The Georgia House Democratic Caucus on Thursday said its members will introduce a series of bills this year that address educational opportunity, economic security and “shared responsibility.”

"Our 2015 legislative package continues to demand common-sense solutions to the challenges we face, and it asks the General Assembly to put aside politics for good policy," Minority Whip Carolyn Hugley, D-Columbus, said. "Doing better by Georgians demands that government helps where it can and gets out of the way when it should."

The caucus’ agenda of 26 bills includes measures to fully fund HOPE grants for technical college students, a limit on credit checks for employment, and new tax credits to encourage employers to hire people with criminal records.

Democrats will also hold a series of public hearings on their agenda and other legislative priorities, beginning at 2 p.m. Jan. 27 in Room 230 of the Capitol.