A day after denouncing the education proposals of Gov. Nathan Deal, Democratic challenger and state Sen. Jason Carter, D-Atlanta, filed a resolution to make permanent his proposal to prioritize education spending statewide.
Senate Resolution 750 would ask Georgia voters to approve a constitutional change that would separate education funding from the rest of the state’s budget.
“You have to hold the politicians in Atlanta accountable for what they’re doing to education,” Carter said. “This governor and his administration have not set education as a priority. The results of this policy have been devastating for our schools.”
Under the resolution, the Legislature every year would be forced to consider the state budget in two parts. The first part would cover only education spending.
Only when that part of the budget has been vetted and approved would the Gold Dome move on to funding the rest of state government.
House Democrats indicated Thursday that they supported Carter’s push, with House Minority Whip Carolyn Hugley, D-Columbus, attending Carter’s announcement about the legislation.
Still, SR 750 stands very little chance of moving forward and will mainly serve as a platform for Carter during the legislative session. Constitutional amendments need two-thirds support, or a supermajority, in both chambers to get on the ballot. Republicans own a supermajority in the Senate and are only a seat short of a supermajority in the House.
Carter said to expect further policy announcements next week, including proposals concerning the lottery-funded HOPE Scholarship, economic development in rural Georgia and changes to the state’s troubled child welfare system.
About the Author
