Legislative Update: 3/10 - 3/30
Georgia Educational Opportunity Act
Thank you to Fund Georgia’s Future and the advocates who brought awareness around the importance of providing additional funding to support students living in poverty. I’m proud to sponsor the Georgia Educational Opportunity Act (HB 245) and have the support of my Republican colleague Rep. Tyler Paul Smith. This is not a blue or red issue, an urban or a rural issue. This is a Georgia issue. This bill would move all schools closer to having the resources they need to improve educational outcomes and increase opportunity for all children.
You can watch local coverage of the press conference here: 11 Alive News and Fox 5 News
Speaking in favor of a $28 million grant in the proposed budget. If approved, Georgia would join 45 other states to provide additional funds to support students living in poverty.
Student Teacher Promotion Act
I was a guest on "Lawmakers" with host Donna Lowry and Rep. Imani Barnes to discuss education legislation, including my bill the Student Teacher Promotion Act (HB 310). The Student Teacher Promotion Act would compensate college students for completing their student teaching. Currently, student teaching requires an unpaid 40 hour-a-week internship in the classroom for one full semester or 500 total hours.
Student teachers would receive up to $7,500, removing unpaid full-time work as a barrier to aspiring educators.
25 colleagues from Fulton and Clayton Counties signed letters of support to secure $23.3 million to complete the renovation of Atlanta Technical College's Hank Aaron Learning Center. This is the second part of a funding request President Dr. Victoria Seals and I made two years ago.
Housing in Summerhill — Front Page News
Thank you to the Atlanta-Journal Constitution for amplifying the work colleagues and I have been doing to address the growing issue of corporate investments in our housing market. Read the story below and let's "Protect the Dream".
Click video above to listen to weekly "Constituent Fridays" segment where I hear from District 59 residents across Atlanta and East Point
Phil in the District (59)!
Welcoming a group of seniors from the Columbia Colony residence in Greenbriar with colleague Senator Rashaun Kemp
Joining Ann Cramer, Inman Park resident, and leadership for the Corporate Volunteer Council of Atlanta
Hosting an in-person and virtual District 59 community meeting at the East Point Public Library, joined by East Point Councilman Shean Atkins
Taking a picture with Speaker Jon Burns and Ava, a 10th grader from Southwest Atlanta, as part of our Page program
Discussing legislative priorities and community issues with President Brian Blake, Georgia State University