HOPE, poker bills clear House hurdle
Two major changes to the lottery-funded HOPE program passed the state House on Thursday, one of which would expand the Georgia Lottery’s power to regulate gaming in the state.
An effort to make more technical college students eligible for the HOPE Grant, House Bill 327 passed 169-1. The bill, which has the blessing of Gov. Nathan Deal, would change the eligibility requirement to a 2.0 grade-point average. That’s down from the current rule of 3.0 and a return to what existed before lawmakers overhauled HOPE in 2011 to prevent it from going broke.
Nearly 9,000 students lost the HOPE Grant last year because they couldn’t maintain a 3.0 average.
It does not affect the HOPE Scholarship awarded to students at four-year colleges.
Meanwhile, HB 487 would give control and enforcement of video poker machines to the Georgia Lottery Corp. and direct a share of the profits to the HOPE program. The plan, which passed 166-4, enjoyed support from Deal and several powerful GOP lawmakers.
It would keep video poker machines legal as long as they are registered and taxed, and stores that feature them may only award vouchers for merchandise in the store, not cash or tobacco or alcohol. The machines would be plugged into a centralized monitoring system that would track how much money is being spent.
Rep. Matt Ramsey, R-Peachtree City, who sponsored the bill, said the proposal aims to tackle the “major problem” of unregulated video poker across the state. Violators could be fined up to $50,000.
“Casinos are popping up all over our state in the backs of gas stations,” he said. “They’re really becoming a problem.”
It’s not yet known how much money HB 487 would roll into HOPE, and supporters say the bill is not a first step toward expanding gambling in the state. Supporters of expanded gambling have for years called on the Georgia Lottery to exercise its powers to allow casinos with video lottery terminals.
About the Author
Greg Bluestein is the Atlanta Journal Constitution's chief political reporter. He is also an author, TV analyst and co-host of the Politically Georgia podcast.
