State Sen. Ronnie Chance of Tyrone has introduced legislation on behalf of Gov. Sonny Perdue which aims to protect Georgia’s HOPE Scholarship in future years.

Senate Resolution 125, known as the “HOPE Chest Amendment,” would limit the use of lottery funds to costs associated with the HOPE scholarship and Pre-K programs.

“These two programs are the cornerstones of education here in Georgia,” Chance said. “The passage of this legislation will ensure the future of HOPE and Pre-K for generations to come.”

Between the 1994 and 2003 fiscal years, state legislators appropriated over $1.8 billion in lottery revenue on budget items outside of the HOPE and Pre-K programs. The HOPE Chest Amendment would mandate that lottery funds only be spent on the HOPE and Pre-K programs.

“Last week, we celebrated the one millionth recipient of the HOPE Scholarship in Georgia,” Chance said. “It’s crucial to protect HOPE and to make sure that down the road it is available for a million more Georgia students. This amendment is not about any previous administrations or legislatures. This is a bipartisan effort to be the best stewards we can be.”

As one of Gov. Perdue’s administration floor leaders in the Senate, Sen. Chance will carry Gov. Perdue’s legislation as it works its way through the legislative process.

As Georgia’s executive officer, Perdue cannot introduce or carry legislation in either chamber of the General Assembly, so it is the floor leaders’ duty to do so.

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