The Georgia Senate has passed a bill dramatically overhauling the cash-strapped HOPE scholarship program.

The bill is part of Gov. Nathan Deal's plan to keep lottery programs like HOPE and prekindergarten from going broke. It passed 35-20.

The bill would cut scholarships for all but the state's highest-scoring students. It also would eliminate payments for books, fees and remedial classes.

Awards would be set each year by the Legislature rather than being tied to tuition rates.

Democrats have said the bill is unfair to poor and minority students and the Lottery Corp. should give more money to education coffers before the awards are cut.

The measure now goes back to the state House to get approval for changes made in the Senate.

About the Author

Keep Reading

Georgia Lt. Gov. Lester Maddox, angry about an article, burns a copy of The Atlanta Constitution in the state Senate on March 10, 1971, saying the paper did not have the "guts, integrity, manhood or decency" to report the situation accurately. (AJC file)

Credit: AP FILE

Featured

Ja’Quon Stembridge, shown here in July at the Henry County Republican Party monthly meeting, recently stepped from his position with the Georgia GOP. (Jenni Girtman for the AJC)

Credit: Jenni Girtman