Eggs & Issues: Deal backs more technical college awards, film tax program

ATLANTA (AP) Gov. Nathan Deal wants lawmakers to expand a scholarship program available to technical college students studying to work in-demand jobs.

Deal spoke Tuesday at the Georgia Chamber of Commerce's annual breakfast at the start of the legislative session. He says industrial maintenance programs prepare students for jobs that companies need to fill.

The Strategic Workforce Development Grant covers tuition at Georgia's technical colleges for students pursuing jobs that employers often struggle to fill. The 11 topics already covered include commercial truck driving, early childhood care and welding.

Deal also told attendees of the breakfast that his administration will not accept cuts to the state's film and television tax breaks, which have drawn projects to the state.

Deal said the projects add millions of dollars to the economy.