal he’s unveiling next week HOPE scholarship recipients would get 3 percent more money than they did last year, which would cost $13.9 million.

“We do have the money in the lottery and we’re hopeful it can continue to grow and we can make even better announcements in the future,” he said in an interview with Channel 2 Action News.

The governor and lawmakers have backed sweeping changes to the lottery-funded programs in recent years to keep them fiscally afloat amid slowing lottery revenues. The pre-k school year was shortened from 180 days to 160 days in 2011 and two students were added to each class. Ten of those days were restored last year.

Under Deal’s plan, pre-k teachers would get a raise thanks to the longer schedules.

Lawmakers also overhauled the popular HOPE program in 2011, approving legislation that reduced payouts to prevent the program from running out of money. The governor said the program would go bankrupt if the changes weren’t implemented.

The Georgia Lottery’s strong year is fueling the governor’s push. The lottery, which recently approved online sales, took in $3.8 billion in ticket sales. That provided about $900 million for HOPE and pre-k programs — about $55 million more than the previous year.

While the 3 percent increase in HOPE scholarship money will provide relief for students and their families, it doesn’t keep pace with rising tuition costs.

Tuition across the University System of Georgia increased by 3 percent in fall 2011, when the lower HOPE payouts took effect. Tuition jumped again this academic year, with most students paying 2.5 percent more, though a few institutions hiked rates as much as 6 percent.

Staff writer Laura Diamond contributed to this article.

  • comment(2)

More News

 

Today on MyAJC.com

Veterans Park renovations

Memorial Day in Atlanta: ‘Sacred Soil’ enhances history center’s redone Veterans Park

Soil collected from important battlegrounds will be included in the Atlanta History Center’s dedication of its new park honoring military veterans

New books on barbecue celebrate primal fire and smoke

Barbecue roadtrips and more: If you love barbecue, these books are for you

Four books celebrate the roots -- and experience -- of cooking over fire and smoke, including a tour of Southern BBQ 'crossroads' large and small

Powerful start for rookie

Atlanta Braves: B.J. Upton ends home-run drought

Homer against the Twins marks the first time Upton has hit in consecutive games since early May.