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2020 Legislative Agenda
Say “YES” to:
HB 513, Sponsored by Representative Sandra Scott
- Relating to public school property and facilities, so as to prohibit a local school system from leasing or selling a public school in such system to a private entity unless such public school has been in existence for at least 15 years; to provide for related matters; to repeal conflicting laws; and for other purposes.
HB 181, Sponsored by Representative Billy Mitchell
- Relating to the "Charter Schools Act of 1998," so as to provide that the initial term or any renewal term of a charter school shall be for no more than three years; to provide for related matters; to repeal conflicting laws; and for other purposes.
HB 206, Sponsored by Representative Billy Mitchell
- Relating to the "Charter Schools Act of 1998," so as to provide for certain accountability requirements for charter schools; to provide for legislative findings; to provide for discouraged practices with respect to assessments; to provide for transparency regarding assessments; to provide for related matters; to repeal conflicting laws; and for other purposes.
SB 102, Sponsored by Senator Emanuel Jones
- Relating to elementary and secondary education, so as to provide for a pilot program to plan, implement, and improve sustainable community schools; to provide for planning grants; to provide for operational grants; to provide for definitions; to provide for applications for grants; to require the development of community school plans; to provide for requirements for grant recipients; to delineate the purposes for which grant funds may be used; to provide for reports; to provide for automatic repeal; to provide for related matters; to provide for a short title; to repeal conflicting laws; and for other purposes.
Full Social Security Benefits for retired public employees
In 1983, the Windfall Elimination Provision (WEP) was enacted as a provision in federal law, to change the way Social Security benefits are calculated, reducing benefits for many retirees. It was meant to prevent retirees from double dipping by receiving SS benefits and pensions. Unfortunately, it penalized public sector employees who had paid into Social Security already. Currently beneficiaries in 15 states, including Georgia, are affected by the WEP. The AFT is asking federal lawmakers to endorse both HR 141/S 521 (Social Security Fairness Act), which would fully repeal WEP & GPO and HR 4540 (The Public Servants Protection and Fairness Act), which reforms WEP.
The passage of both of these acts would provide payments of $150 per month to retirees impacted by WEP and those turning 62 before 2022, beginning 9 months after the bill is enacted. Future retirees will on average get a $75 monthly increase in the SS.
- Support the revision of the WEP
- Support a Georgia Resolution to repeal the WEP
Say “NO” to:
Vouchers: Vouchers are tax dollars that can be used for private schools. Espinoza vs. the State of Montana Department of Revenue is being argued before the United States Supreme Court. If the plaintiffs prevail, any and all groups, religious organizations, etc., may use Georgia tax dollars for special schools. Oppose the notion to “cap” vouchers. Caps keep increasing. Georgia should not crack the door to vouchers!
SB 294: Lawmakers come and go. Teachers work long and hard for their pensions. Therefore lawmakers should not be allowed to utilize the teachers’ retirement funds for any investment reasons or projects. Don’t gamble or chance teacher retirement funds. Hands off!
HB 736: Do not support this bill in the original filed form. Turnaround schools are new inventions via political school takeover agendas. If the bill forgave teachers loans in Title 1 schools, the intent to help teachers who are assigned to lower economic schools, on expending their resources, would be a fairer and nobler means to help teachers. The “commission” as printed in the bill, should not decide the criteria by which to award loan forgiveness. Criteria should be decided by the Georgia Department of Education under the direction of the elected State School Superintendent.