GSU Day at the Capitol
Georgia State University hosted its annual GSU Day at the Capitol this week. Students, faculty, alumni and administrators were on hand to speak to state lawmakers and showcase the many programs, initiatives and achievements happening at the University. Georgia State’s economic impact on Atlanta and the state of Georgia were highlighted at this year’s event.
Georgia State President Mark Becker, First Lady Laura Voisinet and Student Government Association President Lanier Henson were invited to the Georgia House of Representatives and Senate sessions as they presented Georgia State University with invite resolutions declaring February 4, 2015 as GSU Day at the Capitol. To read the resolution in its entirety please click the following link. House Resolution 74. (http://www.legis.ga.gov/legislation/en-US/Display/20152016/HR/74)
Firearms Legislation Introduced
HB 186, sponsored by Rep. Ed Setzler (R-Acworth), redefines which weapons are prohibited on campus to now exclude only firearms. It removes the prohibitions on carrying weapons at off-site school functions. Current law allows people with a carry license permit to have their weapon in their vehicle in a school safety zone. This bill would expand that to allow license carry holders to bring the weapon inside school buildings while dropping off and picking up students. The bill has been assigned to the House Public Safety and Homeland Security Committee.
Immigration Bill Scheduled for Hearing
SB 44, sponsored by Sen. Nan Orrock (D- Atlanta), would allow noncitizen students receiving a grant of deferred action for childhood arrivals from the U.S. Department of Homeland Security to be classified as in-state for purposes of tuition and fees by the University and Technical College System of Georgia. The bill is scheduled to be heard before the Senate Higher Education Committee on Tuesday.
Dual Enrollment Bill Passes the Senate
SB 2, sponsored by Sen. Lindsey Tippins (R- Marietta), passed the Senate this week in an unanimous 56-0 vote. The bill seeks to provide local Boards of Education the ability to award a high school diploma to students that fulfill certain requirements in the completion of college coursework after their 10th grade year. The bill now crosses over to the House for consideration.
Special Election Results
Georgia State University alumni Brad Raffensperger (R-Johns Creek) defeated Kelly Stewart (R-Johns Creek) in the House District 50 runoff. District 50 represents part of Fulton County.
Trey Rhodes (R-Greensboro) defeated Jesse Copeland (R-Greenboro) in the House District 120 runoff. District 120 represents Greene, Oglethorpe, Taliferro and parts of Putnam and Wilkes counties.
Legislation
HB 6, sponsored by Rep. Dar’shun Kendrick (D-Lithonia), would authorize the Georgia Student Finance Commission to provide for weighted grade point averages in excess of 4.0 for international baccalaureate, advanced placement, and dual credit course grades for purposes of determining eligibility for the HOPE scholarship for incoming freshmen. Assigned to the House Higher Education Committee.
SR 80, sponsored by Sen. William Ligon (R-Brunswick), demands revision by the College Board of Advanced Placement U.S. History. If it doesn’t, the legislation requires the Board of Education to pull all state funding for material aligned with the program. Assigned to the Senate Education and Youth Committee.
HB 142, sponsored by Rep. Simone Bell (D-Atlanta), relates to student scholarship organizations, requires that otherwise eligible schools or programs maintain nondiscriminatory practices in order to qualify to receive scholarship disbursements. Assigned to the House Education Committee.
HB 179, sponsored by Rep. Sharon Cooper (R-Marietta), would amend the licensure requirements for pain management clinics to clarify that certified registered nurse anesthetists acting within their scope of practice are authorized to provide medical treatment or services at a pain management clinic along with physicians, physician assistants and advanced practice registered nurses. Assigned to the House Health and Human Services Committee.
HB 155, sponsored by Rep. Nikki Randall (D-Macon), would require any person and every pharmacy, agency, or business employing a person who administers vaccines licensed by the FDA to register with the vaccination registry. Assigned to the House Health and Human Services Committee.
Intern Spotlight: Olamide Oladapo
Olamide Oladapo has always had an interest in the political process. However, it wasn’t until a friend highly recommended the Georgia Legislative Internship Program that Olamide decided to become an intern. This experience will allow me to “gain an in depth knowledge of the committee system and understand how bills are actually passed in state government,” says Ms. Oladapo, who is majoring in political science at Georgia State University. Furthermore, she is hoping todevelop and foster relationships, as well as network with as many people as possible.
Assigned to the Senate Interstate Cooperation Committee, Olamide is responsible for administrative tasks such as preparing the agenda, taking minutes, and researching potential issues and/or bills.
Her extracurricular activities include serving as president of Theta Nu Xi Multicultural Sorority Incorporated and being a member of the Board of Directors for the GSU Student Alumni Association. Ms. Oladapo plans to travel abroad to London for a year after graduation and later, pursue her law degree.
Intern Spotlight: Steven Gonzales
“The internship experience has encouraged me to try my hand at a public office and to represent those people who elect me, as well asthose who live in my community,” says Steven Gonzales. Having always been curious of how the political process worked, Steven was thrilled at the opportunity to experience it firsthand by working as an intern for the Georgia Legislative Internship Program. “I wanted to diversify my work and internship experience, as well as appease my curiosity of what goes on in the Capitol,” says this senior publicpolicy major.
Mr. Gonzales’ legislative assignment is with the Senate Science and Technology Committee where his various duties range from scheduling meetings to assisting with constituent issues.
Steven is President of the Planning and Economic Development Club at Georgia State University. He also enjoys recreational sports such as soccer and kickball. After graduation, Mr. Gonzales plans to work for a year or two, then attend graduate school. His career goal includes working as an Economic Development Specialist and one day run for public office in the House of Representatives or the Senate.
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Helpful Links
Information on legislative activities including bills and resolutions as well as webcast of daily sessions in both Chambers and committee meeting are available via the General Assembly website at ** www.legis.ga.gov (http://www.legis.ga.gov)
Upcoming Events
Day 12: The House will convene at 10:00 am and the Senate at 11:00 am on Monday, February 9.
Legislators are scheduled to work Monday through Thursday of next week.
Government Affairs Team
Tom Lewis, Senior Advisor to the President
Julie Kerlin, Director of Government & Community Affairs
Jason Thomas, Assistant Director of Government & Community Affairs
Debbie Jones, Associate to the Director