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Capitol Overview: North Fulton Chamber Legislative Update Week 2

Capitol Overview: North Fulton Chamber Legislative Update Week 2

Education Update

Last week both the House Education Committee and the full state Senate took up important bills that will reform education and clean up Title 20 which covers education in the state code.

 House Bill 706 sponsored by Representative Mike Dudgeon of the 24th district -- a future member of the Fulton County Delegation -- was the work of the Education Finance Study Commission. The commission worked throughout the summer and fall to examine how Georgia funds public education.

Many of the code changes were minor; however, it was refreshing to see the Legislature repeal duplicate and archaic laws from the books:

- Currently, the State Board of Education must vote to change the structure and internal budget of the State Department of Education. Changes in this bill give the State School Superintendent more authority of day-to-day operations of his department.

- The bill eliminates the requirement that local school systems submit myriad copies of discipline, staff training and other administrative documents to the state. Department of Education staff admitted in testimony this summer that many of these plans and documents do not change from year to year and collect dust in Atlanta. Improved technology has made this requirement obsolete.

- Today the State Board of Education has the power to regulate any expense over $100.00 made by a local school board. This legislation eliminates the need for BOE approval of all local purchases.

House Bill 705, also sponsored by Representative Dudgeon, was reported out of committee. This piece of legislation effectively repeals the requirement that 65% of all public educational funds be used in the classroom for instruction by classifying transportation and similar expenses as "classroom expenditures".

The requirement is the work of legislation passed in 2006 by Speaker Pro Tem Jan Jones.  In 2006 the Greater North Fulton Chamber of Commerce supported this legislation, and we currently oppose its repeal. The Fulton County School system has consistently spent more than 65% in the classroom and had no problems conforming to the law when passed.

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Improvements to Georgia 400  

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The exciting news about increased revenues and the like are great, but congestion on Georgia 400 for many in North Fulton is a fact of life.

Metro Atlanta's traffic woes were also front and center last week as the Governor highlighted a plan to reduce congestion and increase mobility on Georgia 400.

The result of many hours' work between the Governor and Brandon Beach of the State Transportation Board; GDOT plans to implement flex shoulders by completing the current emergency lanes from the Chattahoochee River to I-285. North of the river, workers will fill out exit and entrance lanes to allow traffic to pass unobstructed. New concrete will be poured to add capacity, and the commute will not be impacted because all work will be done at night.  

Construction of this expansion will take up to 6 months and can start as soon as the project is put out to bid. Motor fuel dollars (GDOT) and 400 toll monies (SRTA) will pay for the expansion.  

By mid spring some 400 congestion will be relieved as Westside Parkway will be completed. After years of legal hurdles, motorists will be able to travel directly from Mansell Road to Windward Parkway.  The city of Alpharetta and the North Fulton CID purchased the right of way for this final phase. Construction will be paid for by GDOT with motor fuel dollars. This is exciting news for all residents of North Fulton.

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