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Putting the Puzzle Together

Students. Putting the Puzzle Together. Understanding the State Budget & the Legislative Process Teresa Maxwell. 2004 GSFC Annual Conference March 3 & 4, 2004. Overview. State of Georgia Budget How Does the State Budget Impact GSFC Legislative Update How to Contact Your Legislator?.

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Putting the Puzzle Together

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  1. Students Putting the Puzzle Together Understanding the State Budget & the Legislative Process Teresa Maxwell 2004 GSFC Annual Conference March 3 & 4, 2004

  2. Overview • State of Georgia Budget • How Does the State Budget Impact GSFC • Legislative Update • How to Contact Your Legislator?

  3. State Budget • The Georgia Constitution requires that the State of GA have a balanced budget • Who sets the revenue estimate for Georgia? • Annual Budget

  4. Budget Cycle • Agencies start preparing the budget in Spring • Budget submitted to Office of Planning & Budget (OPB) in September • Governor provides General Assembly his budget in January • General Assembly passes budget by March

  5. Budget Cycle • Budget submitted to Governor for signature • OPB will review budget and provide any line item veto information to the Governor • The Governor then signs the budget

  6. State of Georgia Budget • Fiscal Year 2004: $16,146,990,223 • New Revenue Estimate: $16,037,490,223 • Fiscal Year 2005: $16,125,208,162

  7. Sources of State Revenue • Income Tax • Sales Tax • Motor Fuel Tax • Other Taxes • Lottery • Fees and Sales • Indigent Care • Tobacco Settlement

  8. How state dollars are spent (FY 2004) • Education – 53.6% • Human Services – 22.3% • Public Safety – 7.8% • Debt Service – 4.8% • Transportation – 4.3% • General Government – 3.5% • Economic Development – 1.4% • Legislative & Judicial – 1.3% • Natural Resources – 1.1%

  9. Revenue Shortfall Reserve “Rainy Day Fund” Fiscal YearRainy Day Fund 2003$184,693,387 2002 $700,273,960 2001 $734,449,390 2000$551,277,500

  10. How Does the State Budget Impact GSFC?

  11. How the Budget Affects the Policy Process: Financial Aid in Georgia Search for Offsets Increased Scrutiny Basic Questions Effectiveness Efficiency Policy Changes Decrease Awards Higher Standard

  12. Recommended Policy Changes FY 2005 • Governor’s Scholarship Program • Modify the eligibility requirement beginning in FY 2006 and award up to 2 scholarships per high school (Valedictorian and STAR Student) • ROTC Program • Students have signed a contract with the US Military committing to serve • GMC Scholarship • Increase the minimum GPA requirement from a 2.5 GPA to a 3.0 GPA

  13. GSFC’s Budget • State Funds – Unit A • Tuition Equalization Grant • Guaranteed Educational Loans • LEAP • Governor’s Scholarship Program • Law Enforcement Personnel Dependents’ Grant • ROTC Grant • North GA College & University Military Scholarship • Military Transfer Program

  14. GSFC’s Budget • Lottery Funds – Unit B • HOPE Scholarship (Public & Private) • HOPE Grant • Teacher Scholarship • Promise Scholarship • Promise II Scholarship • Georgia Military Scholarship • Public Safety Memorial Grant • Engineering Scholarship

  15. Legislation

  16. Will there be changes in the HOPE Scholarship and Grant program?

  17. HOPE Recommendations • Eliminate payment for books, effective FY 2005. • Eliminate payment for fees, effective FY 2005. • Cap the number of eligibility hours for the HOPE Grant at 95 quarter hours (63 semester hours), effective FY 2005, and cap participation across both programs at 127 semester hours.

  18. HOPE Recommendations • Restrict eligibility for the HOPE Grant program to those students who do not possess a bachelor’s degree effective FY 2005. • Implement a standard 3.0 grade point average (GPA) requirement for the HOPE Scholarship, effective FY 2008.

  19. HOPE Recommendations • Endorse the recommendation of the GSFC regarding the development of a uniform residency requirement for all students receiving support from HOPE. • Improve data collection and management. • Determine the appropriate means of legislative oversight and coordination.

  20. HOPE Recommendations • Create a commission to study the pre-kindergarten program. • Implement a uniform grading system for public K-12 education in Georgia. • Discontinue funding for future capital outlay projects.

  21. Other Legislation • HB 341 – HOPE for part-time students at private institutions • HB 1011 – Adds the Southern Association of Independent Schools to the definition of eligible high schools • HB 1180 and HB 1181 - Appropriations bill

  22. Legislation All legislation can be view at the following website: http://www.legis.state.ga.us

  23. Contacting Legislators • Call your legislator • Write your legislator • Best of All - Visit your legislator

  24. Higher Education Committees • House Higher Education Committee • Chairwoman Louise McBee • Vice Chairwoman Pat Gardner • Senate Higher Education Committee • Chairman Bill Hamrick • Vice Chairman Seth Harp

  25. Higher Education Appropriations Committee • House Higher Education Committee • Chairwoman Ann Purcell • Senate Higher Education Committee • Chairman Chuck Clay

  26. Questions

  27. Putting the Puzzle Together! Colleges Parents Students Financial Aid

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