Hearings are meetings held by the House or Senate during Session to discuss the budget, legislation, or other issues. You can check the Senate schedule or House schedule to see what is coming up. Some meetings are more interesting than others, but regardless of the topic, it's a cool way to experience how government works and I challenge you to try it.
Technically you can't crash a hearing, because the general public is invited. Most meetings are held in the Capitol (CAP) or across the street at the Coverdell Legislative Office Building (CLOB). You can take MARTA to the Georgia State stop and walk about a block from there. From Tech, I always go by bike. Be warned, this requires a decent level of street skill. The roads and drivers in downtown Atlanta can be intimidating and on some of the downhills you'll be going near 30 mph! And this method may require you to bring a change of clothes and/or shoes in a small backpack. When you get to the Capitol or CLOB, go into the front entrance. If the security guard recognizes you or you have a badge, you can walk right in. Otherwise you show your ID, put your bag through a scanner, and walk through a metal detector.
Dress like you are going to a job interview. The legislators will all be wearing suits, and you can't go wrong in a suit or one step below a suit. Everyone is very conservatively dressed, and you will blend in perfectly if you are too. I've never seen a bare shoulder or knee in there. Prepare for extreme temperature variation. The rooms are usually very cold, unless there is a big crowd and then it gets hot.
Usually, the room consists of Senators and/or Representatives, agency representatives, legislative staff, the media, and lobbyists. The legislators have assigned seats, and there are chairs in the back for everyone else. You may have to show up early to get a seat in high profile meetings because more of the press and lobbyists come. The Governor was the first speaker at the Joint Budget Briefings I attended today, and after he left, so did much of the audience.
Arriving early is a good idea anyway, as it gives you the chance to talk to other people, which can be the most interesting part of the whole experience. Wear a pin with your school name, if you have one, and look for others from your school. Almost everyone represents their alma mater on their name tag or with a pin. You can see what lobbyists represent (non-profits, unions, farmers, etc.) by looking at their name tags. Don't be shy about talking to them; networking is the heart of their business.
I highly recommend taking notes because it helps you pay attention, remember things for later, and fit in with the rest of the audience. Etiquette is still highly valued in Georgia, so shake hands, silence your phone, and avoid bringing any food or drinks other than water. Legislators and staff will mostly be drinking the endless supply of Diet Coke they receive. You don't have to stay the whole time, but if possible, enter and exit the room as they are changing speakers. Usually each speaker gives a presentation followed by questions and answers, but only legislators can ask the questions (so don't raise your hand).
I hope this doesn't sound like too many rules. There is really nothing to worry about. I guarantee you that everyone will be excited to see a student taking interest in state policy and will make you feel welcome. If you have already attended a meeting, have questions, or attend one this Session, please leave a comment.
Tuesday, January 19, 2010
Monday, January 18, 2010
The Value of Veggies
My friend Bobby has started an indoor vegetable garden in his dorm room. He's growing chives, tomatoes, radishes, and arugula to save some money and hopefully develop a liking for vegetables. Sounds like a good investment if it works out.
The state makes a similar investment each year, only on a much larger scale: around $87 million. That is the state contribution to the College of Agricultural and Environmental Sciences (CAES) at the University of Georgia. To be clear, this is separate from the $46.7 million in state funds for the Department of Agriculture. Today I only want to talk about CAES.
Let me set aside my Georgia Tech bias against anything UGA-related as I consider this investment. I'll admit that the 1816 CAES students, with their 1216 average SAT score and 3.86 average gpa, seem a bright bunch. About 79% are in-state students, and 95% of the in-state freshmen are on the HOPE Scholarship. Of the state funds for CAES, $12.6 million are used for instruction, so the state is subsidizing these students' education nearly $7000 per student per year, above and beyond their HOPE funding.
Instruction is the smallest chunk of the funding. The remainder is split between research ($40.5 million) and Cooperative Extension ($33.6 million). Cooperative Extension refers to community outreach, dissemination of information, testing and diagnostics, and trainings for farmers, ranchers, producers, and the general public. If Bobby wanted advice about his vegetable garden, for instance, he could call 1-800-ASK-UGA1. Or he could take 40 hours of horticulture courses for home gardeners through the Georgia Master Gardener Program.
Education, research, and outreach are theoretically some of the best forward-thinking investments. But often it is difficult to measure the effectiveness of spending in these areas, and more money doesn't necessarily mean better results. But CAES is making a tremendous effort to demonstrate their impact. They have a searchable database of hundreds of Impact Statements. Writing from Atlanta, it's easy to forget that 29% of Georgia's land is devoted to agriculture. I really had no idea why so much continued agricultural research would be needed. But these impact statements, with titles like "Biorational Nematicides," "Blueberry Replant Fumigation Trials," and "Pecan Root Borer Trapping Made Easy" showed me how little I know.
Interested in undergraduate or graduate studies at CAES? Check out their scholarships or make a campus visit.
The state makes a similar investment each year, only on a much larger scale: around $87 million. That is the state contribution to the College of Agricultural and Environmental Sciences (CAES) at the University of Georgia. To be clear, this is separate from the $46.7 million in state funds for the Department of Agriculture. Today I only want to talk about CAES.
Let me set aside my Georgia Tech bias against anything UGA-related as I consider this investment. I'll admit that the 1816 CAES students, with their 1216 average SAT score and 3.86 average gpa, seem a bright bunch. About 79% are in-state students, and 95% of the in-state freshmen are on the HOPE Scholarship. Of the state funds for CAES, $12.6 million are used for instruction, so the state is subsidizing these students' education nearly $7000 per student per year, above and beyond their HOPE funding.
Instruction is the smallest chunk of the funding. The remainder is split between research ($40.5 million) and Cooperative Extension ($33.6 million). Cooperative Extension refers to community outreach, dissemination of information, testing and diagnostics, and trainings for farmers, ranchers, producers, and the general public. If Bobby wanted advice about his vegetable garden, for instance, he could call 1-800-ASK-UGA1. Or he could take 40 hours of horticulture courses for home gardeners through the Georgia Master Gardener Program.
Education, research, and outreach are theoretically some of the best forward-thinking investments. But often it is difficult to measure the effectiveness of spending in these areas, and more money doesn't necessarily mean better results. But CAES is making a tremendous effort to demonstrate their impact. They have a searchable database of hundreds of Impact Statements. Writing from Atlanta, it's easy to forget that 29% of Georgia's land is devoted to agriculture. I really had no idea why so much continued agricultural research would be needed. But these impact statements, with titles like "Biorational Nematicides," "Blueberry Replant Fumigation Trials," and "Pecan Root Borer Trapping Made Easy" showed me how little I know.
Interested in undergraduate or graduate studies at CAES? Check out their scholarships or make a campus visit.
Intro to the Georgia Senate
The best thing about the Georgia Senate is that they truthfully call themselves a "peoples' legislature." The 56 Senators are not professional legislators, but rather earn their living in trades ranging from farming to orthodontics. The modest stipend they receive is not enough to be the motivation for their service, and neither, for most, is the promise of future power. By and large, intentions are noble. We have a Senate of hardworking Georgians, working hard for hardworking Georgians.
Senators are required to be at least 25 years old, a US citizen, a two-year Georgia citizen, and a one-year resident of the district they represent. Presently, ages range from 31 to 78. They serve two-year terms with no term limits (that's pretty typical--only 20 states have term limits for state legislators). The party breakdown is 34 Republicans and 22 Democrats. The three month Legislative Session (usually just called Session) begins in January.
A list of Senate leadership is headed up with the President of the Senate, Lt. Gov. Casey Cagle, President Pro Tempore Tommie Williams, and Majority Leader Chip Rogers, all Republicans. The real leaders are the committee chairs, since most of the legislative work is done in committees. There are 30 committees, but here are some of the key ones and their chairs:
-Appropriations, Sen. Jack Hill. Holds budget hearings and approves Senate version of the state budget. This is a BIG task, so they have nine subcommittees. Sen. Hill is a very busy man during Session, and works closely with the Senate Budget Office. A grocer by trade, Sen. Hill has been in the Senate since 1990 and is exceedingly likable.
-Education and Youth, Sen. Dan Weber.
-Health and Human Services, Sen. Don Thomas.
-Higher Education, Sen. Seth Harp.
-Rules, Sen. Don Balfour. This committee places bills on the legislative calendar, thereby controlling the flow of legislative proceedings.
-Transportation, Sen. Jeff Mullis.
Senators are required to be at least 25 years old, a US citizen, a two-year Georgia citizen, and a one-year resident of the district they represent. Presently, ages range from 31 to 78. They serve two-year terms with no term limits (that's pretty typical--only 20 states have term limits for state legislators). The party breakdown is 34 Republicans and 22 Democrats. The three month Legislative Session (usually just called Session) begins in January.
A list of Senate leadership is headed up with the President of the Senate, Lt. Gov. Casey Cagle, President Pro Tempore Tommie Williams, and Majority Leader Chip Rogers, all Republicans. The real leaders are the committee chairs, since most of the legislative work is done in committees. There are 30 committees, but here are some of the key ones and their chairs:
-Appropriations, Sen. Jack Hill. Holds budget hearings and approves Senate version of the state budget. This is a BIG task, so they have nine subcommittees. Sen. Hill is a very busy man during Session, and works closely with the Senate Budget Office. A grocer by trade, Sen. Hill has been in the Senate since 1990 and is exceedingly likable.
-Education and Youth, Sen. Dan Weber.
-Health and Human Services, Sen. Don Thomas.
-Higher Education, Sen. Seth Harp.
-Rules, Sen. Don Balfour. This committee places bills on the legislative calendar, thereby controlling the flow of legislative proceedings.
-Transportation, Sen. Jeff Mullis.
Sunday, January 17, 2010
Empowering our People to Grow their own Hogs
Georgia's Governor Sonny Perdue delivered his eighth and final annual state-of-the-state address to the Georgia General Assembly on January 13, 2010. You can watch it here or read the text here.
The Governor typically uses the state-of-the-state address to present the year's legislative agenda and spending priorities to state Senators and Representatives. Gov. Perdue is now in the last year of his second term, which perhaps explains why this year's address favored ambitious rhetoric over specific details.
He quoted Alexis de Tocqueville, Thomas Paine, the Apostol Paul, Dr. Michael Guido, General Oglethorpe, and the prophet Micah. All of these are men (the small but growing role of women in Georgia government will be a future post). The only woman mentioned (but not quoted) was his wife, Mary, and this was admittedly sweet.
He made analogies to the American Revolution, the Great Depression, both World Wars as well as Korea and Vietnam, rugby, and hog farming.
And while he didn't go into much detail, the key statement was this:
"The hard thing," mostly, is budget cuts. Education, health care, and criminal justice make up 75% of the state budget, and Georgia has its share of troubles even in typical years when state revenue grows four or five percent. This year, it is an understatement to say that Georgia must trim its budget. It is not likely to be pleasant, but guaranteed to be exciting. I'll be watching closely so I can share the highlights with you!
The Governor typically uses the state-of-the-state address to present the year's legislative agenda and spending priorities to state Senators and Representatives. Gov. Perdue is now in the last year of his second term, which perhaps explains why this year's address favored ambitious rhetoric over specific details.
He quoted Alexis de Tocqueville, Thomas Paine, the Apostol Paul, Dr. Michael Guido, General Oglethorpe, and the prophet Micah. All of these are men (the small but growing role of women in Georgia government will be a future post). The only woman mentioned (but not quoted) was his wife, Mary, and this was admittedly sweet.
I want to recognize the one Earthly person who has stood out as my inspiration and guide throughout this journey. Mary, you are the person I hope to become. Your kindness and gentleness have not only comforted me, but changed me. Mary, you have been a constant reminder of our purpose in public office, and I thank you for all that you have done as my loving wife and as the First Lady of Georgia.
He made analogies to the American Revolution, the Great Depression, both World Wars as well as Korea and Vietnam, rugby, and hog farming.
Georgians didn’t elect us to see a rugby match with a scrum on every decision. When we don’t work together, our jerseys get so muddy the people can’t even distinguish which team we’re on. And we all come out with mud on our face.
These times demand that we worry less about bringing home the pork, and more about empowering our people to grow their own hogs.
And while he didn't go into much detail, the key statement was this:
If we fail to do the hard thing now, our government will be spread far too thin to ensure that Georgia is educated, healthy, safe and growing.
"The hard thing," mostly, is budget cuts. Education, health care, and criminal justice make up 75% of the state budget, and Georgia has its share of troubles even in typical years when state revenue grows four or five percent. This year, it is an understatement to say that Georgia must trim its budget. It is not likely to be pleasant, but guaranteed to be exciting. I'll be watching closely so I can share the highlights with you!
Welcome
Hello and welcome to Georgia State of State for Students! In this blog I will attempt to address a need for a central source of state news relevant to people my age. During a yearlong internship in state government, I fell in love with the exciting and quirky world of Georgia policy-making-- a world that is highly relevant to YOU! Here's why:
1. Entertainment: It's hard to beat Georgia for human interest stories. I'll keep you filled in on the quotes, humor, and characters that you just can't make up.
2. Education: Do you attend a public or private university, college, or technical college in Georgia? Did you go to K-12 here, or might your kids some day? It's worth keeping an eye on the decisions that affect student life and what you learn and pay.
3. Opportunities: Whether it's through an internship, volunteering, voting, or voicing an opinion, you can make a large impact at the state and local level. I'll try to keep this blog updated with details.
4. Lifestyle: Transportation, taxes, jobs, hospitals, libraries... Maybe they matter to you now, or maybe they will in the future.
I'll use the first few posts to fill you in on a basic who's who at the Gold Dome, recap of the governor's race so far, and some other overviews. Then I'll continue with other stories as they come up or as you suggest. Your comments and suggestions are welcome!
1. Entertainment: It's hard to beat Georgia for human interest stories. I'll keep you filled in on the quotes, humor, and characters that you just can't make up.
2. Education: Do you attend a public or private university, college, or technical college in Georgia? Did you go to K-12 here, or might your kids some day? It's worth keeping an eye on the decisions that affect student life and what you learn and pay.
3. Opportunities: Whether it's through an internship, volunteering, voting, or voicing an opinion, you can make a large impact at the state and local level. I'll try to keep this blog updated with details.
4. Lifestyle: Transportation, taxes, jobs, hospitals, libraries... Maybe they matter to you now, or maybe they will in the future.
I'll use the first few posts to fill you in on a basic who's who at the Gold Dome, recap of the governor's race so far, and some other overviews. Then I'll continue with other stories as they come up or as you suggest. Your comments and suggestions are welcome!
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