February 1, 2008 Volume 2008, Issue 2 2008 LEGISLATIVE UPDATE Technical College System of Georgia The Week Ahead: The House Higher Education Subcommittee of Appropriations will meet on Wednesday, February 6, at the GPTV Studios (260 14th Street, NW, Atlanta) at 2:00 p.m. Lawmakers will reconvene on Tuesday, February 5, for day 11 of the legislative session. Commissioner Ron Jackson Presents FY09 Budget Before Joint Appropriations Committee Commissioner Jackson presented the Technical College System of Georgia's Fiscal Year 2009 budget to the joint House and Senate Appropriations Committee on Wednesday, January 23. The commissioner gave a short introductory outline of the budget then, in a break from previous presentations to the committee, asked three of the agency's customers to speak. Al Stewart of the Boeing Corporation praised Quick Start's partnership in a Warner Robins project that helped his company "build the best little aircraft factory in the world." Toby Hughes, a graduate of the CEC in Newnan and Griffin Technical College, spoke of how he entered the job market with a technical college certificate earning $52,000 a year and is now making much more than that today. Sharon Lindsey, a former EAGLE Award winner and Middle Georgia Tech graduate, received loud applause from the legislators after she said that Georgia's "adult literacy program and its technical colleges are the master key that unlocks all kinds of doors." The commissioner returned to the podium to highlight the increasing enrollment at the colleges, especially in the strategic industries. Quick Start, he explained, had a substantial impact on job creation and retention in the state in 2007, including its role in the Kia project. He also noted that Adult Literacy served more than 85,000 students last year, but more needs to be done and more resources added to deal with the fact that 23% of Georgians over 18 are without a high school education. Legislators next heard details about the agency's $373 million budget, including $10 million for administration, $16 million for adult literacy, $16 million for Quick Start and $331 million for the colleges. The Governor's budget, the commissioner explained, added $13.8 million to the agency base plus a $93 million bond package for capital outlay spending. The presentation closed with the commissioner discussing future funding issues, including the need for a revision to the funding formula. Pictured from left to right Lorette Hoover, President of Altamaha Technical College; Scarlet Rollins, dually enrolled high school student at Altamaha Technical College; and Commissioner Ron Jackson The Third Annual "Taste of the Technical Colleges" The 33 colleges of the Technical College System of Georgia put technical education's "wow" factor on center stage for more than 400 state legislators and other dignitaries during the third annual Taste of the Technical Colleges. The event was held on January 29 and filled the historic Atlanta Freight Depot. TCSG officials, college presidents, faculty members, college staff and students were on hand to talk to their VIP guests about the new age of technical education in Georgia. The lawmakers saw program demonstrations from each college, including courses in in-demand fields like heath care, electronics, logistics, digital technology, and more. The best of technical education was on full display while the guests feasted on food prepared by the chefs and students from the 12 colleges with culinary arts programs. TCSG Commissioner Ron Jackson said the event showcases for legislators the kind of learning opportunities that are attracting more people to the state's technical colleges. Other Information: For more information on House and Senate members along with contact information, log on to www.legis.state.ga.us and click on "Find your Legislator". For a complete list of Legislators representing each technical college, log on to www.ciclt.net/dtae. To access live committee meeting broadcasts in the House and live broadcasts from the House and Senate floor, log on to www.legis.state.ga.us, then select Georgia Legislative Network and chose from the menu of broadcasts. 2008 Legislative Update Page 2 of 2 Committee Activity and Other Legislation Commissioner Jackson testified on Monday before Representative Bob Smith's subcommittee regarding the 2009 budget needs for the Technical College System. Members of the committee voted to pass the 2008 amended budget which included no changes for the Technical College System. The House Higher Education Committee met on Tuesday and assigned several pieces of legislation to their respective subcommittee for further review: Senate Bill 68, a bill that consolidates the legislation for the establishment of career academies as well as removal of the HOPE cap for high school students, was assigned to the Technical College subcommittee. House Bill 891, legislation allowing the employees of Georgia Aviation Technical College to switch retirement systems to under the Board of Regents, was sent to the University System subcommittee. Senate Bill 169, a bill that expands the needs-based loan program through the Georgia Student Finance Authority to include students who are serving in public service roles, was assigned to the University System subcommittee. Commissioner Jackson also testified before Senator John Wiles' subcommittee on Wednesday and fielded questions regarding potential revisions to the funding formula, the capital outlay prioritization process, system-wide MRR needs at the colleges, and the KIA project. Representative Fran Millar introduced House Bill 905, Speaker Glenn Richardson's BRIDGE (Building Resourceful Individuals to Develop Georgia's Economy) legislation, which is designed to improve high school graduation rates, prepare students for both college and careers, and increase the percentages of high school graduates who earn a formal credential. The BRIDGE program would allow high schools to partner with the technical colleges to offer students an alternative path to the traditional four-year college. Senator Seth Harp introduced resolutions honoring our 2007 GOAL and Rick Perkins winners, Keldrique Loftin and Kevin Ward. Both Loftin and Ward will be recognized on the House and Senate floors at a time and date to be determined. Senator Harp also introduced Resolution 739, declaring January 29, 2008 as "Technical College System of Georgia Day" at the Capitol. Representative Bill Hembree introduced similar legislation in the House (House Resolution 1105). Contact information for the Division of External Affairs: Laura Gammage lgammage@dtae.org (404) 374-6557