2/23: Capping lobbyists’ gifts
Moderated by Rick Badie
We expect integrity to trump political ideologies and social mores. It’s no wonder, then, that proposed ethics legislation designed to cap lobbyists’ gifts to Georgia lawmakers has garnered broad support from opposite sides of the aisle.
Today, a Democratic leader says the bills aren’t strict enough while a tea party activist laments their standstill in the General Assembly. Plus, we offer some other views on the lobbyist cap issue.
What do you think?
2/22: Tackling tax policy reform
Moderated by Rick Badie
Republican politicians across the heartland are tackling tax policy reform. Their idea: Repeal or reduce the personal income tax. Should Georgia do likewise?
The director of a policy organization says Georgia would suffer without it. A think-tank president suggests the tax’s demise would enhance the economy. And we offer a few more facts about the topic.
What do you think?
2/21: Federal gas tax debated
Moderated by Tom Sabulis
The federal gas tax, it seems, is a constant source of debate.
Today, a MARTA leader writes about the need to maintain the dedicated transit funds it provides, which are jeopardized by proposed legislation in Washington.
Meanwhile, a Georgia congressman calls the dispersal of the funds unfair and offers a different option — return the money to the states for use.
What do you think about the federal gas tax?
2/20: School board size; Teach for America
Moderated by Maureen Downey
Is there an ideal size for a school board? The Legislature attempted to answer that question last year with a law reducing the DeKalb board, but inadvertently created a mess, which I describe today.
In a guest column, a Teach for America teacher wonders why Cobb wouldn’t welcome her and her peers.
Tell us what you think here or on my Get Schooled blog.
Continue reading 2/20: School board size; Teach for America »
2/19: A question of HOPE
Moderated by Maureen Downey
The history of HOPE can be told through the nearly two decades of newspaper headlines about the popular scholarship program: “Gov. Miller gives students HOPE,” “More students getting HOPE,” “HOPE running out” and “Can we keep HOPE alive?”
There’s one headline that no one in Georgia ever wants to see: “HOPE is gone.”
A victim of its own success, soaring tuitions and improved college attendance, the HOPE scholarship is running out of money. More than 256,000 students received a HOPE benefit last year, compared with fewer than 200,000 a decade ago.
The Georgia Lottery cannot keep up with both HOPE and pre-k, and lawmakers have been scrambling to come up with solutions.
Read the rest of what the AJC Editorial Board has to say, along with two commentaries by Gov. Nathan Deal and Rep. Stacey Abrams. Then tell us what you think.
2/17: Grading Atlanta for racial equity
Moderated by Tom Sabulis
A Washington-based think tank has released a study of racial equality in 100 top metro areas, giving Atlanta a good grade overall for black integration and a poor one for Latino integration.
Today, a lead researcher writes about the rankings while a local expert looks behind the statistics to show how neighborhood realities paint a different picture than the numbers.
2/16: Give water polluters options?
Moderated by Rick Badie
State Sen. Rick Jeffares has proposed legislation that gives water polluters options to avoid paying fines if they clean up spills.
The bill, he says, would allow municipalities and governments to respond more efficiently to crises.
Some environmentalists say Senate Bill 269 guts state law. Ogeechee Riverkeeper Dianna Wedincamp explains that view.
What do you think?
2/15: Should Georgia raise minimum wage?
Moderated by Rick Badie
Georgia’s minimum wage for some workers of $5.15 an hour stands $2.10 shy of the federal wage, something state Rep. Rashad Taylor of Atlanta wants to change.
Advocates say workers deserve more, given inflation and basic living expenses.
The director of a state small-business association argues an increase would stifle economic momentum and even hurt hiring.
What do you think?
2/14: Streetcars worth the investment?
Moderated by Tom Sabulis
Ground has been broken on construction of a new streetcar line in downtown Atlanta. The federal government is funding about half the cost, which the city estimates at $84.7 million.
Critics point to expensive subsidies needed to build and run streetcars, while supporters I spoke with claim the economic runoff in jobs and infrastructure is well worth the investment.
What do you think?
2/13: Amendment vital to education reform?
Moderated by Maureen Downey
The Legislature is likely this week to revisit a controversial constitutional amendment that would allow the state to approve charter schools. The sponsor explains in a column today why the amendment is vital to education reform.
I interview a MacArthur “Genius Grant” winner about why race still matters in the classroom. Comment below or on Maureen Downey’s Get Schooled blog.
Continue reading 2/13: Amendment vital to education reform? »
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