Hill Tackles Tough Issues at Town Hall Meeting

Sen. Judson Hill (R-Marietta) tackled such issues as illegal immigrants, the HOPE Scholarship and the state's general fund at Thursday night's town-hall meeting at the Mountain View Library in Marietta.

Of greatest concern to attendees: the HOPE Scholarship Program.

Since 1993, more than 1 million high school students have attended college with the state paying the tuition through the HOPE Scholarship, funded by the state lottery. The program is the largest state-run merit-based scholarship program in the nation.

But now parts of the program are drying up.

According to Gov. Nathan Deal, the 2012 budget does not authorize HOPE expenditures beyond what the lottery brings in.

“Therefore, we must act now to maintain this jewel known as HOPE,” he said during a recent legislative address.

To remain in the program, a student must maintain a 3.0 GPA. Requirements to get the HOPE Scholarship could change now that money is tight.

But the program will not disappear.

According to his website, Hill supports creating more charter schools and providing them with the flexibility and expanded local control to meet the needs of the students. He has also supported legislation helping save HOPE Scholarship funding for college students.

Hill answered residents' concerns about money for special programs and services that end up in the general fund. One resident, who asked not to be identified, told Hill that he stopped purchasing the Wildlife License Plate in support of wildlife conservation because he learned that most of the money went into the general fund for other uses.

The meeting, which started at 6:30 p.m., was well attended by people expressing concerns about the available money for the HOPE Scholarship and the handling of illegal immigrants.

The meeting finished shortly before 8 p.m.

Hill represents District 32. You may contact him by mail at 3102 Raines Court, Marietta, GA 30062,  by phone at 770-565-0024, or by e-mail at  judson.hill@senate.ga.gov.