State Leaders Support Georgia Tech Initiatives During 2014 Legislature

Georgia Tech and the University System of Georgia (USG) received exceptional support from the Georgia General Assembly in both funding and policy initiatives during the 2014 Legislative Session. These measures are now under consideration by Governor Nathan Deal, who has until Tuesday, April 29, to sign or veto any bill or resolution approved in the House and Senate.

“Due in large part to the strong support of legislative leaders and our external advocates, as well as active engagement by Institute leadership, Georgia Tech’s top legislative priorities were secured,” said Dene Sheheane, executive director of Government and Community Relations.

The General Assembly took several important budgetary actions that benefit the Georgia Tech community.

“The Institute was allocated funding for its key capital priority, $1.7 million in bonds for planning and design of the Library/Crosland Tower renewal project,” Sheheane said. “Also Georgia Tech secured $4.5 million in bond funding for the relocation of Environmental Health and Safety operations, moving hazardous materials to the edge of campus.”

In terms of support to the USG, the General Assembly allocated $47.4 million to fund day-to-day operations across the System, including $11.4 million for a merit-based salary increase pool for USG employees. An additional $40 million in funding will address major building maintenance needs across the University System. Tech will receive a portion of these funds.

“Georgia Tech is pleased that the FY15 budget includes a total of $8.97 million in bond funding to support research through the Georgia Research Alliance,” Sheheane said. “The budget also includes $9.4 million to increase the HOPE Scholarship factor rate by 3 percent.”

Key policy actions from this session related to the Georgia Tech community include:

• The House and Senate passed a gun bill that did not include campus carry and maintains current law for USG institutions.
• The General Assembly passed a measure that will extend existing tax-exemption of USG property to private partners who operate student housing and other services for public colleges and universities.
• House members adopted a resolution creating a study committee on autonomous vehicles technology.
• The legislature did not pass a bill that would allow members of the Optional Retirement Plan a one-time switch into the Teacher’s Retirement Plan.
• A bill passed to prevent any state entity from establishing or administering an Affordable Care Act health insurance exchange also included language prohibiting state, local, and agency employees from using state resources to advocate in favor of Medicaid expansion in Georgia.