House and Senate both gavel in at 10 a.m. today.
The House is set to vote on a bill that would create a scholarship for Georgia's high-achieving technical college students. HB 697 is also the session's most high-profile, bipartisan effort.
The measure is sponsored by Democrat Stacey Evans of Smyrna, but has an unofficial co-sponsor in the form of Republican Gov. Nathan Deal. Early in Deal’s administration, changes to HOPE awards resulted in an inordinate number of technical school students – a prime pool of blue collar workers – dropping out.
HB 697 is yet another fix – and a smart play by a governor seeking re-election. The bipartisan approach will make it harder for Deal’s Democratic opponent, state Sen. Jason Carter, to make hay with it.
The House will also consider HB 788, the bill that will award tax breaks to private firms that take over management of dorms on university campuses.
In House committees, the newest attempt to thwart the Affordable Care Act will get a hearing. HB 990, which carries the signatures of Speaker David Ralston and Speaker pro tem Jan Jones, would require Legislative approval to expand Medicaid.
In the Senate, HB 342 is up for a floor vote. It would require patients to disclose their HIV status to certain health care providers.
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