Noteworthy education news came out of two Fulton County courtrooms Tuesday.
First, a Fulton County judge said she is unlikely to rule in favor of an Alpharetta father who wants to carry his gun when he attends events at his young children's elementary school.
After hearing James Johnson's request to bring his gun to New Prospect Elementary School, Judge Kelly Lee Ellerbe said, “My inclination is to deny the injunction. It's not my final ruling on this case."
The judge’s decision is expected later this week
Credit: Maureen Downey
Credit: Maureen Downey
According to the AJC’s Rhonda Cook:
"It's clearly the overwhelming will of the people," Monroe said about carrying guns in most places. "It can't just be thrown away."
The fathers argue that two laws passed this year are in conflict --- House Bill 862 and House Bill 60. HB 862 said licensed gun owners could carry their weapons into a school zone, which includes school property, any time. The bill was passed in February and the law took effect April 21, when the governor signed it.
HB 60, however, said gun owners could only legally have their firearms on school property in their locked cars or when dropping off or picking up a student. That was the law before changes were made this year. HB 60 also repealed any existing laws that were in conflict, which included HB 862. The governor signed HB 60, limiting firearms at schools, on April 23.
In another Fulton courtroom, a judge ruled the state of Georgia must defend itself against a class-action lawsuit alleging thousands of teachers, state employees and retirees were overcharged this year for their health insurance.
I still get weekly emails from educators on this health care maze and disparities in what they are paying. This court case may resolve those problems, but the lawsuit may cost Georgia taxpayers a bundle and cost the governor support at the polls.
According to the AJC’s James Salzer:
Lawyers for plan members have estimated that more than 200,000 teachers, state employees and retirees have been paying more than $10 million a month too much since the agency made changes to coverage in January. The changes were made after plan members complained that the state was trying to save millions of dollars by charging them much higher out-of-pocket costs for health care.
The changes lowered out-of-pocket costs, but they left some plan members paying much higher rates than others who were getting similar benefits. Their lawyers claim the state used "bait and switch tactics" to get members to sign up for higher-priced coverage last fall. Some teachers and retirees said they should have been allowed to sign up for the lower-cost plan once the state made the coverage fixes in January.
In her order, Wright said the plan amounts to a contract and denied the state's motion to have the case dismissed.
Issues with the plan have dogged Deal since January, despite his attempts to fix the problems raised by plan members. The governor is running for re-election this year, and teachers are traditionally a politically active voting bloc. A group called TRAGIC was started early this year on Facebook to protest the plan. The group now has more than 16,000 members, and many of those who post on the site have made it clear they don't want to see Deal re-elected.
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