Lawmakers Vote To Protect HOPE Scholarship Funding

Despite declining state revenues, the General Assemby has voted to change award-reductions for the HOPE college scholarship.

When the bill passed the House last month, lawmakers cautioned that demand for the scholarship could bring down the lottery-funded reserves starting in 2011.

Under current law, if those reserves drop by just one dollar, the HOPE scholarship would pay less for books.

State Senator Seth Harp says he wants to make sure the lottery really is in trouble before slashing benefits.

"What we wanna do is make sure the students will not lose benefits until we start seeing some real movement on where the lottery goes."

The Senate passed the bill 47-2 and now goes to the governor's desk for his signature.

Last year Governor Sonny Perdue vetoed a similar measure. But he has not indicated whether he would veto this plan.

UPDATED: Sunday Sales Dies in Committee

The chance of buying alcohol on Sundays in Georgia is drying up.

Today a Senate committee was set to take up a bill that would've let voters decide whether to allow Sunday alcohol sales in their communities.

But bill sponsor Seth Harp suddenly withdrew the bill. He says it simply didn't have enough votes to pass out of committee.

"I think there were the forces there that wanted to do it in, and we didn't have the numbers."

Even though the bill is now dead, supporters like Kathy Kuzava with the Georgia Food Industry Association weren't too worried. She says the amount of public support behind legislation like this shows that Georgians won't let the idea lay to rest.

"We will definitely be back to fight this issue because again as you know the polling is coming across is overwhelmingly in favor of... local option for Sunday sales."

Legislators Call For Study to Examine Merger of Historically Black Colleges, Majority White Institutions

A lawmaker who wants to merge two historically black colleges in Georgia with nearby predominantly white institutions has teamed up with the head the state's Legislative Black Caucus in calling for a study committee to examine the move. State Sens. Seth Harp and Emanuel Jones are backing a resolution recognizing the importance of the historically black schools. The resolution introduced Thursday also calls for a panel to investigate consolidating colleges in the state. Harp, a Republican from Midland, has said the state should look at merging the schools in Savannah and Albany to save money in tough budget times. Harp says the schools are a vestige of the state's Jim Crow laws. Jones has argued the schools have a rich heritage and educate those who otherwise might not attend college.

(Associated Press)

Bill Would Merge Black and White Schools

A state lawmaker who supports merging several historically black public colleges in Georgia has introduced a resolution urging the Board of Regents to move ahead with the cost-saving move. State Sen. Seth Harp wants to merge two of the historically black schools with nearby predominantly white colleges. The goal is to save money as the state grapples with a $2.2 billion budget shortfall. Critics say the schools have a rich civil rights legacy and that students who might otherwise not attend college are being educated at the schools. The plan would merge the historically black Savannah State University with Armstrong Atlantic State University. Albany State University would combine with nearby Darton College. The state Board of Regents would have to approve any merger.

(Associated Press)

Stealing Metal Could Mean More than Jail Time

Stealing metal could cost criminals a lot more than jail time under proposed legislation filed Tuesday in the State Senate. 

State Senator Seth Harp said across the country drug users are turning to stealing metal instead of jewelry to help support their habit. Because, he says, they see metal as hard to track. 

Harp is proposing a registry for known metal thieves that would help businesses identify the criminals.

Taking it one step further, Harp also wants to make the penalties tougher for metal theft. 

"We are going to take and seize their automobiles and seize their tools."

Police around Georgia say those most susceptible to metal theft should put markings on their metal. That, they say, would help police identify the stolen scrap.

The Battle Continues: Georgia Alcohol Sales on Sundays

The battle continues in Georgia over the sale of alcohol on Sundays. Republican Sen. Seth Harp of Midland filed a bill saying local governments could call elections to let voters decide if they want the sale of beer, wine, and liquor on Sundays. Supporters of the bill believe that the new law would bring in millions of dollars in tax revenue. The measure has not been passed in the last two years of legislation. Georgia Governor Sunny Perdue opposes the sale of alcohol on Sunday.

(AP)

Sunday sales bill to return

Legislation to allow the Sunday sales of alcohol in Georgia is making a comeback. State Sen. Seth Harp said he will reintroduce the measure for the coming legislative session. And, with the state's economy slumping, he'll argue that it could bring in millions of dollars in additional tax revenue. Sunday sales has failed to win legislative approval for the last two sessions. Georgia is one of only three states that ban stores from selling any kind of alcohol on Sundays. The bill would give local governments the option on whether to permit Sunday alcohol sales. Opponents say they will fight the bill again this year arguing it would create more problems by increasing alcohol use.

(Associated Press)

Lawmaker suggests merging black public schools

A state lawmaker told Georgia college leaders today they need to look at merging public historically black colleges with nearby white-majority schools to help meet budget cuts. Midland Republican Seth Harp suggested combining historically black Savannah State University with nearby Armstrong Atlantic University, and historically black Albany State University would merge with Darton College. Like most state agencies and departments, Georgia's public colleges are facing budget cuts of up to 10 percent this year. University system Chancellor Erroll Davis told lawmakers that such move would face strong opposition.

(Associated Press)

Lawmaker suggests merging black, white colleges

A state lawmaker told Georgia college leaders Monday they need to look at merging public historically black colleges with nearby white-majority schools to help meet budget
cuts.

Senate Higher Education Committee Chairman Seth Harp told University System of Georgia officials during a budget hearing that the move also would help close the "ugly chapter" of segregation in Georgia. The Republican from Midland suggested combining historically black Savannah State University with nearby Armstrong Atlantic University, and historically black Albany State University would merge with Darton College.

University system Chancellor Erroll Davis told lawmakers that such move would face strong opposition.

Like most state agencies and departments, Georgia's public colleges are facing budget cuts of up to 10 percent this year.

(AP)

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