Georgia Lawmakers Urge Summer Meal Funding for 1.1 Million Students

Georgia lawmakers are pushing Governor Kemp to apply for federal funds to support summer meals for over 1.1 million children through the Summer EBT program, which could provide families with a $120 benefit. This push follows last year's decision by Kemp to reject similar funding, prompting petitions from parents. Additionally, a coalition of bipartisan legislators is advocating for increased state funding for schools serving low-income students, with House Bill 245 proposing an extra $2,000 per student for those in poverty, potentially costing the state around $1 billion annually. Concerns are raised about Georgia's education funding formula, which currently does not account for poverty, with proposals to implement a “poverty weight” to direct more resources where they are needed most. Democratic lawmakers argue that recalibrating the Quality Basic Education formula is essential to better support economically challenged students. The legislative efforts reflect a growing consensus on the need to address educational inequities and provide necessary resources for underprivileged communities.