Legislation Made Simple
Join co-hosts Patty Decraene and Jane Robbins as they help you become more aware of how the Georgia legislature operates and what is happening under the Gold Dome.
Mar 1, 2025
Georgia GOAL and Catholic Education
Georgia GOAL CEO, Ben Saylor
Learn about an issue that’s critical for many parents who want a Catholic education for their children: the Georgia GOAL Scholarship Program. Georgia GOAL CEO, Ben Saylor, explains how we can contribute to Catholic-school scholarships for lower-income families and get a dollar-for-dollar credit on state income taxes. He also tells us about HB 328, which the House is considering to raise the cap on these tax credits.
We also give an update on the fast and furious pace of legislation as we approach Crossover Day (March 6): religious freedom, marijuana, obscenity in schools, and more. Gambling update: SR 131, to authorize a vote on a constitutional amendment to allow online sports betting and casinos, failed in committee. A brand-new House bill has been introduced to do the same thing except for sports betting only. Stay tuned for updates.
Resources:
Learn about an issue that’s critical for many parents who want a Catholic education for their children: the Georgia GOAL Scholarship Program. Georgia GOAL CEO, Ben Saylor, explains how we can contribute to Catholic-school scholarships for lower-income families and get a dollar-for-dollar credit on state income taxes. He also tells us about HB 328, which the House is considering to raise the cap on these tax credits.
We also give an update on the fast and furious pace of legislation as we approach Crossover Day (March 6): religious freedom, marijuana, obscenity in schools, and more. Gambling update: SR 131, to authorize a vote on a constitutional amendment to allow online sports betting and casinos, failed in committee. A brand-new House bill has been introduced to do the same thing except for sports betting only. Stay tuned for updates.
Resources:
- Georgia GOAL Scholarship Program
- Georgia Bulletin article: "Archdiocese to partner with Georgia GOAL for student scholarships"
- Information on HB 328 legislation to increase cap for tax credits available for certain contributions to student scholarship organizations
- Committees to contact (call the chairman, plus your senator or representative if he or she is on the committee):
- Senate Rules Committee, which decides which bills that have passed committee will be sent to the full Senate - ask the committee to advance these bills: SB 36 to protect religious freedom in Georgia; SB 33 to restrict potency of hemp consumables; SB 254 (similar); SB 74 to require libraries to comply with Georgia obscenity law
- Senate Health & Human Services Committee - ask for rejection of this unrestricted in vitro fertilization bill: HB 428 to provide a “right” to IVF, with no restrictions on procedures, destruction of embryos, etc.
- House Judiciary Non-Civil Committee – ask for hearing on this bill: HB 123 to reform Georgia law on the death penalty
- House Ways & Means Committee – ask for hearing on this bill: HB 328 to increase the tax-credit cap for Georgia GOAL scholarship students
