Day 3 - 1/10/2007

Focus on PeachCare

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 Governor Perdue delivered his State of the State address to a joint session of the House and Senate at noon today.  In his speech, which highlighted his budget priorities, the Governor stated that he is committed to building a state “we can be proud to pass on to the next generation.”  He said that a great state is “one whose kids are well care for- whose children grow up challenged and prepared for the opportunities pf the future.”  The Governor’s funding priorities include investing in international trade opportunities, funding vaccine-based antiviral life research, supporting the Rural Health Access Project, and expanding the graduation coach program to middle schools.

The Governor also set the stage for a flurry of activity around efforts to encourage Congress to appropriate funds to cover PeachCare’s $131 million federal funding shortfall.  He called upon the President and Congress to “meet their obligation to the State Children’s Health Insurance Program.”

The Georgia House and Senate are preparing to add their voices to the call for Congress to act.  The House Rules Committee held a hearing today on HR 13, sponsored by Representatives Channell, Harbin, Keen, Fleming and Parsons, which urges Congress to reauthorize SCHIP and fund the shortfall.  The House Rules Committee will meet tomorrow morning at 9 a.m. in Room 341, Room 341 CAP, to vote on the resolution.  A similar resolution, SR 6, was introduced in the Senate by Senator Gogans and passed the Senate today.

2007 Legislative Session Archive